Abstract: A calendering method which enhances the smoothness of surface sized paper/paperboard by a combination of temperature and moisture gradient calendering processes without the fiber sticking/picking problems that affect runnability and without using waterboxes. The moisture gradient calendering is performed so that the cross direction moisture profile can be corrected and high smoothness levels can be obtained. Heated calender rolls form a hot pressure nip having a temperature greater than the temperature of the moisturized web. Lubricant is applied to both sides of the web to prevent fiber sticking/picking in the hot nip. The lubricant may be applied by the size press, by the moisturizing showers or by separate lubricant showers. The smoothness developed by moisturizing and hot nip calendering is substantially irreversible.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web are provided. The preferred apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a housing having a leading edge and a trailing edge positionable adjacent the moving web. A main supply header within the housing communicates with the steam source. There is at least one steam chamber formed adjacent the leading edge of the housing to receive steam from the main supply header to apply heat and moisture to the web. A steam flow valve associated with the steam chamber controls the flow of steam from the main supply header to the steam chamber. There is at least one cooling chamber adjacent the trailing edge of the housing to lower the temperature of the web to a level sufficient to perform calendering.

Abstract: Calender for the treatment of a paper web including a roll stack of at least three rolls and with least one double-soft nip. The double-soft nip(s) are formed by two rolls, each with an elastic surface layer. At least one of the rolls forming the double-soft nip is heated. In a process using the calendar to treat a material web, the web is introduced into a roll stack having at least two rolls formed with an elastic surface layer over a rigid core, agglomerated in an elastic double-soft nip between the two rolls, heated to introduce energy into the material web and promote agglomerating, and smoothed in the elastic double-soft nip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a calender, comprising a cylindrical heated roll and a flexible belt surrounding a stationary support beam which supports at least one actuator which may urge a concave load shoe against the heated roll by means of said flexible belt to form an extended and heated nip through which a fiber web passes to be calendered and a separating mechanism for having at least one of the rolls movable into and away from the nip characterized in that said flexible belt is a flexible tubular jacket which forms a part of an enclosed shoe roll such that the ends of said jacket have end walls mounted thereto, which end walls are rotatably mounted in relation to said support beam, and in that at least one of said end walls is driven by means of a drive arrangement which drive arrangement may be activated to drive the end walls and thereby also the jacket independently of its position in relation to the fiber web or the heated roll.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for calendering a board web including a calender providing a hot and hard calendering nip formed by two calender rolls and through which the board web passes. At least one of the calender rolls is arranged to be heated to such a temperature that the surface layer of the board web placed at the side of this roll reaches its vitrification temperature in the calendering nip. A film press is arranged directly before the calendering nip in the direction of transfer of the board web and includes a film press nip through which the board web is passed. The film press nip is arranged to transfer a liquid layer onto the face of the board web so as to moisten the board web. The board web is transferred from the film press nip into the calendering nip while the surface layer of the web is at the moisture level determined by the film press in view of producing a controlled moisture gradient.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tiles from waste wood uses round crosscut wood slices, a binder, and a filler. The slices, all generally of a thickness, are placed on the flat bottom of a die within side walls. Adhesive is applied to the slices and the die is filled with a mixture of the binder and the filler. The die contents are hot pressed to achieve the required tile thickness. The tile is ejected from the die and then maintained at room temperature for not more than 72 hours. The face side of the tile is ground and the dimensions of the tile are brought within the required tolerances.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for smoothing of a material web. The apparatus includes at least one deflection adjustment roll having a soft surface, and at least one heatable endless band having a hard and smooth surface. The at least one heatable endless band is arranged into a band loop having an inner surface. At least one support surface is located within the band loop, and the at least one heatable endless band is guided over the at least one support surface. The at least one deflection adjustment roll and the at least one heatable endless band is arranged to form at least one smoothing zone adapted act on the material web. At least one heating medium supply device is positioned adjacent the inner surface and adapted to heat the inner surface and to create a liquid film for hydrodynamic lubrication between the at least one support surface and the at least one heatable endless band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a calender, comprising a cylindrical heated roll and a flexible belt surrounding a stationary support beam which supports at least one actuator which may urge a concave load shoe against the heated roll by means of said flexible belt to form an extended and heated nip through which a fiber web passes to be calendered and a separating mechanism for having at least one of the rolls movable into and away from the nip characterised in that said flexible belt is a flexible tubular jacket which forms a part of an enclosed shoe roll such that the ends of said jacket have end walls mounted thereto, which end walls are rotatably mounted in relation to said support beam, and in that at least one of said end walls is driven by means of a drive arrangement which drive arrangement may be activated to drive the end walls and thereby also the jacket independently of its position in relation to the fiber web or the heated roll.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus calendering a fiber web, wherein the fiber web passes through an extended and heated nip, said nip being formed on one side by a cylindrical heated roll and on the other side by a flexible tubular jacket which is pressed against the heated roll by means of a concave load shoe, said tubular jacket surrounding a stationary support beam which supports at least one actuator which may urge said load shoe and said flexible tubular jacket against said heated roll, and wherein the extension of the load shoe in the axial extension is less than the axial extension of the jacket and the heated roll such that when the load shoe is urged against the heated roll there will be formed tapered sections at each side end of the jacket within the nip characterised in that said tapered section are substantially covered by said fiber web such that a small strips of the fiber web at each edge is not calendered in said extended nip.

