US1432302A - Drier for paper-coating machinery - Google Patents

Description

F. P. REED.

DRIER F08 PAPER COATING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED Dc.24,1918. RENEwEn MAR.22.1922.

Patented Oct. 17, 1922.

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DRIER FR PAPER COATING MACHINERY. APPLICATION FILED IJc.24. Ism. IIENEwEn IIIAII. 22. |922.

Patented Oct. 17, 1922` 3 sIIEE'TssIIEEI 2.

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F. P. REED.

DRIER FR PAPER COATING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION msn DEC. 24. |918. RENEwED MAR.22,1922.

Patented Oct. 17, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIC FAYSON REED, 0F EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 CHARLES C. ORCUTT, OF LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY.

DRIER FOR PAPER-COATING MACHINERY.

Original application filed June 21, 1918, Serial No. 241,102. Divided and this application tiled December 24, 1918, Serial No. 268,202. Renewed March 22, 1922. Serial No. 545,899.

To all whom it may concer/n:

Be it known that I FREDERIC PAYsoN REED, a citizen of the Lnited States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driers for Paper-Coating Machinery; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to drying apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus of the general class indicated which is utilized for the purpose of dlrying marbled paper. lt is designed primarily for use in, and as a part of, a coating machine of the character shown and described in my prior applications, Ser'al Nos. 155,757 and 241,102, filed, respectively, March 19, 1917, and June 21, 1918; and it is, in eii'ect, a continuation in part of the earlier of these applications and a division of the other one.

In machines of the types therein disclosed, a continuous web of paper is unwound from a roll and passed over a coating device which applies a liquid to one face thereof. A liquid color is then applied to the previously coated face of the web and then spread thereover, or, if preferred, a plurality of diiferent colors may be applied and suitably blended together; but before the application of the latter color or colors, the web, on passing beyond the coating device, is subjected to the action of a distributor or scrubber, which serves to spread the liquid evenly over the web and to work it thereinto, so that a thoroughly moistened surface is provided on which the aforesaid added color or colors ma spread slightly of its or their own accordl, with the result that the blending action is facilitated. The added color or colors are preferably applied in the forms of flecks or speckles by means of rotating brushes, which dust off small particles of color from rolls or equivalent carriers mounted in tanks containing the colors. The web thus treated is thereafter passed over an arched metal drier under which gas isl burned to set the colors and e'ect preliminary drying of the web, and is finally subjected to such tanning with air as will dry it to the necessary degree,

and wound up into a finished roll suitable tor marketing.

The drier just referred to, forms the subject-matter of the present invention, and is constructed in such a Way as to enable the web thereon to be uickly and conveniently subJected to a hig degree of heat, so as tp quickly set the colors, while at the same time completely avoiding inj'ury either to the paper or to the coloring material. This high-speed drying action is a feature of substantial importance, especially in making agate or marbled paper, because it prevents the particles of color spattered on by the rotating brushes from spreading too extensively. Also, the arching of the drier precludes the moist web from wrinkling or puckering, and considerable tension may be applied to it while thus supported. so as to cause it to be ironed during its passage over the drier. The form which the drier preferably takes in practice, will be hereinafter fully described, and its various advantages will be explained in detail as the description proceeds.

A machine constructed in accordance with the disclosure in the above-identified applications, is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Y Figures 1 and 2, placed end to end, constitute a sectional elevation of the complete machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan View; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections taken, respectively, on lines 4-4 and 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Reference ma be had to the later of my two above-mentioned applications for a detailed description of all oi the component parts and features oi' the machine illustrated in the drawin the following de scription covering in tail only such parts and features as relate directly to the drier and referring in a more or less general manner to the remaining parts, which latter are not comprised in the present divisional invention.

The. machine here shown embodies a framework, at the front end of which is rotatably mounted the roll 1 of paper to be coated; the sheet or web of paper, as it unwinds from said roll, being led through a train of tension rolls 2, then around a larger tension roll or drum 3, and then over a guide roll 4 to the coating device. The latter preferably com rises a pair of rolls 5 and 6, which are supp ied with liquid from a tank 9 and are suitably power-driven to rotate in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1; such arrangement keeping the web of paper under tension between said rolls and applying to its surface an adequate quantity of the liquid, which may be either a paint or color, or merely water, according to conditions. Thereafter, the paper passes around a rotating drum i0, where the excess liquid is removed by meansof a suitable squeegee 11, and that remaining` on the paper is more uniformly distributed and worked in. To effect the distributing` action, there may be emplo ed a reciprocating rubber 17 suitabl acedwith felt and o eratively connecte by a link 23 to a cran shaft 25, which is belted to a second shaft 26, the latter shaft being driven from a source of power not shown.

