DESCRIPTION; i

$ ^' The present invention relates to stenter apparatus for

. stretching a web to produce a relatively thin film, and es¬ pecially to stenter apparatus comprising laterally spaced pairs of endless chains or bands each of which includes film clip holders running on rails, facing inner or feed runs of the chains or bands defining a film conveying passage comprising in succession an inlet section, a diverging film stretching section and an outlet or relaxation section, end sprockets being present at the ends of the inner feed run and the outer or return run of the chains. Such apparatus is hereinafter re¬ ferred to as stenter apparatus of the type aforesaid.

Stenter apparatus of the type aforesaid is shown in UK Patent Specification No. 1015499 wherein the film holder rails are mounted on a supporting frame structure. For heating and/ or cooling of the film, the stenter of No. 1015499 includes chamber means through which passes film gripped on the feed runs of the chains, the chamber means consequently housing the por¬ tions of the feed runs of the chains defining at least parts of the film feed, stretching and outlet sections. For operational and economy reasons the return runs of the chains are located outwith the chamber means. Additionally No. 1015499 includes adjustment means for lateral movement of the feed and return runs of each chain in parallelogram manner so that the spacing between the opposed feed runs can be varied so as to enable for example the degree of stretch imparted- by the apparatus to be varied. More specifically the rails comprise a series of pivo¬ tally jointed sections with a carrying block at each joint, and the adjustment means includes transverse control shafts thread- _f ed to said carrying blocks and rotatable to move the blocks for parallelogram motion of the feed and return rail sections of each endless chain, the adjustment means being such that oppo¬ sed lateral movements of the two chains are effected simulta¬ neously relative to the centre-line of the stenter. Equiva¬ lent lateral movements are imparted to the end sprockets. The

necessary apertures at the ends of the chamber means for the feed runs are of sealed slot form to accommodate the lateral movements of the feed runs. The stenter apparatus of No. 1015499 has the following disadvantages, namely:-

1. The stenter apparatus is complex, in particular requiring a considerable number of pivotal joints for the rail sections to permit desired width variations and patterns to be obtained along the length of the film conveying passage; and

2. The end sprockets have to be of relatively large diameter to allow a reasonable degree of lateral movement of the inner feed run if the outer return run which moves laterally with the feed run is not to foul the chamber means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an im¬ proved stenter apparatus of the type aforesaid which obviates or mitigates these disadvantages.

According to the present invention, stenter apparatus of the type aforesaid includes shifting means to permit adjustment movements of the feed run towards or away from the correspond¬ ing return run, and pivot means to permit pivoting motion of portions of the return run adjacent the ends of the run to allow said adjustment movements.

Thus by the present invention the bulk of the return run of each chain or band can occupy a set position while the feed runs are movable laterally as desired relative to the set return runs for variation of the width pattern of the film conveying passage. Again the end sprockets move laterally in unison with the associated feed run. The set outer run can therefore utilise a continuous rail or fixed rail section and there is a consequent reduction in the number of pivot joints required, all of which leads to economies in the construction. Further, since the outer run does not now move laterally with the feed run end sprockets of considerably reduced diameter can be uti¬ lised.

Preferably the pivot means comprises an adjustable length radius arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the radius arm is hingeably connected at one end to a carrying body of an end sprocket and at the other end to an end of a set section of the return run.

Chain tensioning and adjustment means will desirably be present to cater for the relative changing geαnetry of the feed and return runs, and these means can be located at an end sprocket.

Preferably the shifting means comprises transversely located rotatable shafts which are threaded to support elements of the inner run; these support elements will be located at pivot points of adjacent sections of the inner run.

In one preferred embodiment both the inner feed run and the outer return run of each endless chain passes through film treatment apparatus e.g. a heater or cooler.

In an alternative embodiment the outer return of the endless chain passes on the outside of film treatment apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the left hand rail/chain of stenter apparatus to one side of the stentor line, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2 & 3 show similar views of second and third embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a prior art stentor rail/chain including a chain sprocket;

Fig. 5 shows in greater detail a plan view of an entry rail portion for use in the inventive embodiments;

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a sprocket support of the entry rail portion; ^:*

Fig. 7 shows the section X™ X of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows in greater detail a plan view of an exit rail portion for use in the inventive embodiments;

Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of the mounting arrangement for a sprocket wheel of the rail;

Fig. 10 shows a front elevation of a pivot joint suitable for use in the rail of the invention;

Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a connecting piece pair-.use in the pivot joint of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12A shows a plan view of a horizontal track including an extension joint suitable for use in the invention;

Fig. 12B shows a side view of a vertical track including an extension joint; arid

Fig. 12C shows an end view of the track of Fig. 12B through section K-K in Fig. 12B.

