EP0427753B1 - Coating apparatus provided with a protective shield - Google Patents
Coating apparatus provided with a protective shield Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0427753B1 EP0427753B1 EP89908565A EP89908565A EP0427753B1 EP 0427753 B1 EP0427753 B1 EP 0427753B1 EP 89908565 A EP89908565 A EP 89908565A EP 89908565 A EP89908565 A EP 89908565A EP 0427753 B1 EP0427753 B1 EP 0427753B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- coating
- shield
- web
- slide
- hopper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C5/00—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work
- B05C5/007—Slide-hopper coaters, i.e. apparatus in which the liquid or other fluent material flows freely on an inclined surface before contacting the work
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C5/00—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work
- B05C5/007—Slide-hopper coaters, i.e. apparatus in which the liquid or other fluent material flows freely on an inclined surface before contacting the work
- B05C5/008—Slide-hopper curtain coaters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
- G03C1/00—Photosensitive materials
- G03C1/74—Applying photosensitive compositions to the base; Drying processes therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
- G03C1/00—Photosensitive materials
- G03C1/74—Applying photosensitive compositions to the base; Drying processes therefor
- G03C2001/7433—Curtain coating
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
- G03C1/00—Photosensitive materials
- G03C1/74—Applying photosensitive compositions to the base; Drying processes therefor
- G03C2001/7485—Shielding means against air disturbances
Definitions
- This invention relates to apparatus for coating a web or sheet with a fluid composition as a step in the production of photographic material.
- Slide hoppers are employed in both single and multiple-layer bead and curtain coating operations to supply coating composition to the coating zone.
- Such hoppers comprise one or more slide surfaces, over which one or more layers of coating composition flow to the coating zone. Defects occur when the coating composition flowing over the slide surfaces is exposed to air currents. The air currents impacting on the flowing composition cause disturbances of the surface of the composition which result in non-uniformities in the coating composition as it moves down the slide surface to the coating zone. These non-informities in the composition on the slide surface result in the formation of mottle or other defects in the coating on the web or sheet.
- the foraminous enclosure is designed to enclose the entire slide hopper and the coating zone, and is not closely spaced to the slide surface of the hopper. Indeed, in U.S. Patent No. 4,287,240 it is stated that the enclosure should be spaced in the range of about 5 to about 60 cms from the coating composition. Optimum results have been achieved with enclosures formed of a plurality of spaced wall members, each of which is composed of a foraminous material. The best enclosures reduce peak velocities of air flow to approximately 7,6 m (25 feet) per minute. However, even such velocities have been shown to cause disturbances in the coating compositions on the slide which often appear as broad longitudinal streaks in the resulting coating. In most products these streaks are objectionable.
- a triple slide hopper 25 which forms a three layer falling curtain 26 of coating compositions which impinges on the web 18′ as it passes around support roller 16′ to deposit on web 18′ a coating composed of three distinct superimposed layers.
- the coating compositions are fed to the slide surfaces through slots 15a′, 15b′, and 15c′.
- the layers of coating compositions flow down slide surfaces 11′, 12′, and 13′ by gravity to the edge of the hopper where a free falling curtain 26 is formed.
- the falling curtain 26 impinges on the web and deposits thereon a composite coating of three distinct layers of coating composition.
- the shield structure 24 is shaped so that it remains closely spaced and essentially parallel to the slide surfaces including the lower slide surface 27 which is contiguous with the surface 13′ and is approximately vertical for supplying coating composition to the vertical free falling curtain.
- the thickness of the hollow shield structure can be, for example, approximately 2.5 centimeters. It is hollow and has ports 24a and 24b for flow of heating fluid.
- the design of the shield depends on the material of construction for the shield and its capability of transmitting heat, as well as the thermal transfer coefficient of the heating fluid within the hollow structure.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to apparatus for coating a web or sheet with a fluid composition as a step in the production of photographic material.
- Among the many known methods of coating, the only ones capable of achieving the very high quality of uniformity required in the photographic industry are the bead and curtain coating methods. Slide hoppers are employed in both single and multiple-layer bead and curtain coating operations to supply coating composition to the coating zone. Such hoppers comprise one or more slide surfaces, over which one or more layers of coating composition flow to the coating zone. Defects occur when the coating composition flowing over the slide surfaces is exposed to air currents. The air currents impacting on the flowing composition cause disturbances of the surface of the composition which result in non-uniformities in the coating composition as it moves down the slide surface to the coating zone. These non-informities in the composition on the slide surface result in the formation of mottle or other defects in the coating on the web or sheet.
