Patent ID: 6235117
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for advancing, guiding, and processing flexible sheet members through a processing area in which fluid contacts the flexible sheet members, comprising:a roller conveyor adapted to convey the flexible sheet members;a processing module located along the roller conveyor having an entrance, an exit and a wet area in which fluid is provided to at least one surface of the flexible sheet members;at least one pair of squeegee rollers located at one of the entrance and the exit to the wet area of the processing module, one squeegee roller being located on each side of the conveyor such that the flexible sheet members pass between a nip of the squeegee rollers, each squeegee roller including a rigid, hollow, outer tube and a light weight, open stiffening core located within the outer tube to provide a light weight squeegee roller, the outer tube including at least two grooves; andsupport clips connected to the squeegee roller in the grooves to prevent the flexible sheet member from wrapping around the squeegee roller due to surface tension of the fluid acting on the flexible sheet member and the roller as the flexible sheet member is transported along the roller conveyor.