Abstract: An apparatus and a method which heat an elongated product in at least two pulses including at least one first pulse wherein the product is pressed for at least 10 ms on a first pressure and at least one second heating and smoothing pulse wherein the product is pressed and/or heated at least for 10 ms on a pressure that is higher than the first pressure. The heating elements being arranged to heat the elongated product so that the heating the heating temperature is at least 80° C. on at least one surface of the elongated product.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method which heat an elongated product in at least two pulses including at least one first pulse wherein the product is pressed for at least 10 ms on a first pressure and at least one second heating and smoothing pulse wherein the product is pressed and/or heated at least for 10 ms on a pressure that is higher than the first pressure. The heating elements being arranged to heat the elongated product so that the heating the heating temperature is at least 80° C. on at least one surface of the elongated product.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and a method comprising a forming section for feeding an aqueous furnish of fibres on a moving surface to form a shape of a product and a pressing and heating section for removing water from the shaped product received from the moving surface. The pressing and heating section comprises a felt and metal belt that are set to run against each other for receiving the furnish from the moving surface and heating elements for heating the web in at least two pulses including at least one first pulse wherein the product is pressed for at least 10-200 ms on a first pressure and at least one second heating and smoothing pulse wherein the product is heated at least for 10-200 ms on a pressure that is higher than the first pressure, and at least one of the surfaces pressing the product being the smooth metal belt.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and a method comprising a forming section for feeding an aqueous furnish of fibres on a moving surface to form a shape of a product and a pressing and heating section for removing water from the shaped product received from the moving surface. The pressing and heating section comprises a felt and metal belt that are set to run against each other for receiving the furnish from the moving surface and heating elements for heating the web in at least two pulses including at least one first pulse wherein the product is pressed for at least 10-200 ms on a first pressure and at least one second heating and smoothing pulse wherein the product is heated at least for 10-200 ms on a pressure that is higher than the first pressure, and at least one of the surfaces pressing the product being the smooth metal belt.

Abstract: Filtering medium based on activated carbon which is characterized in that it comprises three superposed layers, respectively an inner layer and two outer layers, the inner layer consisting of 80 to 95% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the first outer layer comprising from 45 to 95% by dry weight of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the balance for 100% consisting of activated carbon and/or of a material having a density of less than 0.9, the second outer layer comprising from 5 to 25% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, and in that the weight of the inner layer is between 40 and 200 g/m2 and the weight of the outer layers is between 10 and 100 g/m2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for foam forming, wherein fibrous foam suspension is introduced from the head box (78, 178) of a production machine to the web forming section thereof. At least one solid material is mixed into the foam in the head box (78, 178). The method and the apparatus of the invention are particularly suitable for manufacturing various web-like products of cellulose, glass fiber, aramide, sisal, or other corresponding fibre material.

Abstract: Filtering medium based on activated carbon which is characterized in that it comprises three superposed layers, respectively an inner layer and two outer layers, the inner layer consisting of 80 to 95% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the first outer layer comprising from 45 to 95% by dry weight of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the balance for 100% consisting of activated carbon and/or of a material having a density of less than 0.9, the second outer layer comprising from 5 to 25% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, and in that the weight of the inner layer is between 40 and 200 g/m2 and the weight of the outer layers is between 10 and 100 g/m2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for foam forming, wherein fibrous foam suspension is introduced from the head box (78, 178) of a production machine to the web forming section thereof. At least one solid material is mixed into the foam in the head box (78, 178). The method and the apparatus of the invention are particularly suitable for manufacturing various web-like products of cellulose, glass fibre, aramide, sisal, or other corresponding fibre material.

Abstract: A non-woven mat useful for a wide variety of purposes, including forming reinforced resin products, is produced in a manner having different specific uses of, and advantages over, conventional chopped strand mats and conventional glass tissue. The mat is preferably made by the foam process (but may be made by the liquid process), and at speeds well in excess of 60 m./min., and has a substantially uniform construction even when low density (e.g. 100 g/m2 or less). At least 20% (preferably at least 85%) of the fibers are in fiber bundles with between 5-450 fibers/bundle. The fibers (typically at least 85%) have a length between 5-100 mm, preferably 7-50 mm, substantially the same as the length of the fiber bundle they are in. The fibers are preferably held in the bundles by substantially non-water soluble sizing, such as epoxy resin or PVOH. The fibers in the bundles typically have diameters of approximately 7-500 microns, preferably about 7-35 microns.

Abstract: A unitary absorbent composite having a plurality of strata is disclosed. In the composite, adjacent strata are separated by a transition zone integrally connecting the strata. Each stratum includes fibers and a binder, and the transition zone includes fibers from adjacent strata. Method for forming the unitary composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-woven web of fibrous material is produced using a moving foraminous element in the practice of the foam process. A first foam slurry of air, water, fibers and a surfactant is generated and centrifugally pumped into contact with the moving foraminous element. Substantially fiber-free foam is withdrawn from the foraminous element while forming a non-woven web of fibrous material on the foraminous element, and at least a part of the substantially fiber-free foam is used in the generation of the first foam slurry. Recycling is also typically practiced using a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pumps are preferably degassing pumps which remove some of the gas from the foam. By practicing the invention it is possible to produce fibrous webs using the foam process that are more than two meters wide, and at a forming speed of more than about 100 m/min (e.g. about 200-500 m/min).

