Sealed Coating Apparatus for High Viscosity Tissue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional coating methods are poorly suited for applying high viscosity coatings to tissue webs due to contamination issues and inability to maintain a sealed environment, which affects the application efficiency and quality of coatings on high-speed tissue machines.

Innovation Solution

A sealed coating apparatus with a metering device at its trailing edge, designed to apply a thin layer of coating material to an applicator roll, which is then transferred to the tissue web, providing a sealed environment for the coating material and allowing high viscosity coatings to be applied effectively while preventing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional coating methods are used, then coating application is possible, but contamination of coating material by dust and particulate occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination of coating materialVSAvoidsealed environment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a sealed coating chamber that creates a controlled environment, isolating the coating material from external contaminants such as dust and particulate. The sealing mechanism includes a coating chamber with seals at the interface between the chamber and applicator roll, preventing contamination while maintaining coating application functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If high viscosity coating materials are used, then coating quality on tissue improves, but application difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidapplication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pressurized coating material supply system where coating material is delivered under pressure into the sealed chamber. This hydraulic/pneumatic pressure mechanism facilitates the flow and application of high viscosity coating materials onto the tissue web, overcoming their inherent resistance to flow and enabling effective coating application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates an adjustable metering device that can be positioned at varying distances from the applicator roll surface. This dynamic adjustment capability allows precise control over the coating gap, enabling operators to optimize coating parameters for different viscosity levels and achieve consistent coating quality across varying material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If tissue machines run at high speed, then productivity increases, but coating application quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine speedVSAvoidcoating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a continuous applicator roll that rotates in sync with the tissue web movement, maintaining continuous contact and coating application throughout the process. This continuous action ensures uniform coating distribution even at high machine speeds, preventing defects that could arise from intermittent or discontinuous coating methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The metering device positioning system allows dynamic adjustment of the coating gap distance, enabling operators to optimize coating parameters for different operating speeds. By adjusting the gap, the system maintains consistent coating application quality across a range of machine speeds, preserving manufacturing precision while accommodating high productivity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2638207B1Sealed metered coating apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP2638207B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2638207B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2638207B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a coating, preferably a high viscosity coating to a supported web, preferably tissue. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a sealed coating chamber that can be supplied with coating material under pressure. The chamber further comprises a metering device at its trailing edge, which applies a thin layer of coating material to an applicator roll. In general, the coater is designed to have a small footprint, allowing it to fit into tight locations and be readily adapted for use in existing tissue manufacturing and converting processes. The coater also has the advantage of having a sealed coating chamber, which permits coating material to be supplied under pressure and preventing contamination of the coating material by debris common to the coating process.