- Previous attempts to eliminate the disturbance of flow of photographic coating compositions caused by impact of air surrounding a slide hopper, have not been entirely successful. In some coating rooms, peak air velocities of 200 feet per minute have been measured. The protective enclosures described in U.S. Patent 4,287,240 have been found to reduce air flow around the coating station. The enclosures are formed of a foraminous material and are effective in deflecting, diffusing and decelerating ambient forced air currents. Such forced air currents are frequently generated by the ventilating and exhausting equipment in the vicinity of the coating apparatus, or by the opening and closing of doors to the coating room, or by movement of personnel in the vicinity of the coating apparatus. The foraminous enclosure is designed to enclose the entire slide hopper and the coating zone, and is not closely spaced to the slide surface of the hopper. Indeed, in U.S. Patent No. 4,287,240 it is stated that the enclosure should be spaced in the range of about 5 to about 60 cms from the coating composition. Optimum results have been achieved with enclosures formed of a plurality of spaced wall members, each of which is composed of a foraminous material. The best enclosures reduce peak velocities of air flow to approximately 7,6 m (25 feet) per minute. However, even such velocities have been shown to cause disturbances in the coating compositions on the slide which often appear as broad longitudinal streaks in the resulting coating. In most products these streaks are objectionable.
- However, it has been found that even in the total absence of forced air currents, defects still occur which seemed to be due to air currents impacting the flowing composition. It was discovered that the difference between the temperature of the composition flowing over the hopper surfaces, and the temperature of air adjacent the flowing composition, caused thermal convection air currents. Small as these currents might be, it was discovered that the thermal convection air currents impacted the flowing compositions and caused disturbances which result in defects in the coating of the coated web or sheet. The enclosures described in U.S. Patent No. 4,287,240 have been found to be useless in preventing the convection currents.
- DE-A-3 110 821 describes a coating apparatus having shield means in close proximity to the slide surface of said apparatus in order to protect the coating composition from external influences.
- It has been found that solvent from the coating composition is condensing on the shield means and drops of condensation are falling back onto the coating composition and thereby creating unacceptable defects in the coated web or sheet, then, in accordance with the present invention, heating means are provided for heating the shield means so that condensation does not occur.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bead coating apparatus of a slide-hopper type and a closely spaced shield according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a curtain coating apparatus of the slide-hopper type and a closely spaced shield according to the present invention; and
- Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a curtain coating apparatus of the slide-hopper type and a closely spaced shield in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- The shield structure disclosed herein is highly effective in a typical production environment wherein thermal convection air current are generated by the coating hopper and the coating compositions flowing on hopper surfaces. Most photographic coating compositions must be kept at temperatures in excess of 35°C during the coating operation, to prevent solidification of the coating liquids. The hopper, used to supply coating compositions, must also be kept at approximately the same temperature to prevent gelation of the coating liquids in the internal cavities and on slide surfaces. The temperature of the ambient air in the vicinity of the hopper is usually dictated by operator comfort and safety and consequently is usually less than 25°C.
- It has been found that air movement in the vicinity of the slide hopper may be caused by thermal convection. With gelatin based coating compositions usually coated at temperatures of about 40°C and with the temperature of the coating rooms maintained around 25°C, the coating compositions heat the adjacent air, which then rises by buoyancy. Enclosures of the known kinds give no protection against air flows due to thermal convection.
- Bead coating and curtain coating are different methods of coating involving entirely different mechanisms, with the former involving extremely close spacing between the lip of the hopper and the object to be coated, such as a spacing of a few hundredths of a centimeter, and the latter involving a spacing which is hundreds or thousands of times as great. However, both of these methods, in which a flow of coating composition is generated by a cascade slide hopper, are capable of being significantly improved by use of a shield means.
- Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a
multi-slide hopper 10 used in a multi-layer bead coating operation, in which in a coating zone 14 a bead is formed in the extremely close spacing between the lip 40 of thehopper 10 and aweb 18 to be coated. The three coating compositions are delivered to theslide hopper 10, ascend toexit slots 15a, 15b and 15c, and form layers on theinclined surfaces slots 15 are usually equal to the width of the coating applied to the web although it is known that individual slots may vary in length. Under the effect of gravity, the three individual layers flow down thesurfaces coating zone 14. The three layers of coating compositions are applied simultaneously to the surface ofweb 18. Theweb 18 is a continuous web advanced along a predetermined coating path by suitable web-driving means including abacking roll 16 which rigidly supports positions, and smoothsweb 18 while also reversing its direction of travel. Theslide hopper 10 can be any desired width, such as from several inches to several feet. - To protect the coating compositions flowing over
slide surfaces planar shield structure 20, extends over substantially the entire slide surface of the hopper. In Fig. 1 theshield structure 20 is shown in broken lines in an inoperative, retracted position and is shown in solid lines in its operative position. In the operative position, the shield structure does not extend right to the coating bead, so as to allow the bead to be viewed by operators. It was found that, for best results, the shield structure should be uniformly spaced from composition surface and/or the hopper surface. For an unheated shield, this space from the hopper surface is about 0.6 centimeter. If, according to the invention, the shield is heated to or above the temperature of the coating composition, the space can be increased to 1.0 centimeter. - Perforated materials are not preferred for this close proximity shield because these materials must be attached to struts for rigidity. It has been found that these struts cause air flow disruptions which in turn may produce stationary streaks in the coating. A shield surface which is solid and continuous does not have this problem.
- The shield structure may be a hollow enclosure made of any rigid material such as, for example, aluminum or steel. Also a rigid plastic material, such as polyolefin, can be used if it is sufficiently rigid to provide a uniform spaced relationship from the hopper surface.
-
Shield structure 20 includes entry andexit ports 20a and 20b to provide for flow of heating fluid through the hollow shield structure for maintaining the shield surface facing the slide hopper at the desired temperature which is equal to or in excess of the temperature of the coating composition. - Convection air flow between the slide surface of the hopper and the shield can be minimized by closing the space between the shield and the upper slide surface above the
uppermost metering slot 15a with aspacer bar 30 attached to the shield. - A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 and is appropriate for use in curtain coating. Parts and features in the second embodiment which are similar to parts and features in the first herein described embodiment, are given the same reference numerals as those parts and features in the first embodiment, but with the addition of a prime (′) suffix. Only differences between the second and first embodiments will now be described. For an understanding of aspects of the second embodiment not described below, reference is directed to the description, above, of the first embodiment.
- Located above the coating path of the
web 18′ is atriple slide hopper 25 which forms a threelayer falling curtain 26 of coating compositions which impinges on theweb 18′ as it passes aroundsupport roller 16′ to deposit onweb 18′ a coating composed of three distinct superimposed layers. The coating compositions are fed to the slide surfaces throughslots 15a′, 15b′, and 15c′. The layers of coating compositions flow down slide surfaces 11′, 12′, and 13′ by gravity to the edge of the hopper where a free fallingcurtain 26 is formed. As theweb 18′ passes aroundcoating roller 16′, the fallingcurtain 26 impinges on the web and deposits thereon a composite coating of three distinct layers of coating composition. Theshield structure 24 is shaped so that it remains closely spaced and essentially parallel to the slide surfaces including the lower slide surface 27 which is contiguous with thesurface 13′ and is approximately vertical for supplying coating composition to the vertical free falling curtain. - The
shield structure 24 of this embodiment also is desirably spaced about 0.6 centimeter from the slide surfaces. This distance can be extended somewhat to about 1.0 centimeter when, according to the invention, the shield is heated in order to prevent condensation of coating solvents on the surface of the shield facing the slide surfaces of the hopper. - The thickness of the hollow shield structure can be, for example, approximately 2.5 centimeters. It is hollow and has ports 24a and 24b for flow of heating fluid. The design of the shield depends on the material of construction for the shield and its capability of transmitting heat, as well as the thermal transfer coefficient of the heating fluid within the hollow structure.
