US2724363A - Machine for applying plasticizer to paper - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1955 H. J. FOWLER ET MACHINE FOR APPLYING PLASTICIZER TO PAPER Filed March 28, 1952 lUH I UH:

INVENTORS United States Patent Ofiice Patented Nov. 22, 1955 MACHINE FOR APPLYING PLASTICI ZER -T PAPER Application March 28 1952, Serial No. 279,024

2 Claims. (Cl. 118-246) The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of paper making, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of apparatus for applying plasticizer to paper sheets or webs.

his a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved paper plasticizing apparatus which is extremely simple and compact in construction and which is moreover highly efiicient and economical in operation.

Due to the inherent hardness and brittleness of paper sheets produced from highly hydrated fibers, such as glassine paper, it has heretofore become common practice to treat such papers with certain softening or plasticizing substances in order to render the sameflsatisfactory for wrapping, packaging and other purposes. One type of plasticizer which has been proposed and has proven extremely effective in the treatment of glassine papers and the like is .that described in Patent No. 2,403,697, dated July 9, 1946, to Herbert B. Wenberg, and the plasticizer and method of application set forth in this patent have been successfully employed by various paper manu l facturers in recent years. It has also been propos ed to apply the plasticizer to the paper by means of applicator rolls before the paper reaches the dryers of the paper,

machine and while it is still in wet condition, and one form of such plasticizer applying apparatus which has proven quite satisfactory in actual use by diversepaper manufacturers is shown and described in Patent No. 2,093,347, dated Septemberl4, 1937, to CE. Beecher. However, while the apparatus of Patent No. 2,093,347 has met withconsiderable commercial success and has therefore been quite widely employed, certain difiiculties have nevertheless been encountered in the use of such apparatus, particularly with respect to the maintenance of constant speedof the applicator rolls, proper even distribution of plasticizer across the sheet or web, proper synchronization in the speed of the rolls relative to the speed of the web as well as adjustments, in the pressure or degree of circumferential contact of the applicator rolls with respect to the web, and transmission of sutficient quantities of solution to the sheet or web to obtain the desired amount of impregnation. f

It is therefore a more specific objectof this invention to provide an improved paper plasticiz ing device which obviates all of the disadvantages and objections heretofore attendant similar devices. v

Another specific object of our present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying plasticizer to paper, which comprises relatively few parts which are all readily accessible-for inspection, replacement or repair, and wherein the speed of the pick-up andapplicator rolls may be readily properly synchronized with the speed of the advancing web. w i

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved device for applying plasticizer to advancing paper webs in which the plasticizer is applied to. the web by mean s of a universally adjustable applicator roll adapted to be readily maintained at a proper constant rate of speed so as to effect uniform application throughout the length of travel of the web in advance of the dryers of the paper machine.

Another specific object of our invention is to provide an improved paper plasticizing apparatus embodying applicator and pick-up rolls of novel construction. adapted to operate smoothly and with utmost efiiciency and to distribute the plasticizer evenly across the sheet or web during advancement thereof and without interruption.

Still another specific object of our present invention is to provide an improved unitary paper plasticizing device in which the applicator and pick-up rolls may be. readily adjusted relative to each other, and wherein the advancing paper web may likewise be adjusted in an extremely simple manner to eifect desired variations in the pressure or degree of circumferential contact thereof relative to the applicator roll.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved paper plasticizing apparatus which may be readily installed and operated with standard paper making equipment, and so constructed and designed that a single unitary device is sufficient for transmitting the necessary quantities of plasticizing solution to the traveling web to obtainthe desired impregnation thereof.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting our present improvements, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing paper plasticizing devices embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the so-called wet-end portion of typical paper making apparatus with the im proved plasticizing device diagrammatically depicted be. tween the press rolls and dryers thereof and showing a paper web advancing therealong; a

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the typical paper making apparatus and plasticizing device of Fig. l but with the paper web removed for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side view plasticizing unit embodying the invenapparatus for plasticizing diverse types of papers with equal success; and it is also contemplated that certain specific descriptive terms utilized herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure. i i