Abstract: A non-woven web of fibrous material is produced using a moving foraminous element in the practice of the foam process. A first foam slurry of air, water, fibers and a surfactant is generated and centrifugally pumped into contact with the moving foraminous element. Substantially fiber-free foam is withdrawn from the foraminous element while forming a non-woven web of fibrous material on the foraminous element, and at least a part of the substantially fiber-free foam is used in the generation of the first foam slurry. Recycling is also typically practiced using a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pumps are preferably degassing pumps which remove some of the gas from the foam. By practicing the invention it is possible to produce fibrous webs using the foam process that are more than two meters wide, and at a forming speed of more than about 100 m/min (e.g. about 200-500 m/min).

Abstract: An absorbent composite having a reticulated core and a fibrous stratum is disclosed. The core and stratum are integrally formed, and the stratum is coextensive with a surface of the core. In one embodiment, the composite includes strata on opposing surfaces of the core. The core includes a fibrous matrix and absorbent material. The fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material is located within some of the voids. On wetting, absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. Methods for forming the composite and absorbent articles that include the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-woven web of fibrous material is produced using a moving foraminous element in the practice of the foam process. A first foam slurry of air, water, fibers and a surfactant is generated and centrifugally pumped into contact with the moving foraminous element. Substantially fiber-free foam is withdrawn from the foraminous element while forming a non-woven web of fibrous material on the foraminous element, and at least a part of the substantially fiber-free foam is used in the generation of the first foam slurry. Recycling is also typically practiced using a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pumps are preferably degassing pumps which remove some of the gas from the foam. By practicing the invention it is possible to produce fibrous webs using the foam process that are more than two meters wide, and at a forming speed of more than about 100 m/min (e.g. about 200-500 m/min).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a non-woven web of fibrous or particulate material comprising: formation of a foam slurry; deposition of that slurry onto a foraminous element having a three-dimensional mold; and formation of a web having a three-dimensional shape that is not substantially planar by removal of foam from the slurry through the foraminous element and drying the web. An apparatus therefor is also disclosed. The method may be used in production a variety of products, including automotive pleated fluid and air filters, pleated heating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) filters, shaped breathing mask filters and bacterial filters, laminated cleaning products with super-absorbent middle layers, such as a mop wipe shape to fit a cleaning mop head, and other products.

Abstract: A non-woven web of cellulosic synthetic fibrous material is produced using a twin wire former. The former may have a closed first end and closed first and second sides, and a second end provided by first and second moving foraminous elements. An interior structure between the sides and second end may have at least first and second different length pluralities of conduits extending from the former first end toward the second end, and defining by themselves, or with wall elements, the interior volume into a first volume and a second volume on opposite sides thereof. A first fiber/foam slurry is introduced into the first volume and a second fiber/foam slurry in the second volume, and suction box assemblies are provided on the opposite sides of the foraminous elements from the interior volume for withdrawing foam from the slurries to forming a non-woven web on the foraminous elements.

Abstract: A nonwoven web of fibrous material is made by the foam process using a manifold of a particular construction. The manifold has a casing with first and second opposite ends including an inlet for a foam-fiber-surfactant slurry at the first end, and optionally a valved outlet at the second end. A center section of the manifold casing has a (e.g. rectangular) cross-section that becomes smaller moving from an inlet toward the outlet. First and second substantially closed side walls, a porous front wall having an effective length, and a back wall opposite the front wall, are provided for the center section, the walls planar or curved. Any suitable structures are provided for introducing a second (e.g. substantially fiber-free, or a fiber-foam slurry) foam into the center section through the back wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a non-woven web of fibrous or particulate material comprising: formation of a foam slurry; deposition of that slurry onto a foraminous element having a three-dimensional mold; and formation of a web having a three-dimensional shape that is not substantially planar by removal of foam from the slurry through the foraminous element and drying the web. An apparatus therefor is also disclosed. The method may be used in production a variety of products, including automotive pleated fluid and air filters, pleated heating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) filters, shaped breathing mask filters and bacterial filters, laminated cleaning products with super-absorbent middle layers, such as a mop wipe shape to fit a cleaning mop head, and other products.

Abstract: A non-woven web of fibrous material containing a reactive particulate material is made using the wet laid, or preferably foam, process. First and second fibrous webs are made using the wet laid or foam process, and a liquid or foam slurry including reactive particulate material is provided between the webs so as to provide a composite web. Liquid, or foam and liquid, are withdrawn from the composite web and then the composite web is dried so as to produce a final non-woven web with reactive material having substantially optimum reactivity (that is the reactive material loses a minimum amount reactivity during the web production process). The webs and slurry may be made using substantially pure water, and the particulate part of the reactive material is mixed with the foam or liquid slurry no more than about ten seconds before the liquid and/or foam are withdrawn from the composite web.

Abstract: A non-woven mat useful for a wide variety of purposes, including forming reinforced resin products, is produced in a manner having different specific uses of, and advantages over, conventional chopped strand mats and conventional glass tissue. The mat is preferably made by the foam process (but may be made by the liquid process), and at speeds well in excess of 60 m./min., and has a substantially uniform construction even when low density (e.g. 100 g/m2 or less). At least 20% (preferably at least 85%) of the fibers are in fiber bundles with between 5-450 fibers/bundle. The fibers (typically at least 85%) have a length between 5-100 mm, preferably 7-50 mm, substantially the same as the length of the fiber bundle they are in. The fibers are preferably held in the bundles by substantially non-water soluble sizing, such as epoxy resin or PVOH. The fibers in the bundles typically have diameters of approximately 7-500 microns, preferably about 7-35 microns.