Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: Improved method of removing water from a wet web of paper includes the steps of (a) passing the web and its supporting fabric above and in sliding contact with a surface of a meniscus separator unit having a plurality of spaced cells in contact with the inner surface of the fabric; (b) applying a small vacuum to an internal space of each cell to extract water from the web using the tension meniscus of water while preventing air from passing through the web; and (c) permitting air from the atmosphere only to be applied to the inner surface of the fabric by each cell and thence into the fabric to replace water removed from the fabric in step (b) thereby enhancing the removal of water from the web and from the fabric, the atmospheric air passing along and through the interstices between the inner and outer surfaces of the fabric to the internal space of each cell.

Abstract: Press section of a machine for manufacturing a fibrous pulp web. The press section includes at least one press nip for draining the fibrous pulp web and at least one continuous press felt positioned on each side of the fibrous pulp web. The at least one continuous press felts may be guided through the press nip. The press section also includes a transfer roll that transfers the fibrous pulp web from a belt of a prepositioned unit to one of the at least one continuous press felts and a suctioned guide roll arranged within a loop of the one continuous press felt and between the transfer roll and the press nip. The suctioned guide roll is adjustably positionable so that the at least one continuous press felt positioned opposite the one continuous press felt is at least tangential to the suctioned guide roll, and adjustable positioning of the suctioned guide roll adjusts/an intake angle of the web into the press nip.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a fibrous pulp web, in particular a tissue or hygienic paper web with a main press, including a contact shoe press unit and a drying cylinder, and a shoe pre-press. The main press is so designed that the pressure profile which is built up in its press opening along the length of the opening exhibits increasing pressure, which starts at the beginning of the opening and extends along at least one third, preferably a minimum of one half the length of the opening. The length of the main press is shorter (1/3 to 2/3) than the length of of the pre-press, the linear force of the pre-press is greater than the linear force of the main press, and the maximum pressure of the main press is greater than the maximum pressure of the pre-press.

Abstract: A dilution control device interconnects a tapered header with a turbulence generator in a paper-making machine. The turbulence generator includes a substantially planar inlet surface and a plurality of fluid passages, with each fluid passage having an inlet at the inlet surface. The tapered header includes a header plate with a plurality of outlets therein, with each outlet being associated with at least one inlet of the turbulence generator. A dilution module block is positioned between and interconnects the header plate with the inlet surface of the turbulence generator. The dilution module block includes a plurality of through holes and a plurality of feed channels. Each through hole interconnects an outlet of the tapered header with at least one inlet of the turbulence generator. Each feed channel is in fluid communication with at least one through hole and is configured for transporting dilution water to a corresponding through hole.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. Side seal members are positioned beyond the lateral edges of the wet web and support fabrics. These seals flex into sealing contact with the opposite sealing contact surfaces upon exposure to the presurized fluid of the air press.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing rewetting of a web in a former. Water is removed from the web (W) by means of dewatering members. The web (W) is formed by forming members and forming rolls on support of a wire loop/loops. The wire loop/loops (10) is/are guided by alignment, guide and/or suction rolls (11, 12). The web (W) supported by a wire (10) is passed by at least two vacuum boxes/chambers (16, 17) after the last suction roll (11). At least two vacuum boxes/chambers (16, 17) are fitted after the last suction roll (11). The web (W) and the wire (10) are arranged to be dewatered by means of a first vacuum box/chamber (16). The transport of moisture from the wire (10) back into the web (W) is prevented by means of a second vacuum box/chamber (17), and a vacuum (P.sub.1) in the first vacuum box/chamber (16) is higher than a vacuum (P.sub.2) in the second vacuum box/chamber (17).

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes an inlet for receiving a fiber suspension. An apron and an upper wall converge relative to each other and define a machine wide discharge nozzle and an outlet therebetween. The discharge nozzle terminates at the outlet. A slice lip is carried by the upper wall. The slice lip is positioned at the outlet and includes a working edge defining an outlet gap with the apron. The slice lip is slidably movable a travel distance in directions toward and away from the outlet gap. A slice lip clamp assembly is connected to the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly engages the slice lip and biases the slice lip against the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly includes at least one clamping plate having at least one opening with an inside diameter, at least one fastener having an outside diameter and at least one keeper device.

Abstract: A dust and fiber control device for paper making apparatus is described. The device includes a wall in conjunction with a feed spout for providing a water curtain. The water curtain serves to capture and remove air suspended dust and fiber particles from ambient air. The device is positioned transversely to the motion of a paper web underneath the web between a drying cylinder and a rewinder. The water curtain device is utilized in conjunction with air flow devices for assisting in controlling the collection of air suspended dust and fiber particles from the ambient air.

Abstract: Consistency-controlled headbox for a paper machine with a common feed line for a pulp slurry, a plurality of feed line sections into which the common feed line branches, and a system for influencing the composition of the slurry flows in each of the plurality of feed line sections. At least one pulp consistency sensor is provided for sectional pulp consistency control, which may be located in a return portion of the pulp distributing line. A weight basis cross-sectional adjustment sensor and controller may also be used; with the pulp consistency controller arranged to operate with a significantly higher sensing rate than the weight basis cross-sectional adjustment controller.

