Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A contactless web support having an elongated arcuate surface and over which a running web is floatingly supported without contact therewith, a pair of elongated nozzles extending along the length of said elongated arcuate surface and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, said nozzles having discharge slots directed toward one another and over said arcuate surface to thereby form a web support fluid pressure zone between said arcuate surface and the web passing thereover, a pair of air slots on said support and extending transversely of said support and in the direction of web movement, one of said slots being located adjacent each of the side edges of said running web and outwardly thereof so as to direct pressurized air toward said web to thereby trap the air in said web support fluid pressure zone and to prevent lateral drifting of said web on said support and providing a lateral guiding action therefor, and means for supplying pressurized air to said nozzles and said slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A contactless web support having an elongated arcuate surface and over which a running web is floatingly supported without contact therewith, a pair of elongated nozzles extending along the length of said elongated arcuate surface and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, said nozzles having discharge slots directed toward one another and over said arcuate surface to thereby form a web support fluid pressure zone between said arcuate surface and the web passing thereover, a pair of air slots on said support and extending transversely of said support and in the direction of web movement, one of said slots being located adjacent each of the side edges of said running web and outwardly thereof so as to direct pressurized air toward said web to thereby trap the air in said web support fluid pressure zone and to prevent lateral drifting of said web on said support and providing a lateral guiding action therefor, and means for supplying pressurized air to said nozzles and said slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The support set forth in claim 1 including shroud means secured above said arcuate surface and at each side of said web and forming said air slots with said arcuate surface and for directing pressurized air inwardly towards said web whereby at least a portion of said air is directed between said web and said arcuate surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The support set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said shrouds are removably secured to said support whereby shrouds of various lengths can be utilized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The support set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said air slots are formed as passages in said arcuate surface and are located outwardly of said web for directing pressurized air into the space between said web and said arcuate surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The support set forth in claim 4 further characterized in that said slot is formed with an inner curved surface adjacent the longitudinal edges of said web to provide a Coanda effect to air discharged by said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contactless web support having an arcuate surface over which a running web is floatingly supported without contact therewith, a pair of air slots on said support and extending transversely of said support and in the direction of web movement, one of said slots being located adjacent each of the side edges of said running web and outwardly thereof so as to direct pressurized air toward said web to thereby prevent lateral drifting of said web on said support and providing a lateral guiding action therefor, and means for supplying pressurized air to said slots to form a pressurized air cushion between said web and said arcuate surface, said slots also acting to trap air in said air cushion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contactless web support having an arcuate surface over which a running web is floatingly supported without contact therewith, a pair of air slots on said support and extending transversely of said support and in the direction of web movement, one of said slots being located adjacent each of the side edges of said running web and outwardly thereof so as to direct pressurized air toward said web to thereby prevent lateral drifting of said web on said support and providing a lateral guiding action therefor, and means for supplying pressurized air to said slots to form a pressurized air cushion between said web and said arcuate surface, said slots also acting to trap air in said air cushion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The support set forth in claim 6 including shroud means secured above said arcuate surface and at each side of said web and forming said air slots with said arcuate surface and for directing pressurized air inwardly towards said web whereby at least a portion of said air is directed between said web and said arcuate surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The support set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that said shrouds are removably secured to said support whereby shrouds of various lengths can be utilized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The support set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that said air slots are formed as passages in said arcuate surface and are located outwardly of said web for directing pressurized air into the space between said web and said arcuate surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The support set forth in claim 9 further characterized in that said slots are each formed with an inner curved surface adjacent the respective longitudinal edge of said web to thereby provide a Coanda effect to air discharged by said slot.