Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
. Textile webs in general are subject to curling along an
. edge or selvage thereof when being handled and often have pressed
folds or creases thereat. In order to produce a compact roll of
goods or to achieve proper web handling along a process line for
printing, inspection, drying, extraction of moisture, washing,
doubling, tacking or other web treatment, it is desirable and
sometimes necessary to insure that the web is in a flat condition,
with little or no fabric deformation being present at either
1~ selvage during handling. Proper package preparation or web
handing may thus be achieved in conjunction with apparatus of the
present invention that engages the web selvage and due to a
~ I
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particular action, removes curl, folds and creases the selvage of
the web. While the device of the present invention is suitable
for curl, fold and crease removal, hereinafter the term decurling
only will be used for all.
Several dif~erent classes of decurling devices have
heretorore been developed that include static as well as power
driven approaches. Known static systems include a pair of spring
loaded elements that are disposed above and below the web, with
each Or the elements being U shaped where a short leg Or the U is
presented on the web side and engages the web so as to strip curl
thererrom. A further static structure includes a planar surface
having ridges disposed thereon over which the web passes, with
rrictional forces produced between the web and the rides attemptin~ ;
to remove curl rrom the selvage Or the web. Many Or the web edges
decurlers in commercial operation are Or a driven type where
oppositely disposed discs, rotating fingers, screws, belts or the
like are located along a selvage Or the web. The elements are
drlven to produce a motion which, in turn, imparts a spreading
ef~ect on the web to remove curl along the selvage Or same.
Likewise, air ~ets have been directed against web curl to cause
an uncurling Or the selvage. -
All Or the aforementioned prior art decurling devicesare expensive, bulky, and/or are limited as to deployment due to
physical size or construction. Further, the driven units require
a high energy consumption and operating cost. The decurling
device Or the present invention represents a definite advance in
the art, and is specifically discussed hereinafter.
S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object Or the present invention to provide a
3 device for removing curl, rolds and the like from the edge Or a
moving web.
7~251
Another object of the present invention is to provide
a static device for flattening the selvage of a traveling web
to provide a uniform web surface thereat.
Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a device for decurling an edge of a moving web that may
be positioned immediately adjacent further in line processing
equipment.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide an improved device for removing curl, folds and the like
from the selvage of a moving fabric web to improve the process-
ability of the web.
Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a
device for treating an edge of a traveling web to remove curl,
folds and the like therefrom comprising a first bank of elon-
gated fins disposed above an edge of a path of travel for said
web, said fins being arranged at an angle with respect to an
edge of a web traveling-thereunder, and a second bank of elon-
gated fins disposed beneath said edge of said path of travel for
said web, said banks of fins being set to define a particular
web passageway therethrough, said second bank of elongated fins
being arranged at an angle with respect to an edge of a web
traveling thereover, whereby a web passing therethrough will have
curl, folds and the like removed therefrom to provide a flat
web thereat.
More specifically, the device of the present invention
is a unit where two banks of elongated spaced-apart angularly
disposed fins are adjustable to provide an overlap or a pre-
determined gap therebetween. Spring loaded at the particular
relative positions, the two banks of fins cooperate and act on
a web traveling therebetween to spread the web in a direction
transverse to the direction of web travel to a point where any
curl along the selvage of the web is removed.
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Since the installed device is a static structure, no
maintenance problems are inherent therewith. Likewise, initial
cost Or the device is small compared to the initial cost of certai
of the prior art driven units for removing curl from selvage of a
traveling web. The device also may be adjusted to provide a wider
gap at the entrance end than at the exit end for certain webs
whereupon curl is progressively removed along the angular length
Or the fins Or the device.
A further feature for consideration is that the elongate
1~ fins are preferably tapered at a leading end for ease Or web entry
into the device. An element taper away from the plane of the
oncoming web assists in guiding the web between the banks of fins.
