CA1071251A - Web edge decurling device and method for using same - Google Patents

Abstract

WEB EDGE DECURLING DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device is disclosed and claimed herein for engagement with a moving web to remove curl, fold or crease from an edge thereof. Opposite banks of elongated stationary fins are angularly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the web and are spaced apart to define a predetermined web passageway there-through, The edge of the traveling web passes between the banks of fins and cooperative forces produced by the opposing banks of the elongated angularly disposed fins remove curl from the edge of the web as well as removing folds and creases. In a preferred embodi-ment, the elongated fins have opposite taper at leading and trailing ends to permit proper feeding of a web therebetween and to permit location of the device in close proximity to adjacent web handling equipment. In another preferred embodiment, the two banks of elongated fins are operatively associated under spring tension, whereby adjustment may be made between banks of fins while damage to a web passing therethrough or to the device is sub-stantially alleviated,

Description

1071Z~

BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
. Textile webs in general are subject to curling along an . edge or selvage thereof when being handled and often have pressed folds or creases thereat. In order to produce a compact roll of goods or to achieve proper web handling along a process line for printing, inspection, drying, extraction of moisture, washing, doubling, tacking or other web treatment, it is desirable and sometimes necessary to insure that the web is in a flat condition, with little or no fabric deformation being present at either 1~ selvage during handling. Proper package preparation or web handing may thus be achieved in conjunction with apparatus of the present invention that engages the web selvage and due to a ~ I

particular action, removes curl, folds and creases the selvage of the web. While the device of the present invention is suitable for curl, fold and crease removal, hereinafter the term decurling only will be used for all.
Several dif~erent classes of decurling devices have heretorore been developed that include static as well as power driven approaches. Known static systems include a pair of spring loaded elements that are disposed above and below the web, with each Or the elements being U shaped where a short leg Or the U is presented on the web side and engages the web so as to strip curl thererrom. A further static structure includes a planar surface having ridges disposed thereon over which the web passes, with rrictional forces produced between the web and the rides attemptin~ ;
to remove curl rrom the selvage Or the web. Many Or the web edges decurlers in commercial operation are Or a driven type where oppositely disposed discs, rotating fingers, screws, belts or the like are located along a selvage Or the web. The elements are drlven to produce a motion which, in turn, imparts a spreading ef~ect on the web to remove curl along the selvage Or same.
Likewise, air ~ets have been directed against web curl to cause an uncurling Or the selvage. -All Or the aforementioned prior art decurling devicesare expensive, bulky, and/or are limited as to deployment due to physical size or construction. Further, the driven units require a high energy consumption and operating cost. The decurling device Or the present invention represents a definite advance in the art, and is specifically discussed hereinafter.

S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object Or the present invention to provide a 3 device for removing curl, rolds and the like from the edge Or a moving web.

7~251 Another object of the present invention is to provide a static device for flattening the selvage of a traveling web to provide a uniform web surface thereat.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for decurling an edge of a moving web that may be positioned immediately adjacent further in line processing equipment.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for removing curl, folds and the like from the selvage of a moving fabric web to improve the process-ability of the web.
Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a device for treating an edge of a traveling web to remove curl, folds and the like therefrom comprising a first bank of elon-gated fins disposed above an edge of a path of travel for said web, said fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web traveling-thereunder, and a second bank of elon-gated fins disposed beneath said edge of said path of travel for said web, said banks of fins being set to define a particular web passageway therethrough, said second bank of elongated fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web traveling thereover, whereby a web passing therethrough will have curl, folds and the like removed therefrom to provide a flat web thereat.
More specifically, the device of the present invention is a unit where two banks of elongated spaced-apart angularly disposed fins are adjustable to provide an overlap or a pre-determined gap therebetween. Spring loaded at the particular relative positions, the two banks of fins cooperate and act on a web traveling therebetween to spread the web in a direction transverse to the direction of web travel to a point where any curl along the selvage of the web is removed.

