Web finishing machines

Claim 2

A machine for continuously finishing a web of material comprising the combination of a casing, a drum mounted for rotation within the casing, web feeding means for introducing the web into the drum, the web traveling continuously through the interior of the drum, web withdrawal means for withdrawing the web from the drum and casing, ventilating means fixed to the casing for removing air from and introducing fresh air to the drum and casing, steam spraying means fixed to the casing for spraying steam into the drum, a heater mounted within the casing and above the drum for directing heat and infrared radiation to the drum, the web feeding means further comprising a housing attached to the casing through which the web travels, direct radiation means within the housing for directing infrared radiation onto the web, and moistening means within the housing and following the direct radiation means for moistening the web prior to its introduction into the drum.

Claim 3

A machine according to claim 1, wherein said ventilating means further comprises an axial ventilation channel arranged in the casing below the drum.

Claim 4

A machine according to claim 1, wherein said ventilating means further comprises an air inlet located above and adjacent to the upper part of the drum and an air outlet located below the drum, the air inlet and air outlet being adjustable.

Claim 5

A machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drum drive consisting of two contra-rotating motors which are controlled by at least one magnetic clutch.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum is provided with an even number of entrainment ribs.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 wherein the web feeding means further comprises a conveyor means for conveying the web through the housing toward the drum.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein the moistening means comprises spray nozzles arranged within the housing to spray the upper and lower sides of the moving web.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7 wherein the spray nozzles are connected to a container within the housing.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 further comprising a spray device positioned within the housing immediately adjacent to the drum and casing and attached to a container located within the housing.

Claim 11

In a machine for continuously finishing a web of material comprising the combination of a casing, a drum mounted for rotation within the casing, a web feeding means for introducing the web into the drum, the web traveling continuously through the interior of the drum, ventilating means fixed to the casing for removing air from and introducing fresh air to the drum and casing, steam spraying means fixed to the casing for spraying steam into the drum, a heater mounted within the casing and above the drum for directing heat and infrared radiation into the drum, and web withdrawal means for withdrawing the web from the drum and casing, the improvement comprising: the web feeding means comprising a housing through which the web travels, one end of the housing being attached to the drum casing, withdrawal rollers located at an end of the housing opposite that attached to the drum casing for withdrawing at the web from a roll of material, a conveyor belt extending longitudinally through the housing for conveying the web from the withdrawal rollers to the drum casing, direct radiation means mounted within the housing, following the withdrawal rollers, and above the conveyor belt for directing infrared radiation onto the web, and moistening means positioned within the housing and following the direct radiation means for moistening the web prior to its introduction to the drum, the moistening means arranged so as to direct moisture toward the upper and lower side of the moving web.

Claim 12

In a machine for continuously finishing a web of material comprising the combination of a casing, a drum mounted for rotation within the casing, a web feeding means for introducing the web into the drum, the web traveling continuously through the interior of the drum, ventilating means fixed to the casing for removing air from and introducing fresh air to the drum and casing, steam spraying means fixed to the casing for spraying steam into the drum, a heater mounted within the casing and above the drum for directing heat and infrared radiation into the drum, and web withdrawal means for withdrawing the web from the drum and casing, the improvement comprising: the web feeding means comprising a housing through which the web travels, one end of the housing being attached to the drum casing, withdrawal rollers located at an end of the housing opposite that attached to the drum casing for withdrawing at the web from a roll of material, a conveyor belt extending longitudinally through the housing for conveying the web from the withdrawal rollers to the drum casing, direct radiation means mounted within the housing, following the withdrawal rollers, and above the conveyor belt for directing infrared radiation onto the web, and moistening means positioned within the housing and following the direct radiation means for moistening the web prior to its introduction to the drum, the moistening means arranged so as to direct moisture toward the upper and lower side of the moving web.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a spray device positioned within the housing immediately adjacent to the drum casing and connected to a container positioned within the housing for spraying web impregnating and finishing agents on the web.