Abstract: An air heating and control system, which in one application controls the diameter of a calender roll in the paper making process, includes a row of heater packs proximate to the various zones of the calender roll. Each heater pack has a plurality of electrical heating coils which are at least partially connected in parallel so that failure of one coil does not interrupt power to the remaining coils. Air flowing through the heating coils is heated to a desired temperature and impinges upon the calender roll to expand it as desired. A control system senses a defective coil, which effectively reduces current in a heater pack, and increases the voltage imposed upon that heater pack to again produce the desired power level or heating effect. Thus failure of a heating coil is immediately compensated for.

Abstract: A method for calendering a paper web, including the steps of passing the paper web through a calendering nip having a profile formed from a pair of calendering rolls, wherein at least one of the pair of calendering rolls includes a soft exterior face at least in the region of the nip, regulating the profile of the calendering nip to compensate for flaws in the paper web passing through the calendering nip including varying the properties of the soft exterior face locally in a direction transverse to the direction of the passing paper web concurrently with the passing step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a deflection roll for compressing a web of material includes a shaft and a hollow roll disposed around the shaft. The hollow roll includes a working surface where the hollow roll is engageable with a hard roll along an entire length of the working surface. At least two bearing devices are disposed within the roll and are substantially aligned with the working surface of said roll. Each bearing device has a predetermined positive bearing clearance facilitating displacement of each outer contact surface relative to a respective inner contact surface of each bearing. The deflection roll further includes a mechanism for displacing the working surface of the roll with a fluid where the displacing mechanism is disposed external to the bearing devices.

Abstract: A paper machine roll, in particular for a soft calender or supercalender, which includes a metal frame, roll ends, and shafts. The frame is coated with a polymer coating over at least a middle area or central region thereof while lateral regions may optionally remain uncoated. In order to equalize a difference in temperature between the roll ends and the optionally non-coated lateral regions of the metal frame, on one hand, and the coated central region area of the roll, on the other hand, an arrangement for equalizing the difference in temperature is provided by heating the roll ends and the optionally non-coated lateral regions of the metal frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a paper web in a calender in which the paper web is heated before it is passed into a calendering nip of the calender. The paper web is heated by a source of radiation and the heat radiation coming from the source of radiation is condensed and guided by a reflector face or an equivalent optical device onto the paper web and/or onto a face of one of the rolls in the calendering nip substantially directly before the calendering nip.

Abstract: A machine and method for manufacturing corrugated board, including several machines for applying heat to both sides of the corrugated board during the manufacturing process. Different types of heat exchangers may be used on the top and bottom sides of the moving surface to transfer sufficient heat to the moving surface, to remove moisture and to cure the adhesive of the corrugated board. Independently controlled heat exchangers enable the manufacturer to regulate the heat applied to the corrugated board across the width of the machine and in the direction of the machine flow, in response to varying the desired width and thickness of corrugated board. Unused areas of the hotplate section may be isolated to minimize the heat loss in the machine when narrow width corrugated board is manufactured.

Abstract: A process and device for increasing the gloss and/or smoothness of a web of material are described, whereby a web of material (5) is passed through a roller gap where it is exposed to pressure. A steam dispensing device (7) is provided upstream of the roller gap relative to the direction of travel (9) of the web of material (5). The increase in gloss and/or smoothness is to be accomplished without consuming much energy. To do so, the steam is condensed on the web of material and the web of material (5) is guided through the roller gap before the increase in moisture content of the surface due to the steam treatment has dropped below a predetermined value. The predetermined moisture content is in the range of 12% to 25%.

