US3718427A

US3718427A - Method and apparatus for treating a moving web of material

Info

Publication number: US3718427A
Application number: US00181710A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Ahrweiler
Original assignee: KUESTERS E MASCHF
Current assignee: KUESTERS E MASCHF; KUESTERS E MASCHINENFAB DT
Priority date: 1971-02-02
Filing date: 1971-09-20
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27
Also published as: DD97901A5; JPS525636B1; DE2104694A1; DE2104694C3; DE2104694B2; CS153598B2; FR2124641A5

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for selectively treating a moving web of material such as in the case of applying a liquid dye to a breadth of pile carpet. Liquid is applied to select portions of the web of material, the application thereof being responsive to a longitudinal border or edge of the web, the position of which is sensed by means provided on the apparatus.

Description

United States Patent 1 1|] 3,718,427 Ahrweiler [4 1 Feb, 27, W73

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR [56] References Cited MOVING WEB OF I UNITED STATES PATENTS v Inventor: Katl H i ht ile Z Alten Appenzeller R Schmiede 116, Germany a a p 1 Primary ExaminerW|lliam I. Price [73] Asmgnee: fil g 22 3:? Maschihenmbflk' Attarney -Kenyon & l(enyon Reilly Carr & Chaplin e a y [22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT I [21] Appl'. No.5 181,710 A method of and apparatus for selectively treating a moving web of material such as in the case of applying Fm'elgll pp y Data a liquid dye to a breadth of pile carpet. Liquid is applied to select portions of the web of material, the ap- 1971 Germany 21 04 694'6 lication thereof bein res onsive to a lon itudinal P g P 8 52 U.s. Cl. .....s/151, 68/13 R, 68/205 R border or edge of h Web, the Position of which is 51 Int. Cl ..B0s 5/00 sensed by means Pwvlded Oh the apparatus- Field of Search 4.8/15 1'; 68/13 R, 205R 22 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A MOVING WEB OF MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a method of and an apparatus for selectively treating a moving web of material, and more particularly to one wherein the treatment applied to the web of material is responsive to a longitudinal border or edge thereof. A specific embodiment of the inventive concept is directed at the application'of a liquid dye to a web of pile carpet material wherein in order to insure uniformity of coloring, the

liquid dye is prevented from being applied to the unpiled border regions of the carpet breadth.

During the manufacture of carpets, the carpet breadth is passed through a dying apparatus wherein liquid dye is -applied to the pile portion thereof. Frequently, the carpet breadth includes pile only in the central portion thereof while a narrow unpiled border is provided to facilitate handling thereof. Also in certain instances, carpet is manufactured in stages wherein the pile for the center region is applied priorto the pile in the border regions. When thedying operation is performed, the unpiled border region makes it difficult to uniformly effect the dying. If the dye were to be applied indiscriminately to both the piled and unpiled regions of the carpet breadth, and uneven coloring would result. The reason for this is that, when dye is applied to the unpiled, nonabsorbent border regions, it is sometimes at least partially absorbed by the pile located adjacent the edge of the piled region, resulting in heavier dying near the edge than in the piled portion as a whole and the attendant lack of uniformity of coloration.

In the prior art it has been suggested to employ a movable dye receiving vessel positioned against the unpiled border of the carpet being treated such that it prevents any dye from being applied to that region. This dye receiving vessel is maintained in frictional contact with the border region. In this particular 'prior art device the dye receiving vessel is connected to a parallel rod system which also has a carriage connected thereto on the upstream side thereof. The carriage is adapted to be movable transversely across the carpet breadth by means of a drive pulley. Conventional mechanical limit switches, whose operation is governed by the angle of the parallel rodsystem, control the transverse movements of the'carriage via the parallel rod system in such a manner that it is responsive to the boundary of the pile. The dye receiving vessel is prevented from climbing onto the pile by means of an inclined wheel positioned at the edge of the border such that it will deflect the dye receiving vessel back onto the border should it tend to mount the pile.

This particular design, although suitable for products having a pronounced pile border, has several disadvantages particularly when operating with a carpet breadth having a low pile. Also in this, design, conventional mechanical limit switches are used for controlling the position of the receptacle but they do not react with sufficient speed to prevent noticable overshoot in the positioning of the vessel. The limit switches further consume excessive energy and are subject to wear because of the frequent actuation thereof. Moreover, the placement of the dye receiving vessel by friction against the carpet breadth introduces a great deal of drag into the control system making it necessary SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the apparatus of the invention herein is intended in one instance to treat a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line thereon. The longitudinal line may be in the form of either a border existing along the edge of the piled portion or the extreme edge of the carpet breadth. In this embodiment, a guide means is disposed transverse to the path of travel of the web of material through the apparatus and includes a movable carriage mounted thereon, which carriage is movable transverse to the path of travel of the web of material. Sensing means are disposed adjacent the path of the web in order to sense the presence of the longitudinal line. A drive means is provided for moving the carriage transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material and is responsive to a signal generated by the sensing means. The treating means is coupled to the carriage so as to apply treatment to selective portions of the web of material with respect to the longitudinal line.

