WO2025172638A1

WO2025172638A1 - An apparatus and method for treating a rotatable metal surface

Info

Publication number: WO2025172638A1
Application number: PCT/FI2025/050053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johanna Liukkonen; Markus KOMU; Markko MYLLYS; Tomi Nieminen; Pasi Selenius; Maiju PÖYSTI
Original assignee: Spinnova Oy
Current assignee: Spinnova Oy
Priority date: 2024-02-16
Filing date: 2025-02-05
Publication date: 2025-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-16
Also published as: FI20245177A1

Abstract

An apparatus for treating at least a portion of a rotatable metal surface (002), the apparatus comprising at least a first treatment unit (004) and a second treatment unit (006), wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit comprise or are configured to receive at least a first treatment band (016) and at least a second treatment band (020), respectively, further wherein the treatment units comprise a mechanism for maneuvering the treatment bands in a treatment direction (018) with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be movable along a lateral axis (Z) with respect to the rotatable metal surface to be treated, wherein said lateral axis is essentially perpendicular to an axis (Y) corresponding to the direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface, further wherein the second treatment band is configured to contact a treatment location (024) on the rotatable metal surface after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface. A method for treating a metal surface.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING A ROTATABLE METAL SURFACE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to treating metal surfaces in general. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating a movable metal surface wherein a second treatment unit treats a location on the metal surface after a selected delay time when a first treatment unit treats the location on the metal surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In manufacturing processes, the properties and condition of metal surfaces used in the processes may be crucial to ensure smooth operation of the process and quality of a manufactured product. Treatment procedures may be required, e.g. on a regular basis, to maintain properties of the metal surface. An order of steps and/or characteristics of the steps carried out in a treatment procedure may be essential in obtaining the desired properties for the metal surface. These steps may be carried out manually by human laborers or at least some steps may be carried out with separate machinery. During the treatment procedure, the manufacturing process needs to be halted, whereby this downtime will lead to losses in production. Additionally, if the treatment procedure is not automated, configuration of the different steps may be laborious.

Relating to production of filaments, such as cellulose filaments, where an aqueous suspension is provided onto a metal surface to be dried, it is important that treatment of the metal surface is executed so that qualities of the metal surface are obtained and maintained such that the filaments may be removed from the metal surface and that the quality of the produced filaments is ensured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One purpose of the invention is to alleviate at least some of the problems in the prior art. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for treating at least a portion of a rotatable metal surface is provided, the apparatus comprising at least: - a first treatment unit, wherein the first treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive at least a first treatment band and a mechanism for maneuvering the first treatment band in a treatment direction with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface, wherein the first treatment band is configured to contact the rotatable metal surface, and

- a second treatment unit, wherein the second treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive at least a second treatment band and the second treatment unit comprises a mechanism for maneuvering the second treatment band in a treatment direction with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface, wherein the second treatment band is configured to contact the rotatable metal surface, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be movable along a lateral axis with respect to the rotatable metal surface to be treated, wherein said lateral axis is essentially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface, further wherein the second treatment band is configured to contact a treatment location on the rotatable metal surface after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface.

With the claimed invention, treatment of a rotatable metal surface may be carried out in an automated manner and ensuring that steps in the treatment are executed with a predetermined delay time between the steps. The steps may be carried out using the same apparatus and the treatment may be performed so that a total time required for the treatment is minimized or reduced as compared to other methods and apparatuses used for treatment of metal surfaces.

The rotatable metal surface may be a metal belt or metal drum, for example. The apparatus may be configured to be placed in the vicinity of the rotatable metal surface so that the first treatment unit and second treatment unit, or at least parts thereof (such as the treatment bands) may contact the metal surface. The apparatus may be configured to be attached to a construction hosting the rotatable metal surface. At least portions of the apparatus, such as at least the first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be configured to be movable in order for the treatment bands to contact the metal surface during treating the metal surface, while the first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be configured to be moved away from the metal surface when a treatment procedure is not being performed,

The first treatment unit and the second treatment unit may be mutually disposed such that upon rotating the metal surface, the treatment location traverses at least 80% of a full rotation of the rotating metal surface or essentially nearly a full rotation after the first treatment band is configured to contact the treatment location before the second treatment band is configured to contact the treatment location, wherein the delay time essentially corresponds to a duration of time occurring when the treatment location has traversed the at least 80% of a full rotation or essentially nearly a full rotation upon rotating the metal surface.

The first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be movable back and forth along a linear path on the lateral axis, wherein a length of the linear path is based on a width of the rotatable metal surface, such that the first treatment band and second treatment band are configured to contact a selected portion of the rotatable metal surface, preferably essentially every location on the rotatable metal surface at least once upon the metal surface being rotated and the first treatment unit and second treatment unit being moved once along the linear path. Essentially the entire metal surface may thus be treated at least once upon the first treatment unit and second treatment unit moving once from one end of the linear path to the other end. Thereafter, the first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be moved back to the starting location and the metal surface may be treated further upon need.

