Through Material Or Introduction Through Drum Patents (Class 34/115)
  • Patent number: 11898284
    Abstract: A drying method and to a drying device (2) for a moist material web (4) which is composed of a textile fibrous material and which has for example been compacted using liquid jets (45). The drying device (2) includes a drying chamber (22) with an aeration (ventilating) device (29) and an inlet (18), an outlet (19) and a fluid-permeable conveying device (23) for the running material web (4). The material web (4) is transported within the drying chamber (22) by the conveying device (23) and is dried using a heated gas, in particular air. The drying device (2) additionally has a suction device (5) which locally suctions and discharges liquid, in particular water, which is contained in the material web (4) by a suction flow (6) at one or more suction locations (53) at the material web (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AUTEFA SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Niklaus, Christian Richter
  • Patent number: 11608595
    Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper or non-woven products is provided. The apparatus includes a through air roll configured to rotate about a first axis, where the roll has a cylindrical surface having a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus also includes an air distribution tube positioned within the through air roll. The air distribution tube has a cylindrical surface, a first end, and a second end, and the cylindrical surface of the air distribution tube has a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus further includes a first adjustable deckle associated with the air distribution tube configured to alter the flow of air through the air distribution tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Valmet, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Skawski
  • Patent number: 11168442
    Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper or non-woven products is provided. The apparatus includes a through air roll, a first tension plate configured to hold a wire sleeve which is configured to extend around the roll, the first tension plate including at least one tension arc segment. The apparatus also includes a first cam mechanism associated with the at least one tension arc segment, wherein the first cam mechanism is configured to move the tension arc segment to adjust the position of the tension arc segment relative to the outer circumference of the first end of the roll, so that as the roll and first tension plate rotate about the first axis, the first tension plate is concentric with the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Valmet, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Skawski
  • Patent number: 11150019
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Valmet, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Y. Shekhter, Dennis Edward Jewitt
  • Patent number: 10712090
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Valmet, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Y. Shekhter, Dennis Edward Jewitt
  • Patent number: 10472756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for washing a warp thread, provided with a device for intensifying the washing effect set in rotation inside the tank. Each device includes a body having cylindrical geometry, having circular cross section, which has a plurality of longitudinal bars arranged along the cylindrical side surface of the device. Between each pair of adjacent bars a longitudinal slit is defined. The body also has a pair of end elements extending radially, forming the opposite bases of the body and configured to support and enclose the bars. The body also has a pair of opposite rotation pins, obtained on the respective outer surfaces of the end elements and that extend along an axial direction and parallel to the direction of extension of the bars. The body also has a tangential turbodynamic flow generator, arranged inside the body and configured to intensify the interchange between the washing liquid and the warp thread through the longitudinal slits during the rotation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: KARL MAYER TEXTILMASCHINENFABRIK GMBH
    Inventor: Rinaldo Ronchi
  • Patent number: 10240292
    Abstract: Unlike conventional through-air drying processes the instant invention utilizes at least two through-air driers where the first dyer is at least partially encircled by a first through-air drying fabric and the second dyer is at least partially encircled by a second through-air drying fabric. By providing each through-air dryer with its own fabric the overall drying performance may be increased. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the first and second fabrics may be different to optimize both the drying performance and/or tissue product properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark John Hassman, Peter John Allen, Frank Stephen Hada, Robert James Seymour, Richard Allen Zanon, Richard Mark Hansen, Nathan John Haiduk, Samuel August Nelson, Daniel Robert Sprangers, Paul Timothy Baker
  • Patent number: 10161070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the bonding of a textile web, whereby the textile web is guided over an idler drum into a bonding plant, led around a through-air drum and over a cooling drum and then led out again, whereby heated fresh air flows through the web and the through-air drum and the exhaust air is extracted from the bonding plant. According to the invention, it is intended that cooling air is directed onto the web ahead of the detachment point of the web from the through-air drum onto the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Weigert, Willi Liebscher, Stephan Hajdu
