Calendering
“calendering, process of smoothing and compressing a material (notably paper) during production by passing a single continuous sheet through a number of pairs of heated rolls. The rolls in combination are called calenders. Calender rolls are constructed of steel with a hardened surface, or steel covered with fibre; in paper production, they typically exert a pressure of 500 pounds per linear inch (89 kilograms per centimetre). Coated papers are calendered to provide a smooth, glossy finish.”
“Calendering is also widely used in themanufacture of textile fabrics, coated fabrics, and plastic sheeting to provide the desired surface finish and texture.”
Recent US Patents
3/1/2011
7,897,075
Calender gap control
Downing of Goodyear Rubber, Ohio, developed a method for fine gauge adjustment of a calender. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product. (RDC 9/12/2011)
1/18/2011
7,871,682
Support assembly for composite laminate materials during roll press processing
Catella of NASA, District of Columbia, developed composite laminate material supported during the roll press processing thereof by an assembly having: first and second perforated films disposed adjacent to first and second opposing surfaces of a mixture of uncured resin and fibers defining the composite laminate material, a gas permeable encasement surrounding the mixture and the first and second films, a gas impervious envelope sealed about the gas permeable encasement, and first and second rigid plates clamped about the gas impervious envelope.