The first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be movable along the lateral axis at selected linear speed based on a number of times that the first treatment band and second treatment band are configured to contact a treatment location. Essentially all locations of the metal surface may then be treated a selected number of times as the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit move once along the lateral axis, from one end of a linear path to a second end. The selected linear speed may depend at least on a speed of movement of the rotating metal surface. The apparatus may comprise means for moving the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along the lateral axis, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be simultaneously or individually movable.

The means for moving may comprise a frame comprising at least one rail, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are coupled to the rail.

The mechanism for maneuvering the first treatment band and/or second treatment band may comprise at least one winder and at least one roll.

The first treatment band and the second treatment band may be configured to be movable at selected speeds in the treatment direction, wherein said selected speeds are independently adjustable.

The first treatment band and the second treatment band may be configured to be applied to the metal surface at selected pressures, wherein said selected pressures are independently adjustable.

With selected movement speed of treatment bands in the treatment direction and/or selected pressure with which the treatment bands are applied to the metal surface, a treatment procedure may be performed according to criteria that should be met in the treatment. The first and second treatment units may then also perform different functions and perform different steps of a treatment procedure as required.

The apparatus may additionally comprise at least one control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the apparatus, comprising at least adjusting a movement speed of the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along the lateral axis. The control unit may adjust any further parameters of the apparatus, such as the speed of the treatment bands in the treatment direction and/or pressures at which the treatment bands are to be applied to the metal surface, for instance. In some embodiments, the parameters may additionally or alternatively be manually controlled/selected.

The apparatus may comprise an applicator device for dispensing one or more treatment fluids to at least one of the first treatment unit, second treatment unit, or the metal surface, wherein the applicator device is preferably configured to dispense the one or more treatment fluids essentially continuously or at a steady flow during a treatment cycle or procedure. In one embodiment, the applicator device is configured to dispense one or more treatment fluids to the first treatment unit, more specifically to the treatment band of the first treatment unit. Further treatment fluids, such as water, may be dispensed at at least one of the first treatment unit, second treatment unit, or the metal surface by further application means, such as a separate water dispenser unit.

The apparatus may be configured to carry out at least a coating treatment of the metal surface, wherein the first treatment band is configured to receive a coating fluid and provide the coating fluid to the metal surface and the second treatment band is configured to remove at least a portion of the coating fluid from the metal surface after the delay time, optionally wherein the delay time is at least 5 s, preferably between 10 s and 30 s. The first treatment unit may thus be used for applying a coating fluid to the metal surface while the second treatment unit is used for wiping the coating fluid from the metal surface, such that the coating fluid is allowed to remain on the metal surface for a duration of time that corresponds to the delay time. The delay time may depend on the used coating fluid and may be adjusted based on e.g. manufacturer’s instructions relating to a duration of time that the coating fluid should remain on a surface before being wiped.

The apparatus may additionally be configured to carry out at least a grinding treatment, optionally a water grinding treatment, prior to the coating treatment, wherein the first treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive a third treatment band, optionally replacing the first treatment band, wherein at least the first treatment band and the third treatment band comprise different material, wherein a roughness of the third treatment band is higher than a roughness of the first treatment band, optionally wherein the third treatment band comprises aluminum oxide. Here, the same apparatus may be used to perform at least both a grinding treatment and a coating treatment. This may eliminate the need for separate apparatuses being used for the different treatments and reduce the total amount of time that is required for a total treatment procedure comprising the different treatment routines, reducing the downtime of the e.g. manufacturing equipment during the treatment procedure. The apparatus may be configured to carry out a treatment procedure for a metal surface, wherein the apparatus is configured to:

- perform the grinding treatment, wherein the first treatment unit is configured to grind a portion of the metal surface utilizing the third treatment band and the second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the second treatment band, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a first treatment fluid, preferably water, at both the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit,

- perform a wet wiping treatment, wherein the first treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the first treatment band and the second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the second treatment band, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a second treatment fluid, preferably purified water, at both the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit,

- perform a solvent wiping treatment, wherein at least one of the first treatment unit or second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the first and/or second treatment band, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a third treatment fluid, preferably a solvent, at at least one of the first treatment unit and second treatment unit, and

- perform the coating treatment, wherein the first treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the first treatment band and the second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the second treatment band, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a fourth treatment fluid, preferably a coating fluid, at the first treatment unit.

The apparatus may be configured to additionally perform a dry wiping treatment, wherein at least one of the first treatment unit and second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the first and/or second treatment band, preferably wherein both the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to simultaneously wipe a portion of the metal surface without any treatment fluid.

At each treatment in a treatment procedure, the first treatment unit and second treatment unit may be configured to be movable along the lateral axis at a selected linear speed, further wherein at each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band, the second treatment band, or third treatment band may be configured to be movable in the treatment direction at a selected speed, and wherein at each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band, the second treatment band, or third treatment band may be configured to be applied to the metal surface at a selected pressure. The different treatments or treatment routines of a total treatment procedure may then be carried out using the same apparatus, with each separate treatment being executed with selected parameters to ensure that desired propertied of the metal surface are obtained.

