Abstract: A dry-formed web is transferred at speeds in excess of 300 feet per minute onto a stable, porous, endless belt and both the dry-formed web and the belt are conveyed through the embossing nip. The combination of the dry-formed web and the belt are guided into the embossing nip so that the web and belt partially wraps the embossing roll before entering the embossing nip. As the embossing roll contacts the web, some of the air in the web is forced through the porous belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing a bonded, air-permeable web. The apparatus includes drying means (16-26, 42, 48, 54, 56 and 80) for passing heated air at a predetermined temperature through the web 10 for a predetermined time. Means (128, 132, 134, 136, 150, 160, 164 and 166) are provided for generating a first signal representing the pressure drop, at a predetermined velocity, across the web 10 outside of the drying means (16-26, 42, 48, 54, 56 and 80). Means (68, 108 and 110) are also provided for generating a second signal representing the pressure drop across the web (10) inside the drying means (16-26, 42, 48, 54, 56 and 80). Means (120) responsive to the first and second generated signals control the velocity of the heated air passing through the web so as to maintain the pressure drop across the web 10 inside the drying means (16-26, 42, 48, 54, 56 and 80) equal to the pressure drop as measured by the means (128, 132, 134, 136, 150, 160, 164 and 166) for generating the first signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the permeability of porous web materials. The porous web 12 is placed against a surface of a test head 10 of the apparatus. The test head 10 contains at least one aperture 28 and a vacuum source 87 connected to the test head 10 causes air to be drawn through the web 12 and then through the aperture 28. The test head 10 also includes at least one static port 32 that communicates with the aperture 28. The static port 32 is located very close to the web 12 and measures the static pressure within the aperture 28 before it leaves the aperture 28. A pressure transducer 46 is connected to the static port 32 and provides a measurement of the pressure drop across the web 12. If the volumetric flow rate of air through the web 12 is kept constant, the pressure transducer 46 output 52 is representative of the permeability of the web 12.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carding process for forming a nonwoven fibrous structure including a blend of short fibers under 1/4 inch in length and longer reinforcing fibers. In accordance with the process fibers are separated from a fibrous feed by engaging the feed with projections on the periphery of a main carding drum that is rotating at a surface speed of at least 12,500 feet/minute. The rotating main drum directs the fibers into a working section in which projections on rotating worker and turner satellite rolls cooperate with the projections on the main drum to individualize the fibers and blend them together. The necessary interaction between the projections of the main drum and the projections of the satellite rolls to both individualize and blend the fibers is achieved by pressurizing the working section to a level that minimizes undesirable air flow characteristics about the satellite rolls.