Referring to the drawing, the improved paper plasticiz-- mg device embodying the invention is preferably dis-,

posed between suitable idler rolls 7, 8 over which the wet paper web 9 is longitudinally advanced frombetween:

the usual press or couch rolls 10 to the dryeridrums or rolls 11 of conventional paper making apparatus, the web 9 being guided to the press rolls 10 by means of suitable guide rolls 12 at the Wet-end of the machine; audit is of course understood that the various rolls are journalled in suitable bearings in the usual manner, the con-- ventional apparatus being illustrated diagrammatically;

plasticizer to the longitudinally advancing web of wet paper comprises, in general a pair of peripherally coacting rolls 14, 15 extending transversely across the path offh'e web"? and b'eneath'the same between the idler rolls 7, 8, the rolls 14, 15 being disposed one above the other with the upper roll 14 being of considerably smaller diameter than the lower roll 15; means such as an upwardly open receptacle ortrough 16 containing a supply of plasticizer in which the large diameter tran fer :roll '15 is partially immersed for constantly supplying the'plasti'c'iz'ing substance to the periphery of the roll '15 for transmission to the periphery of the small diameter'applica'torfroll "14 upon rotation of the rolls; :and means such as a vertically adjustableguide roll 17 contacting the underside of the advancing web in advance df'itheroll 14 for raising and lowering the web 9' into contactwith the peripheral surface of roll 14 remote from the roll 15 to variable circumferential extents throughout the travel of the web to effect even application of'v'ariable amounts of plasticizer thereto, the roll 17 being movable upwardly a ,sufficient distance to enable the'we'b 9 to entirely clear the roll 14 to thereby enable the web tube run without 'plasticizing treatment if desired.

The trough 16 may be constantly supplied .with the plasticizer in any suitable manner, and the large roll 15 is 'journal'led in end bearings 18 and is driven in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 in synchronism with the .press rolls v by any suitable drive means such as the variable belt 19 and pulleys 20, 21 shown in Fig. 2. In addition .to the differential in the sizes .of the rolls '1'4, 1'5, the larger roll is formed with a resilien't peripheralpickup surface .23 preferably of No. tpl'astometer rubber, and the smaller applicator roll 14 is formed of brass with a roughened peripheral transfer surface 324 as clearly shown in Fig. 4, the knurls preferably being approximately -0035 to .0045 inch in depth with the small pockets thus formed metering the plasticizer throughout the width of the adjacent surfaces of the rolls 14, '15 to thereby result in a more even application of ,plasticizer across the width of the web as well as the transfer of larger volumes of the solution thus allowing better distribution and penetration into the paper.

To insureproper peripheral coaction between therolls 14, 15 and permit adjustments in the degree or amount of transfer of plasticizer from the roll 15 to the roll 14, means are provided for effecting various adjustments of the roll 14 relative to the .roll 15. .Onesuch adjustment t consists in means for shifting the smaller roll 14 :angularly relative to the peripheral surface of the :large roll 15; and .to effect such angular adjustment, ,the ,rnainsupporting'frame 25 for the .roll"14,is provided with 'apivot ,26

depending from its base through the mounting plate 27, thebase of the frame .25 being provided with arcuate slots 28 surrounding the pivot .26 to permit reception of fastening bolts 29 for securing the ,frame'in any .desired "position of adjustment about its vertical pivot and the roll 14 in exact alinement Withor in different desired positions of angularity with respect to the periphery of the roll 15. In addition, the small roll v14 is :(movable horizontally relative to .theroll 15 tbymounting :the ,same on a carriage '30 having screw threaded coaction with a horizontal threaded adjustment rod31 having .a;rnanipulated handle 3.2 and .rotatably journalledin vertical arms 33 .of the frame 25., the carriage being ,guided in its movement upon rotation of the rod 31 by a guide bar 34 to thereby permit adjustment of the roll :14 to different positions in a horizontal :plane across "the :roll 15. Also, the "applicator roll 1-4-:is movable to different positions of adjustment arcuately toward and awayi-from the periphery of the large r011 15 by mounting the bracket 315 .in which the roll isrjournalled 5011 a horizontal pivot 37 providing a ithreaded iadjustment :rod 38 and adjustment knob or head 39 at the end of the bracket 36 remote from the roll 14 so-as to permit swinging movement of the bracket 36 about the pivot and consequent swinging of the roll 14 arcuately toward and away from the roll 15 and entirely away from the periphery thereof if desired.