Since the installed device is a static structure, no maintenance problems are inherent therewith. Likewise, initial cost Or the device is small compared to the initial cost of certai of the prior art driven units for removing curl from selvage of a traveling web. The device also may be adjusted to provide a wider gap at the entrance end than at the exit end for certain webs whereupon curl is progressively removed along the angular length Or the fins Or the device.
A further feature for consideration is that the elongate 1~ fins are preferably tapered at a leading end for ease Or web entry into the device. An element taper away from the plane of the oncoming web assists in guiding the web between the banks of fins.
Likewise, a taper may be provided along a trailing end of the elongated rins of the device, which permits the unit to be located immediately adjacent a nip defined by a pair of rolls, a roll and a planar surface, or other processing equipment. Hence, arter removal Or curl rrom a selvage Or a traveling web, the web can be immedlately engaged by ad~acent equipment before the curl can return. In this manner, processability of a traveling web is ~t improved or the web may wound into a roll without any end distortion due to curl, folds or the like therein.
In one arrangement along a process line, a web feed means may be provided to supply a source Or web. The feed means is located upstream rrom the decurling device while a suitable web take-up means is located downstream of the decurler.
Obviously, other processing equipment may be interspersed along the web line as desired. In fact, the decurling device Or the present invention may be submerged in a finishing range, may be located on a simple fabric batcher, may be used on a tenter frame 3 ~ust ahead Or the pins, may be used in conjunction with a pad, an extractor, print machines, doublers, and tackers, and the like.

~1 ( 1071Z51 The method according to the present invention comprises the general steps of providing a web feed means and web take-up means; feeding a web from said feed means to said take-up means along a predetermined path of travel; engaging said fabric on a top and bottom of same adjacent a selvage of same along said path of travel with a plurality of spaced apart angularly disposed elongated fins, said fins being angled in a direction to direct any curl along the selvage towards an outer edge thereof, whereby sald curl is removed from the selvage of the traveling web.
\~ While a wide range of webs may be flattened by the device of the present invention, a proper setting of the device removes curl, folds and the like without instituting any longitudinal tension in the web or picking of the web. Moreover, the fins of the decurler unit may be hardened or otherwise treated to handle abrasiVe webs without any adverse effects thereto.
Likewise, a proper adjustment of the decurling device enables the removal of curl, folds and the like without producing any web bulge at the entrance to the device. The web being flattened is preferably fed through the decurler unit in a straight line at both the entrance and exit ends Or same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
,.
Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view Or a segment of a web decurler according to the teachings of the present invention Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a further embodi-ment of an edge decurler of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of an embodiment Or an edge decurler accordlng to the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a segment of traveling web showing edge decurlers located along both selvages of same and removing curl from the web.
Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of an edge decurler according to the present invention showing a particular fin placement embodiment.

~ 107~Z51 Figure 6 is a side view of a rin of a decurler unit of the present invention.
Figure 7 is an end view o~ the rin illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a schematic illustration Or a simplified process utilizing edge decurlers according to the present inventio~ .
Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment Or decurler elements according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
~D Referring to the Figures, preferred embodiments of the present invention wlll now be described in detail. Figure 1 lllustrates an edge decurler according to the present invention generally indicated as 10 and having a fabric indicated as F
passing therethrough. Note that upstream Or decurler 10 a slight roll or curl C appears along the rabric edge which is removed by decurler 10 as lllustrated by a flat fabric appearance downstream Or decurler lO.
Decurler 10 as illustrated ln Figure 1, has a top cover 12 and a botbom cover 14. Top cover 12 has a plurality Or elongated elements or fins 20 secured therealong-in an angular arrangement such that the elements are directed towards an outer edge Or a rabric path Or travel. As will be described in more detail herelnafter, a plurallty Or elongatéd rins 20 are deployed ln side by side generally parallel fashion. Further elongated rins 20' are secured to bottom 14 in like fashion to those secured to top 12. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, elongated elements 20 and 20' may be represented by singular members 20 having a rlange 21 extendlng outwardly thererrom. A leading end Or element 20 has a bevel 22 along a portion thereof extending upward Y

~C to a shoulder 23. The angle of bevel 22 may differ depending upon 1071ZSl , the type of web being handled. For example, the angle shown may b suitable for a knitted web while for a woven web, the angle of bevel 22 may be as illustrated in phantom in Figure 6. Likewise, in an opposite direction, the trailing end of element 20 may be provided with a bevel 24 down to a shoulder 25 or may be square.
All of the edges of element 20 that encounter a web passing thereb are smooth to avoid damage to the web. The particular embodiment of element 20, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, is secured to it appropriate portion of the decurler unit 10 by a weldment or the ~0 llke. Flange 21 may, for example, be welded to upper cover 12 or to bottom 14 as is required. Conversely, as is illustrated in Figure 9, a single plate 112 may be employed having a plurality of elements 120 die cut therefrom in part such that the elements may be pressed downwardly to bend at the edges 121 that are integral wlth plate 112. In this fashion, all of the individual elements Or the unit are integral along the top and bottom sections respectively. Shape and disposition of the elements 120 as presse from plate 110 are dictated only by the techniques for cutting elements 120 from plate 110. Thereafter, if necessary, the edges ~C Or the elements l?o may be deburned, burfed or the li~e so as to remove any rough spots therefrom that could damage a web passing thereby.
In the sense Or the present invention, while a plurality of elements are recited throughout the specification and claims, lt ls intended that the plurallty of elements or fins may be cut rrom a single plate with the elements being unitized along the top and bottom of the unit or that singular elements as described in Figures 6 and 7 may be individually secured to an appropriate plate. Furthermore, other variations of the elements could 3 lihewise be possible.

