초록 ▼

A web transport apparatus (10) useful for transporting web (16), such as photosensitive strips or sheets, in a corrosive materials environment has first and second rollers (12, 14) each having a sleeve portion (26, 36) with bushings (28, 38) and intermeshing gears (30, 40) arranged thereon. The slee

A web transport apparatus (10) useful for transporting web (16), such as photosensitive strips or sheets, in a corrosive materials environment has first and second rollers (12, 14) each having a sleeve portion (26, 36) with bushings (28, 38) and intermeshing gears (30, 40) arranged thereon. The sleeve portions (26, 36), gears (30, 40) and bushings (28, 38) each comprise a ceramic material that resist wear, abrasion and corrosion when exposed to the corrosive materials.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Web transport apparatus, comprising:a mounting means;first and second rollers mounted for synchronous rotation in said mounting means, said first and second rollers being closely spaced apart to form a transport nip therebetween, said first roller comprising a first end p

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Web transport apparatus, comprising:a mounting means;first and second rollers mounted for synchronous rotation in said mounting means, said first and second rollers being closely spaced apart to form a transport nip therebetween, said first roller comprising a first end portion and a first shaft extending from said first end portion, said first shaft having a first sleeve portion, a first bushing arranged on said first sleeve portion and a first ceramic gear; and said second roller comprising a second end portion and a second shaft extending from said second end portion, said second shaft having a second sleeve portion, a second bushing arranged on said second sleeve portion and a second ceramic gear; said first and second ceramic gears being arranged on said first and second shafts, respectively, for intermeshig with one another; wherein said first and second sleeve portions each comprises a ceramic matenal selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, zirconia-toughened alumina, and alumina-toughened zirconia and mixture thereof; and, wherein said first and second bushings each comprises a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of: zirconia, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, alumina-toughened zirconia, and zirconia-toughened alumina; and wherein said first and second ceramic gears each comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: zirconia, alumina toughened zirconia; and,a drive means operably connected to any one of said first and second rollers for driving at least one of said first and second rollers thereby causing the synchronous rotation of the other of said first and second rollers, whereby rotation of said first and second rollers causes said web to be advanced through said transport nip.