Abstract: The invention relates to of a process and related apparatus for conditioning a fibrous web in order to improve the efficiency of drying and calendering thereof. In the process, a moving fibrous web is conditioned after the drier unit of a papermaking machine by applying a flow of moistened gas through one or more arrays of radial jet reattachment nozzles placed in close proximity to the web surface prior to a calendering unit or prior to a steaming unit placed between the nozzles and the calender unit to cool the web and/or increase its moisture content. Webs treated according to the invention exhibit improved properties including less moisture streaking, enhanced smoothness and avoidance of optical property loss.

Abstract: A cord retraction device for drawing excess cord lengths into a housing through a cord aperture, the housing, containing a rotating spool driven by a coiled spring, the cord being attached to the spool through a lead member and cord retention member, where the cord retention member has an open, non-attached configuration of greater dimensions than the cord aperture, and where the lead member is of sufficient length such that the cord retention member is positioned outside the housing when the coiled spring is fully wound, such that the cord retention member Can only pass through the cord aperture after it is joined to the cord in a closed, attached configuration of dimensions smaller than the cord aperture. An embodiment with oppositely rotating spools for use with looped cords is also presented.

Abstract: An unrestrained drying capability is added to an existing series of rotating drying cylinders in a cost- and space-efficient manner to enhance cross-directional (CD) stretch and tensile energy absorption (TEA) in a paper web such as for sack kraft grade paper. High-intensity air glide drying devices are adapted for use in a variety of configurations to provide different levels of unrestrained drying capacity for a pre-existing series of rotating drying rollers. The air glide drying devices carry the paper web on a cushion of air which is heated preferably to 500.degree.-850.degree. F. The sheet moisture content of the paper web during heating in the unrestrained drying section decreases by at least approximately 5%, with an evaporation rate of approximately 15-30 lbm/hr/ft.sup.2. A preferred temperature range of the paper web upon entry to the air glide drying device is 160.degree.-210.degree. F. A pre-heater such as a convection or infrared heater may optionally be employed.