Aspects hereof relate to a multi-frame manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing articles from non-rigid materials and methods for manufacturing articles utilizing a multi-frame manufacturing apparatus. The multi-frame manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of discrete frames, each frame including a movement mechanism that enables it to move between sequentially arranged processing stations. Each movement mechanism permits substantially horizontal movement forward and backward. The movement mechanism for at least one of the frames permits substantially vertical movement both up and down. Actuation of the movement mechanisms for at least two frames may permit the frames to switch their relative positions. Each frame additionally includes at least one gripping mechanism for temporarily securing non-rigid material in place on the framed for processing.

A sheet transport device includes: a first transport roller that transports a sheet and that has two first nip parts, which are spaced apart in a sheet width direction and nip portions of the sheet; a second transport roller that transports the sheet, that is disposed upstream of the first transport roller in a sheet transport direction, that has a second nip part, which nips a portion of the sheet at a position different from at least one of the first nip parts in the width direction, and that stops exerting a force that transports the sheet when the sheet has been transferred to the first transport roller; and two tension-applying parts that are provided on the first transport roller, on the outer side of the two first nip parts in the width direction, and that apply, to the sheet, tension pulling the sheet outward in the width direction.

A sheet transfer device for transferring a sheet between two sheet processing devices comprising a switch for directing sheets from a first transport path coming from the first sheet processing device onto a two-way transport path or for directing sheets from the two-way transport path onto a second transport path for feeding sheets to the second sheet processing device. A transport pinch is provided along the two way transport path for reversing a sheet on the two-way transport path. When in use, the two-way transport path extends downward in a vertically extending free-hanging chamber wherein the sheet engaged by the transport pinch is allowed to hang freely under the influence of gravity. Thereby, a compact device is formed which is able to adjust the sheet to a suitable orientation for the second processing device. The device further prevents forces from the first processing device to disrupt the sheet's orientation in the second processing device.

A system and method for controlling curl in multi-layer webs. The method can include providing a coated web, curing the coating to form a multi-layer web, and stretching the web during curing of the coating. Some coatings shrink at least partially when cured such that curing the coating induces a strain in the multi-layer web. Stretching the web occurs during curing to induce an opposing strain that at least partially counteracts the strain induced by curing to form a multi-layer web having a desired curvature. The system can include a curing section configured to cure the coating, and can further include a web stretching section, which can be located proximate the curing section and can be substantially coincident with the curing section, such that the web is stretched while the coating is cured.

A sheet transfer device for transferring a sheet between two sheet processing devices comprising a switch for directing sheets from a first transport path coming from the first sheet processing device onto a two-way transport path or for directing sheets from the two-way transport path onto a second transport path for feeding sheets to the second sheet processing device. A transport pinch is provided along the two way transport path for reversing a sheet on the two-way transport path. When in use, the two-way transport path extends downward in a vertically extending free-hanging chamber wherein the sheet engaged by the transport pinch is allowed to hang freely under the influence of gravity. Thereby, a compact device is formed which is able to adjust the sheet to a suitable orientation for the second processing device. The device further prevents forces from the first processing device to disrupt the sheet's orientation in the second processing device.

The sheet conveyance apparatus includes first and second rollers, the second roller coming into contact with the first roller and thereby forming a nip portion, the second rotation axis being inclined with respect to the first rotation axis, wherein the second roller includes a first outer circumferential portion having a first outside diameter, a second outer circumferential portion arranged on one side of the first outer circumferential portion in an axial direction of the second rotation axis and having a second outside diameter larger than the first outside diameter, and a third outer circumferential portion arranged on the other side of the first outer circumferential portion, and wherein an outer circumferential surface of the first roller contacts with at least the first, second and third outer circumferential portions of the second roller, to form the nip portion.

A medium transport apparatus includes a transport section configured to support a medium and transport the medium in a transport direction, and a wrinkle reducing section configured to come into contact with the medium to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the medium. The wrinkle reducing section can change surfaces to come into contact with the medium. The medium transport apparatus having such a structure enables to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the medium.

A medium transport apparatus includes a transport section configured to support a medium and transport the medium in a transport direction, and a wrinkle reducing section configured to come into contact with the medium to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the medium. The wrinkle reducing section can change surfaces to come into contact with the medium. The medium transport apparatus having such a structure enables to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the medium.

The sheet conveyance apparatus includes first and second rollers, the second roller coming into contact with the first roller and thereby forming a nip portion, the second rotation axis being inclined with respect to the first rotation axis, wherein the second roller includes a first outer circumferential portion having a first outside diameter, a second outer circumferential portion arranged on one side of the first outer circumferential portion in an axial direction of the second rotation axis and having a second outside diameter larger than the first outside diameter, and a third outer circumferential portion arranged on the other side of the first outer circumferential portion, and wherein an outer circumferential surface of the first roller contacts with at least the first, second and third outer circumferential portions of the second roller, to form the nip portion.

A medium conveyance device includes multiple pairs of conveyance rollers configured to convey a medium of which a leading end position has been subjected to registration, the multiple pairs of conveyance rollers being spaced away from each other in a medium widthwise direction intersecting with a medium conveying direction to convey the medium with the medium held between each pair of conveyance rollers, in which the multiple pairs of conveyance rollers are set such that a speed at conveyance of a widthwise center of the medium is higher than a speed at conveyance of a widthwise end of the medium.