  • Patent number: 9696088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer for a textile fabric web, comprising a dryer chamber (2) and having at least one drum (3a) which is arranged in the dryer chamber (2) and around at least part of which the fabric web (5) is wrapped, wherein heated drying air flows through the fabric web (5) and is discharged via an interior chamber of the drum (3a), characterized in that the dryer (1) has a separate additional compartment (10) via which fresh air (11) is supplied and exhaust air (13) is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Böhn, Stephan Hajdu
  • Patent number: 8118978
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method of a paper machine or the like for saving energy in the drying section. According to the invention, in the drying section of a paper machine or the like in connection with a pocket space (9) between two drying cylinders (1, 2) and one turn roll (3), there are the following delimiting said pocket space (9): a first drying cylinder (1), a second drying cylinder (2), a turning suction roll (3) and a wire (5, 5a, 5b), which is arranged to travel from the first drying cylinder (1) to the turning suction roll (3) and from there on to the second drying cylinder (2). The arrangement further comprises a box-like runnability component (10) and a sealing element (19) arranged in the lower part of the runnability component (10), in the gap between the runnability component and the turning suction roll (3) in order to seal said gap and thereby to promote the operation of the turning suction roll (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Rami Aaltonen, Nenad Milosavljevic
  • Patent number: 8075739
    Abstract: System for drying a tissue or hygiene web. The system includes a permeable structured fabric carrying the web over a drying apparatus. A permeable dewatering fabric contacts the web and is guided over the drying apparatus. A mechanism is used to apply pressure to the permeable structured fabric, the web, and the permeable dewatering fabric at the drying apparatus. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: VOITH PATENT GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Thoroee Scherb, Jeffrey Herman, Luiz Carlos Silva, Hubert Walkenhaus
  • Patent number: 7931781
    Abstract: A system for drying one of a tissue and a hygiene web including a drying apparatus, a permeable structured fabric, a permeable dewatering fabric and a mechanism for applying pressure. The permeable structured fabric carries the web over the drying apparatus. The permeable dewatering fabric contacts the web and is guided over the drying apparatus. The mechanism for applying pressure, applies pressure to the permeable structured fabric, the web, and the permeable dewatering fabric at the drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Thoröe Scherb, Hubert Walkenhaus, Jeffrey Herman, Luiz Carlos Silva
  • Patent number: 7536806
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for improving runnability, and dryer section length, by using a vertical impingement dryer before a first dryer cylinder of a group of dryer cylinders. After a pressing section, the web is dried with a pre-impingement dryer, closely followed by a vertical impingement dryer, which is closely following by the first dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer and vertical impingement dryer of the first dryer cylinder to have a drying temperature of approximately 80° C. with no undesirable sticking to the dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer can be arranged to dry a first side of the web, and a vertical impingement dryer after the first dryer cylinder is arranged to dry a second side of the web. The impingement drying takes place directly against the web without an intervening fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Kari Juppi, Antti Komulainen, Markku Lummila, Michael Odell, Martti Salminen, Riikka Antikainen, Petter Honkalampi
  • Patent number: 7383641
    Abstract: A through air dryer (TAD) fabric having a composite configuration whereby side fabric portions made of a more resistant material are woven to the main body portion of the fabric. Side fabric portions that are not protected from the paper web, and therefore exposed to harsher environmental conditions than the portion of the fabric covered by the paper web, deteriorate faster. By replacing the side portions that are exposed to harsher environment with more resistant material, the TAD fabric will last longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Lippi Alves Fernandes, Sanjay Patel
  • Patent number: 7291249
    Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of a structured fiber web including an imprinting fabric, a first pressure field device, a second pressure field device and a drying cylinder. The fiber web is formed and carried on the imprinting fabric with an initial dry content of less than 35%. The first pressure field device applies a first pressure field to the imprinting fabric and the fiber web, thereby pressing the fiber web onto the imprinting fabric, thereby pre-imprinting the fiber web. The second pressure field device applies a second pressure field to the imprinting fabric in the fiber web, thereby again pressing the fiber web onto the imprinting fabric, drying the fiber web and fixing a three-dimensional surface structure in the fiber web. The drying cylinder has the fiber web delivered thereto by the imprinting fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Thoröe-Scherb, Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, Jeffrey Herman