In a more particular embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is adapted to selectively apply a liquid to portions of a moving web of material. This type of device is particularly suitable for applyinga liquid dye to a breadth of carpet. Here a receptacle means is disposed transverse to the path of travel of the web and is adapted to contain therein the liquid to be applied. A roller is disposed in the receptacle so as to have its lower portion submerged in the liquid in such a manner that it lifts the liquid from the receptacle when the roller is rotated therein. A wiper is provided and has one end thereof engaging the upper surface of the roller and the other end thereof being downwardly directed toward the web of material being treated. In this manner, the liquid is removed from the roller and conveyed downwardly onto the web of material moving therebeneath. Again a guide means having a movable carriage mounted thereon and a sensing means controlling a drive means are provided. Additionally, a second wiper is provided and has one end engaging the upper surface of the roller at a point in advance of the first wiper. The other end of the second wiper is directed away from the web of material so that the liquid removed from the roller is thereby directed away from the web. This second wiper is coupled to the carriage so that the liquid is directed away from the web in accordance with the positioning of the carriage all of which is dependent upon the sensing means detecting the position of the longitudinal line.

Some of the more specific embodiments of the ap paratus include the drive means and sensing means being mounted on the carriage, which carriage is provided with a pair of wheels adapted to move transversely on the guide means. The sensing means is further adapted to emit a first signal when the longitudinal line is on one side thereof and a second signal when on the other side thereof so as to reverse the direction of the drive means dependent upon the positioning of the longitudinal line. Furthermore, specific sensing devices are provided one of which includes a finger which is quickly charged and discharged dependent upon its positioning on or off the wet pile surface. Another sensing device utilizes a photoelectric system which senses the presence or absence of a vane mounted on a lever arm. The vane is moved into or out of the presence of the photoelectric system by means of the lever arm which is in direct engagement with the edge of the breadth of carpet.

By means of the circuitry disclosed as a part of the invention herein, the transversely movable carriages are caused to automatically track the longitudinal line by means of control circuitryassociated with the sensing means on the carriage. When borders are present on each side of the breadth of material being treated, a pair of identical carriages are provided which operate identically to one another. The sensing means emits a signal which actuates the control circuitry and governs the direction of rotation of the electric motors mounted on the carriages, which in turn drive the carriages in the appropriate direction to track the longitudinal line in response to the signals generated by the sensing means.

The control circuitry is established such that each time one of the sensors crosses the longitudinal line, a signal is generated which interchanges phases of the motors, thereby providing an almost instantaneous electric reversal of the motor. In this manner, each of the sensors and their respective carriages will automatically hunt back and forth across the longitudinal line. By applying the appropriate parameters to the control circuits, the amplitude and frequency of the hunting will be negligible so as not to be noticable to the naked eye and the carriages, and hence the wiper blades attached thereto, will track the longitudinal line with a high degree of accuracy.

The method of the invention is briefly stated as moving a web of material along a predetermined path, upon which web a liquid is selectively applied. The position of a longitudinal line on the surface of the moving web is sensed, with a signal being generated in response thereto. This liquid is lifted by means of a roller rotating in a receptacle, a portion of which liquid is applied to the moving web of material. Another portion of the liquid on the roller is wiped from the roller and conveyed away from the web of material. The signal generated by the sensing means responsive to the longitudinal line is transmitted to the wiper, which wiper is moved transverse to the path of the web of material. In this manner, liquid is removed from the roller in selective areas so that the liquid being applied to the web of material is controlled in response to the position of the longitudinal line.

By means of the method and apparatus disclosed herein, a moving web of material may be treated in response to either edge of the material of a border on the surface of the material. The inventive concept is further characterized in that the treatment afforded to the web of material is accurate and is particularly suitable for carpet breadths having either a pronounced pile border or those having a low pile without any pronounced border.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for treating a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for selectively applying a liquid to portions of a moving web of material, which application is responsive to a longitudinal line on the web of material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of and apparatus for applying a liquid dye to a breadth of carpet, which liquid dye is applied to the carpet selectively in response to variations in the edge of the material or in the boundary between regions of the material to which liquid is to be applied and regions of the material to which no liquid is to be applied.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a liquid applicator whose tracking characteristics are rapid and have minimum overshoot and which has tracking means which are electrically reversible and thus not subject to mechanical wear.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid applying apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the liquid applying apparatus, partially in cross-section, taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of one embodiment of a sensor device, utilizing a sensing finger, as used in the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of another embodiment of a sensor device, including a photo-sensitive element, for use in the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the sensor of FIG.