Likewise, a taper may be provided along a trailing end of the
elongated rins of the device, which permits the unit to be
located immediately adjacent a nip defined by a pair of rolls, a
roll and a planar surface, or other processing equipment. Hence,
arter removal Or curl rrom a selvage Or a traveling web, the web
can be immedlately engaged by ad~acent equipment before the curl
can return. In this manner, processability of a traveling web is
~t improved or the web may wound into a roll without any end
distortion due to curl, folds or the like therein.
In one arrangement along a process line, a web feed
means may be provided to supply a source Or web. The feed means
is located upstream rrom the decurling device while a suitable
web take-up means is located downstream of the decurler.
Obviously, other processing equipment may be interspersed along
the web line as desired. In fact, the decurling device Or the
present invention may be submerged in a finishing range, may be
located on a simple fabric batcher, may be used on a tenter frame
3 ~ust ahead Or the pins, may be used in conjunction with a pad,
an extractor, print machines, doublers, and tackers, and the like.
~1 ( 1071Z51
The method according to the present invention comprises
the general steps of providing a web feed means and web take-up
means; feeding a web from said feed means to said take-up means
along a predetermined path of travel; engaging said fabric on a
top and bottom of same adjacent a selvage of same along said path
of travel with a plurality of spaced apart angularly disposed
elongated fins, said fins being angled in a direction to direct
any curl along the selvage towards an outer edge thereof, whereby
sald curl is removed from the selvage of the traveling web.
\~ While a wide range of webs may be flattened by the
device of the present invention, a proper setting of the device
removes curl, folds and the like without instituting any
longitudinal tension in the web or picking of the web. Moreover,
the fins of the decurler unit may be hardened or otherwise treated
to handle abrasiVe webs without any adverse effects thereto.
Likewise, a proper adjustment of the decurling device enables the
removal of curl, folds and the like without producing any web
bulge at the entrance to the device. The web being flattened is
preferably fed through the decurler unit in a straight line at
both the entrance and exit ends Or same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
,.
Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view Or a segment of
a web decurler according to the teachings of the present invention
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a further embodi-
ment of an edge decurler of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of an embodiment Or an edge
decurler accordlng to the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a segment of traveling
web showing edge decurlers located along both selvages of same
and removing curl from the web.
Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of an edge decurler
according to the present invention showing a particular fin
placement embodiment.
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Figure 6 is a side view of a rin of a decurler unit of
the present invention.
Figure 7 is an end view o~ the rin illustrated in Figure
6.
Figure 8 is a schematic illustration Or a simplified
process utilizing edge decurlers according to the present inventio~ .
Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment Or decurler
elements according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
~D Referring to the Figures, preferred embodiments of the
present invention wlll now be described in detail. Figure 1
lllustrates an edge decurler according to the present invention
generally indicated as 10 and having a fabric indicated as F
passing therethrough. Note that upstream Or decurler 10 a slight
roll or curl C appears along the rabric edge which is removed by
decurler 10 as lllustrated by a flat fabric appearance downstream
Or decurler lO.
Decurler 10 as illustrated ln Figure 1, has a top cover
12 and a botbom cover 14. Top cover 12 has a plurality Or
elongated elements or fins 20 secured therealong-in an angular
arrangement such that the elements are directed towards an outer
edge Or a rabric path Or travel. As will be described in more
detail herelnafter, a plurallty Or elongatéd rins 20 are deployed
ln side by side generally parallel fashion. Further elongated
rins 20' are secured to bottom 14 in like fashion to those secured
to top 12. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, elongated elements
20 and 20' may be represented by singular members 20 having a
rlange 21 extendlng outwardly thererrom. A leading end Or
element 20 has a bevel 22 along a portion thereof extending upward Y
~C to a shoulder 23. The angle of bevel 22 may differ depending upon
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the type of web being handled. For example, the angle shown may b
suitable for a knitted web while for a woven web, the angle of
bevel 22 may be as illustrated in phantom in Figure 6. Likewise,
in an opposite direction, the trailing end of element 20 may be
provided with a bevel 24 down to a shoulder 25 or may be square.