The apparatus may additionally comprise a suction coupling for carrying at least a portion of produced fumes to a discharge location. The treatment may be carried out while ensuring safety of personnel by limiting an amount of exposure to fumes being generated during a treatment procedure.

With the present invention, the treating of a rotatable metal surface may be executed so that the metal surface exhibits selected qualities. The selected qualities may relate to a hydrophobicity, a roughness, and/or a conductivity of the rotatable metal surface.

In one further aspect of the invention, a method for treating at least a portion of a rotatable metal surface is provided, wherein the method comprises at least:

- rotating a metal surface,

- moving a first treatment band of a first treatment unit in a treatment direction with respect to the metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface, and

- moving a second treatment band of a second treatment unit in a treatment direction with respect to the metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface,

- moving the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along a lateral axis with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein said lateral axis is essentially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface, wherein the method comprises rotating the metal surface at a selected speed, such that the second treatment band is configured to contact a treatment location on the rotatable metal surface after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface.

The selected speed of rotating the metal surface may depend on dimensions of the rotatable metal surface. The selected speed may depend on a length of the metal surface and/or a radius of a cylinder or of an ellipse-like shape associated with the metal surface.

The method may comprise performing at least a coating treatment of the metal surface. The coating treatment may comprise applying a coating fluid at the first treatment band, providing the coating fluid to the metal surface, and removing at least a portion of the coating fluid from the metal surface utilizing the second treatment band after the delay time, optionally wherein the delay time is at least 5 s, preferably between 10 s and 30 s.

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb “to comprise” is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The presented considerations concerning the various embodiments of the apparatus may be flexibly applied to the embodiments of a method mutatis mutandis, and vice versa, as being appreciated by a skilled person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows examples of at least a portion of an apparatus for treating a rotatable metal surface and a metal surface to be treated,

Figure 2 schematically illustrates one more example of at least a portion of an apparatus for treating a metal surface and a portion of a metal surface to be treated,

Figure 3 shows one example of a mechanism for moving the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along the lateral axis,

Figure 4 shows a portion of an apparatus and associated applicator device, and

Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method of treating a rotatable metal surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1A and 1 B schematically illustrate an example of an apparatus for treating a rotatable metal surface and a rotatable metal surface 002. Figure 1 A shows a side view and Fig. 1 B shows a top view. The apparatus comprises at least a first treatment unit 004 and a second treatment unit 006. The first treatment unit 004 comprises or is configured to receive at least a first treatment band and the second treatment unit 006 comprises or is configured to receive at least a second treatment band.

The first and second treatment units 004, 006, or at least the first and second treatment bands are configured to contact a treatment location on the rotatable metal surface. A “treatment location” may refer to an area of the metal surface that contacts the first or second treatment unit (or at least the first or second treatment band) at a certain instance of time. As the metal surface 002 is rotated, the second treatment band is configured to contact a treatment location on the rotatable metal surface after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface 002.

The rotatable metal surface 002 may be a metal belt or metal drum or cylinder, for instance. Arrow 008 shows a direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface 002. As easily understood from the figures, upon starting to rotate the metal surface 002, the second treatment unit 006 or second treatment band may, of course, contact a treatment location on the metal surface 002 before the first treatment unit 004 or first treatment band. The first treatment band will then contact a treatment location on the rotatable metal surface after a secondary delay time after the second treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface 002. This secondary delay time may be shorter than the predetermined delay time and in most use case scenarios, the duration of the secondary delay time may not be relevant.

Referring to Fig. 1A, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be mutually disposed such that considering a vertical axis X, the first treatment unit 004, or at least the first treatment band, is located below the second treatment unit 006. The vertical axis X may be perpendicular to the ground upon which the rotatable metal surface 002 and apparatus are placed in a use position. In alternative embodiments, however, the rotatable metal surface 002 may be placed on its side with respect to the ground, such that the vertical axis X is codirectional with the ground. Preferably, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are thus disposed such that they are non-overlapping considering the vertical axis X, being placed adjacent to each other along the vertical axis X.

A longitudinal axis Y may be substantially codirectional with the ground upon which the which the rotatable metal surface 002 and apparatus are placed in a use position as shown in Fig. 1A. The longitudinal axis Y may in this case, when the rotatable metal surface 002 is a belt that is movable with a conveyortype mechanism, also be essentially codirectional with a longitudinal axis of the belt.

Upon considering the rotatable metal surface 002 and associated rotational direction of movement, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be mutually disposed so that the second treatment unit 006 is located approximately at 1 o’clock and the first treatment unit 004 is located approximately at 3 o’clock when considering a clock position and where a 12 o’clock position resides e.g. aligned with the vertical X axis.

