Wringer

{
  "publication_number": "US3872695A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Wringer",
  "abstract": "A device for wringing fluid out of laminar articles by compressing the articles between two platens, one of which is covered on its article contacting face by an inflatable membrane and at least one of which is covered by a flexible web forming the article-contacting surface and made of porous material which has pores to permit water draining from the articles to be channelled to the side edges of the platen. The porous web allows efficient drainage of fluid and the inflatable membrane allows the exertion of a constant pressure over the article even when the article has an uneven surface, and is thus particularly suitable for the drying of treated leather.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A device for wringing flat articles of irregular thickness, having a stationary lower pressure member; a movable upper pressure member oriented towards the stationary presssure member; means for moving the movable pressure member towards and away from the stationary pressure member; an expansible membrane secured to the stationary pressure member and having a face oriented towards the movable pressure member; means for expanding the membrane by liquid pressure for pressing the membrane face against the flat article situated between the two pressure members; a conveyor belt extending between the pressure members for positioning the flat article therebetween, the conveyor belt being structured to allow liquid pressed from the article to flow parallel to the belt faces; the improvement comprising: a first web affixed to said stationary pressure member and extending over said membrane and said stationary pressure member, said first web having a web face oriented towards said conveyor belt; and a second web affixed to and extending over said movable pressure member, said second web having a web face oriented towards said conveyor belt; said first and second webs being of a porous, essentially non-absorbent structure for providing a drainage of the liquid, pressed from the flat article, within each said web in a direction parallel to said web faces.",
    "2. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising pneumatic means connected to said movable pressure member for forcing air through said first web selectively in the one or the other direction.",
    "3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said webs are made of a synthetic fiber.",
    "4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said webs are made of a woven fabric of monofilament fibers.",
    "5. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a liquid-absorbent sponge layer disposed between said movable pressure member and said first web.",
    "6. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for heating at least that portion of said movable pressure member that is oriented towards said second web.",
    "7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is constructed of a non-absorbent material.",
    "8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is constructed of a fabric of woven monofilamentary fibers."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "C14B 1/00",
    "C14B 1/44",
    "C14B 2700/14",
    "C14B 2700/28"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BUSEK JOSEF"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1973-10-05",
  "publication_date": "1975-03-25",
  "grant_date": "1975-03-25",
  "priority_date": "1972-10-09",
  "application_number": "US-40400473-A",
  "family_id": "5858523",
  "citations": [
    "US1332963A",
    "US1533115A",
    "US2233495A",
    "US2642782A",
    "US3160553A",
    "US3187409A"
  ]
}