Abstract: A continuous, multiple-stage process for thermally treating the surface of friction linings by pressing them against heated units and cooled units. The total length of the transport and pressing phases of each stage taken together corresponds to the continuous production cycle of the linings. The scorching press for carrying out the process is made of modules, so that heated and cooled units may be easily exchanged for each other. A heat insulation reduces energy tosses and keeps constant the surface temperature of the heated units.

Abstract: High bulk tissue webs are processed sequentially through separate calendering and embossing units to optimize the balance between sheet caliper for winding tension and embossing element height for pattern definition, resulting in embossed, high-bulk tissue products with improved embossing pattern clarity. The multiple step converting process enables the use of male embossing elements having a height of about 0.04 inch or greater. The tissue webs have a Residual Waviness value of 12 micrometers or greater, which is attributable to average surface waviness values for the spot embossments being about 30 micrometers or greater.

Abstract: A method for producing hard elements from wood provides that at least one wood piece is inserted into a press together with a liquid absorbing material after which an isostatic pressure higher than 800 bar is applied on the wood piece and the liquid absorbing material, the pressure is released and the resulting hard element and the liquid absorbing material, which during the press operation has taken up liquid pressed out from the wood piece, are picked out from the press.

Abstract: A method of controlling the press force on at least one press heating plate along the press length of an operating cycle. For a reduction of specific press force from a maximum press force towards a zero press force, a setting force for a longitudinal deformation of the at least one press heating plate is increased accordingly. For an increase in the specific press force from a zero press force towards a maximum press force, the setting force for the longitudinal deformation of the press heating plates is reduced accordingly. For a reduction of the specific press force from the maximum press force towards the zero press force, the longitudinal gradient tan .beta. is set to be approximately twice as large as the gradient tan .alpha. at the press force maximum. The longitudinal gradient and setting force can thus be controlled along an entire pressing path for an increase or decrease in the specific press force.

Abstract: A method for forming a headliner including a fluted paper central substrate includes forming the fluted paper substrate in a first forming tool. The formed substrate is then moved to a second bonding tool. A cover layer and an adhesive layer are actuated in the bonding tool to secure the cover layer to the substrate. The bonding tool preferably consists of a heated upper portion adjacent the cover layer and the adhesive, and a cooled lower portion which receives the base material. The use of the cooled bottom portion maintains the dimensional accuracy of the base layer during the bonding process. The heated upper layer ensures efficient and quick actuation of the adhesive to bond the cover layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoactive binder composite product is performed by injecting a hot dry gas to activate the thermoactive binder. In the preferred embodiment, the hot dry gas is air. The method is particularly beneficial as applied to forming thermoplastic composite products and particularly thermoplastic/cellulose composites. Also part of the present invention is a two stage pressing process in which hot gas is injected during the first stage and the press charge is precompressed. The press charge is then placed in a second consolidation press where the hot gas is no longer injected and it is consolidated and cooled. Machinery for practicing the method includes a platen with a platen press which includes upper and lower platens with a plurality of hot air injection jets disposed on the surface of each platen. The platens are spaced apart and surrounded on the sides by an air-permeable containment shell structure to form a compression chamber to hold the base material to be pressed.

Abstract: A process and device for satining paper may include guiding a sheet through a roll gap defined by a heated hard roll and a soft roll having with a covering. A paper sheet width of the paper may be less than a width of a cylindrical part of each of the covering and the hard roll. The two rolls may be axially adjusted in relation to each other and in accordance with the paper sheet width. Further, the two rolls are positioned such that a first sheet edge is located adjacent a first end of the cylindrical part of the covering and a second sheet edge is located adjacent a second end of the cylindrical part of the hard roll. That is, the cylindrical parts of the covering and hard roll are positioned to be directly over each other, i.e., beyond the sheet edge, at most by a predetermined permissible edge width.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus (10) for compacting harvested crop or fiber (30) such as wool or hay; the method comprising applying a mechanical compacting force to the crop or fiber at the same time as or immediately after subjecting the crop or fiber to an elevated temperature above a base reference temperature and/or an elevated moisture content condition above a base reference moisture content condition whereby the crop or fiber (30) is compressed to a compressed state of predetermined density using less compacting force than would otherwise be the case. The method and apparatus can also be applied to control moisture content and certain other storage characteristics through utilization of compaction apparatus (10) on its own or in conjunction with a pre-processor (35) or post-processor (36) or both.