The apparatus may comprise a fixed frame support 010 to which the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are coupled. The fixed frame support 010 may be configured to contact or be coupled with an external structure to keep the apparatus at a desired location. The fixed frame support 010 may be configured to be coupled to the rotatable metal surface 002 or other structure in connection with the rotatable metal surface 002 such as structure hosting the rotatable metal surface 002.

The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are configured to be movable along a lateral axis Z with respect to the rotatable metal surface 002 to be treated, which is illustrated in Fig. 1 B. Fig. 1 B illustrates only the second treatment unit 006. The lateral axis Z may be essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y. The lateral axis Z may also be essentially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the direction of movement 008 of the rotatable metal surface 002. Arrow 012 illustrates the direction of movement of the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 along the lateral axis Z. The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are preferably movable along the axis Z in a back-and- forth manner.

The apparatus may comprise means or a mechanism for moving the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 along the lateral axis Z. The mechanism may comprise at least one lateral frame 014 to which the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are coupled.

The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be configured to be simultaneously or individually movable along the lateral axis Z.

The means for moving may e.g. comprise a lateral frame 014 comprising at least one rail, wherein the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are coupled to the rail. In one embodiment, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are configured to be simultaneously movable along the lateral axis and the apparatus comprises a frame and rails along which the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are movable at the same time. The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be coupled to each other. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus may comprise at least one lateral frame 014 and at least two rails, along which the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 move individually.

As depicted schematically in Fig. 1 C, the first treatment unit 004 comprises or is configured to receive at least a first treatment band 016. The first treatment unit 004 also comprises a mechanism for moving the first treatment band 016 in a treatment direction, depicted by arrow 018, with respect to the rotatable metal surface 002. The treatment direction 018 in an advantageous embodiment of the invention is, at least at the treatment location relating to the first treatment unit, essentially opposite to the moving direction 008 of the rotatable metal surface 002. The treatment direction 018 could also be a direction that is essentially the same as the moving direction 008 of the metal surface (at the treatment location).

The second treatment unit 006 comprises or is configured to receive at least a second treatment band 020. The second treatment unit 006 also comprises a mechanism for moving the second treatment band 020 in a treatment direction, depicted by arrow 022, with respect to the rotatable metal surface 002. The treatment direction 022 in an advantageous embodiment of the invention is, at least at the treatment location relating to the second treatment unit 006, essentially opposite to the moving direction 008 of the rotatable metal surface 002. The treatment direction 022 could also be a direction that is essentially the same as the moving direction 008 of the metal surface (at the treatment location). The direction of movement 008 of the rotatable metal surface 002 and the directions of movement 018, 022 of the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 may refer to directions of rotational movement (clockwise or anti-clockwise).

The mechanism for moving the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 may comprise at least one winder and at least one roll. The first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 (and any possible further treatment band) may be a wiper roll or towel roll type of material that is provided to contact the rotatable metal surface 002 such that a clean portion of treatment band is continuously provided for contacting the metal surface 002.

The first treatment band 016 and the second treatment band 020 may be configured to be movable at selected speeds in the treatment direction. The selected speeds may be independently adjustable. The selected speeds may depend on a treatment that is being carried out.

The first treatment band 016 and the second treatment band 020 may be configured to be applied to the metal surface 002 at selected pressures. The selected pressures may be independently adjustable. The selected pressures may be dependent on a treatment that is being carried out. The selected pressure may e.g. be carried out by utilizing pressure controller such as pressure reduction valve. The pressure may be applied for instance with pressurized air applied through pneumatic cylinders.

A material of the treatment bands 016 ,020 may be selected to provide selected qualities for the treatment to be carried out. If the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are used wiping of the rotatable metal surface or dispensing and delivering a treatment fluid to the rotatable metal surface 002, the material of the treatment bands may comprise e.g. viscose. Any type of fabric material may be suitable. In one embodiment, 100% viscose 100gsm material may be utilized. This material is durable and can withstand different fluids that may be used in treatment procedures and different temperatures, while having suitable absorbance and capability of evenly distributing a treatment fluid to the metal surface 002.

Instead of a wiper roll or towel roll or such, where a clean surface of the treatment band is continuously provided to contact the metal surface, the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 could be e.g. some other type of roller device that rotates, e.g. rotating brush that is rotated with a motor.

The apparatus may be configured to carry out at least a coating treatment of the metal surface 002, where the first treatment band 016 may be configured to receive a coating fluid and provide the coating fluid to the rotatable metal surface 002 and the second treatment band 020 may be configured to remove at least a portion of the coating fluid from the metal surface 002 after the delay time. The delay time may for example be at least 5 s, preferably between 10 s and 30 s and may depend on the used coating fluid.