- The
shield structure 24 is pivoted at 28 for movement between an operative position, illustrated in solid lines, and a retracted position, illustrated in broken lines, which allows operators access to the slide surfaces and exists 15a′, 15b′, and 15c′. - Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention which is generally similar to the second embodiment. Parts and features in the third embodiment corresponding to parts and features in the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals, but with a double prime (˝) suffix. For an understanding of aspects of the third embodiment not described, reference is directed to the description above. The
shield structure 34, instead of being hollow, is formed of a rigid sheet of metal, such as stainless steel, which is positioned in close proximity and adjacent to the slide surfaces 11˝, 12˝, and 13˝ as described above. Anelectric heating blanket 36 is bonded to shieldstructure 34 and has a heat producing capacity sufficient to heat the shield structure surface to a temperature of from about 35°C to 50°C. Shield structure 34 is pivotable abouthinge point 38 to allow the shield structure to be moved away from the hopper surface. - The invention is applicable to apparatus for coating a web or sheet with fluid composition as a step in the production of photographic material.
- The closely spaced shield of the present invention can be used in conjunction with other shield structures designed to minimize the effect of forced ambient air currents, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,287,240. The closely spaced heated shield of the present invention is effective in minimizing or eliminating convection air currents and condensation generated by the coating hopper and the coating compositions flowing on the hopper slide surfaces.
Claims (6)
- Apparatus for coating a web or sheet with a coating composition in the manufacture of photographic material, including :a. means for guiding the web or sheet along a predetermined path through a coating zone ; andb. slide hopper means having a slide surface for forming a flow of coating composition to be applied to the web or sheet ;c. shield means disposed in close proximity to said slide surface whereby, in use, the shield means is permanently out of contact with the flowing composition ; but is so closely spaced therefrom as to prevent the creation of convection currents by a temperature differential between the composition and the atmosphere in contact with the composition ;characterized by means for heating said shield means to a temperature at least equal to that of the coating composition.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for heating said shield means includes passage means within said shield means, for flow of heated fluid.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means includes an electrically energized heating blanket in thermal contact with said shield means.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said shield means is spaced from said hopper surface by about 0.6 cm.
- Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said means for guiding a web or sheet is adapted to guide a web, and said slide hopper means is disposed adjacent said means for guiding a web and is adapted to coat by the bead coating.
- Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said slide hopper means is disposed above and in spaced relationship to said means for guiding said web or sheet and is adapted to coat by the curtain coating process.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US22540188A | 1988-07-28 | 1988-07-28 | |
US225401 | 1988-07-28 | ||
PCT/US1989/003082 WO1990001178A1 (en) | 1988-07-28 | 1989-07-19 | Coating apparatus provided with a protective shield |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0427753A1 EP0427753A1 (en) | 1991-05-22 |
EP0427753B1 true EP0427753B1 (en) | 1995-09-20 |
Family
ID=22844719
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89908565A Expired - Lifetime EP0427753B1 (en) | 1988-07-28 | 1989-07-19 | Coating apparatus provided with a protective shield |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0427753B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH0627929B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE68924349T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1990001178A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE69111069T2 (en) * | 1990-07-30 | 1996-03-14 | Eastman Kodak Co | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CURING COATING. |
US5114759A (en) * | 1990-07-30 | 1992-05-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for curtain coating |
EP0489978B1 (en) * | 1990-12-12 | 1996-03-20 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Curtain coater |
KR100234225B1 (en) * | 1991-12-21 | 1999-12-15 | 베. 마우스 | Honeycomb construction with inner structure held in a frame |
US6117237A (en) * | 1994-01-04 | 2000-09-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Coater die enclosure system |
US5725665A (en) * | 1996-05-01 | 1998-03-10 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Coater enclosure and coating assembly including coater enclosure |
US7329437B2 (en) | 2001-08-17 | 2008-02-12 | Fujifilm Corporation | Coating method and coating apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5575758A (en) * | 1978-12-06 | 1980-06-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Coating method and apparatus therefor |
JPS56133067A (en) * | 1980-03-24 | 1981-10-17 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Coating apparatus |
US4287240A (en) * | 1980-04-11 | 1981-09-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Coating apparatus provided with a protective shield |
-
1989
- 1989-07-19 EP EP89908565A patent/EP0427753B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-19 JP JP1508111A patent/JPH0627929B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-07-19 DE DE68924349T patent/DE68924349T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-07-19 WO PCT/US1989/003082 patent/WO1990001178A1/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0427753A1 (en) | 1991-05-22 |
DE68924349D1 (en) | 1995-10-26 |
JPH03503576A (en) | 1991-08-08 |
WO1990001178A1 (en) | 1990-02-08 |
DE68924349T2 (en) | 1996-05-09 |
JPH0627929B2 (en) | 1994-04-13 |
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