4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the control circuitry for the liquid applying device of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 the treating apparatus in this invention, which is illustrated as adapted for applying a liquid dye to a continuous breadth of carpet, is generally denoted as 1. The breadth of carpet 3 is conveyed through the apparatus 1 in the direction of the arrow 4 wherein it is treated with a liquid dye 2. The carpet breadth 3 is passed over a pair of

rotatable rollers

5 and 6. The carpet breadth 3, as illustrated, has a central pile region, and unpiled border 11 adjacent each edge thereof. The dye liquid 2 is maintained in a reservoir 7 which extends transverse to the path of travel of the carpet breadth and is fixed to the frame 20 of the machine. An applicator roller 8 is partially submerged in the dye liquid 2 and rotatable with respect to the reservoir 7, the roller 8 being rotatable therein in the direction of the arrow 9 so as to have a film of liquid dye on its surface. Individual drive means or suitable gearing may be employed to rotate roller 8.

A wiper blade 10 is mounted so that its forward edge engages roller 8, the other end thereof being tilted downward toward the carpet breadth 3, so that as the applicator roller 8 rotates, wiper blade 10 removes the dye liquid 2 therefrom. The dye liquid so removed passes along the surface of wiper blade and flows onto the breadth of carpet being treated in the form of a continuous film or veil across the entire carpet breadth 3.

Since the carpet breadth 3 includes a central pile portion and unpiled borders 11 on each side thereof, the latter must be isolated from the application of the liquid dye 2 to avoid unevenness in coloration. Application of the dye to the unpiled border 11 of the carpet breadth would result in that some of the dye would be absorbed by the pile adjacent to the border resulting in uneven dying across the breadth of the carpet. In order to prevent this, additional wipers 18 and 18', each of which'engage roller 8 at a point between the dye reservoir 7 and the wiper blade 10 are provided. In this manner, the liquid dye removed by wiper blades 18 and 18' from the roller 8 is not picked'up by wiper blade 10, but rather is caused to return to the reservoir 7. Wiper blades 18 and 18' are mounted for controllable lateral movement with respect to the roller 8 by the carriage assembly generally denoted as 12 and 12' the latter being more fully described herein below. The carriage assemblies 12 and 12' are'adapted to trace a longitudinal line along the breadth 'of carpet, which longitudinal line may be either in the form of the edge of the carpet breadth of thedemarcation between the pile portion and the unpiled portion 11. By tracing this Iongitudinal line, the carriage assemblies 12 and 12' by ,their movements, control wiper blades 18 and 18' respectively, which prevents the application of the liquid dye to theunpiled: border 11 of the carpet breadth 3.-

.The carriage assemblies 12' and 12' are similar in structure and supported on the apparatus by end plates 21 which are bolted to the frame at either side thereof. Parallel guide bars 14 and 15 are each affixed to the end plates 21 and are substantially parallel to the axis'of the

rollers

5, 6 and 8. Individual carriages 13 and 13' are movable along guide bars 14 and 15 in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the breadth of carpet 3. Each carriage is supported on guide bar 14 by means of

wheels

23 and 23, attached to the individual carriage members by means of projections 26 and 26' respectively. Carriages 13 and 13' are further supported on bar 15 by means of drive wheels 22 and 22', which are mounted in sockets 24 and 24' of the respective carriages.

Fixed arms

17 and 17 are mounted on the lower portion of each carriage l3 and 13' and extend in a direction toward dye reservoir 7. At the end of each arm 17 and 17' is pivoted at points 27, extension members 28 and 28' to which wiper blades 18 and 18' are attached respectively. Extension members 28 and 28' are adjustable to insure precise mating of the

wiper blades

18 and 18 with the applicator roller 8.

Control of the width of the carpet breadth 3 to which liquid dye is applied, is achieved by independent transverse motion of carriages l3 and 13 and consequently of

wiper blades

18 and 18. Reversible electric motors 25, a separate one being mounted to each of the carriages 13 and 13', are coupled to drive wheels 22 and 22' and cause carriages 13 and 13' to move transversely along

bars

14 and 14. Since each carriage 13 and 13' is powered independent of the other, they may be moved either in conjunction with one another or in directions opposing one another.