The apparatus may additionally be configured to carry out at least a grinding treatment, such as a water grinding treatment, prior to the coating treatment. Here, the first treatment unit 004 may comprise or be configured to receive a third treatment band. The third treatment band may replace the first treatment band 016 or the first treatment band 016 and third treatment band may e.g. be movable such that either the first treatment band 016 or the third treatment band is configured to contact the rotatable metal surface 002 depending on the treatment which is being carried out. In different embodiments of the invention, at least a coating treatment may be carried out utilizing the apparatus, while if a grinding treatment is also required, a different apparatus may be used for the grinding treatment.

The delay time may be relevant to any treatment that is to be carried out and may depend on the treatment. A delay time may be relevant for at least a coating treatment. A delay time may not be relevant for some treatments, e.g. a grinding treatment.

Any third or possible subsequent treatment band that may be used may comprise different type of material if the treatment band is to be used for a treatment that requires such different material. If a third treatment band is used for a grinding treatment, the third treatment band may at least comprise a roughness that is higher than the roughness of at least the first treatment band 016, when the first treatment band 016 is used for a coating treatment. The third treatment band may comprise e.g. aluminum oxide and a roughness may be about 30 p Ra.

A width of the first and second treatment bands 016, 020, in use position in the lateral direction or corresponding to a width direction of the metal surface 002 may be the same or they may be different. In one embodiment, the second treatment band 020 may have larger width than the first treatment band 016. Here, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be moved along the lateral axis simultaneously and it may be assured that a treatment location that is contacted by the first treatment band 016 is also contacted by the second treatment band 020. In one example, a width of the first treatment band 016 is about 200 mm and a width of the second treatment band 020 is about 400 mm. Of course, also other widths are possible.

Figure 1 C also shows a treatment location 024. The treatment location 024 is being depicted in connection with the first treatment unit 004 and first treatment band 016. The treatment location 024 essentially corresponds to at least one location on the rotatable metal surface 002 which at a given time contacts the associated first or second treatment band.

The first treatment unit 004 and the second treatment unit 006 may be mutually disposed such that upon rotating the rotatable metal surface 002, the treatment location 024 traverses at least 80% of a full rotation of the rotating metal surface 002 or essentially nearly a full rotation after the first treatment band 016 is configured to contact the treatment location 024 before the second treatment band 020 is configured to contact the treatment location 024.

The delay time may essentially correspond to a duration of time occurring when the treatment location 024 has traversed the at least 80% of a full rotation or essentially nearly a full rotation upon rotating the metal surface 002.

The first treatment unit 004 and the second treatment unit 006 may still be disposed close to each other such that the apparatus itself may be compact. The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may e.g. preferably be coupled to the same fixed frame support 010. The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may also preferably be coupled to the same lateral frame 014 and may be movable along the same rail on the lateral frame.

The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be movable back and forth along a linear path on the lateral axis Z. A length of the linear path may be based on a width of the rotatable metal surface 002, such that the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are configured to contact a selected portion of the rotatable metal surface 002, preferably essentially every location on the rotatable metal surface 002, at least once upon the metal surface 002 being rotated and the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 being moved once along the linear path from one end to the other. Essentially the entire rotatable metal surface 002 may thus be treated at least one once upon the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 moving once from one end of the linear path to the other end. Thereafter, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be moved back to the starting location on the linear path and the rotatable metal surface 002 may be treated further upon need.

The first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be movable along the lateral axis Z at selected linear speed based on a number of times that the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are configured to contact a treatment location 024. Essentially all locations, or at least a selected portion, of the rotatable metal surface 002 may then be treated a selected number of times as the first treatment unit 004 and the second treatment unit 006 move once along the lateral axis Z, from one end of a linear path to a second end. The selected linear speed may depend at least on a speed of movement of the rotatable metal surface 002. The selected linear speed and a rotational speed of the rotatable metal surface 002 may be mutually selected based on the number of times that the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are configured to contact a treatment location 024.

The number of times that the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are configured to contact a treatment location 024 may depend on the treatment that is being performed. For example, a treatment may be a coating treatment and a coating fluid may be applied onto the rotatable metal surface 002 and subsequently wiped a selected number of times, such as e.g. about 10 times. The number of times may depend on the used coating fluid and may be based on instructions obtained from a manufacturer of the coating fluid.

Figure 2 shows one example of a side view of an apparatus and a portion of a rotatable metal surface 002. Fig. 2 shows the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 with first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020. Each of the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 106 may comprise a housing within which at least the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 are at least partially placed.

The first treatment unit 004 may comprise a first winding and loading unit 022 and the second treatment unit 006 may comprise a second winding and loading unit 024. The first winding and loading unit 022 and second winding and loading unit 024 may each comprise a treatment band winder 026, contact roll 028, and feeding roll 030 for providing the treatment bands 016, 020 to contact the metal surface 002.

The apparatus may for example comprise a turnbuckle 032 for coupling the apparatus to a bearing housing 034 of a construction housing the rotatable metal surface 002.

Figure 2 also shows a lateral frame 014.