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing vibrations of a roll set of a paper making apparatus, wherein the roll set comprises at least two rolls of which at least one is a soft roll coated with a compressible coating and comprising a temperature control system. The natural vibrational frequency of the roll set is changed during the operation of the apparatus by changing the temperature of the coating of at least one soft roll. The changing of the natural frequency prevents resonance on a natural frequency of the roll set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fiber paper web in a press device wherein the web is guided through a press nip form between a press roll and a backing element in the form of a backing roll, and wherein the press roll includes a surrounding roll jacket comprised of plastic and a stationary cross head axially traversing the roll jacket. Preserving the roll jacket by cooling the roll jacket at least areawise in the axial direction of the roll jacket which increases the abrasion resistance of the roll jacket. Various devices for cooling the roll jacket include spraying coolant at the outer surface of the roll jacket, spraying coolant at the surface of a felt belt which then engages the roll jacket in a press nip, blowing air into the outlet end of the press nip between the roll jacket and the felt belt and/or blowing air into the space surrounding the outer surface of the roll jacket, e.g., the interior of the loop of the felt belt or the interior of a liquid collecting pan surrounding the roll jacket.

Abstract: An automatic syringe destruction system for sterilizing and destroying a carrier storing plastic syringes. A transfer wheel stores a plurality of carriers requiring sterilization and destruction. A first piston mechanism contacts one of the carriers stored on the transfer wheel and places the carrier into one end of a compression chamber. An induction coil surrounds the compression chamber and supplies heat to the compression chamber. A second piston mechanism enters another end of the compression chamber and compresses the carrier against the first piston mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel processes for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, which involve the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously or discontinuously manufacturing flat sheets of multiple-layer materials, laminates, or similar articles for use in the furniture and electrical industries. In order to prevent molten resin from leaking out at the edges of layer of material while they are being bonded under heat and pressure, the free edges of the stacked layers of bonding material are welded together before the material is transformed into a composite sheet or composite web by heat and pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating oil-bearing material which includes an extruder having an elongated enclosure with an inlet end. The extruder also includes a worm assembly for working and advancing the material through the enclosure from the inlet end to the discharge end. A high pressure region is located adjacent the extruder inlet end. A force feeder provides material to the high pressure region at a specified supply rate. Oil in the material is liberated and drained in the high pressure region to a specified level prior to entry of the material into the extruder inlet end. The apparatus also includes an outlet in the high pressure region for drainage of the released oil, as well as a screen over the outlet to prevent material greater than a specified size from exiting the high pressure region through the outlet. The seed material is mechanically worked via the action of a rotating screw in the extruder. At the same time, steam is injected into the extruder to condition the worked seed material.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and apparatus for compressive shape-drying of wood (1). In the first phase of the method, green wood is compressed to a desired shape simultaneously heating the wood. According to the invention, during the first phase the wood (1) is compressed against gas-permeable surfaces (3, 4) rapidly to a desired and thickness. during the second phase of the compression process, the compression pressure is lowered to a level causing a thickness reduction equal to or greater than the thickness reduction caused by the drying of the wood, and the internal temperature of the wood is lowered with the progress of the compression process.

Abstract: A calender for treating a paper web includes a roller stack being loaded with a load on one end. The calender has at least two hard rollers each having a substantially smooth outer surface. The at least two hard rollers each have a device for heating a surface of the roller to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. The calender also includes at least two soft rollers, wherein each of the at least two soft rollers is disposed adjacent to at least one of the at least two hard rollers to form a working nip therebetween. At least one working nip has a dwell time of the paper web passing through the working nip of at least 0.1 ms. The load on the rollers produces an average compressive stress in the at least one working nip of at least 42 N/mm.sup.2. An arithmetic mean of the numerical value of the surface temperature T, the dwell time t and the compressive stress p in all of the working nips satisfies the following relationship:a target value Zg=1.378-0.00356.multidot.T-(0.00825-5.12.multidot.10.sup.-5 T)p-?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing high quality laminated veneer lumber from pre-flattened wood veneer, for such uses as in architecture and furniture, and a method of mass production thereof using veneer which is flattened in advance. A sheet of veneer is first obtained by cutting a log with a rotary lathe or the like, and flattening and cutting the veneer into a predetermined length. Sheets of veneer thus obtained are cut on both edges in the grain direction to form symmetrically diagonal end faces, and are bonded with one another at these end faces with their grain directions aligned to form an elongated sheet of veneer. The resultant elongated sheet veneer is cut into a predetermined length to form laminated veneer material having seams. Plural sheets thus formed laminated veneer material are laminated and bonded with their grain directions aligned to form laminated veneer core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a sheet material (3) with an arrangement of rollers (6, 7), including at least one heated roller (8, 9), which defines at least one roller gap through which the sheet of material is passed and acted upon with pressure and/or elevated temperature. A housing (32) surrounds the roller arrangement (6, 7) and the treatment takes place in an environmental atmosphere, the temperature and/or humidity of which can be adjusted to a specified value. A roll of the sheet material is subjected to pretreatment to provide it with desired temperature and humidity conditions before entering the housing (32).