Attached to the underside of each carriage 13 and 13' and extending downwardly toward the path of carpet breadth 3, at a point downstream of application of dye liquid 2 to carpet breadth 3 by wiper blade 10, are sensors 16 and 16', respectively. The function of these sensors is to sense independently the boundary or demarcation between the unpiled borders ll of carpet breadth 3 and the central piled region thereof, and to provide signals to control of the motion of carriages 13 and 13', to cause wiper blades 18 and 18' to follow or track the boundary between the central piled region of carpet breadth 3 and the unpiled borders 11 thereof, and thereby prevent dye liquid 2 from being applied beyond that boundary and onto the unpiled borders 11.

The circuitry controlling motors 25 in response to the signals provided by sensors 16 and 16' is located at a point remote from the carriages 13 and 13', and connected thereto through plug socket 29 by flexible electrical wiring. The reason for positioning the control circuitry remote from the carriages l3 and 13 is to enable the carriages to be light as possible, so that they may react quickly in following or tracking the demarcation between the central piled portion of carpet breadth 3 and the unpiled borders 11 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown therein one embodiment of a sensor 16 adapted to be attached to one of the carriages 13 or 13'. Sensor 16 includes housing 30, and flange mount 31, by which the sensor is attached to one of the carriages 13 or 13'. Insulator 32 is fixed within housing 30, and rod 33 extends downwardly therefrom. Housing 30 encloses the other elements of the sensor and extends downwardly therefrom and from insulator 32, so as to shield them from splashing of the dye, which might interfere with the electrical operation of this device. Sensing finger 34 is pivotally mounted at 35 near the lower extremity of rod 33. Finger 34 is oriented such that it extends downwardly and in the direction of travel of the carpet breadth 3, such direction shown by arrow 4. In this way, finger 34 is caused to drag along the surface of carpet breadth 3. Stop member 36 is provided to keep finger 34 from assuming a position near the vertical, as seen from FIG. 3. Sensor 16 is adjustable about flange mount 31 of housing 30 so that it can be positioned in such a way that finger 34 points toward the unpiled border 11 of carpet breadth 3 and away from the central piled region thereof, to prevent finger 34 from locking with the pile of carpet breadth 3.

In the operation of sensor 16, an electric voltage is continuously applied to sensing finger 34. A signal indicating the presence of this voltage is sent to the control circuitry to drive motor 25 so that carriage l3 and hence wiper blade 18, sensor 16 and sensing finger 34 are driven toward the boundary between the unpiled border and the piled region of carpet breadth 3. When sensing finger 34 reaches the piled region of carpet breadth 3 which has previously been dampened by the application of liquid dye 2 from wiper blade 10, and makes contact therewith, a conductive connection between the sensing finger 34 and ground potential is formed, thereby substantially reducing the voltage of sensing finger 34. A signal indicating this reduction in voltage is sent tothe control circuitry which, in response, drives motor 25 in the opposite direction, so that carriage 13 and hence wiper blade 18, sensor 16 and sensing finger 34 are driven away from the piled region of the carpet breadth 3. When sensing finger 34 loses contact with the wet piled region of carpet breadth 3, the conductive connection between the sensing finger 34 and ground potention is interrupted, and the voltage on sensing finger 34 increases to its former value, again producing a signal which causes motor 25 to drive carriage 13 toward the piled region of carpet breadth 3. In this manner, sensing finger 34, and hence carriage 13 and wiper blade 18 track the longitudinal line formed by the boundary between the piled region of carpet breadth 3 and the unpiled border 11 thereof, and control the application of liquid dye 2.

The sensor apparatus 16 discussed in connection with FIG. 3 is particularly useful for sensing the boundary between an unpiled border and a piled portion of carpet breadth, and especially a carpet breadth having a relatively thick pile, and in which there are substantial deviations between the border of the piled portion of the carpet breadth and the outer edge of the unpiled portion or border. Sometimes, however, it is useful, in connection with decorating strips of fabric, rugs, or textiles etc. to be able to apply liquid, or dye, to the workpiece up to its outer edge, which edge may vary in configuration.

A sensor device capable of accomplishing this result is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Therein is shown the sen sor 16 having a housing 40, which is mounted on one of the carriages 13 and 13' via projecting member 41. Within housing 40 is pivotally mounted on bearings 42 a lever arm 46. Arm 46 protrudes into a tubular extension 47 of housing 40, the extension having a smaller cross-sectional area than the remainder of housing 40. Extension 47 includes a small lateral opening 48, into which the edge 49 of carpet breadth or other material 3' may be inserted. At the upper end of housing 40 is a photo-sensitive apparatus 45. A vane 44 is attached to one side of the upper end of pivotally mounted arm 46 thereby providing an unbalancing and biasing the lower end into contact with the edge of carpet breadth 3'. The vane 44 is disposed in the vicinity of photo-sensitive apparatus 45, such that, as the edge 49 of carpet breadth 3' deviates, it will be tracked by the lower end of arm 46, causing vane 44 to correspondingly move in and out of the field of photo-sensitive apparatus 45. Extension 47 of housing 40 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the remainder of housing 40, and the lateral opening 48 in projection 47 is relatively small so that photo-sensitive apparatus 45 does not get soiled by splashing of the liquid on carpet breadth 3', which might interfere with the electrical operation of the device.