Il _7_ 0~12~1 With the elements 20 properly secured to top 12 and bottom 14, decurler unit 10 may be assembled by use of threaded bolts 30 which extend downwardly through sleeves 31 that are secured to the underside of top plate 12 and have threads com-plementary to those on bolts 30. Bolts 30 thus extend downwardly and are received in a dished out area 18 of a base 17 to limit in one direction the gap settings Or unit 10. Bolts 30 may have an adjustment nut 32 received therearound and locked in place by a set screw 33 or the like. A stop pin 34 is secured to nut 32 and depends downwardly thererrom. A further stop pin 35 is secured to plate 12 and extends upwardly therefrom, being located in a path o travel Or pin 34. Bolts 30 are then limited in rotational movemen o~ any setting Or adjustment nut 32 whereby adjustment Or rins 20 and 20' are limited at said setting. Should a greater adjust-ment be required ror device 10, ad~ustment nut 32 can be moved along bolt 30 to permit such further adjustment. Bolts 30 further have a thumb head or the like 36 at an upper end thereor for grasplng same for adjustment. Thumb heads 36 preferably further have lndlcia means 36' such as a groove therein as a reference so that all Or the bolts 30 can be maintained at a common ad~ust-ment ir desired.
A threaded element 37 is also employed ror adjustment o~ unit 10 and is secured to a base 17 by welding or the like.
Element 37 extends upwardly through an opening 13 in plate 12 that ls provided therefor. A lock nut arrangement 38 is provided atop top cover 12 along with a compression sprlng 39 to continuall apply rorce against a pair Or flanges 39' received therearound.
Bolts 30 are thus preset so as to secure unit 10 from one directio .
Thereafter, with the lock nut 38 preset in accordance with bolts 30, compression spring 39 maintains spring pressure on the decurling unit. With the adjustment means just described for decurler 10, fins 20 and 20' can be preset with a definite gap between the respective lower edges of same, or may be moved together for an interference fit where a web passing therebetween is forced to follow a tortuous path. In any event, the setting for the decurler unit depends upon the particular web being handled. In the sense o~ a textile web, a primary use of the present invention is found in treating textile webs where a wide range o~ materials may be handled, extending from very delicate tricot fabrics to heavy double knit rabrics.
D Making further rererence to Figure 1, note tXat the beveled areas 22 on the entrance end of unit 10 cooperate insofar as top and bottom elements are concerned to define a V shaped entrance path for the fabric web F to enter unit 10. In like rashion, top and lower covers 12 and 14 respectively, are provided with lnturned rlanges 121 and 14' which likewise further assist in de~ining an entrance to unit 10. As a web passes through unit 10, the angular presentation Or elements 20 causes the curl, rold or the like C to move outwardly towards an ad~acent selvage and to be removed ~rom the web. As will be described in more detail herelna~ter, the trailing edges 24 Or elements 20 and 20' may be beveled or ~lat to permit decurler unit 10 to be located immediately ad~acent a nip or the like to permit further handling Or ~abric F arter being treated by decurler unit 10 and preclude any return Or curl C along the selvage.
Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a decurler unit generally indicated as 110 according to the present invention.
In Figure 2, top cover 112 has a larger opening 113 ad~acent an outer edge with a cup 115 being received therein around a threaded element 135. Threaded element 135 is secured to base 117 in like ~D ~ashion as seen in Figure 1 and has a spring 137 receive there-around. A cover 138 is received at an upper end Or spring 137 -'': 1071ZSl and has a nut 139 received around threaded element 135. Spring 137 may be compressed by movement Or nut 139 in an appropriate , direction to provide spring tension for-the same purposes as set forth in Figure 1. This particular embodiment is more compact than that Or Figure 1, reducing the height Or threaded element 37.
Figure 3 illustrates an edge decurler 210 positioned above a web W that is passing therethrough in the direction Or the arrow. Note that decurler unit 210 extends outwardly beyond an edge E Or web W. Note further that fins 220 are angled in a O dlrection such that curl along edge E Or web W is forced outwardly towards the outer edge E thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the upper plate 21? is provided with three threaded elements 230 in the fashion Or Figures 1 and 2. Elements 230 are in the shape Or a triangle with a spring threaded rod arrangement 235 Or either Figure 1 or Figure 2 therewithin; The decurler~unit 210 Or Figure 3 illustrates a particular embodiment Or a mounting means thereror. A web support plate 240 is secured to an und-ersid Or decurler 210 and holds the web away from an edge 211 Or the decurllng unit in those situations where there is no intermediate support for web W. For example, decurler 210 could be utilized on the arms Or a tenter rrame, located ~ust prior to the pins. A
rabric being red to the tenter frame could thus be provided for securement on the pins in a flat condition, whereby waste is avoided.
~ In practicing the present invention, webs Or dirferent wldths would obviously be encountered. As such, making rererence to Figures 1, 2 and 4, width ad~ustment for the decurler unlt will be described. Mounting bars 40, 140 and 340 respectively may be provided and secured to a suitable frame member 42, 142 and 342 respectively. Figure 1 shows a rear end 14" Or bottom 14 that extends around a corresponding edge 41 Or support 40. Opposite edge 43 Or support 40 is provided with a downward leg 44 which receives a suitable holding means 50 secured to end 14' Or bottom 1~:97~ZSl 14. As shown in Figure 2, bottom 114 of decurler 110 may have opposite ends both turned inwardly at 114' and 114 " to fit around mounting bracket 140 which is supported by framework 142. -In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, mounting brackets 40 and 140 can be made of a flexible plastic material or the like such that upon a snap fitting relationship, the plastic support 140 will be bowed to exert lateral forces at the appro-priate ends 14' and 14" or securely hold the decurler unit in place. The mounting brackets do not necessarily extend com-10 pletely across the width of the web path. Instead, as shown in Figure 4, supports 340 terminate intermediate the length of frame 342, leaving an intermediate portion free for the removal of decurling units 310. Hence, decurling unit 310 may be moved laterally along its support 340 inwardly or outwardly to a desired location depending upon the width of web W being handled thereby.
Figure 4 illustrates two decurling units 310 located along opposite edges of a web W that is passing in the direction of the arrow. Note that decurler units 310 have a plurality of 20 angularly presented fins 320 engaging a web W having curl C
therein as illustrated to remove the curl and flatten the web to its normal width.
Also shown in phantom in Figure 4, are a second set of decurling units 310' which are inwardly disposed along mounting brackets 340. The tandem units 310' may be useful in performing the function of an edge guide. In this regard, with the units in place and a web passing therebetween, an actuation of pressure against same will reduce clearance between the banks of fins and provide a driving force which will cause the web to move in the 30 direction of the particular unit where the pressure is actuated.

