Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for use in dry forming a fabric by at least two non-woven fabrics. The upper run of the transfer wire is used as a forming wire. A forming head is disposed above the transfer wire. An airlaid non-woven fabric is formed on the transfer wire. This non-woven fabric is carried with the transfer wire onto the top side of the first non-woven fabric. The first non-woven fabric is formed on a preceding forming wire and transferred by the transfer wire to a subsequent conveying wire. This subsequent conveying wire can also be a forming wire so further non-woven fabric can be formed before the fabric is consolidated, e.g. by hydroentanglement or latex bonding/fibre bonding.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer fabric including at least one fibre layer formed by airlaying combined with at least one further layer which is formed by different technologies, including carding, spunlacing, meitblowing, spunbonding, or airlaying, or combined with one or more films. The airforming is performed on a separate formerwire which is applied vacuum via a suction box disposed opposite to a formerhead, and where the airformed fibre layer is transferred to a conveyor wire for joining with a further layer. Edge trimming is performed at least on the airformed layer before it is joined with one or more other layers for forming the multi-layered fabric. Scrap from edge trimming and exhaust from the suction box is returned to the formerhead.

Abstract: A former head allows processing of long fibers while achieving a carding action and a fibre distribution fulfilling high quality standards. The former head contains at least one needle roller. A mixture of air and fibers are injected above the horizontal plane of a center axis of the needle roller and directly onto a periphery of the needle roller. There may be a number of adjustable needle rollers. With a former head, where fibers and air are injected in a controlled and new way, it is possible to process longer fibers and maintain a high distribution quality. By using a number of adjustable needle rollers, the fibre material can go through a carding process during the distribution. This carding process is optimized by the needles injecting onto the periphery of the stationary needle roller as well as the subsequent contact with the adjustable needle rollers.

Abstract: A former head for dry forming fibrous tissue in which a fiber material is mixed with air introduced to at least one rotating drum in a former head by injection. The drum is provided internally with means for fluidizing the injected fibers simultaneously, enabling higher production capacity and an increased distribution quality of the fibers. This former head has high capacity and an increased width, preferably over four meters, which avoids natural oscillations in the needle rollers as they are substituted by slotted air nozzles. The nozzles extend along a whole length of the drum and have adjustable nozzle lips to regulate the amount of air and direction of the air-flow blown through the perforations of the drum. Surprisingly, the capacity of the former head is markedly higher than conventional devices and distribution quality also is markedly better than by high-speed operation of traditional machines.