Photo-sensitive apparatus 45 may be any suitable photo-sensitive system which is capable of emitting a signal in response to a change of position of vane 44, which change of position is caused by variations in the edge 49 of carpet breadth 3'. When edge 49 is shifted to the left in FIG. 4, arm 46 guides vane 45 out of the path of photo-sensitive apparatus 45, and the corresponding signal is delivered to the control circuitry for motor 25, which drives motor 25 so that carriage l3 and hence sensor 16 is moved away from carpet breadth 3'. When sensor 16 is moved away from carpet breadth 3' or when edge 49 is shifted to the right in FIG. 4, the unbalanced vane 45 falls into the path of photo-sensitive apparatus 45 and the corresponding signal is sent to the control circuitry to drive motor 25 so that carriage 13 and hence sensor 16 is moved toward carpet breadth 3'.

Thus, photo-sensitive system apparatus 45 may be employed to emit a signal to the control circuitry for motors 25 in order that the sensors 16 and 16' of FIGS. 1 and 2, and hence the carriages 13 and 13' and the

wiper blades

18 and 18, may be positioned to correspond to and vary their positions with respect to the edges of carpet breadth 3'.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown an electrical control circuit for controlling the response of the motors 25 and hence the carriages 13 and 13' to the signal produced by sensor 16.

The signal produced by sensor 16 is connected to the control circuit at input plug 50, having

terminals

51 and 52. Connected to

terminals

51 and 52 is pre-amplifier 53, consisting of

transistors

64, and 66. The output of pre-amplifier 53 is connected to two essentially

equivalent amplifier channels

54 and 55. Each of the

amplifier channels

54 and 55 comprises four transistors, 68, 69, and 71, and 68', 69, 70' and 71 respectively. The outputs of

amplifier channels

54 and 55 are transmitted by means of

transformers

56 and 57, respectively, to triacs 58 and 59.

The output of amplifiers channel 54 is connected to control triac 58, which is in turn connected to terminal f of plug 60 through fuse 74, and to terminal c of plug 60 through signal lamp 73. The output of amplifier channel 55 is connected to control triac 59, which is in turn connected to terminal d of plug 60 through fuse 74', and to terminal c of plug 60 through signal lamp 73. Terminal 0 of plug 60 is common to both outputs. One end of a flexible electrical control cable (not shown) is-attached to the control circuitry at plug 60, and the other end of the cable is connected to one of the carriages 13 and 13' and to one of the motors 25 through plug socket 29, shown in FIG. 2. A separate and independent circuit, as shown in FIG. 6, is used to control the movement of the other carriage 13 or 13' in response to the other sensor 16 or 16' is connected thereto by means of a flexible cable in the same manner as described hereinabove.

Alternating current is supplied to the control circuit at terminals b and e of plug 60. This power energizes transformers 72 and 72' of

amplifier channels

54 and 55, respectively. The alternating current is also connected to full wave rectifier 61 to provide a direct current reference signal to the control circuit, which signal is stabilized by capacitors 62 and zener diode 63.

In the operation of the control circuit, a signal voltage from sensor 16 is applied across

terminals

51 and 52 of plug 50. That signal is initially amplified by preamplifier 53.

Amplifier channels

54 and 55 are connected to the output of pre-amplifier 53 in such a way that only one or other of said channels can allow passage of current depending upon the signal applied across

terminals

51 and 52. This is accomplished by the connection of the collector of transistor 68 of amplifier channel 54 to the base of transistor 68' of amplifier channel 55 through resistor 67, thereby assuring that when one of

transistors

68 and 68 is conductive, the other is non-conductive. Each of the

amplifier channels

54 and 55 is designed so that the alternating current power applied to

amplifier channels

54 and 55 by means of transformers 72 and 72', respectively, is transmitted through only one of the

transformers

56 and 57. Thus, when a voltage is applied between terminals S1 and52 from sensor 16, only one of the

triacs

58 and 59 is triggered. When the voltage across

terminals

51 and 52 is substantially reduced, only the other of

transformers

56 and 57 transmits power to trigger the other of the

triacs

58 and 59.