lO~lZSl ` I

As such, the tandem units 310' serve the dual purpose Or removing creases and the like from the web as well as serving as a guide for the edge Or the web. Pressure actuating means for initiating web movement to properly associate the edge Or the web with the decurler 310 is operatively associated with the detector means in a fashion commonly used in the art. Schematically illustrated are a pair Or photocells 350 that are connected to a control system 360 which, in turn, is connected to the particular decurling units 310'. Once web deviation is sensed, control system 360 actuates l0 the particular unit 310' that is needed to return web W to its proper position. Also ir necessary, an opposite action may be produced on the decurler opposite the direction Or movement. A
web edge detector system may be utilized in conjunction with any Or the embodiments Or the present invention along with a converter system to keep the edge Or the web in the decurler unit.
Figure 5 illustrates a plurality Or fins 20 in plan cross section. The fins 20' are.secured to a bottom cover 14 whlle the fins 20 would be.secured to a top cover (not shown). In the arrangement shown in Figure 5, the fins are not vertically allgned, but are o~fset from each other in a vertical plane and may be canted. Upper and lower covers may be positioned with ~, sufricient closeness to each other such that a tortuous passageway is produced between adjacent rin edges to apply surficient rrlctional contact against web W to cause the curl, fold or the like to be rernoved thererrom. Since certain fabrics are more prone to curl than others and certain fabrics are more difficult to decurl than others, it is desirable to have adjustable decurler units according to the present invention. In this regard, a proper way Or adjustment for general operation is to bring opposing fins together untll slight binding occurs when a sheet Or paper is pulled through the unit. There is thus operative association between the upper and lower fins to remove curl from the web in an expeditious fashion. -12-~0712Sl The general process according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8 along with a further embodiment of the physical attributes of the decurler unit. A roll 400 is symbolically illustrative of a feed means for a web W. The particular type feed means is not limited to a roll, but could be any suitable source of web supply. A phantom illustrated block 450 is symbolic of intermediate operations, if any, as may be necessary for any textile or other web handling system.
Along the line of web travel are located a pair of rolls 460 that define a nip 465 therebetween. Subsequent to the nip rolls 460 is a web take-up 470. Note in handling of the web W, a thickened area indicated by C that represents curl along an edge of a fabric that extends into a decurling unit 410.
Symbolically illustrative of decurling unit 410 are a pair of ~ins 420 as are used to produce same. Note that the trailing end of the unit 410 that is disposed adjacent the nip 465 finds the fins 420 tapered to permit a disposition immediately at the nip. Hence, once the curl C is removed from the web W by the unit 410, and the web immediately passes into the nip 465 between opposing rolls 460, there is no opportunity for the curl to return to the web. Instead of a nip 465 between two opposing rolls 460, any web take up, processing or other means may be immediately adjacent the decurler unit 410.
It is noted that the fin banks may be spaced further apart on a leading end than on a trailing end.
Having described the present invention in detail, it is obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make variation and modification thereto without departing from the ~cope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined only by the claims appended thereto.