Referring to Fig, 1- stenter apparatus for stretching a web of material so as to produce a thin film comprises a pair of laterally spaced rail systems, one the mirror image of the other, and one of these rail systems 1 (ie. the stenter's left hand rail) is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. The rail systems 1 are laterally spaced from the stenter's centre line C-C _r and the rail 2A, 2B (see Fig. 10) of the system 1 supports an endless film clip chain constituted by a series of film clip holders (see item 3 in Fig. 10) each of which has a set of rollers (4, 5 _r 6 Fig. 10) for vertical and horizontal guiding on the rail 2A _r 2B. 6 is the actual carrier for the film clip 6B, while successive holders 3 are pivotally jointed by links 7, 8. The chain/rail system defines an endless conveying system in¬ cluding a feed run 9 (ie. the film rail) and a return run 10, and the chain 3 of the system passes round end sprockets 11B, 12B carried by sprocket carrier members 11, 12 (see Fig. 7) at the ends of the runs 9, 10. One of the sprockets 12B can serve as a drive sprocket for the chain formed by the holders 3.

The opposed feed runs 9 of the facing rail systems 1 define a film feed conveying passage comprising in succession an inlet section 13 at the inlet end llA _r a diverging film stretching section 14 and finally an outlet (or relaxation) section 15 ex¬ tending to the outlet end 12A. Cam means (not shown) can be provided at the inlet and outlet ends, 11A, 12A to move the film clips of the holders 3 to a closed film gripping position at the inlet 11A for movement of the film through the conveying passage and to an open position at the outlet end 12A to free the film. Suitable apparatus such as that described in UK Patent Specification No. 1598020, can be provided to feed the film web to the inlet section 13.

The web passes through a heating chamber (or oven) 16 ex¬ tending between the inlet and stretching sections 13, 14 as shown, while crystalling or cooling chambers 17 extend at the outlet section 15. In the Fig 1 embodiment both the feed and return runs 9, 10 pass through these chambers 16, 17.

It is a requirement that the width pattern of the film con¬ veying passage is variable, for example for variation of the degree of stretch imparted to the film by the stenter or to

handle film webs of different width, and for this requirement the present stenter has means for lateral movement of the rail of the feed run 9. In particular, means are provided at various crossheads comprising inlet and outlet crossheads X and intermediate crossheads X, X , X , X (depending on number) for transverse motion of the rail at the crossheads, and suit¬ able such means are shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and will be descri¬ bed later. However in accordance with the present invention the bulk of the outer run 10, specifically from point 20A to point 20B, is set in position and is not laterally movable^ The rail portion from 20A to 20B can therefore have fixed and con¬ tinuous tracks without flexible joints, and this provides ad¬ vantages as regards cost, operation and maintenance. To permit lateral movement of the run 9 relative to the set run 10, end portion 10A, 10B of the run 10 adjacent the end sprockets 11B, 12B are arranged to be pivotal. In this example the portion 10A is pivotal at the second intermediate crosshead X , while the portion 10B is pivotal at the penultimate of the intermediate crossheads. Since the feed entry will always be parallel the inlet sprocket carrier member 11 includes a short fixed arm 11C extending longitudinally to the first flexible joint 19 of the run 9 at the first intermediate crosshead X , while the portion

1 10A is in the form of a swinging radius arm having one end pivotally connected at point 20A and the other end flexibly connected to the sprocket carrier 11 a ^' t point 19A. A further arm 11D extends from arm 11C to a pivoting point 19 in run 9 at the second intermediate crosshead X-. The arm 10A includes

2 extension means for length adjustability. The arrangement at the outlet end is similar,"' the swinging arm portion 10B being pivoted at points 20B and 19B on the carrier 12B including longitudinal arms 12C with pivot for 12D in run 9. ^'

Fig. 1 shows the feed run 9 at maximum width position (full line) and at minimum width position (dashed line), the pivoting of the arm portions 10A, 10B to permit movement to these posi¬ tions being evident in Fig. 1. The carriers 11, 12 have linear lateral movement (achieved by shifting means as previous) but this is achievable by virtue of the length adjustability of portions 10A, 10B and resultant chain length variation is

catered for by a suitable chain tensioning and adjustment device provided at the inlet sprocket 11A. The run 9 will enter and leave the chambers 16, 17 via sealed slots permitting the late¬ ral movement of the run 9. By way of example, the maximum conveying passage width (full line) achievable at outlet may be about four times greater than the minimum width (dashed line) at the inlet.

In the stenter apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the return run 10 passes on the outside of the heating chamber 16 and the crystal¬ ling or cooling chambers 17 in contrast to the run 10 of .Fig. 1, but as in Fig. 1 the end portions 10A, 10B of the run 10 adja¬ cent the sprockets 11B, 12B are again pivotal to permit lateral adjustment of the feed run 9, the outer run portion from 20A to 20B again being fixed in position. Like parts in Fig. 2 to those in Fig. 1 carry like reference numerals. It will be noted in

Fig. 2 that the last intermediate crosshead X is located out-

N side the final chamber 17 at the endwall thereof, and in this case the arm 10B is pivotal at the final intermediate crosshead

X .

N

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment similar to that of Fig.

2 but in this case the arm 10A is pivotal at the first inter¬ mediate cross-head X .