  • Patent number: 7192507
    Abstract: Machine for producing a fibrous material web and process for guiding the web through the machine. The machine includes a wire section, a drying section, arranged downstream of the wire section with regard to a web travel direction, having at least one free web draw, a first and second shoe press separated in the web travel direction, and an upper felt and a lower transfer belt arranged to guide the fibrous material web through the second shoe press. The lower transfer belt is structured and arranged to transfer the fibrous material web to the drying section, and the material web is guided in a closed draw from the wire section to a first free web draw, with regard to the web travel direction, in the drying section. At least one high-performance drying device is positioned before the first free web draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Begemann
  • Patent number: 7114267
    Abstract: There are known drum jacket constructions that consist solely of perforated sheet metal. There are also known constructions, which, in order to increase the distance between the drum and the surrounding perforated sheet-metal wire gauze, consist of sheet metal with trusses configured e.g. as sheet-metal rings, or of honeycomb sheet-metal strips that are welded together, or of screwed constructions devoid of welding joints. The simplest solution for increasing said distance is a construction comprising a normal screen drum with struts bent into a U-shape that are screwed to the exterior, whereby the wire gauze lies on the external edges of said struts. Said drum however has a low buckling resistance, which is a required characteristic for the drying of tissue or paper. The novel drum jacket construction thus consists of an intersecting structure of sheet-metal strips, whose rings and strips are provided with corresponding insertion slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 7063772
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating a fibrous web that includes at least one supporting surface arranged to support a surface of the fibrous web, and at least one sealing device positionable adjacent a surface of the web opposite the surface of the web supported by the at least one supporting surface. The at least one sealing device includes a positionably adjustable sealing element. A distance between the positionably adjustable sealing element and the surface of the web opposite the surface supported by the at least one supporting surface is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kahl, Uwe Joos
  • Patent number: 7060163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuous drying of a pulp sheet 10, particularly a tissue web, with a drying drum 1 and an air circulating system. It is mainly characterised by the drying drum 1 having a shell 12 with a perforated cylinder 20 that is externally supported by radial bearing rings 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventors: Franz Haider, Gerald Schadler, Wilhelm Mausser
  • Patent number: 6998021
    Abstract: In a paper machine which comprises process elements and a measuring beam, the measuring beam is arranged at least at one paper machine process element so that a measuring device for measuring quality properties of a paper web is arrangeable in the measuring beam. The paper machine process element is e.g. a blow box, which is arrangeable in a dryer unit of the paper machine between drying cylinders to blow air via at least one blow air channel provided in the blow box to guide the moving paper web and/or to assist drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Markku Mäntylä, Matti Kukkurainen, Jari Koivu
  • Patent number: 6977028
    Abstract: A method of drying a paper web is provided. The method utilizes a dryer, such as a through-dryer, having a first dryer section and a second dryer section. Within the first dryer section, a relatively wet paper web is dried at an elevated temperature, such as between about 400° F. to about 500° F. After being dried by the first dryer section, the web is relatively dry and is further dried by the second dryer section at a reduced temperature, such as between about 300° F. to about 400° F. A variety of control techniques can also be utilized to control the temperature of each dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Ross, Jark C. Lau
  • Patent number: 6964117
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a travelling wet fibrous web is provided which comprises a rotating air-permeable drum. The drum is at least partially surrounded by a hood which has an interior space for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air through a permeable inner wall towards the outer surface of the drum. At least a portion of the hood is divided into individual sections in a cross-machine direction. Apparatus is provided for supplying a flow of drying air at a first temperature to the hood, and for supplying profiling air at a selected different temperature different from the first temperature to at least one of the individual sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent R. Parent
  • Patent number: 6848195
    Abstract: A blow box (18) for supporting the web run in a paper machine or the like, which blow box comprises members for maintaining a negative pressure at least in one negative pressure region (24) between the wire (20) and the blow box. The members comprise a blocking member (30, 32), which is arranged, regarding the wire's running direction, at the beginning and/or at the end of said negative pressure region, which extends across the wire and projects towards the wire, and which is movable in relation to the blow box, and blowing members (34, 36), with which air is ejected with blows between said blocking member and the wire from said negative pressure region and/or with which air is prevented from entering this negative pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Juha Leimu