Claims (19)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device for removing curl, folds and the like from an edge of a moving web comprising:
a) a first bank of static elongated fins disposable above edge of a path of travel for said web, said fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web traveling thereunder, and b) a second bank of static elongated fins disposable beneath said edge of said path of travel for said web, said second bank of fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web traveling and c) the fins of the first bank are vertically offset from the fins of the second bank and the edges of the fins in contact with said web being smooth, whereby a web passing between said banks of fins will be flattened thereby.

2. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said first and second banks of fins are operatively associated.

3. A device as defined in Claim 2 wherein said first and second banks of fins are held at a predetermined relative loca-tion under spring tension.

4. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said fins are tapered at an end.

5. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein the banks of fins are adjustable to permit intermeshing of said fins whereby said web will follow a tortuous path therebetween.

6. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said fin banks are spaced further apart on a leading end than on a trailing end.

7. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said first and second banks of fins are secured to respective supports, and wherein said supports are operatively connected for adjustable spacing of same.

8. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said fins are tapered on the trailing ends of same, whereby said device may be positioned immediately adjacent further web handling means which prevent curl from returning to said web.

9. A device as defined in Claim 1 wherein said fins are integral with a support for same.

10. An edge decurling device comprising:
a) a first bank of parallel elongated fins, said fins having a downward bevel on a leading edge, said fins being disposable at an angle to an edge of a web passable thereby;
b) a second bank of parallel elongated fins, said second bank of fins having an upward bevel on a leading edge, said second bank of fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web traveling thereover being located immediately adjacent said first bank of fins and defining a web passageway therebetween, said bevels on said leading edges of said fins serving as a guide into said web passageway;
c) the fins of the first bank are vertically offset from the fins of the second bank and the edges of the fins in contact with said web being smooth;
d) adjustment means for defining the web passageway;
e) spring means for holding said banks of fins under spring tension when adjusted; and f) mounting means for securing said unit along a web path of travel.

11. An edge decurling device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fins are individual elements secured to a support.

12. An edge decurling device as defined in claim 10, wherein each of banks of said fins are of unitary construction.

13. An edge decurling device as defined in claim 10, wherein said adjustment means comprise three bolts located in triangular configuration at an outer end of said unit.

14. An edge decurling device as defined in claim 13, wherein said spring means comprises a coil spring associated with supports of said fins.

15. An edge decurling device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fins are canted in a direction of the leading edges of same.

16. A method for removing curl, folds and the like from a traveling web comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a pair of opposite banks of elongated static fins, one bank being above said web and the other below said web, with the fins arranged at an angle with respect to the edge of the fabric passing there-through, the fins of one bank of fins being vertically offset from the fins of the other bank and the edges of the fins in contact with the web being smooth, said banks of fins being preadjusted to provide a parti-cular passageway therebetween;
(b) passing an edge of said web between said banks and engaging said web with said fins, and (c) further handling said web.

17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the web is a fabric.

18. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said banks are set to provide a tortuous web path between said banks of fins.

19. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said banks of fins are provided along both edges of said web.