All of the edges of element 20 that encounter a web passing thereb
are smooth to avoid damage to the web. The particular embodiment
of element 20, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, is secured to it
appropriate portion of the decurler unit 10 by a weldment or the
~0 llke. Flange 21 may, for example, be welded to upper cover 12 or
to bottom 14 as is required. Conversely, as is illustrated in
Figure 9, a single plate 112 may be employed having a plurality of
elements 120 die cut therefrom in part such that the elements may
be pressed downwardly to bend at the edges 121 that are integral
wlth plate 112. In this fashion, all of the individual elements
Or the unit are integral along the top and bottom sections
respectively. Shape and disposition of the elements 120 as presse
from plate 110 are dictated only by the techniques for cutting
elements 120 from plate 110. Thereafter, if necessary, the edges
~C Or the elements l?o may be deburned, burfed or the li~e so as to
remove any rough spots therefrom that could damage a web passing
thereby.
In the sense Or the present invention, while a plurality
of elements are recited throughout the specification and claims,
lt ls intended that the plurallty of elements or fins may be cut
rrom a single plate with the elements being unitized along the
top and bottom of the unit or that singular elements as described
in Figures 6 and 7 may be individually secured to an appropriate
plate. Furthermore, other variations of the elements could
3 lihewise be possible.
Il _7_
0~12~1
With the elements 20 properly secured to top 12 and
bottom 14, decurler unit 10 may be assembled by use of threaded
bolts 30 which extend downwardly through sleeves 31 that are
secured to the underside of top plate 12 and have threads com-
plementary to those on bolts 30. Bolts 30 thus extend downwardly
and are received in a dished out area 18 of a base 17 to limit in
one direction the gap settings Or unit 10. Bolts 30 may have an
adjustment nut 32 received therearound and locked in place by a
set screw 33 or the like. A stop pin 34 is secured to nut 32 and
depends downwardly thererrom. A further stop pin 35 is secured to
plate 12 and extends upwardly therefrom, being located in a path o
travel Or pin 34. Bolts 30 are then limited in rotational movemen
o~ any setting Or adjustment nut 32 whereby adjustment Or rins
20 and 20' are limited at said setting. Should a greater adjust-
ment be required ror device 10, ad~ustment nut 32 can be moved
along bolt 30 to permit such further adjustment. Bolts 30 further
have a thumb head or the like 36 at an upper end thereor for
grasplng same for adjustment. Thumb heads 36 preferably further
have lndlcia means 36' such as a groove therein as a reference
so that all Or the bolts 30 can be maintained at a common ad~ust-
ment ir desired.
A threaded element 37 is also employed ror adjustment
o~ unit 10 and is secured to a base 17 by welding or the like.
Element 37 extends upwardly through an opening 13 in plate 12
that ls provided therefor. A lock nut arrangement 38 is provided
atop top cover 12 along with a compression sprlng 39 to continuall
apply rorce against a pair Or flanges 39' received therearound.
Bolts 30 are thus preset so as to secure unit 10 from one directio .
Thereafter, with the lock nut 38 preset in accordance with bolts
30, compression spring 39 maintains spring pressure on the
decurling unit. With the adjustment means just described for
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decurler 10, fins 20 and 20' can be preset with a definite gap
between the respective lower edges of same, or may be moved
together for an interference fit where a web passing therebetween
is forced to follow a tortuous path. In any event, the setting
for the decurler unit depends upon the particular web being
handled. In the sense o~ a textile web, a primary use of the
present invention is found in treating textile webs where a wide
range o~ materials may be handled, extending from very delicate
tricot fabrics to heavy double knit rabrics.