As indicated, the guide roll 17 is adjustable vertically so as to raise and lower the web 9 with respect to the periphery of the roll 14 to thereby cause the web to contact the peripheral surface of the roll 14 to variable circumferential extents, and a convenient means for moving the roll 17 vertically comprises a slide 41 on which the roll 17 is journalled, the slide being guided for movement in a vertical frame 42 upon rotation of a threaded adjustment rod 43 cooperating with the slide 41 at one end and having a manipulating handle 44 at its opposite end. It is therefore apparent that the rolls 17-, 8 cooperate to guide the Web 9 .over the applicator roll 14 and lend support to the relativelyheavy wet paper web; and to preventslippage of the web *9 transversely and thereby guide the web more evenly to the dryers 11 as well as to more uniformly'spreadthe plasticizer over and into the web 'as it leaves the applicator roll ,14, it is preferable to cover the peripheral surface 45 of the roll 8 with left or the like.

"From the foregoing detailed'description, it is believed appa'reritthat we "have provided an'improved paper plasticizing apparatus which is exceedingly simple, compact and durable in construction, andwhic'h is moreover highly efficient and susceptible of accurate adjustment in actual use. has been eliminated -between the rolls 14, 15 and these rolls operate smoothly due to the differential in their diameters to supply the desired quantities of plasticizers to the advancing paper web and evenly distribute the plasticizer'transversely across the web. The uniformity of distribution of sufficiently large amounts of plasticizer to the web as it advances over the periphery of the roll 14isprimar'ily due to "the formation of'the roll 15 with a rubber-peripheral surface and the formation of theroll 14- with 'a'knurled peripheral surface 24 coupled with the means for varying the circumferential extends to which the advancing web is adapted to contact theperiphery of the applicator roll. The universal adjustments for the roll 14 relative 'to the roll 15 also enable positive uniform coaction between the peripheries .of these rolls so asto result in more uniform transfer of the plasticized substance'from the receptacle '16 to the web ,9, and these adjustments may be quickly effected in a simple manner in the present assemblage. Theimproved device is of unitary construction, andihas gone into actual commercial use with amazingly excellent results far surpassing the results achieved with prior devices. 'It has been found that completely satisfactory results may be obtained through use of.a single unit in applyingplasticizer such as disclosed in 'U. ,8. Patent 'No. 2,403,697 thereby eliminating the need for additional applicators in many cases.

Allparts of the device are obviously readily available for inspection, replacement or repair, and asidefrom the need for occasional adjustment to meet requirements :for different types or weights of paper being treated, the performance of the ,unit is entirely automatic.

It should be understood that it is not desired or ,intended to limit this invention .to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation or use herein-shown and described, since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occurto persons skilled in theartto which this invention pertains.

We claim:

1.- Apparatus for applying plasticizer to an advancing web comprising a transfer roll of relatively large diameter mounted for rotation in fixed bearings adjacent a source of' plasticizer supply; an applicatorroll of relatively-smaller "diameter disposed in peripheral contacting relation with saidtransfer roll "adapted to receive a reg- Throu'gh use of the improved rdevice, chattering ulated supply of plasticizer from said transfer roll and to apply the same to the web; and means for adjustably supporting said applicator roll so as to exactly regulate the amount of plasticizer transferred to said applicator roll at the peripheral areas along the length thereof; said supporting and regulating means comprising a unitary frame mounted for pivotal adjustment about a vertical axis adjacent said transfer roll, a carriage mounted on said frame for horizontal movement thereon toward and away from said transfer roll, means for adjusting and retaining said carriage in predetermined horizontal adjustment, a bracket pivotally mounted on said carriage to swing about a horizontal axis, said bracket being provided with bearings for rotatably supporting said applicator roll, and means for adjusting and retaining said bracket in position about said pivot to provide the re quired contacting pressure between said applicator roll and said transfer roll.

2. Apparatus for applying plasticizer to an advancing web as defined in claim 1, and a vertically adjustable guide 6 roll, disposed adjacent to said applicator roll, adapted to contact the under surface of said web to raise and lower said web with respect to said applicator roll and thereby determine the circumferential extent of contact of said web with said applicator roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 720,629 Sherwood Feb. 17, 1903 1,350,789 Delaney et a1 Aug. 24, 1920 1,913,022 Dennis June 6, 1933 2,013,056 Knowlton Sept. 3, 1935 2,128,516 Graham Aug. 30, 1938 2,213,419 Taylor Sept. 3, 1940 2,255,405 Wilderson Sept. 9, 1941 2,257,261 Knowlton Sept. 30, 1941 2,329,034 Buck et al. Sept. 7, 1943 2,374,096 Heywood et a1 Apr. 17, 1945

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