Patent ID: 6355143
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: D21F

Abstract:
A method for operating a shoe press unit having a beam, a shoe element movably supported on the beam and having a pressing surface, a flexible belt arranged to slide over the pressing surface of the shoe element, and a pressing unit operable to urge the shoe element in a direction away from the beam, the method comprising:supplying oil between the belt and the pressing surface of the shoe element for lubricating therebetween, excess oil being expelled under pressure from between the belt and the shoe element at an upstream edge region of the shoe element such that the excess oil exits from between the belt and shoe element with an initial kinetic energy; and capturing the excess oil expelled from between the belt and the shoe element with an oil evacuation arrangement formed separately from the shoe element and affixed to the shoe element such that the shoe element and oil evacuation arrangement move together as a unit, the oil evacuation arrangement having an inlet opening located with respect to the shoe element such that a major portion of the excess oil expelled from between the belt and the shoe element passes through the inlet opening with a kinetic energy that is substantially undiminished from the initial kinetic energy.