Abstract: A three layer headbox for producing a multilayer fiber web. The headbox has top and bottom walls inclined toward each other toward the outlet of the headbox. Top and a bottom separating blades in the headbox, the top blade defining a first chamber toward the top wall, the bottom blade being below defining a second chamber between the blades and also defining a third chamber between the bottom blade and the bottom wall. A respective pulp inlet to each of the three chambers. One of the top and bottom blades being hingedly supported at its upstream end to be adjustable in position for affecting the speed of pulp suspension in respective layers in the chambers affected by the orientation of the blade. The pulp suspension layers passing through a headbox are delivered to a paper machine forming section wire and the three streams from the headbox are combined directly before or upon impingement on the wire.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass preform by synthesizing a porous glass preform by a vapor-phase synthesizing method and heating said porous glass preform in a vacuum or reduced-pressure atmosphere so as to consolidate said porous glass preform, which comprises the steps of: a first step of degassing said porous glass preform to thereby remove gas adsorbed or contained therein; a second step of temporarily contracting said porous glass preform at a temperature higher than a temperature in the first step and lower than a consolidation temperature; and a third step of consolidating said porous glass preform at the consolidation temperature; the degassing of said first step is determined in accordance with the bulk density of said porous glass preform.

Abstract: A paper machine roll, in particular a roll for a supercalender, which includes a frame and a polymer coating on the frame. The deformability of the polymer coating on the roll increases within a certain axial distance from the middle area of the roll toward the ends of the roll in order to compensate for the deformation state of the end areas of the roll frame, which deformation state is uneven when the roll is loaded.

Abstract: A foil blade for use in dewatering devices found in a web forming section of a papermaking machine is described. The improved foil blade according to the present invention is easily installed into and removed from such dewatering devices. The improved foil blade of the present invention is rigidly mounted within the same dewatering devices such that the foil blade does not rotate or change geometry during a papermaking process as a wire or fabric having a stock mixture thereon travels over the foil blade. The improvement resides in providing a loaded clamping assembly for the foil blade. In one embodiment, according to the present invention, the loaded clamping assembly comprises a pneumatic load air tube to rigidly secure the foil blade to a dewatering device in a web-forming section of a papermaking machine. The foil blade being firmly clamped in position by way of the loaded air tube, cannot rotate or change geometry during operation.

Abstract: A headbox is provided which provides an improved uniformity in the velocity profile of the stock solution across the slice opening. As a result, improved fiber alignment is provided across the width of the entire slice opening and mis-alignment of the fibers towards the outer edges of the slice opening is avoided. The headbox includes an improved nozzle design with pondsides that are not parallel to one another but which are angled inwardly as they extend from the tube bank to the slice opening. Further, several columns of outer tubes of the tube bank may also be angled inwardly as they extend from the header to the nozzle section. The center tubes would be disposed in a parallel relationship to one another. A sealing arrangement is provided between the roof of the nozzle section and the pondside which permits the incorporation of a double knuckle for extending and retracting the roof to adjust the L/b ratio.

Abstract: Press arrangement for a machine for treating a fibrous pulp sheet. The press arrangement may include a shoe press roll having a flexible press sleeve, a mating roll having a mating roll axis, and a press nip extended in a run direction of the fibrous pulp sheet and formed between the shoe press roll and the mating roll. The press arrangement may also include a non-rotating carrier substantially extending across a machine width inside the flexible press sleeve, a press unit including at least one press shoe supported on the non-rotating carrier via at least one associated force element. The press unit exerts a force against the flexible press roll sleeve. The flexible press sleeve may be arranged to circulate around the non-rotating carrier and to be guided around the at least one press shoe in a press nip area. A portion of the flexible press sleeve, located outside of the press nip area, may circulate in a substantially circular-cylindrical path around a sleeve axis.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. In a third aspect of the invention, a single elevator is used to adjust the angle of the blade, the blade is provided as a modular or multiple-piece design, mounting buttons are used to engage slots of T-shaped cross section in the blade and/or ceramic inserts are included at wear points.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus in a paper or board machine for dewatering the web prior to its passage to a press section. The dewatering is effected by a pair of rolls, which is located at the end of a wire section upstream of a pick-up suction roll or a similar transfer device. An additional wire is brought in contact with a side of the web opposite that of the wire of the wire section and it is passed together with the wire of the wire section and the web through the pair of rolls. One of the rolls is an open-surfaced roll for receiving water from the web over its area of contact with the path of travel formed by the wires and the web. The other roll of the pair of rolls is a smooth-surfaced roll and is in contact within the area of contact with the path of travel formed by the wires and the web on the opposite side.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding stock to a headbox in a papermaking machine which comprises at least one stock header with an inlet for receiving stock into the header and a plurality of stock header outlets permitting stock to leave the header. For each stock header outlet there is a stock conduit downstream of the stock header outlet permitting stock to pass from the stock header outlet, through the conduit to the inlet of the headbox. The arrangement includes a dilution header for feeding a diluent such as water to a plurality of stock conduits. The dilution header has an inlet for receiving a diluent not the dilution header and a plurality of outlets permitting the diluent to leave the dilution header. For each dilution header outlet, there is a diluent conduit permitting the passage of a diluent from the dilution header into a stock conduit.

Abstract: Press sleeve for de-watering a material sheet in a press nip having a width. The press sleeve may extend transverse to a travel direction of the material sheet and may include a flexible material, a pressing area, adapted to form the press nip, having two ends, end sections positioned adjacent to each end of the pressing areas, and recesses located on an exterior surface to take up water. The press sleeve may also include outer sections including portions of the pressing area and portions of the end section, an inner section including a portion located between the outer sections. The recesses located within the outer sections may include a plurality of recesses having a limited length in the travel direction and the recesses located within the inner section may include grooves substantially extending endlessly in the travel direction.