The outputs of

amplifier channels

54 and 55 are connected at plug 60 to two of the phases of three-phase electric motor 25 in such a way that two of the phases of the electric motor are interchanged each time the triac which is in operation is switched, either from triac 58 to triac 59 or vice versa, and hence each time the voltage applied to

terminals

51 and 52 is substantially reduced, or is substantially increased from such a reduced level back to its initial value. Each time the phases of the electric motor are interchanged the motor changes direction, thereby driving the sensor 16 in a direction opposite to that in which it was traveling immediately prior to its signal voltage being either substantially reduced or substantially increased.

Signal lamp 73 is provided to indicate that amplifier channel 54 is operative, and signal lamp 73' is provided to indicate that'amplifier channel 55 is operative. Fuses 74 and 74' are designed to insure that the output of

amplifier channels

54 and 55, respectively, do not overload the windings of motor 25.

The parameters of the various elements in the control circuit of FIG. 6 can be set so that a change from the operation of amplifier channel 54 and the actuation of traic 58 to the operation of amplifier channel 55 and the actuation of triac 59, and vice versa, occurs whenever there is a substantial change in the output signal of sensor 16 due to its sensing of the boundary of carpet breadth3. r

It shouldbe evident from the foregoing discussion that an apparatusin accordance with this invention, while primarily intended for the dyeing of carpet breadths, can be used forcontrolledly applying any type of liquid or providing other treatments to any corresponding type of workpiece which is passing or moving relative to the apparatus. Thus, this apparatus could be used to apply paint, ink, or any kind of treatment or treating liquid to any surface or substance where it is necessary to automatically control the width of the area which is to be treated or covered.

Moreover, itshould be evident that it is not necessary to employ a plurality of carriages and sensors in order to operatewithin the confines of this invention. If only one edge or one border is of interest with respect to controlling the coverage of the liquid being applied, then only one sensor and carriage, etc., need be used.

In addition, it is to be understood that, while the specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, the invention may be embodied in other ways without departing from the inventive principles in light of the teachingsherein.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for treating a moving web of material in response to a'longitudinal line on the web which comprises;

a. guide means disposed transverse to the path of travel of the web of material;

b. movable carriage means mounted on said guide means adapted to be moved thereon in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material;

c. sensing means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the web for sensing the presence of the longitudinal line thereon;

d. drive means responsive to said sensing means for moving said carriage means transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material; and

e. treating means coupling to said carriage means for applying treatment to selective portions of the web of material with respect to said longitudinal line.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive'means and said sensing means are mounted on said carriage means and adapted to be moved therewith in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material being treated.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said carriage means further includes a pair of wheels adapted to engage and support said carriage on said guide means, and said drive means comprises an electric motor coupled to at least one of said wheels.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensing means emits a first signal when said longitudinal line is on one side thereof and a second signal when on the other side thereof, and wherein said drive means comprises a reversible drive motor operatively connected to said sensing means so that upon the latter emitting said first signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a first direction and upon emitting said second signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a three-phase electric driving motor, and said apparatus further includes a repeater circuit operatively connecting said driving motor to said sensing means, said repeater circuit being adapted to cause reversals in the rotational direction of said driving motor dependent upon the signal generated by said sensing means by means of circuitry which permits passage of current causing the phases of the threephase electric motor to be interchanged upon each signal generated by said sensing means.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said repeater circuit includes a pair of substantially identical amplifying channels each of which operates a different circuit element in a manner such that when voltage is present at the input of the amplifying channels only one of the channels operates the applicable circuit element and when no voltage exists at the input of the amplifying channels the other circuit element is operated by the other amplifying channel.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the web of material is characterized in that it contains a pile surface in the center portion and an unpiled portion of each side thereof, and wherein said sensing means comprises a housing connected to said carriage means, a finger coupled to and extending from said housing, a voltage source connected to said finger, said finger being biased into engagement with the web of the material passing therebeneath and operating at a substantially constant voltage when in contact with the pile surface while experiencing an impulsive reduction in voltage when brought into engagement with the border surface.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said finger is pivotally mounted with respect to said housing and biased into engagement with said moving web of material by means of its own weight.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a substantially closed tubular housing, a lever arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis within said housing, a vane disposed at one end of said lever arm, photoelectric means disposed in said housing adjacent said vane, the other end of said lever arm being adapted to be engaged by the edge of said web of material and moved about said horizontal axis whereby movement of said lever arm causes said vane to move with respect to said photoelectric system so that a signal is thereby generated.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said housing includes on the bottom thereof a tubular conduit having a lateral opening therein adapted to receive the edge portion of the web of material, said lever arm extending into said tubular conduit and said lateral opening so that the edge portion of said web of material is engagable therewith and which further includes means for maintaining said lever arm in a null position.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said lever arm includes an upper arm and a lower arm, said vane being attached to the end portion of said upper arm, and the end of said lower arm being adapted to engage the edge of said web of material through an opening in said housing.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said tubular conduit has a smaller cross-sectional area than that of said housing and where said lateral opening is disposed on the side of said housing opposite said photoelectric means.