Abstract: In the process, the wet sewage sludge originating from a preceding mechanical dewatering is mixed with brown coal, brown coal coke or their mixtures in a weight ratio of sewage sludge to brown coal or its mixtures with brown coal coke of 1:3 to 3:1 and subsequently compacted wet at moderate compaction pressures above 50 bar to dimensionally stable mouldings. The briquetted mouldings can then be fed to a power station boiler as an auxiliary fuel to a thermal utilization or utilized chemically in a pyrolysis or gasification process for the production of fuel gas or synthesis gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying variable pressure to a surface. The apparatus includes a frame secured to a fixed structure and located proximate to the surface. A foot is mounted for movable relation relative to the frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. The pressure applicator is connected to a pressure device which biases the applicator away from the surface. The present invention also includes a variable pressure source connected to a control device for varying the pressure supplied to the pressure applicator that is ultimately applied to the surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for finishing a web of paper, paperboard or the like to achieve enhanced stiffness with a minimal loss of caliper or bulk. For this purpose, liquid spray devices are substituted for the conventional waterboxes of a machine calender. These devices permit the independent control of the thickness of liquid films applied to the transfer rolls of the calender with greater uniformity. The liquid films are transferred to the surfaces of the web at transfer nips. The method produces an I-beam effect in the web with highly densified and smooth surface layers and a bulky interior to maximize stiffness.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions containing improved granulated hexabromocyclododecane flame retardant products, flame retardant formulations containing products, and to a process for forming the improved granulated flame retardant products, wherein the granulated product is characterized as having a friability loss of less than about 8 percent.

Abstract: Wood plates are dried by inserting the wood plates into respective spaces between a plurality of hot plates layered in steps. The wood plates are held, pressed and heat dried by and between the hot plates. A portion of spaces between the hot plates can be opened, and dried wood plates can be discharged from the opened spaces between the hot plates and undried wood plates can be inserted into such opened spaces. Those hot plates from which wood plates are not discharged or between which wood plates are not inserted are kept in a pressed state.

Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.

Abstract: A method which influences the thickness and gloss and/or smoothness in the treatment of fiber material webs in at least one press gap formed by rolls, wherein at least one adjustable deflection roll is used and a plurality of correction sections is provided over the press gap length which can be differently influenced with respect to temperature and/or pressure, and wherein, for the decoupling of the two correction procedures possible pressing force changes in the correction sections of the press gap resulting from local changes in diameter of the relevant roll caused by changes of the surface temperature are at least substantially prevented with the support elements and jacket.

Abstract: In the inventive method and apparatus for calendering a surface of a paper or board web, a temperature difference is created between the web surfaces so that the surface to be calendered is cooler than the opposite surface. In addition, moisture within the web is transferred using the so-called heat pipe effect toward the cooler surface while substantially preventing evaporation of moisture from the web so as to create a predetermined moisture profile transversely through the web and decrease the glass transition temperature of the web at the relatively cooler surface to be calendered. Finally, the web having the predetermined moisture profile is advanced into the calendering nip so that the relatively cooler and moister surface of the web is pressed against the heated roll of the nip to thereby calender that web surface.

