Abstract: An improved air drying process for a paper machine is disclosed whereby air is impinged directly onto a paper web between top and bottom dryers on an open paper draw. This provides additional drying and machine speed increase due to improved controlling of sheet flutter and improved drying via direct air impingement onto the sheet for all paper grades. The structure provides a radial jet reattachment nozzle to blow air onto the sheet while the paper web is not in contact with either cylinder surface and the fabric or felt. The nozzle stabilizes and supports the sheet to prevent sheet flutter and bulging.

Abstract: A unifelt system for drying paper includes banks of upper and lower drying cylinders around which the paper is conveyed in contact with a support sheet. At least one suction nozzle is provided at the pocket formed at the upstreammost lower cylinder and the support sheet to prevent air from being trapped between the paper and the support sheet for minimizing bulging which might otherwise occur.