D Making further rererence to Figure 1, note tXat the
beveled areas 22 on the entrance end of unit 10 cooperate insofar
as top and bottom elements are concerned to define a V shaped
entrance path for the fabric web F to enter unit 10. In like
rashion, top and lower covers 12 and 14 respectively, are provided
with lnturned rlanges 121 and 14' which likewise further assist
in de~ining an entrance to unit 10. As a web passes through unit
10, the angular presentation Or elements 20 causes the curl, rold
or the like C to move outwardly towards an ad~acent selvage and
to be removed ~rom the web. As will be described in more detail
herelna~ter, the trailing edges 24 Or elements 20 and 20' may be
beveled or ~lat to permit decurler unit 10 to be located
immediately ad~acent a nip or the like to permit further handling
Or ~abric F arter being treated by decurler unit 10 and preclude
any return Or curl C along the selvage.
Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a decurler unit
generally indicated as 110 according to the present invention.
In Figure 2, top cover 112 has a larger opening 113 ad~acent an
outer edge with a cup 115 being received therein around a threaded
element 135. Threaded element 135 is secured to base 117 in like
~D ~ashion as seen in Figure 1 and has a spring 137 receive there-
around. A cover 138 is received at an upper end Or spring 137
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and has a nut 139 received around threaded element 135. Spring
137 may be compressed by movement Or nut 139 in an appropriate ,
direction to provide spring tension for-the same purposes as set
forth in Figure 1. This particular embodiment is more compact
than that Or Figure 1, reducing the height Or threaded element 37.
Figure 3 illustrates an edge decurler 210 positioned
above a web W that is passing therethrough in the direction Or the
arrow. Note that decurler unit 210 extends outwardly beyond an
edge E Or web W. Note further that fins 220 are angled in a
O dlrection such that curl along edge E Or web W is forced outwardly
towards the outer edge E thereof. In the embodiment shown in
Figure 3, the upper plate 21? is provided with three threaded
elements 230 in the fashion Or Figures 1 and 2. Elements 230 are
in the shape Or a triangle with a spring threaded rod arrangement
235 Or either Figure 1 or Figure 2 therewithin; The decurler~unit
210 Or Figure 3 illustrates a particular embodiment Or a mounting
means thereror. A web support plate 240 is secured to an und-ersid
Or decurler 210 and holds the web away from an edge 211 Or the
decurllng unit in those situations where there is no intermediate
support for web W. For example, decurler 210 could be utilized
on the arms Or a tenter rrame, located ~ust prior to the pins. A
rabric being red to the tenter frame could thus be provided for
securement on the pins in a flat condition, whereby waste is
avoided.
~ In practicing the present invention, webs Or dirferent
wldths would obviously be encountered. As such, making rererence
to Figures 1, 2 and 4, width ad~ustment for the decurler unlt will
be described. Mounting bars 40, 140 and 340 respectively may be
provided and secured to a suitable frame member 42, 142 and 342
respectively. Figure 1 shows a rear end 14" Or bottom 14 that
extends around a corresponding edge 41 Or support 40. Opposite
edge 43 Or support 40 is provided with a downward leg 44 which
receives a suitable holding means 50 secured to end 14' Or bottom
1~:97~ZSl
14. As shown in Figure 2, bottom 114 of decurler 110 may have
opposite ends both turned inwardly at 114' and 114 " to fit
around mounting bracket 140 which is supported by framework 142. -
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, mounting brackets
40 and 140 can be made of a flexible plastic material or the
like such that upon a snap fitting relationship, the plastic
support 140 will be bowed to exert lateral forces at the appro-
priate ends 14' and 14" or securely hold the decurler unit in
place. The mounting brackets do not necessarily extend com-
10 pletely across the width of the web path. Instead, as shown
in Figure 4, supports 340 terminate intermediate the length of
frame 342, leaving an intermediate portion free for the removal
of decurling units 310. Hence, decurling unit 310 may be
moved laterally along its support 340 inwardly or outwardly to
a desired location depending upon the width of web W being handled
thereby.
