Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of moistening a running web that bounds at least partially a moistening pocket defined by first and second rolls that are in parallel, spaced apart relationship, the web contacting the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and being wrapped around the second roll, the method comprising delivering moistening substance in its vapor phase into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, whereby the vapor condenses on the web and moistens it, measuring the value of a property of the web at a plurality of measuring locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, the value of the property depending upon the moistness of the web, and separately controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured value of said property.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of moistening a running web that bounds at least partially a moistening pocket defined by first and second rolls that are in parallel, spaced apart relationship, the web contacting the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and being wrapped around the second roll, the method comprising delivering moistening substance in its vapor phase into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, whereby the vapor condenses on the web and moistens it, measuring the value of a property of the web at a plurality of measuring locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, the value of the property depending upon the moistness of the web, and separately controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured value of said property.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the property having the value that is measured is selected from the group consisting of moisture content, thickness and glaze.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring locations are located a substantial distance from the moistening pocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the moistening pocket is defined by a calender roll of a calender appliance and a fly roll, and the measuring locations are downstream of the calender appliance with respect to the direction of travel of the web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising measuring the value of the property substantially simultaneously at all of said measuring locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising measuring the value of the property at the different measuring locations sequentially.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for moistening a running web, comprising first and second rolls in parallel, spaced apart relationship, about which the web can be trained so that the web contacts the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and is wrapped around the second roll and bounds at least partially a moistening pocket, and the apparatus also comprising means for delivering moistening substance in its vapor phase into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, means for measuring the value of a property of the web at a plurality of locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, the value of which property depends on the moistness of the web, and means for separately controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured values of said property.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for moistening a running web, comprising first and second rolls in parallel, spaced apart relationship, about which the web can be trained so that the web contacts the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and is wrapped around the second roll and bounds at least partially a moistening pocket, and the apparatus also comprising means for delivering moistening substance in its vapor phase into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, means for measuring the value of a property of the web at a plurality of locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, the value of which property depends on the moistness of the web, and means for separately controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured values of said property.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first roll is a roll of a calender stack and the second roll is a fly roll adjacent the calender stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means for delivering moistening substance comprise a steamer appliance that extends transversely of the web and defines an interior chamber that is divided into separate zones corresponding respectively to said moistening locations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location include an appliance valve for controlling the supply of moistening substance to the steamer appliance and a plurality of zone valves for controlling supply of moistening substance from the appliance valve to the interior chambers respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first roll being a roll of a calender stack is the second roll being a fly roll, the means for measuring the value of the property of the web comprise a moisture gauge located downstream of the calender stack with respect to the direction of travel of the web, and the means for controlling the rate at which moistening substance is delivered to each moistening location comprise a valve controller that is connected to receive a measuring signal from the moisture gauge and is connected to provide control signals to the appliance valve and to the zone valves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means for meaasuring the value of the property of the web comprise a measuring gauge for measuring the value of the property at the plurality of locations substantially simultaneously.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means for measuring the value of the property of the web comprise a measuring gauge that is movable in the transverse direction of the web for measuring the value of the property at the plurality of locations sequentially.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising delivering moistening substance into the moistening pocket at a rate sufficient to maintain the pressure inside the moistening pocket at a level that is higher than the pressure outside the moistening pocket.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of moistening a running paper web that bounds at least partially a moistening pocket defined by first and second rolls that are in parallel, spaced apart relationship, the web contacting the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and being wrapped around the second roll, the method comprising: delivering steam into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, whereby the steam condenses on the web and moistens it, the rate of delivery of steam being sufficient to maintain the pressure inside the moistening pocket at a level that is higher than the pressure outside the moistening pocket, measuring the thickness of the web at a plurality of locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, and separately controlling the rate at which steam is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured value of the thickness of the web.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of moistening a running paper web that bounds at least partially a moistening pocket defined by first and second rolls that are in parallel, spaced apart relationship, the web contacting the first roll at two substantially diametrically opposed positions and being wrapped around the second roll, the method comprising: delivering steam into the moistening pocket at a plurality of moistening locations that are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, whereby the steam condenses on the web and moistens it, the rate of delivery of steam being sufficient to maintain the pressure inside the moistening pocket at a level that is higher than the pressure outside the moistening pocket, measuring the thickness of the web at a plurality of locations that are downstream of the moistening pocket with respect to the direction of travel of the web and are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the web, and separately controlling the rate at which steam is delivered to each moistening location in dependence upon the measured value of the thickness of the web.