After passing the squeegee and the distributing means, the paper moves rearwardly toward the drying mechanism; but before reaching the first burner, it passes under one or more devices for spattering it with color. Each spattering device coinprises a tank containing a liquid color of suitable composition of which aniline may be the base, such tank having a smooth cylindrical roller mounted to rotate in it and dipping into the liquid. Where two tanks are employed, as in the construction illustrated, the first tank 28 may contain a. single color only, and a long, continuous roller 29 may be used; whereas the second tank 30 may be divided into a number of se arate compartments, each containing a di erent color, and the roller 31 may be made up of a number of separate sections, one for each compartment. Above and slightly in front of each roller is a rotary brush 33 com rising tufts of hog bristles mounted on a orizontal shaft, the bristles contacting with the smooth top face of the roller and iicking 0H' little specks of the liquid color which are delivered diagonally downward upon the moist web. The irst sputtering device will ordinarily be sufficient when but as single color is to be superimposed on a uniform background; but when more than one color is to e supplied in specks or splotches, then the second device may be used to advantage, or both of said devices may be used together. The tanks and brushes may be supported in any desired manner upon the frame, and any suitable brush-rotating means may be provided.

The blending together of the colors to produce the required agate or marbled effects is preferably carried out by means of an air-spraying mechanism which is designed to move forwards and bfkWMdS across the web, so that the jets of air impiiiging against the moist particles of color act to expand or spread them out until they touch one another; and since the specks are applied more or less regularly on the web and compartively close together, the tendency of the jets will be to form waves or sinuous lines of color which merge into one another and combine to produce different color effects. As shown, the s rayer preferabl consists of a pair of paralllel pipes 35 which are disposed above and transversely of the web and are each provided with a series of depending nipples 38 through which the air passes; said pipes being suitably connected with a source of air under ressure, and being driven from the shaft 2g by means of connectin rods 42. The several parts thus far descri ed are specifically claimed in the afore-inentioned applications and form no part of the present invention, as has already been explained.

The improved drier, in which this invention essentially resides, comprises primarily a curved plate 44 of metal, galvanized iron for example, preferably faced on its top with a layer 45 of woven wire screen. The web is supported in arched form on this plate as it asses from drum 10 at the front of the mac ine to a similar drum 46 at the rear of the machine; and by virtue of such support, the web has no chance to pucker and wrinkle, and considerable tension may be applied to it Without disadvantageous results, the pulling of the moist web over the hot screen causing the latter to exert an ironing action on the web which is effective in driving out the moisture.

While traveling between drums 10 and 46, the web is subjected to heat of very considerable intensity, this being supplied by a plurality of gas burners 47 extending transversely of the machine and each having a large number of small jets playing directly on the under surface of the arched metal shield 44. It is a function of the superimposed woven wire screen both to space the travelin web of paper from the shield 44 and to istribute and equalize the heating effect upon the traveling web of paper, not only because of heat transference along the wires of the screen, but also because of the small air pockets or cells between the meshes of the wire. With the arrangement described, it is possible to heat the paper uickly and conveniently, and thereby set t e colors, and to do this without injury either to the paper or to the coloring material. When making an agate or marbled paper, the high speed of drying is of importance, because it checks what otherwise might be a too extensive spread of the par: ticles of color spattered on by the rotating brushes.

Owing t0 the fue@ that no point o1; the

paper surface is constantly in contact with the hot metal of the screen, the temperature of the screen can be high, and itslironing effect made more pronounced than if a liat metal surface were used. Also, the moisture has a chance to escape through the meshes of the screen, while at the same time being liberated from the upper or Well expose face of the web.

In order that there may be no overheating of the paper above the burners, when for any reason the machine must be stopped, means are provided for lifting the web out of contact with the wire netting of the supporting arch. This lifting means may comrise a plurality of transverse rods 48 under ying the web, and each supported at lts ends b arms 49 connected together by a pair o horizontal bars 50, one at each side of the machine, each arm 49 being pivoted at its upper end to a suitable support 51. By pushing longitudinally on either bar 50, the arms 49 will be caused to swing their pivotal supports into the positions indicated in dotted lines, and rods 48 will lift the web high enough to prevent overheating. As a means for effecting such longitudinal movement of bars 50, a pair of links 52 (Fig. 2), pivoted together at 53 and connected to a vertical rod 54, may be utilized, said rod 54 being movable up or down to raise or lower the web. Suitable stops 55 may be provided for holding the lifting mechanism in any desired osition, and means are also provided for lifting the web olf the coating rolls 5 and 6 when stoppage of the machine takes place. The latter means is preferably so constructed as to be operated by the irstmentioned lifting means, while yet being capable of independent operation with respect thereto; and, as shown, it comprises a transverse rod 56, arranged between the said rolls 5 and 6 in position to underlie the web, said rod being suspended at its ends from pivoted links 57 (only one of which appears) which are carried b a pair of levers 58 at one end thereof. he levers 58 are fulcrumed intermediate their ends on the frame sides, and one of them (or each, if preferred) is adapted to be engaged by a laterally projecting pin 59 fixed to the lower end of the adjacent arm 49, which is extended downward for that purpose (Fig. 1). The other end of each lever 58 is en` gaged by a stop 60, that serves to normally hold the lever in lowered position.