1 Fig. 4 shows part of a prior stenter arrangement where the feed and return runs 9, 10 are moved in parallel over width adjustment range R from a maximum (full line) to a minimum (dashed line), the return run 10 in this case being outwith the chambers 16, 17. It will be evident that for. the provision of a reasonable range R the sprocket 11B (12B) will require to be of relatively large diameter D if the runs 9, 10 are not to foul the side wall of chamber 16 (17) . By having the return run 10 set in the present arrangement, sprockets 11B, 12B of relatively smaller diameter can be used.

Fig. 5 shows in greater detail inlet rail support structure defining portions 10A, 11, 11C, 11D suitable for use in the apparatus of Fig. 1. Thus the sprocket carrier 11 comprises a head casting having integral therewith the arm 11C of the feed run 9 and means for pivotally linking the carrier at point 19A to the arm 10 of the return run. The arm 10A includes exten-

sion means 22 to cater for changing geometry when the sprocket carrier 11 is moved laterally, and additionally the arm 11C is provided with extension means 22 to facilitate the provision of chain tensioning means at the carrier 11 (see Fig. 9). The dashed line in Fig. 5 shows the dropped position of the end support structure and in particular shows the parallel motion of the arms 11C, 11D into this dropped position with the pivot at position 20A remaining fixed. Figs. 6 and 7 show the sprocket in even greater detail. Thus, the head casting com¬ prises a hub 30 in which the sprocket wheel 11B (not shown in Fig. 6) is journalled while a bracket 31 defining a bush carried by the head casting facilitates the pivotal connection of the arm 10A to the sprocket carrier 11. A further bored bracket 32 serves for imparting lateral movements to the carrier 11 at the crosshead X .

Fig. 8 shows in detail a rail support structure for the outlet rail end i.e. including arm 10B suitable for the appara¬ tus of Fig. 1. As will be noted this has considerable simila¬ rity to the structure of Fig. 5 but the range of movement of the sprocket carrier 12 is considerably greater than that of carrier 11. Again, the sprocket carrier 12 (in the form of a head casting) includes an arm 12C integral therewith defining part of the feed run 9. Entry and outlet rail structures for the Figs . 2 and 3 embodiments could be generally similar to the arrangements of Figs. 5 to 8.

Fig. 9 shows an arrangement for use at the crosshead X in the various embodiments. Thus there is provided a support column 33 on which a carrier member 34 is slidably mounted via sliding flange arrangement 33A, 34A whereby the carrier member 34 has sliding motion out of the plane of the paper in Fig. 9 i.e. in the transverse direction T-T in Fig. 1. Movement of the carrier member 34 in the direction T-T is achieved by a threaded rod device 35 engaging a "nut" fixed to the member 34. A slider 36 moving on guides 37 on the carrier member 34 supports a pin 38 which is fitted into the bracket 32 of the carrier 11 whereby the various motions are imparted to the carrier 11. The guides 37 enable the slider 36 to have motion in the longi¬ tudinal direction L-L for chain tensioning purposes and control of motion of the slider 36 in this direction is through a hy-

draulic cylinder 39 carried by the member 34 and having an actuating rod 40 coupled to the slider 36. The arrangement at the crosshead X can be similar but in this case provision for

0 motion in the L-L direction will not be required and the cy¬ linder 39 can be dispensed with.

The film clip holder 3 shown in Fig. 10 and suitable for the various embodiments is in fact covered by the spplicants U.K. Patent Application No. 8728716 filed 9 December 1987 : the holder 3 has been described earlier in connection with the Fig. 1 embodiment. Fig. 10 further shows a suitable arrangement for the pivot points 19 at the various crossheads in the appa¬ ratus. Therefore there is provided a carrier body 41 mounted on a pedestal (not shown) and slidable in a transverse direc¬ tion T-T on the pedestal by means of a sliding arrangement sim¬ ilar to the items 33 , 34A of Fig. 8, a threaded rod 42 again being provided to impart motion to the body 41. A support block 43 is movable on the body 41 in the direction L-L (i.e. out of the plane of the paper in Fig. 10) by virtue of the sliding dovetail guide 44, and the block 43 serves to support successive rail support members 45, 46 in such a manner that the rail support members are relatively pivotal. To this end, the rail support members 45, 46 carry respective connecting pieces 45A, 46A (see Fig. 11) each including an arcuate flange seg¬ ment 47, and these segments 47 surround a pin 48 mounted in the block 43, appropriate end spacing being present between the segments 47 to provide the desired maximum angle of pivoting between the rail support members 45, 46. To provide stability, a connecting arm 49 links the members 45, 46. Further, by providing a suitable radial clearance between the pin 48 and the segments 47, changing geometry conditions created by arcuate bending of the rail 2A at the pivot can be satisfacto¬ rily accommodated. The above pivot joint arrangement is in fact covered by the applicants U.K. Patent Application No. 8809655.7 filed 23 April 1988.

Suitable extension joints for use in the arms 10A, 12A (and also in arm 11C) are illustrated in Figs. 12A and 12B. Thus Fig. 12A shows a simple stepped overlapping plate arrange¬ ment 51, 52, while in Fig. 12B overlapping plate portions 53, 54 of L shaped cross section are present with the portions 53, 54

being linked together by a pin 55 located in an elongate slot 56. Further variations are possible, such as for example a multi-part telescopic construction.