Apparatus for applying flowable media to webs of textile material or the like

Claim 2

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of carpeting or the like, comprising an applicator including a tubular source of flowable medium having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with at least one opening, said source being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed medium toward said opening, and means disposed below said source and defining at least one elongated outlet communicating with said opening and arranged to convey the flowable medium from the source to the workpiece, said outlet having a first portion communicating with said opening, a second portion arranged to discharge the medium from the applicator, and a third portion between said first and second portions, said applicator further having at least one deflector means provided in the third portion of said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to prevent the foamed medium from flowing along a straight path from said opening downwardly from the first to the second portion of said outlet and to the workpiece, said third portion of the outlet having a substantially circular cross-sectional outline and said deflector means comprising an elongated member received with clearance in said third portion and disposed in the path of the medium issuing from the first portion of the outlet so that the medium is compelled to flow around said member on its way into the second portion of said outlet.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a screen interposed between the applicator and the workpiece so that the deflected medium issuing from said outlet must flow through the screen on its way into contact with the workpiece.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said screen surrounds said source.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outlet is elongated and said outlet defining means comprises two elastically deformable sections flanking said outlet.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said applicator further comprises liners provided on said sections.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said liners include foils.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said liners consist of Teflon (trademark).

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outlet defining means is mounted on said source.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said source includes an elongated tubular housing supporting said outlet defining means and means for feeding the medium into said housing, said opening being provided in said housing.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support for the workpiece, said support being disposed opposite said applicator and having a passage in register with the outlet of said applicator, and suction generating means having an intake connected with said passage so that the suction generating means draws the foamed medium from the outlet of said applicator into the workpiece between said passage and said outlet.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said applicator includes a slotted squeegee.

Claim 13

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector installed in the enlarged portion and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector and said squeegee defining a plurality of channels wherein the treating medium flows on its way toward the workpiece.

Claim 14

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector installed in the enlarged portion and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector and said squeegee defining a plurality of channels wherein the treating medium flows on its way toward the workpiece.

Claim 15

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector comprising a plurality of aligned sections which are disposed end-to-end.

Claim 16

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector comprising a plurality of aligned sections which are disposed end-to-end.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said sections are identical.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said sections are substantially rod shaped and further comprising means for centering said sections in the outlet of said applicator.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising tongue-and-groove connections between the neighboring sections of said deflector.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said sections having neighboring end faces one of which is provided with a stub and the other of which has a socket for the stub.

Claim 21

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion and a narrower second portion, said enlarged portion being disposed between said housing and said second portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector installed in the enlarged portion and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece.

Claim 22

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion and a narrower second portion, said enlarged portion being disposed between said housing and said second portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector installed in the enlarged portion and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for centering said deflector in said outlet.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said centering means comprises a plurality of relatively thin washers surrounding said deflector.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said squeegee comprises a shoe which defines said outlet and is mounted on said housing.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said housing comprises an elongated tube having at least one longitudinally extending row of openings communicating with said outlet.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a screen or stencil interposed between the workpiece and said outlet.

Claim 28

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector constituting or resembling a rod and provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece.

Claim 29

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector constituting or resembling a rod and provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece.

Claim 30

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; a deflector provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector comprising a plurality of sections disposed end-to-end; and a plurality of centering elements spaced apart from one another, as considered in the longitudinal direction of said deflector and arranged to maintain said deflector out of contact with said housing, said sections having abutting end portions which are disposed between pairs of centering elements.

Claim 31

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; a deflector provided in said applicator in the region of and extending longitudinally of said outlet and arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece, said deflector comprising a plurality of sections disposed end-to-end; and a plurality of centering elements spaced apart from one another, as considered in the longitudinal direction of said deflector and arranged to maintain said deflector out of contact with said housing, said sections having abutting end portions which are disposed between pairs of centering elements.

Claim 32

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particualarly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said housing and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector having a substantially tear-shaped cross-sectional outline, provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet.

Claim 33

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particualarly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said housing and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector having a substantially tear-shaped cross-sectional outline, provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet.

Claim 34

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treading medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and conveying toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet, the combined width of said channels, as considered transversely of said applicator, approximating or matching the width of said narrower portion of said outlet.

Claim 35

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treading medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and conveying toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet, the combined width of said channels, as considered transversely of said applicator, approximating or matching the width of said narrower portion of said outlet.

Claim 36

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arrnaged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward said narrower portion of said outlet, said deflector having a substantially tear-shaped cross-sectional outline and having two lateral facets each of which is substantially parallel to one of said surfaces.

Claim 37

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; and a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arrnaged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward said narrower portion of said outlet, said deflector having a substantially tear-shaped cross-sectional outline and having two lateral facets each of which is substantially parallel to one of said surfaces.

Claim 38

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet; and means for centering said deflector in said enlarged portion of said outlet, said centering means abutting aginst said surfaces.

Claim 39

Apparatus for applying a flowable foamed treating medium to a workpiece, particularly for applying a foamed medium to a running web of textile material, comprising an applicator including a tubular housing having an upper portion and a lower portion provided with an opening for evacuation of foamed treating medium from the interior of said housing, said housing being arranged to permit at least substantially unobstructed flow of foamed treating medium toward and into said opening, and a squeegee disposed below said housing and having an elongated outlet arranged to convey the treating medium from the opening toward the workpiece, said outlet including an enlarged portion nearer to and a narrower portion more distant from said opening and said opening being arranged to admit foamed treating medium into said enlarged portion of said outlet, said squeegee further having a pair of surfaces flanking said enlarged portion and converging toward each other in a direction toward said narrower portion; means for supplying the treating medium into said housing; a deflector provided in said outlet, extending longitudinally of said outlet, arranged to distribute the treating medium longitudinally of said outlet before the treating medium contacts the workpiece and defining with said surfaces a pair of channels wherein the treating medium flows from said opening toward the narrower portion of said outlet; and means for centering said deflector in said enlarged portion of said outlet, said centering means abutting aginst said surfaces.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said deflector has two longitudinally extending lateral facets which converge toward each other and are inwardly adjacent to said surfaces, said facets defining a ridge in the region where said enlarged portion merges into said narrower portion of said outlet.