The drum 46 ma be heated by a plurality of as burners 61 ocated within its interior anni; fed with gas through a hollow shaft 62 on which the drum is rotatably mounted; and after leaving said drum 46, the web passes over a plurality of fans 63, each of which need be nothing more than a flat plate of metal extending longitudinally across the machine and mounted. to rotate on a horiabout l as indicated. The fans aieprovided with be connected and driven by means of a be t 65 which is itself driven from a source of power not shown. Thisifanning cools the web, helps to drive away the excess moisture, and tempera the web, giving the remaining moisture a chance to become equalized between the upper and lower faces of the web and putting the latter substantially in condition for re-winding into a roll.

Sets of tapes 66 and 67 are provided to support the web while passing over the fans, between which tapes t e web travels. The upper tapes 66 are endless, and are caused to move with the 'same velocity as the web, their lower stretches passing beneath a series of drums' 68which assist in the supporting operation, while their upper stretches are engaged with recessed guide rollers 69 (Fig. 5) which keep the tapes in proper spaced relation on the drums. The ower tapes 67 are stationary, and are su orted at their opposite ends from t e ame. The drums and tapes thus form two inverted arches, between which the traveling web may be held taut without puckering, or without sagging when the machine is stopped. Fina ly, the web is delivered over a drum 70, heated by gas burners 71, and thereafter asses around a guide drum 72 and roller g3 and through tension rolls 74 to a power driven drum 75, where it is wound u as a finished roll, the ull of the drum 75 being utilized to unwindp the paper from roll 1 and cause it to travel through the entire machine.-

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination, with a pair of drums between which a continuous sheet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of a metal shield in arched form between said drums; gas burners under said shield to heat it; and wire netting disposed upon said shield to be heated thereby, and over which the sheet travels; substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a air of drums between which a continuous s eet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of an arched support for said sheet between said drums' heating means for said support distributed along and beneath the same; and a foraminous element resting upon said support to be heated thereby, and over which the sheet travels; substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a pair of drums between which a continuous sheet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of an arched support for the sheet between said drums to prevent puckering; heating means for said support distributed along and beneath the same; wire netting resting upon said support to be heated thereby and over which the sheet travels; and means for lifting the Sheet out of Contact with said netting to prevent overheating; substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a air of drums between which a continuous s eet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of an arched metal late between the drums; heatin means or said plate; and means over whic the sheet travels disposed upon said plate to be heated thereby and spacing the sheet from direct contact with the plate, for ironin out irregularities in said sheet; substantia ly as described.

5. The combination, with a alr of drums between which a continuous s eet in moist condition is arranged to pass; o f an arched metal late between the drums; heating means or said plate; means over whlch the sheet travels disposed upon said plate to. be heated thereby and spacing the sheet from direct contact with the late, for ironing out irregularities in said siieet; and means operable at will to lift the sheet out of contact with said ironing means; substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a pair of drums between which a continuous sheet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of an arched metal plate between the drums; heating means for said plate; and an arched wire screen conforming to the curvature of said plate and with which the sheet contacts during its passage from one drum to the other, whereby svald screen is caused to exert an ironing action upon said sheet, to remove irregularities therein; substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a pair of drums between which a continuous sheet in moist condition is arranged to pass; of an arched metal late between the drums; heating means or said plate; an arched wire screen conforming to the curvature of said plate and with which the sheet contacts during its passage from one drum to the other, whereby said screen is caused to exert an ironing action upon said sheet to remove irregu arities therein; and means operable at will to withdraw the sheet from contact with said screen; substantially as described. 8. The herein-described method of dry- 1n continuous webbing, which consists 1n u lin the web in molst condition over a cate arch of foraminous material, so as to causey the arch to exert an ironing action upon the web to drive out the moisture therefrom and to prevent puckering and wrinkling.

9. The combination, with a pair of drums between which a continuous sheet in moist condition is arran ed to pass; of an arched support for said s eet located between said drums; heating means for said support; and means spaclng the sheet from the hot surface of said support and having ockets into which the steam generated by t e heat can escape from the moist sheet.

10. The herein-described method of dry- 1n continuous webbin which consists 1n pu 11n the web is molst condition over a cate arched sup ort'having steam pockets, so as to cause t e arch to exert an ironing action upon the web to drive out the molsture therefrom and permit the escape into said pockets of the steam into which the moisture is transformed by the heat.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

FREDERIC PAYsoN anni).

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,432,302, granted October 17, 1922, upon the application of Frederic Payson Reed, of East Orange, New Jersey,

for an improvement in Driers for Paper-Coating Machinery, errors appear in Y the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 115, strike out the words traveling and of paper and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent` Oice.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of November, A. D., 1922.

KARL FENNING,

cts'ng Commissioner of Patents.

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