Patent ID: 6083352
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: D21F

Abstract:
A shoe press for applying pressure to a web which is carried in a machine direction through a nip between the shoe press and a backing member, comprising:a press shoe adapted to be juxtaposed with the backing member such that the web can be carried through the nip defined therebetween, the press shoe extending in a cross-machine direction along substantially a full width of the web;a support which supports the press shoe such that the press shoe is movable in a loading direction toward the backing member for applying pressure to the web;a plurality of articulated hydraulic loading cylinders spaced apart in the cross-machine direction along the press shoe, each loading cylinder including a piston member disposed within a cylinder member so as to define a working chamber pressurizable by hydraulic fluid, one of the piston and cylinder members comprising a two-piece member having a first member fixed relative to the press shoe and a second member fixed relative to the support and spaced from the first member, and the other of the piston and cylinder members comprising a coupler sealingly engaging both the first and second members such that the first member is urged away from the second member in a loading direction by pressurization of the working chamber to cause the press shoe to be urged toward the backing member;each coupler engaging the respective first and second members at seals which enable the coupler to pivot relative to the first and second members about axes parallel to the machine direction, whereby the articulated hydraulic loading cylinders enable the press shoe to move in the cross-machine direction relative to the support.