  • Patent number: 6706150
    Abstract: An air impingement arrangement and method for compensating for the curling tendency of a paper or board web which is being treated. Air impingement is disposed in connection with a paper or board process or with its finishing process and extends across the width of the web (10) running in the vicinity thereof, forming a contact-free web treatment zone, in which process the web is dried in at least one dryer unit (3, 5, 7) that applies single-wire draw. In accordance with the invention, air impingement directed at the web (10) is produced by the air impingement arrangement (20) in the web treatment zone, said air impingement including, one following after the other, at least one hot blowing with air and at least one cold blowing with air. The invention also relates to a paper or board machine provided with this kind of air impingement arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pasi Ahonen, Harri Kiiskinen, Oleg Timofeev
  • Patent number: 6694639
    Abstract: A sheet material, a production method therefor and a drying apparatus is provided wherein a heating gas comprising mainly superheated steam is blown directly to reach the sheet internal water content via a permeable belt for restricting free shrinkage of the sheet, to give instantaneous evaporation (pressure flow) and form a porous sheet. A wet sheet 35 is clamped between an externally heated rotor 1 having heated gas blowing ports 19 for blowing heated gas from an outer peripheral direction, and a permeable endless fabric belt 36 which moves in synchronous with the rotor under a tension capable of restraining dry shrinkage of the sheet material, to thereby give rapid direct moisture evaporation and form a porous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Tokushu Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morimasa Hanaya
  • Patent number: 6616812
    Abstract: An anti-rewet fabric is used for carrying a fiber web through an air press. The anti-rewet fabric includes at least one air distribution fabric layer, one air distribution fabric layer being configured for contacting the fiber web, and a perforated film layer, the perforated film layer being made of a polyester film. The perforated film layer has a first film side and a second film side, the first film side being one of laminated and attached to the one air distribution fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: David A. Beck
  • Patent number: 6601318
    Abstract: A drier unit (10) for drying printed products has a plurality of drier rails (12), which comprise in each case a supporting body (14) manufactured from a hollow section (16). The clear outer contour of the cross-sectional area of the supporting bodies (14) is a rectangle. The drier rails (12) have in each case two resistance heating units (60) and additionally carry an infrared radiator (164).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Hans G. Platsch
  • Patent number: 6584699
    Abstract: A single pass, multiple stage, rotary drum heat exchange dryer (22) is provided for drying products such as distillers grains and includes a tubular shell (64) with a moist product inlet (66), an opposed dried product outlet (70), and an internal drying chamber (78). The chamber (78) includes a convection drying first stage (80), and conductive drying final curing stage (82) an intermediate stage (84); the stage (84) is subdivided into a plurality of preferably contiguous drying zones (86-92). The zones (86-92) include individual flighting assemblies (164, 214, 226, 234) which are of increasing density and present progressively increasing heat transfer ratios. Preferably, one of the initial zones has a heat transfer ratio of from about 1.5-2.5 ft−1, whereas another of the zones closer to the final stage has a heat transfer of from about 2.75-3.75 ft−1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ronning Engineering, Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Ronning, Robert Kolb
  • Patent number: 6574884
    Abstract: The blowing device comprises a blow box (30) which is arranged at the opening nip (22) between the wire and the cylinder and which is provided with at least two nozzles (36; 44, 46) or the like arranged close to the wire or the like. The first nozzle (36) is arranged at the opening nip (22) between the wire and the cylinder, for blowing air away from the gap (34) between the wire and the blowing device. The second nozzle (44, 46) is arranged at a distance from said opening nip, in the wire travel direction. The air jets discharged from the nozzles maintain a negative pressure in the space between the blowing device and the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Reijo Jokinen
  • Patent number: 6562198
    Abstract: An air press for pressing a paper web is composed of a plurality of rolls including at least a first roll and a second roll. The first roll and the second roll are positioned adjacent one another and form a first nip therebetween. Further, the first roll and the second roll each have a roll end, the roll end of the first roll adjoining the roll end of the second roll. A bevel plate is attached to the roll end of the first roll, the bevel plate having at least a first angled plate face. A seal ring is positioned adjacent the roll end of the second roll, the seal ring being juxtaposed to the bevel plate. The seal ring has at least a first angled ring face, and the first angled ring face mates with the first angled plate face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: David A. Beck, Thomas Gorshe
