Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-06-19
Sells, James (Department: 1734)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S382000, C156S555000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248203
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pressing apparatus, and more particularly, to a pressing apparatus for laminating a first continuous web, such as a fiber web, to a second continuous structure, such as a second continuous web or a coating layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Laminating machines for merging multiple layers of material into a single unit are used for a variety of purposes, including applying protective coatings to substrate materials. Lamination machines typically apply a pressing force to multiple layers of material, which is sometimes supplemented by heat, in order to fuse the multiple layers together. Furthermore, in the paper making arts, it is known to provide a multi-roller structure forming a closed chamber, wherein air is circulated from the chamber through the roller surface to convect moisture out of the paper web that is wrapped over the roll.
What is needed in the art is a pressing apparatus which can laminate multiple web layers and de-water the laminated layers in a single process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is directed to an apparatus for laminating a first continuous web to a second continuous structure. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers arranged for cooperative rotation, each of the plurality of rollers having a first circular end, a second circular end and a cylindrical middle surface. The plurality of rollers are positioned to define a first inlet nip and a second inlet nip. A first roller of the plurality of rollers is positioned adjacent a second roller of the plurality of rollers to define a primary outlet nip. The first roller includes at least one void formed in its cylindrical middle surface. First and second sealing panels engage the first and second circular ends of each of the plurality of rollers, wherein the first and second sealing panels and the plurality of rollers define a chamber. A first pressure source is fluidly coupled to the chamber to pressurize the chamber with a fluid. A differential pressure source is fluidly coupled to evacuate the at least one void. The first continuous web is routed through the first inlet nip, the second continuous structure is routed through the second inlet nip, and the first continuous web and the second continuous structure are routed through the primary outlet nip. The pressurized chamber and the differential pressure source create a pressure differential across the first continuous web and the second continuous structure to laminate the first continuous web to the second continuous structure.
In still another aspect of the invention is a method for laminating a first continuous web to a second continuous structure which includes the steps of providing a plurality of rollers arranged for cooperative rotation, each of the plurality of rollers having a first circular end, a second circular end and a cylindrical middle surface, the plurality of rollers positioned to define a first inlet nip and a second inlet nip, wherein a first roller of the plurality of rollers is positioned adjacent a second roller of the plurality of rollers to define a primary outlet nip; providing first and second sealing panels for engaging the first and second circular ends of each of the plurality of rollers, the first and second sealing panels and the plurality of rollers defining a chamber; pressurizing the chamber with a fluid; routing the first continuous web through the first inlet nip; routing the second continuous structure through the second inlet nip; routing the first continuous web and the second continuous structure through the primary outlet nip; and creating a pressure differential across the first continuous web and the second continuous structure to laminate the first continuous web to the second continuous structure.
An advantage of the present invention is the ability to de-water and laminate in a single process.
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Joseph R. Pounder, Elementary Mathematical Models of Displacement Pressing, TAPPI Journal, Feb. 1987, pp 97-100.
Wlodzimierz Kawka and Edward Szwarcsztajn, Some Results of Investigations on the Equipment for Intensive Dewatering and Drying of Porous Papers, Technical University of Lodz/Poland, Paper No. 31, pp 153-169.
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Sells James
Taylor & Aust P.C.
Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
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