Patent GB-1072787-A (GB)
Title: Sheet processing method and apparatus
Inventor: SEELEY DUNHAM BRIGGS
IPC: G11B5/842
Filed: 1964-06-08
Abstract: 1,072,787. Coated fibrous non-woven material. BURROUGHS CORPORATION. June 8, 1964, No. 23678/64. Heading B2E. [Also in Divisions D2, F2, F4 and H1] A sheet member e.g. a fibrous non woven material, composed of material not being capable of substantial further thermosetting, is treated, while it is dry and temporarily maintained in a desired configuration, to a high temperature that heats the sheet member sufficiently to permanently set the desired configuration into the sheet member. The treatment may include the initial step of applying a coating e.g. of magnetic material, to selected portions of the sheet member and drying the sheet member as it is fed over anti wrinkle rolls to prevent wrinkles forming in those portions where a coating has been applied. The sheet member may be paper and the paper is subjected to intense heat just below its decomposition temperature. The sheet member may be maintained in the desired configuration as it is moved out of the heating area and cooled. The paper may be temporarily maintained in a flattened condition and is permanently set in the flattened condition. The sheet member may be moved past the heat source at a high speed. The sheet member may be first coated in selected portions e.g. at least one stripe, with a coating containing a synthetic resin before it is temporarily formed into the desired configuration. Apparatus for treating the sheet material comprises means for feeding the sheet member to be treated along a path through the apparatus, a liquid coating applying means 14 for applying liquid to selected portions of the sheet member, drying means e.g. hot air oven 24, for drying the applied liquid on the sheet member, means to form and temporarily maintain the dry sheet member in a predetermined configuration, and a setting means 40 for heating the sheet member while dry and temporarily maintained in the predetermined configuration to a temperature that is sufficient to permanently set the desired configuration into the sheet member. The means for feeding the sheet member 10 through the apparatus may include a roll 30-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 disposed transverse to the path and having a peripheral surface engageable with the sheet member, the peripheral surface of the roll being formed of a plurality of separate short arc surfaces disposed around the circumference of the roll with each arc surface-extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll; and means for mounting the roll so that the short arc surfaces are successively engageable with the sheet member as the sheet member is driven through the apparatus. The roll may be particularly adapted to prevent the formation of wrinkles or folds in sheet members, where stripes are formed thereon as by water or other liquid base compositions e.g. magnetic particles dispersed in aqueous medium including synthetic latex, by having its peripheral arc surfaces recessed or grooved to accommodate the striped portion of the sheet. Each short arc surface may be separated from the other around the periphery of the roll by a low area extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll. There may be an odd number of short arc surfaces. The antiwrinkle roll may be of a cage construction, including end plates 62, 64 and a plurality of rods 70 fastened between the end plates adjacent to the peripheral surfaces thereof and successively engageable with the sheet member as the sheet member is driven through the apparatus. The roll may be of solid construction having its outer surface formed with a plurality of ribs 170 defining the short arc surfaces around its circumference. The apparatus may include means for temporarily forming the sheet member into a desired configuration having a roll 36, 38, proximately located to the setting means 40, and means for driving the sheet member over the roll at a high speed while the sheet member is maintained in a flattened condition as it is heated by the setting means, the paper being held taut as it passes around chill roll 42, prior to passing through calender unit 46 and sheeter unit 52. The liquid coating applying means may be a striping applicator 14 for applying at least one stripe of liquid material onto the sheet member. As shown in Figure 10, paper 210 is formed with a fold line 212 about a former member 214 and is subjected to the intense heat of setting unit 240; the paper may be held stationary or moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of member 214 while it is being heated.