Patent ID: 6361654
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: D21F

Abstract:
A nonwoven web transfer system for use in a wet papermaking process comprising:a first moving fabric and a second moving fabric, said first and second fabrics being configured to receive a nonwoven web therebetween formed from an aqueous suspension of fibers, said first and second fabrics diverging whereby said nonwoven web is transferred solely to said first fabric; a vacuum shoe positioned against said first fabric at a location where said first fabric diverges from said second fabric, said vacuum shoe defining a vacuum slot configured to apply a suction force to said nonwoven web as said web is transferred to said first fabric, said vacuum slot including a first leading edge and a first trailing edge; a transfer shoe positioned against said second fabric at a location generally opposite said vacuum shoe, said transfer shoe defining an air nozzle configured to deliver a pressurized gas against said nonwoven web as said web is being drawn towards said vacuum shoe, said air nozzle comprising a gas channel for emitting said pressurized gas, said gas channel including a second leading edge and a second trailing edge, and wherein an opening defined by said gas channel is aligned to overlap with an opening defined by said vacuum slot, said second fabric being wrapped around said transfer shoe under sufficient tension such that said pressurized gas is forced through said fabric.