  • Patent number: 6473997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a drying section for dewatering a fibrous web (9), the drying section preferably being intended to dry fibrous webs in a paper machine, and the drying section comprising a number of drying cylinders (8), by which an inlet and outlet nip are formed when running the fibrous web, and the drying section comprising drying devices for decreasing the moisture content of the fibrous web, the drying devices comprising a blow device for blowing air in the proximity of the surface of the fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Equitor OY
    Inventor: Carl-Gustav Berg
  • Patent number: 6442868
    Abstract: A drying cylinder for drying a fibrous web, the cylinder having an inner chamber connected to a pressurized air source; and an outer cylinder jacket having an air-permeable region which is adapted to contact the fibrous material web. Also a drying section for drying a fibrous web, including at least one drying cylinder having an inner chamber and an outer cylinder jacket having an air-permeable region; a circulating belt arranged to press the fibrous web against the outer cylinder jacket and belt being arranged to partially wrap around the drying cylinder; and a pressurized air source connected to the inner chamber is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wolf, Markus Oechsle, Wolfgang Mayer, Thomas Mack, Roland Mayer
  • Patent number: 6442865
    Abstract: Drying section of a machine for producing a material web. The drying section includes a support roll with an associated impingement dryer, and at least one straight or curved section forming at least a part of a closed path between a last nip of a press section adjacent the drying section and the support roll. The support roll and the impingement dryer are arranged to guide the material web over the support roll, and, thereby, to subject the material web to at least one of hot air and hot steam impingement. The at least one straight or slightly curved section is structured and arranged to form at least one of an impingement drying section and a transfer foil section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wolf, Markus Oechsle, Wolfgang Mayer, Tri Chau-Huu, Thomas Mack, Roland Mayer
  • Patent number: 6434856
    Abstract: A micropore drying apparatus having a variable wet flow resistance. The flow resistance preferably decreases in the machine direction. The micropore drying apparatus may comprise a single integral unit having an decreasing wet flow resistance from the beginning to the end of the unit. Alternatively, the micropore drying apparatus may comprise a plurality of discrete units, each unit having a successively lesser flow resistance than that of the preceding unit. Alternatively, a hybrid arrangement may be used wherein each discrete unit has a successively decreasing flow resistance within that unit. The micropore drying apparatus may comprise one or more micropore drying media. The micropore drying media have pores which allow air flow therethrough. The pores are disposed in a grid, to form a field of pores. The decreasing flow resistance may preferably be provided by adjusting one or more of said pores, which affect the flow resistance through a single pore or through the entire field of the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Eugene Ensign, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Paul Dennis Trokhan, Osman Polat
  • Patent number: 6393719
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 1% to about 99%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having a pre-determined frequency; providing a gas-distributing system comprising at least one discharge outlet designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one rotary valve pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gordon Keith Stipp
  • Patent number: 6378226
    Abstract: Each screen drum design has, in front of the rotating screen drum which transports the web, a stationary screen cover whose purpose is retention of the dry air coming from the fan, uniform throughput of the air through the screen cover, and a uniform drying process over the width of the web. The screen cover has a perforation whose permeability is adapted to the degree of drying. At the beginning of the drying process, when the web is not yet very permeably, the screen cover is to be perforated provided a smaller free air throughput surface and, as the degree of dryness increases, a larger free air throughput surface by making the holes larger in diameter or provided a larger number of holes per unit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 6354017
    Abstract: An apparatus for heatsetting a knitted fabric in tubular form comprises flat expansion means which extend the tubular fabric in substantially flattened form, with two superimposed surfaces, and cause said fabric to assume a preselected width, conveying means which feed said flattened tubular fabric, heatsetting elements which form at least one air flow, at a preselected temperature, and guiding rods associated with the conveying elements and the heatsetting elements; the rods being capable of supporting internally the flattened tubular fabric along its side edges, owing to the action of the heatsetting elements, while keeping the side edges extended, leaving the two superimposed surfaces free to be passed through by the air flow and keeping the width of the flattened tubular fabric unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sperotto Rimar S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Bertoldo