The apparatus may further comprise a suction coupling 034 for carrying at least a portion of produced fumes to a discharge location. The suction coupling may be combined with a fume extraction fan. Due to housing/casing of the treatment units and the suction coupling, fumes may be effectively discharged leading to a safer working environment. Also, used drive motors and other components of an apparatus do not necessarily need to fulfil any e.g. Ex classification requirements.

Figure 3 shows one example of a mechanism for moving the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 along the lateral axis. A lateral frame 014 may comprise a rail or a plurality of rails for maneuvering the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006, either simultaneously or separately. The lateral frame 014 may be coupled to a fixed frame support 010.

Figure 3 also shows an example of an applicator device 036. The applicator device may comprise a housing and a mechanism for dispensing one or more treatment fluids. The treatment fluid(s) may be dispensed to at least one of the first treatment unit 004 (preferably to at least a first treatment band 016), second treatment unit 006 (preferably to at least a second treatment band 020), and/ or the metal surface 002. The applicator device 036 may be configured to dispense the one or more treatment fluids essentially continuously or at a steady flow during a treatment cycle.

Figure 4 further shows a portion of an apparatus and the internals of an exemplary associated applicator device 036 (without housing). The applicator device 036 may comprise at least one chemical pump 038, at least one driver 040, and at least one pressing element 042. A separate syringe-like chemical pump 038, driver 040, and/or pressing element 042 may be provided for each treatment fluid that is to be dispensed by the applicator device 036. The applicator device 036 may be configured to be attached to the first treatment unit 004 and/or second treatment unit 006. Or course, the construction of an applicator device 036 may be different from that shown. Also, one or more used treatment fluids may be dispended via other mechanisms additionally or alternatively to the applicator device 036. For instance, if water is used in a treatment, this may be applied from a system external to the apparatus, such as general water line of the associated facility.

An apparatus may additionally comprise at least one control unit (not shown in the figures). The control unit may be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the apparatus. The adjusted operating parameters may comprise at least adjusting a movement speed of the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 along the lateral axis Z. The control unit may further adjust any other parameters of the apparatus, such as the speed of the treatment bands in the treatment direction and/or pressures at which the treatment bands are to be applied to the metal surface 002. The control unit may adjust the parameters based on a treatment or treatment procedure that is to be carried out.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to carry out a treatment procedure comprising at least a grinding treatment and a coating treatment. Here, the apparatus may be configured to perform a treatment procedure comprising a grinding treatment, a wet wiping treatment, a solvent wiping treatment, and a coating treatment. The different treatments are preferably carried out in the order specified above. The treatments are preferably carried out while the metal surface 002 is being rotated.

During the grinding treatment, the first treatment unit 004 may be configured to grind a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing a third treatment band and the second treatment unit 006 may be configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the second treatment band 020. The apparatus may be configured to provide a first treatment fluid, preferably water, at both the first treatment unit 004 and the second treatment unit 006, specifically such that the first treatment fluid is provided at least to the treatment bands.

During the wet wiping treatment, the first treatment unit 004 may be configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the first treatment band 016 and the second treatment unit 006 may be configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the second treatment band 020. The apparatus may be configured to provide a second treatment fluid, preferably purified water, at both the first treatment unit 004 and the second treatment unit 006, such that the second treatment fluid is provided at least to the treatment bands.

During the solvent wiping treatment at least one of the first treatment unit 004 or second treatment 006 unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the associated first and/or second treatment band 016, 020. Only either the first treatment unit 004 or second treatment 006 may be used in the solvent wiping treatment. In one embodiment, the applicator device is configured to provide treatment fluid at only the first treatment unit 004, whereby the solvent wiping treatment may be carried out using the first treatment unit 004 and first treatment band 016. The second treatment unit 006 may then be moved so that the second treatment unit 006 and second treatment band 020 do not contact the metal surface 002 during the solvent wiping treatment. The apparatus may be configured to provide a third treatment fluid, preferably a solvent, at at least one of the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006, such that the third treatment fluid is provided at least to the treatment band that is used for the solvent wiping treatment, such as the first treatment band 016.

During the coating treatment, the first treatment unit 004 may be configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the first treatment band 016 and the second treatment unit 006 may be configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the second treatment band 020. The apparatus may be configured to provide a fourth treatment fluid, preferably a coating fluid, at the first treatment unit 004, such that the fourth treatment fluid is provided to the first treatment band 016.

The apparatus may be configured to additionally perform a dry wiping treatment, where at least one of the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface 002 utilizing the associated first and/or second treatment band 016, 020. Preferably, both the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are configured to simultaneously wipe a portion of the metal surface 020 without any treatment fluid.

At each treatment, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 may be configured to be movable along the lateral axis Z at a selected linear speed. The linear speed may depend, for example, on a length of a metal surface 002, a rotational speed of a metal surface 002, and/or a width of a first treatment band 016, second treatment band 020, or third treatment band (which may be equivalent to the width of a first treatment band 016). In examples set forth herein, a length of the metal surface is about 50 m and a rotational speed of the metal surface 002 is about 300 m/min.