13. An apparatus for selectively applying a liquid to portions of a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line thereon which comprises:

a. receptacle means disposed transverse to the path of travel of said web for holding the liquid to be applied;

b. roller means disposed in said receptacle means with the lower portion thereof being submerged in the liquid so that it lifts liquid from the receptacle when said roller means is rotated therein;

c. a first wiper means having one end thereof engaging the upper surface of said roller means and the other end thereof downwardly directed toward the web of material so that liquid is picked upon from said roller means and conveyed downwardly onto the web of material moving therebeneath;

d. guide means disposed transverse to the path of travel of the web of material;

e. movable carriage means mounted on said guide means adapted to be moved thereon in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material;

f. sensing means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the web for sensing the presence of the longitudinal line thereon;

g. drive means, responsive to said sensing means for moving said carriage means transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material;

. a second wiper means having one end thereof engaging the upper surface of said roller at a point in advance of where said first wiper means is in engagement therewith and the other end thereof directed away from said web of material so that the liquid removed from said roller is directed away from said web, said second wiper means being operatively coupled to said carriage so that liquid is directed away from said web in accordance with the positioning of said carriage, the latter being moved responsive to the longitudinal line on the web of material.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the web of material is characterized in that it contains a pile surface in the center portion thereof and a border portion of each side thereof, and wherein said sensing means comprises a housing connected to said carriage means, a finger coupled to and extending from said housing, a voltage source connected to said finger, said finger being positioned to engage the web at a point downstream of where said liquid is applied.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second wiper means is attached to the lower portion of said carriage means and pivotal with respect thereto, said wiper being biased into engagement with said roller means.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said drive means and said sensing means are mounted on said carriage means and adapted to be moved therewith in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said carriage means further includes a pair of wheels adapted to engage and support said carriage on said guide means, and said drive means comprises an electric motor coupled to at least one of said pair of wheels.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said sensing means emits a first signal when said longitudinal line is on one side thereof and a second signal when on the other side thereof, and wherein said drive means comprises a reversible drive motor operatively connected to said sensing means so that upon the latter emitting said first signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a first direction and upon emitting said second signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

19. A method of selectively applying a liquid to the surface of a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line thereon which comprises the steps of:

a. moving the web of material along a predetermined b. sensing the position of the longitudinal line on the moving web and generating a signal in response thereto;

c. lifting the liquid to be applied from a receptacle by means of a roller rotating therein;

d. wiping a portion of the liquid from the roller with a wiper and conveying the removed liquid away from the web of material;

e. applying the remaining liquid on the roller to the web of material being treated;

f. transmitting the signal generated in response to the position of the longitudinal line to the wiper; and g. moving the wiper transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material in response to signals generated by the sensing means so as to remove liquid from the roller and thereby control the width of the liquid being applied to the web of material in response to the position of the longitudinal line. t

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a longitudinal line includes moving the sensing means transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material so as to track the position of the longitudinal line, and wherein the step of moving the wiper includes a motion substantially identical to that of the sensing means.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a horizontal line includes sensing the border on the surface of the web formed between a central pile surface and an unpiled border.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a horizontal line includes sensing the edge portion of the web of material.

