Method and apparatus for fixing deposited medium by vapor application

Abstract

Abstract METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FUZING PRINTING OR COATING MATERIAL UPON CONVEYED ARTICLES BY THE APPLICATION OF HOT SOLVENT VAPORS IS DISCLOSED HEREIN. A VAPORIZING UNIT IS CONNECTED FOR THE SUPPLY OF SOLVENT VAPOR TO A VAPOR KNIFE INCLUDING A HOLLOW TUBULAR RESILIENT MEMBER HAVING AN ELONGATE VAPOR EMISSION SLOT AND CONTRACTIBLE TOWARD ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS FOR VARYING THE SLOT WIDTH. RECIRCULATION PROVISIONS WITHDRAW VAPOR FROM ADJACENT THE KNIFE FOR SUBSEQUENT REAPPLICATION AND RECLAIMING PROVISIONS WITHDRAW VAPOR BI-PASSING THE RECIRCULATION PROVISIONS TO RETURN A PORTION OF THE VAPOR TO ITS LIQUID STATE FOR SUBSEQUENT VAPORIZATION. THE RECLAIMING PROVISIONS ALSO DRAW IN AIR TO PREVENT PASSAGE OF AIR INTO THE RECIRCULATION PATH AND COVER PROVISIONS OVERLIE THE KNIFE AND INCLUDE A PIVOTAL GATE MOVABLE BY ARTICLES IN TRANSIT PAST THE KNIFE. THE GATE DIVERTS EMITTED VAPORS TO THE RECIRCULATION PROVISIONS ABSENT THE PRESENCE OF AN ARTICLE PROXIMATE THE KNIFE, MASKS THE LEADING EDGE OF ARTICLES CONVEYED INTO PROXIMITY WITH THE KNIFE AND CONTACTS A SURFACE OF THE ARTICLES DURING TRANSIT PAST THE KNIFE TO AID IN THE PROPER POSITIONING OF SUCH ARTICLES.

Inventors

• 👤 Raymond F Galitz

Bibliographic Details