  • Patent number: 6303003
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously drawing superheated vapor through a moist web as the same is being formed and pressed at a porous peripheral surface of a rotatable hollow cylinder, thereby allowing to have web drying in a compact apparatus permitting recycling of heat. The extracted moisture is transformed in superheated vapor and again used in the drying of incoming web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: David R. Webster
  • Patent number: 6205675
    Abstract: A dehydration machine includes a stuff tank, a stuff inlet provided at a lower portion of the stuff tank, a stuff outlet provided at an upper portion of the stuff tank, and a pair of drums each having a circumferential wall with a plurality of water passage apertures, the pair of drums being juxtaposed in the stuff tank. The pair of drums rotate adversely about its respective axis so as to introduce stuffs in the stuff tank therebetween from a lower side thereof. One of the drum is rotatable in an immovable manner, and the other of the drums is rotatable in an inclinable manner while being urged toward the one of the drums by an air spring. Each of the drums is provided with a metal net on an outer surface of the circumferential wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Taizen Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ide, Takefumi Ide
  • Patent number: 6199296
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a wet web of paper comprising at least one through-air dryer, each dryer including a rotatable cylinder having a porous cylindrical deck, at least one continuous drying fabric wrapped about a portion of the circumference of the deck, a plurality of fabric support members positioned relative to each cylinder so as to direct the fabric and the web onto and from each cylinder, and a hood and a plenum cooperating to form a substantially sealed enclosure containing each cylinder. The drying fabric is adapted to support and transport the paper web about a portion of the circumference of the cylinder of each dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet-Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Dennis E. Jewitt
  • Patent number: 6200427
    Abstract: Suction roll for the formation or treatment of a material web that includes an outer suction roll jacket comprising a perforated rotating hollow cylinder, a non-perforated support body arranged to extend through the outer suction roll jacket and to support the outer suction roll jacket at at least one point of its axial extent, and sealing ribs arranged to extend radially between the support body and the suction roll jacket and axially over a full length of the suction roll jacket. In this manner, the support body is adapted to rotate at a same speed as the suction roll jacket. The support body can include an axially extending, through-going bore arranged concentrically with the outer suction roll surface. An axially extending, rotationally fixed yoke extends through the through-going bore, and the rotationally fixed yoke has two ends which are supported outside of the support body on a frame. At least one support element is arranged to support the support body on the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Gerhard Kotitschke, Wolfgang Mayer, Hans-Peter Sollinger, Klaus Esslinger, Andreas Meschenmoser, Günther Mohrhardt, Peter Mirsberger
  • Patent number: 6192597
    Abstract: Device for treating a fibrous pulp web that includes at least one support face, which is one of moving and stationary. The fibrous pulp web may be guided over the at least one support face. The device also includes at least one sealing device positioned on a side of the fibrous pulp web facing away from the at least one support face to strip at least a majority of a bordering air layer that entrained by the fibrous pulp web. The at least one sealing device may include a sealing disc that is one of substantially straight and at least partially curved, and that is at least one of elastically formed and resiliently mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kahl, Karl-Heinz Klein, Wolfgang Müller, Markus Oechsle, Uwe Joos
  • Patent number: 6151797
    Abstract: A device is known for heat treatment of permeable webs of goods with a housing in which at least one screen roller is mounted and a pumping device is associated endwise with the roller, said pumping device drawing a processing medium in the formal of a vapor and/or gas out of the screen roller, with the through-flow area of the roller, in other words the working width of the screen roller, being capable of being determined by a width-adjusting device on the screen roller. A screen roller of this kind is improved according to the invention ifa) at least in the area covered by the web of goods, it has two coaxially mounted permeable screen roller jackets located with a distance between them,b) a width-adjusting device is provided between the outer and inner screen roller jackets, said devicec) being adjustable by a spindle on the axis of the screen roller, andd) the inner screen roller jacket is made permeable only in the area that corresponds to the minimum working width of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co., Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 6148538
