Abstract: A pressurized box is positioned opposite a vacuum box. The pressurized box has a leading cross machine direction baffle with a ceramic shoe which engages a forming fabric, and a trailing cross machine direction baffle of similar construction. Two end deckles complete the pressurized box. The leading cross machine direction baffle presses against a resilient seal which causes a web contained between upper and lower forming fabrics to wrap about the baffle shoe a few degrees forming an effective end seal which does not allow air to bypass the baffle. The trailing cross machine direction baffle is positioned over a vacuum box which prevents air from leaking around the trailing baffle. A vacuum box draws air through the forming fabrics and the web, from the pressurized box increasing the total pressure gradient across the web to 20 to 30 psi or more. The pressure box and opposed vacuum box form an air press. The pressure box is positioned and held against the forming fabrics by opposing air tubes.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. The air press has an air plenum and a vacuum collection device, each on opposite sides of two support fabrics that sandwich the paper web. There are cross machine sealing blade(s) that impinge upon the support fabrics and is opposed on the other side of the support fabrics by a sealing member formed of deformable material. The air plenum and vacuum collection device are movable relative to one another so that the sealing blade and deformable sealing member form a seal in the operating position of the air press.