Figure 4 illustrates two decurling units 310 located
along opposite edges of a web W that is passing in the direction
of the arrow. Note that decurler units 310 have a plurality of
20 angularly presented fins 320 engaging a web W having curl C
therein as illustrated to remove the curl and flatten the web
to its normal width.
Also shown in phantom in Figure 4, are a second set of
decurling units 310' which are inwardly disposed along mounting
brackets 340. The tandem units 310' may be useful in performing
the function of an edge guide. In this regard, with the units in
place and a web passing therebetween, an actuation of pressure
against same will reduce clearance between the banks of fins and
provide a driving force which will cause the web to move in the
30 direction of the particular unit where the pressure is actuated.
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As such, the tandem units 310' serve the dual purpose Or removing
creases and the like from the web as well as serving as a guide
for the edge Or the web. Pressure actuating means for initiating
web movement to properly associate the edge Or the web with the
decurler 310 is operatively associated with the detector means in
a fashion commonly used in the art. Schematically illustrated are
a pair Or photocells 350 that are connected to a control system
360 which, in turn, is connected to the particular decurling units
310'. Once web deviation is sensed, control system 360 actuates
l0 the particular unit 310' that is needed to return web W to its
proper position. Also ir necessary, an opposite action may be
produced on the decurler opposite the direction Or movement. A
web edge detector system may be utilized in conjunction with any
Or the embodiments Or the present invention along with a converter
system to keep the edge Or the web in the decurler unit.
Figure 5 illustrates a plurality Or fins 20 in plan
cross section. The fins 20' are.secured to a bottom cover 14
whlle the fins 20 would be.secured to a top cover (not shown). In
the arrangement shown in Figure 5, the fins are not vertically
allgned, but are o~fset from each other in a vertical plane and
may be canted. Upper and lower covers may be positioned with ~,
sufricient closeness to each other such that a tortuous passageway
is produced between adjacent rin edges to apply surficient
rrlctional contact against web W to cause the curl, fold or the
like to be rernoved thererrom. Since certain fabrics are more
prone to curl than others and certain fabrics are more difficult
to decurl than others, it is desirable to have adjustable decurler
units according to the present invention. In this regard, a
proper way Or adjustment for general operation is to bring opposing
fins together untll slight binding occurs when a sheet Or paper is
pulled through the unit. There is thus operative association
between the upper and lower fins to remove curl from the web in an
expeditious fashion. -12-
~0712Sl
The general process according to the present invention is
illustrated in Figure 8 along with a further embodiment of the
physical attributes of the decurler unit. A roll 400 is
symbolically illustrative of a feed means for a web W. The
particular type feed means is not limited to a roll, but could
be any suitable source of web supply. A phantom illustrated
block 450 is symbolic of intermediate operations, if any, as
may be necessary for any textile or other web handling system.
Along the line of web travel are located a pair of rolls 460
that define a nip 465 therebetween. Subsequent to the nip rolls
460 is a web take-up 470. Note in handling of the web W, a
thickened area indicated by C that represents curl along an
edge of a fabric that extends into a decurling unit 410.
Symbolically illustrative of decurling unit 410 are a pair of
~ins 420 as are used to produce same. Note that the trailing
end of the unit 410 that is disposed adjacent the nip 465 finds
the fins 420 tapered to permit a disposition immediately at
the nip. Hence, once the curl C is removed from the web W by
the unit 410, and the web immediately passes into the nip 465
between opposing rolls 460, there is no opportunity for the
curl to return to the web. Instead of a nip 465 between two
opposing rolls 460, any web take up, processing or other means
may be immediately adjacent the decurler unit 410.
It is noted that the fin banks may be spaced further apart
on a leading end than on a trailing end.
Having described the present invention in detail, it is
obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make
variation and modification thereto without departing from the
~cope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention should be determined only by the claims appended
thereto.
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