Abstract: A paper rawstock web is wet densified on a papermachine at a moisture content greater than about 20% and less than about 50%, and preferably from about 25-35%, in a calender device at nip pressures greater than about 3000 psi, and preferably within the range of from about 3000-6000 psi, to provide fiber springback resistance and irreversibly smooth surfaces which are substantially resistant to loss of smoothness upon rewetting, as for example in a subsequent surface sizing or coating process. Wet densification according to the present invention produces a web having greater density and increased internal bond strength, as compared with webs treated by conventionally known methods, to achieve the irreversibly smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A paper web is passed through a calendering nip that is formed between a roll which has been provided with a soft face and a heatable hard roll. The heatable roll is heated so as to plasticize the surface layer of the paper web that is placed at the side of the heatable roll, preferably so that the temperature of the surface layer in the calendering nip exceeds the glass-transition temperatures of the polymers contained in the paper. Before entering into the calendering nip, the paper web is moistened, so as to lower the glass-transition temperatures of the polymers contained in the paper, and pre-heated. The pre-heating of the paper web is carried out by bringing the paper web into contact with the heatable roll before the web enters the calendering nip and by, before the calendering nip, feeding steam or water onto the face of the paper web that is placed at the side of the heatable roll so as to improve the transfer of heat from the hot roll to the paper web.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multilayer ceramic board having uniform density over the total area of the green sheets after a thermal compression bonding comprises a lower mold in which a plurality of green sheets, having conductive wiring patterns printed thereon, are to be set in a stacked state, an upper mold which comes into contact with a top surface of the uppermost sheet of the plurality of green sheets and applies a pressing load on the stacked green sheets toward the lower mold, and a restraining mold which restraining the plurality of green sheets in the stacked state therein and having an inner wall surface in contact with peripheral wall portions of the upper and lower molds, the confining mold being movably supported in a direction of the pressing load of the upper mold.

Abstract: Process for compacting and removing liquid from liquid containing waste materials including the steps of feeding the waste materials into compaction chambers, simultaneously compressing and heating the waste materials inside the compaction chambers, and removing liquid from the waste materials during the steps of compressing and heating.

Abstract: A steam spray tube with an inlet line (16) for steam, a nozzle arrangement (33) and a valve (19) positioned between the inlet line and the nozzle arrangement is described. With such a steam spray tube, adequate moistening of a web to be moistened can be assured even at high web velocities. To do so, an essentially straight acceleration channel (35) is arranged downstream from valve (19) in the direction of flow of the steam and a nozzle channel (36) to the nozzle arrangement (33) branches off from the acceleration channel at a predetermined distance from the end (37) of the acceleration channel (35).

Abstract: A method and device for calendering of a paper or an equivalent web material, in which the web material to be calendered is passed through nips formed by a variable-crown upper roll, a variable-crown lower roll, and by two or more intermediate rolls arranged between the upper and lower rolls. The upper roll, lower roll, and intermediate rolls are arranged as a substantially vertical stack of rolls. As the intermediate rolls, rolls are used in which the form of the natural deflection line produced by their own gravity is substantially equal. The nip load produced by the masses of the intermediate rolls and the auxiliary equipment related to the intermediate rolls is substantially relieved, and almost even completely relieved. An adjustable load is applied to the calendering nips by the variable-crown upper roll or lower roll and/or by an external load applied to the upper or lower roll.

Abstract: A continuously working press includes first and second flexible, endless steel belts which are guided around a press table and a press ram via drive drums and return drums and which are supported on a plurality of roller bars. Each of two entry systems has an entry area which extends from an entry tangent to a starting point of a high pressure area and which is divided into a roller bar orientation area, a curved precompression area for the material to be pressed, and a straight compression area. The last third of the roller bar orientation area and all of the precompression area of each of the entry systems have a radius of curvature R.sub.E which is between one and two times the radius of curvature of the return drums R.sub.U. A plurality of computer-controlled hydraulic supporting members support the first and second entry systems and apply a pressure to the material to be pressed. The applied pressure increases constantly from 0 bar at the entry tangent up to a maximum pressure HP.sub.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of boards made from feedstock includes A) providing a continuously operating press with an entry adjustment device being movable to define a variable angle entry gap through which the board passes such that the board is subject to compression forces, the variable angle entry gap defined by at least first and second independently variable angle entry gap portions, the first and second portions being flexibly connected and the second portion being flexibly connected at least to one of the heating plates of the press table and press ram; B) moving the feedstock through the variable angle entry gap; C) setting the first independent variable entry gap at a first angular value which falls in a first range from approximately 0.5.degree. to approximately 5.0.degree.