At each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band 016, the second treatment band 020, or third treatment band may be configured to be movable in the treatment direction at a selected speed. At each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band 016, the second treatment band 020, or third treatment band may be configured to be applied to the metal surface at a selected pressure.

The linear speed may be selected for a grinding treatment such that the metal surface 002 rotates a selected number of times during the grinding treatment. At a griding treatment the linear speed may be e.g. about 100-200 mm/min, preferably 130-150 mm/min. At a grinding treatment, the third treatment band and second treatment band may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 10-60 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 30-40 mm/min roll to roll. At the grinding treatment, the third treatment band may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 1-4 bar, preferably about 2 bar, and the second treatment band 020 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.2-1.5 bar, preferably about 0.7 bar. The grinding treatment may be carried out such that the metal surface 002 exhibits selected hydrophobicity.

At a wet wiping treatment, the linear speed may be e.g. about 100-200 mm/min, preferably about 150 mm/min. At a wet wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 10-60 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 30-40 mm/min roll to roll. At the wet wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.5-3 bar, preferably about 1.5 bar, and the second treatment band 020 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.5-3 bar, preferably about 1 .5 bar.

At a solvent wiping treatment, the linear speed may be e.g. about 100-200 mm/min, preferably about 130 mm/min. At a solvent wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 10-60 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 30 mm/min roll to roll. At the solvent wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.2-1 .5 bar, preferably about 0.7 bar.

At a coating treatment, the linear speed may be e.g. about 100-200 mm/min, preferably about 130 mm/min. At a coating treatment, the first treatment band 016 may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 10-60 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 30 mm/min roll to roll, and the second treatment band 020 may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 20-80 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 60 mm/min roll to roll. At the coating treatment, the first treatment band 016 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.2-1.5 bar, preferably about 0.7 bar, and the second treatment band 020 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.5-3 bar, preferably about 1 .5 bar.

At a dry wiping treatment, the linear speed may be e.g. about 100-200 mm/min, preferably about 150 mm/min. At a dry wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 may be moved in the treatment direction with a speed of about 10-60 mm/min roll to roll, preferably about 30 mm/min roll to roll. At the dry wiping treatment, the first treatment band 016 and second treatment band 020 may be applied to the metal surface 002 with a pressure of about 0.5-3 bar, preferably about 1 .5 bar.

With the present invention, the treating of a rotatable metal surface may be executed so that the metal surface 002 exhibits selected qualities. The selected qualities may relate to a hydrophobicity, a roughness, and/or a conductivity of the rotatable metal surface 002.

For example, a selected or desired hydrophobicity may be between 100 and 120 degrees water-air contact angle or between 65 and 85 degrees diiodomethane-air contact angle. This hydrophobicity may be advantageous in a process where the metal surface 002 is used for drying filaments, e.g. cellulose-comprising filaments or filaments comprising protein fiber, so that the filaments may feasibly be removed from the surface.

A selected or desired roughness of the metal surface 002 may be e.g. under Ra 0.3.

A selected or desired conductivity may be achieved by carrying out a coating treatment such that a coating layer provide on the metal surface 002 is thin, preferably as thin as possible. A thickness of the coating layer may be under 1000 n, preferably under 500 nm. The thickness of the coating layer may for example be between about 100-200 nm. The coating fluid may be applied so that about 2-5 ml of coating fluid is applied per each square meter of the metal surface.

In particular, the treating of a metal surface according to the present invention may be advantageous to obtain properties of the metal surface that are desirable when the metal surface is usable in a process where a suspension comprising fibers is provided onto the metal surface, where the suspension is to be dried on the metal surface to form filaments. The suspension may comprise at least fibers (e.g. cellulose fibers or protein fibers) and a solvent.

The speeds and pressures specified above may be applicable for some embodiments, however, for different metal surfaces and relating to different treatment fluids and to different desired qualities for a metal surface 002, the speeds and pressures may vary.

Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of one example of a method for treating a rotatable metal surface 002. The method may comprise at least rotating 102 a metal surface 002 to be treated. The method further comprises moving 104 a first treatment band 016 of a first treatment unit 004 in a treatment direction with respect to the metal surface 002, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface. The method also comprises moving 106 a second treatment band of a second treatment unit in a treatment direction with respect to the metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface. At 108, the first treatment unit 004 and second treatment unit 006 are moved along a lateral axis Z with respect to the rotatable metal surface 002, wherein the lateral axis is essentially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface 002. All method steps 102, 104, 106, and 108 may be carried out simultaneously or at least a portion of the method steps may be carried out at separate times.

