Patent ID: 6080279
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: D21F

Abstract:
An air press for dewatering a wet web, comprising:an air plenum comprising a plenum cover having a bottom surface;means for supplying pressurized fluid to the air plenum;a vacuum box comprising a vacuum box cover having a top surface positioned in close proximity to the bottom surface of the plenum cover;means for applying vacuum to the vacuum box; andside seal members positioned at lateral edges of the air press which extend beyond the lateral edges of the wet web and any support fabrics, said side seal members structured and arranged to contact the air plenum and the vacuum box for minimizing escape of the pressurized fluid, the side seal members attached to one of the air plenum and the vacuum box and positioned in close proximity to side seal contact surfaces defined by the other of the air plenum and the vacuum box, the side seal members structured and arranged to flex into sealing contact with the side seal contact surface upon exposure to the pressurized fluid.