Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing a fiber web traveling in a machine direction and having a tail includes at least one rope defining a rope nip. A threading arm assembly is positioned in association with the rope nip. The threading arm includes a frame and a diverter carried by the frame. The diverter is movable to divert the tail in a direction transverse to the machine direction toward the rope nip.

Abstract: A method of threading a fiber web tail movable in a machine direction, comprising the steps of: positioning a threading arm assembly in association with a rope nip, the threading arm assembly including a frame and a diverter carried by and movable relative to the frame; diverting the tail using the threading arm assembly in a direction transverse to the machine direction toward the rope nip; and threading the diverted fiber web tail into said rope nip.

Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing a fiber web traveling in a machine direction and having a tail includes at least one rope defining a rope nip. A threading arm assembly is positioned in association with the rope nip. The threading arm includes a frame and a diverter carried by the frame. The diverter is movable to divert the tail in a direction transverse to the machine direction toward the rope nip.

Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing a fiber web traveling in a machine direction and having a tail includes at least one rope defining a rope nip. A threading arm assembly is positioned in association with the rope nip. The threading arm includes a frame and a diverter carried by the frame. The diverter is movable to divert the tail in a direction transverse to the machine direction toward the rope nip.

Abstract: Process for transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine includes rotating an endless conveyor belt by driving at least one driven pulley, creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of endless conveyor belt as endless conveyor belt is guided over suction box, and guiding the at least a portion of running web onto endless conveyor belt. Process also includes transferring the at least a portion of the running web from endless conveyor to rope section located outside of a web width, pivoting endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of rope section one of at and before transferring, and pivoting endless conveyor belt around pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of the at least a portion of running web and inside web width.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers a lead strip of a paper web, in particular the beginning of a still wet lead strip or tail, from a press roll of a paper-making machine to a following section of that machine. An air jet device peels off the beginning of the tail from the press roll and transfers it across a paper roll to an infeed area of a felt which guides the web into the following section. On an infeed area of the felt, an air cushion is created by an air table having a plurality of tiny holes delivering air from a low pressure plenum to the air cushion.

Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine to a second section of the web making machine includes at least two pulleys, in which at least one is a driven pulley, a suction box coupled to a vacuum source, an air-pervious endless conveyor belt tensioned over the at least two pulleys to form a conveying run and a return run, and a device for creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of the conveying run. The at least one driven pulley is adapted to drive the endless conveyor belt over the at least two pulleys while the negative pressure propagates through the conveying run. The endless conveyor belt includes an upstream and a downstream end and the endless conveyor belt is pivotable around a pivot axis located in a region of the upstream end. The endless conveyor belt is pivotable to move the portion of the running web between the rope section and the portion is adapted to receive a full width of the running web.

Abstract: Process for transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine includes rotating an endless conveyor belt by driving at least one driven pulley, creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of endless conveyor belt as endless conveyor belt is guided over suction box, and guiding the at least a portion of running web onto endless conveyor belt. Process also includes transferring the at least a portion of the running web from endless conveyor to rope section located outside of a web width, pivoting endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of rope section one of at and before transferring, and pivoting endless conveyor belt around pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of the at least a portion of running web and inside web width.

Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers a lead strip of a paper web, in particular the beginning of a still wet lead strip or tail, from a press roll of a paper-making machine to a following section of that machine. An air jet device peels off the beginning of the tail from the press roll and transfers it across a paper roll to an infeed area of a felt which guides the web into the following section. On an infeed area of the felt, an air cushion is created by an air table having a plurality of tiny holes delivering air from a low pressure plenum to the air cushion.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for transporting at least a portion of a web of flexible material between first and second structures spaced from each other. The apparatus includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, and an air-pervious endless belt movably mounted on the first and second pulleys. The belt has a run traveling from the first pulley, adjacent the first structure, to the second pulley, adjacent the second structure, and the belt is adapted and arranged to receive the at least a portion of the web from the first structure. An underpressure source is arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt. A nose shoe is disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, so as to define an opening between the nose shoe and the second pulley at a second position where the at least a portion of the web leaves the endless belt.

Abstract: A paper tail nip threader for guiding a moving paper tail over and around a contoured surface. The apparatus is particularly useful for automatically threading a paper tail through a calender roll stack.A guide surface is shaped to conform to a portion of the surface over which the paper is to be passed. An air stream is directed across the guide surface in the desired direction of movement of the paper. The air stream is thus forced to flow in a contoured path which corresponds to the surface over which the paper is to be passed. The moving air stream "catches" the paper tail and carries it between the guide surface and the surface over which the paper is to be passed.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading panels into a hot press comprises a frame for locating near the openings of the press. A tray carriage mounted on the frame comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart horizontal trays for receiving the panels. The trays are movable into and out of the press with reciprocation of the tray carriage towards and away from the press. There is an alignment mechanism for vertically aligning front and back edges of the panels before they are loaded into the press. The alignment mechanism is mounted within the frame for movement towards and away from the press when the tray carriage is stationary. The alignment mechanism is engageable with the edges of the panels so the alignment mechanism moves the panels along the trays to vertically align the front and back edges.