The method may comprise rotating the metal surface at a selected speed, such that the second treatment band 020 is configured to contact a treatment location 024 on the rotatable metal surface 002 after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band 016 has contacted the treatment location 024 on the rotatable metal surface 002.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of inventive thought and the following patent claims. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for treating at least a portion of a rotatable metal surface (002), the apparatus comprising at least:

- a first treatment unit (004), wherein the first treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive at least a first treatment band (016) and a mechanism for maneuvering the first treatment band in a treatment direction (018) with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction (008) of the rotatable metal surface, wherein the first treatment band is configured to contact the rotatable metal surface, and

- a second treatment unit (006), wherein the second treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive at least a second treatment band (020) and the second treatment unit comprises a mechanism for maneuvering the second treatment band in a treatment direction with respect to the rotatable metal surface, wherein the treatment direction is preferably essentially opposite to a moving direction of the rotatable metal surface, wherein the second treatment band is configured to contact the rotatable metal surface, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be movable along a lateral axis (Z) with respect to the rotatable metal surface to be treated, wherein said lateral axis is essentially perpendicular to an axis (Y) corresponding to the direction of movement of the rotatable metal surface, further wherein the second treatment band is configured to contact a treatment location (024) on the rotatable metal surface after a predetermined delay time after the first treatment band has contacted the treatment location on the rotatable metal surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable metal surface is a metal belt or metal drum.

3. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit are mutually disposed such that upon rotating the metal surface, the treatment location traverses at least 80% of a full rotation of the rotating metal surface or essentially nearly a full rotation after the first treatment band is configured to contact the treatment location before the second treatment band is configured to contact the treatment location, wherein the delay time essentially corresponds to a duration of time occurring when the treatment location has traversed the at least 80% of a full rotation or essentially nearly a full rotation upon rotating the metal surface.

4. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are movable back and forth along a linear path on the lateral axis, wherein a length of the linear path is based on a width of the rotatable metal surface, such that the first treatment band and second treatment band are configured to contact a selected portion of the rotatable metal surface, preferably essentially every location on the rotating metal surface upon the metal surface being rotated and the first treatment unit and second treatment unit being moved once along the linear path.

5. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are movable along the lateral axis at selected linear speed based on a number of times that the first treatment band and second treatment band are configured to contact a treatment location.

6. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a mechanism moving the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along the lateral axis, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be simultaneously or individually movable.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for moving comprises a frame (014) comprising a rail, wherein the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are coupled to the rail.

8. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the mechanism for maneuvering the first treatment band and/or second treatment band comprises at least one winder (026) and at least one roll (028).

9. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the first treatment band and the second treatment band are configured to be movable at selected speeds in the treatment direction, wherein said selected speeds are independently adjustable.

10. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the first treatment band and the second treatment band are configured to be applied to the metal surface at selected pressures, wherein said selected pressures are independently adjustable.

11. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises at least one control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the apparatus, comprising at least adjusting a movement speed of the first treatment unit and second treatment unit along the lateral axis.

12. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the apparatus comprises an applicator device (036) for dispensing one or more treatment fluids to at least one of the first treatment unit, second treatment unit, or the metal surface, wherein the applicator device is preferably configured to dispense the one or more treatment fluids essentially continuously or at a steady flow during a treatment cycle.

13. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to carry out at least a coating treatment of the metal surface, wherein the first treatment band is configured to receive a coating fluid and provide the coating fluid to the metal surface and the second treatment band is configured to remove at least a portion of the coating fluid from the metal surface after the delay time, optionally wherein the delay time is at least 5 s, preferably between 10 s and 30 s.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is additionally configured to carry out at least a grinding treatment, optionally a water grinding treatment, prior to the coating treatment, wherein the first treatment unit comprises or is configured to receive a third treatment band, optionally replacing the first treatment band, wherein at least the first treatment band and the third treatment band comprise different material, wherein a roughness of the third treatment band is higher than a roughness of the first treatment band, optionally wherein the third treatment band comprises aluminum oxide.

15. The apparatus of any claim 14, wherein the apparatus is configured to carry out a treatment procedure for a metal surface, wherein the apparatus is configured to:

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is configured to additionally perform a dry wiping treatment, wherein at least one of the first treatment unit and second treatment unit is configured to wipe a portion of the metal surface utilizing the first and/or second treatment band, preferably wherein both the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to simultaneously wipe a portion of the metal surface without any treatment fluid.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein at each treatment, the first treatment unit and second treatment unit are configured to be movable along the lateral axis at a selected linear speed, further wherein at each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band, the second treatment band, or third treatment band are configured to be movable in the treatment direction at a selected speed, and wherein at each treatment, at least one of the first treatment band, the second treatment band, or third treatment band are configured to be applied to the metal surface at a selected pressure.

18. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a suction coupling (034) for carrying at least a portion of produced fumes to a discharge location.

19. A method for treating at least a portion of a rotatable metal surface, wherein the method comprises at least:

- rotating a metal surface,

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method comprises performing at least a coating treatment of the metal surface, wherein the coating treatment comprises applying a coating fluid at the first treatment band, providing the coating fluid to the metal surface, and removing at least a portion of the coating fluid from the metal surface utilizing the second treatment band after the delay time, optionally wherein the delay time is at least 5 s, preferably between 10 s and 30 s.