A siphon elbow for pivotally connecting a first pipe and a second pipe in fluid communication. A first elongated body has a bore extending therethrough and a partially spherical indentation within the bore. A second elongated body has a bore extending therethrough and a generally spherical extension on a first end that pivotally engages the partially spherical indentation of the first elongated body. An internal locking system is disposed in at least one of the bores and locks the second elongated body into an operating configuration in which an angle formed between the first elongated body and the second elongated body is less than 180-degrees. Pivoting of the second elongated body from an installation configuration in which the angle is approximately 180-degrees to the operating configuration activates the internal locking system.

Systems and methods for evenly heating a drum dryer of a print system. In one embodiment, the dryer is configured to rotate about an axis oriented in a lateral direction, to receive a radiant energy source disposed inside the drum that extends between each lateral end of the drum in the lateral direction, and to receive a reflective assembly inside the drum that includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion surrounds the radiant energy source and removably attaches the reflective assembly to a lateral end of the drum. The outer portion extends from the inner portion in a radial direction of the drum that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The outer portion includes a reflective surface that reflects radiant energy from the lateral end to the central portion of the drum in contact with the web.

Disclosed embodiments describe a method for manufacturing a staple fiber based on natural protein fiber. The method may include: providing a protein suspension, the protein suspension comprising fibrils of the natural protein fiber; directing the protein suspension through a nozzle onto a surface for forming a protein based fiber; drying the protein suspension on the surface; extracting the fiber from the surface; and providing the staple fiber. Disclosed embodiments may further describe a fiber based raw wool. The raw wool may include staple fibers, wherein the staple fibers are reconstructed on the basis of protein fibrils and are mechanically subdivided from natural protein fibers, wherein the protein fibrils are interlocked by hydrogen bonds, and wherein the raw wool comprises an unoriented, entangled, fluffy network of staple fibers.

The application relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a natural fiber based staple fibers. The application further relates to the staple fibers, staple fiber based raw wool and products comprising such. A method comprises providing a cellulose suspension (101, 310, 510) including water, refined cellulose fibrils and at least one rheology modifier, directing the cellulose suspension through a nozzle (102, 320, 520) onto a surface (300, 400, 500), drying the cellulose suspension onto the surface (103, 300, 400, 500) for forming a fiber (350, 550), and cutting the cellulose suspension on the surface for forming staple fibers (105).

The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.

A heating apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a liquid discharge apparatus. The heating apparatus includes a heating roller having a heat source inside, an end holder in which a portion of the heat source is disposed, the end holder holding an axial end of the heating roller rotatably, and an air supply device configured to supply air into the end holder in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the heating roller. The heating apparatus includes a heating roller having a heat source inside, and an end holder in which a portion of the heat source is disposed, the end holder rotatably holding an axial end of the heating roller. In the heating apparatus, the end holder has an air inlet opening through which air is supplied into the end holder and an air outlet opening through which air is ejected outside from inside the end holder.

Systems and methods for evenly heating a drum dryer of a print system. In one embodiment, the dryer is configured to rotate about an axis oriented in a lateral direction, to receive a radiant energy source disposed inside the drum that extends between each lateral end of the drum in the lateral direction, and to receive a reflective assembly inside the drum that includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion surrounds the radiant energy source and removably attaches the reflective assembly to a lateral end of the drum. The outer portion extends from the inner portion in a radial direction of the drum that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The outer portion includes a reflective surface that reflects radiant energy from the lateral end to the central portion of the drum in contact with the web.

The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.

The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.

An apparatus for removing fluid, such as condensate, from the inside of a rotating cylinder 10. The apparatus comprises a syphon shoe 50 proximate to an inside surface 35 of the rotating cylinder 10. The syphon shoe 50 is connected to a syphon pipe 28. The syphon shoe 50 further comprises two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and a divider 60. The two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 are disposed substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the rotating cylinder 10. The divider separates the opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and extends radially from the end of the syphon shoe 50.