    Abstract: Condensation device and suction element including a condensation device for machines for manufacturing and refining a fibrous material web. The condensation device includes at least one condensation element positioned in a region of at least one of steam formation and accumulation and a condensate receptacle. The suction element includes a hollow body coupled to a vacuum source. The hollow body is adapted to guide a transport belt carrying a moist and heated web. The suction element also includes at least one opening positioned to face the transport belt, at least one condensation element, and at least one condensate receptacle. The at least one condensation element and the at least one condensate receptacle are positioned within the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Steiner, Markus Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6108936
    Abstract: Method for one of drying and cooling a web in which a web is passed over an arcuate circumference of a blow device, a gas is directed from an interior of the blow device at the web through first openings formed in a mantle of the device to form a support zone between the mantle and the web, and moistened exhaust gas is drawn from the support zone into the interior of the blow device through second openings formed in the mantle. A revolving edge support is arranged at each end of the blow device to support the web during the passage of the web over the circumference of the blow device, the edge supports being separate from the blow device, and the edge supports include one of interior circumferential and friction surfaces to seal the support zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Vesa Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 6085437
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 10% to about 90%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having frequency of from 15 Hz to 1500 Hz; providing a gas-distributing system comprising a plurality of discharge outlets designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gordon Keith Stipp
  • Patent number: 6079116
    Abstract: A through-air drying apparatus for drying a traveling wet paper web supported on a continuous fabric comprises a dryer roll about which the fabric and web are partially wrapped and which has a foraminous roll face, a supply hood which surrounds the portion of the roll about which the fabric and web are wrapped and which supplies heated air through the fabric and web and through the roll face into the interior of the roll, and an exhaust system for exhausting air from the roll. An axial exhaust passage is formed through at least one head of the roll. An exhaust manifold is connected to the exhaust passage and defines two outlets on opposite sides of the manifold. A pair of movable ducts are sealingly and releasably engaged with the outlets in the opposite sides of the manifold, the ducts being spaced apart on opposite sides of the roll so that an access space is defined between the two ducts for access to the roll and supply hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet-Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Dennis Edward Jewitt, Sven Soren Eriksson, Richard Alan Parker
  • Patent number: 6079117
    Abstract: A device for removing moisture from a continuously advancing textile web by suction. A suction slit which reaches crosswise across the textile web is provided, which is delimited on one side by a slide surface, on the other side by a roll. On the side facing the roll, the slide crosspiece has a concave recess, into which the roll partly fits. At its edge, facing the roll, the slide crosspiece forms a tongue-like projection, which extends over the top of the roll, almost to the vertex of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Eduard Kusters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kurschatke
  • Patent number: 6032383
    Abstract: A screen drum design is known whose drum jacket consists of axially extending sheet metal strips whose widths extend in the radial direction. These sheet metal strips must be permanently attached to the end bottoms to produce the drum jacket. According to the invention, this connection is made movable. For this purpose, a connecting element (17) is provided that consists of one or two connecting arms (18, 19) connected with one another so that they are pivotable with respect to one another, said arms being connected, with articulation at their free ends, with either sheet metal strips (13) or a centering ring (29) for the sheet metal strips, or with bottoms (11, 12) that are located at a distance from the ends of sheet metal strips (13) and/or centering ring (29). In this way, movement of the drum jacket relative to bottoms (11, 12) is always possible to compensate for dimensional changes resulting from temperature fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 5996244
    Abstract: A roll for a paper machine, in particular for a paper drying device, including an axle on whose support the roll revolves, and a surface construction connected to the axle by support members. The openness of the surface construction of the roll is higher than about 10%, preferably higher than about 20%, so that when the roll an effect is produced that sucks air inward into the roll whereby a flow of air through the roll arises. Also, a single-wire draw dryer group for a paper machine having two contact-drying cylinders and one reversing roll wherein a web to be dried is guided on support of a drying wire meandering from one drying cylinder onto the reversing roll and then onto the other drying cylinder so that on the drying cylinders, the web remains between the cylinder face and the drying wire and on the reversing cylinder, the web is situated at the side of the outside curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pekka Saarikivi, Raimo Virta