Claims

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means and said sensing means are mounted on said carriage means and adapted to be moved therewith in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material being treated.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said carriage means further includes a pair of wheels adapted to engage and support said carriage on said guide means, and said drive means comprises an electric motor coupled to at least one of said wheels.
4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensing means emits a first signal when said longitudinal line is on one side thereof and a second signal when on the other side thereof, and wherein said drive means comprises a reversible drive motor operatively connected to said sensing means so that upon the latter emitting said first signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a first direction and upon emitting said second signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a three-phase electric driving motor, and said apparatus further includes a repeater circuit operatively connecting said driving motor to said sensing means, said repeater circuit being adapted to cause reversals in the rotational direction of said driving motor dependent upon the signal generated by said sensing means by means of circuitry which permits passage of current causing the phases of the three-phase electric motor to be interchanged upon each signal generated by said sensing means.
6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said repeater circuit includes a pair of substantially identical amplifying channels each of which operates a different circuit element in a manner such that when voltage is present at the input of the amplifying channels only one of the channels operates the applicable circuit element and when no voltage exists at the input of the amplifying channels the other circuit element is operated by the other amplifying channel.
7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the web of material is characterized in that it contains a pile surface in the center portion and an unpiled portion of each side thereof, and wherein said sensing means comprises a housing connected to said carriage means, a finger coupled to and extending from said housing, a voltage source connected to said finger, said finger being biased into engagement with the web of the material passing therebeneath and operating at a substantially constant voltage when in contact with the pile surface while experiencing an impulsive reduction in voltage when brought into engagement with the border surface.
8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said finger is pivotally mounted with respect to said housing and biased into engagement with said moving web of material by means of its own weight.
9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a substantially closed tubular housing, a lever arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis within said housing, a vane disposed at one end of said lever arm, photoelectric means disposed in said housing adjacent said vane, the other end of said lever arm being adapted to be engaged by the edge of said web of material and moved about said horizontal axis whereby movement of said lever arm causes said vane to move with respect to said photoelectric system so that a signal is thereby generated.
10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said housing includes on the bottom thereof a tubular conduit having a lateral opening therein adapted to receive the edge portion of the web of material, said lever arm extending into said tubular conduit and said lateral opening so that the edge portion of said web of material is engagable therewith and which further includes means for maintaining said lever arm in a null position.
11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said lever arm includes an upper arm and a lower arm, said vane being attached to the end portion of said upper arm, and the end of said lower arm being adapted to engage the edge of said web of material through an opening in said housing.
12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said tubular conduit has a smaller cross-sectional area than that of said housing and where said lateral opening is disposed on the side of said housing opposite said photoelectric means.
13. An apparatus for selectively applying a liquid to portions of a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line thereon which comprises: a. receptacle means disposed transverse to the path of travel of said web for holding the liquid to be applied; b. roller means disposed in said receptacle means with the lower portion thereof being submerged in the liquid so that it lifts liquid from the receptacle when said roller means is rotated therein; c. a first wiper means having one end thereof engaging the upper surface of said roller means and the other end thereof downwardly directed toward the web of material so that liquid is picked upon from said roller means and conveyed downwardly onto the web of material moving therebeneath; d. guide means disposed transverse to the path of travel of the web of material; e. movable carriage means mounted on said guide means adapted to be moved thereon in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material; f. sensing means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the web for sensing the presence of the longitudinal line thereon; g. drive means responsive to said sensing means for moving said carriage means transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material; h. a second wiper means having one end thereof engaging the upper surface of said roller at a point in advance of where said first wiper means is in engagement therewith and the other end thereof directed away from said web of material so that the liquid removed from said roller is directed away from said web, said second wiper means being operatively coupled to said carriage so that liquid is directed away from said web in accordance with the positioning of said carriage, the latter being moved responsive to the longitudinal line on the web of material.
14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the web of material is characterized in that it contains a pile surface in the center portion thereof and a border portion of each side thereof, and wherein said sensing means comprises a housing connected to said carriage means, a finger coupled to and extending from said housing, a voltage source connected to said finger, said finger being positioned to engage the web at a point downstream of where said liquid is applied.
15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second wiper means is attached to the lower portion of said carriage means and pivotal with respect thereto, said wiper being biased into engagement with said roller means.
16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said drive means and said sensing means are mounted on said carriage means and adapted to be moved therewith in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the web of material.
17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said carriage means further includes a pair of wheels adapted to engage and support said carriage on said guide means, and said drive means comprises an electric motor coupled to at least one of said pair of wheels.
18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said sensing means emits a first signal when said longitudinal line is on one side thereof and a second signal when on the other side thereof, and wherein said drive means comprises a reversible drive motor operatively connected to said sensing means so that upon the latter emitting said first signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a first direction and upon emitting said second signal said drive motor causes said carriage to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
19. A method of selectively applying a liquid to the surface of a moving web of material in response to a longitudinal line thereon which comprises the steps of: a. moving the web of material along a predetermined path; b. sensing the position of the longitudinal line on the moving web and generating a signal in response thereto; c. lifting the liquid to be applied from a receptacle by means of a roller rotating therein; d. wiping a portion of the liquid from the roller with a wiper and conveying the removed liquid away from the web of material; e. applying the remaining liquid on the roller to the web of material being treated; f. transmitting the signal generated in response to the position of the longitudinal line to the wiper; and g. moving the wiper transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material in response to signals generated by the sensing means so as to remove liquid from the roller and thereby control the width of the liquid being applied to the web of material in response to the position of the longitudinal line.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a longitudinal line includes moving the sensing means transversely with respect to the path of travel of the web of material so as to track the position of the longitudinal line, and wherein the step of moving the wiper includes a motion substantially identical to that of the sensing means.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a horizontal line includes sensing the border on the surface of the web formed between a central pile surface and an unpiled border.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the position of a horizontal line includes sensing the edge portion of the web of material.