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(11) | EP 0 477 807 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and apparatus for drying a coated strand |
| (57) A plurality of coated strands (14) are conveyed through a drying oven (26). A plurality
of nozzles (48) impinge the upper surface of the coated strand as it passes therethrough.
Baffle plates (54) positioned below the strands redirect the gas stream such that,
after the gas stream has passed through the strands, it is redirected so as to impinge
on an opposite surface of the coated strand. The strand is supported by positioning
it between an additional pair of nozzles (82) that are tilted towards each other such
that an upwardly directed gas stream issuing from the first nozzle intersects an upwardly
directed gas stream issuing from the second nozzle along a line which along with the
strand, forms a generally vertical plane. The combined upwardly directed force from
the gas streams lifts and supports the strand while the opposing lateral force from
each gas stream on the strand tend to reduce and lateral movement and stabilize its
relative position. |