METHODS OF COMPRESSIVELY TREATING FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIALS

摘要

A method of initiating compressive treatment of a running length of flexible material by a machine wherein the material is confined against a moving drive surface by a confining surface and then retarded by a retarding surface located downstream of the confining surface and spaced from the drive surface which comprises first pressing the material into driven engagement with the drive surface by pressing the confining surface against it while maintaining the retarding surface in ineffective position and thereafter, while maintaining such driven engagement, moving the retarding surface toward the drive surface to increase the retarding effect until satisfactory running condition is achieved. The thus pressed confining surface may also be shifted bodily upstream while the retarding surface is shifted to engage the material in the region vacated by the confining surface.