Patent ID: 6024553
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: B26F,D04H,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for supporting a starting web of material in a path of fluid directed at said starting web to cause formation of an apertured web, said apparatus comprising:a support structure having at least one outwardly facing support surface;a forming member mounted on said support structure and having a mounting surface on one side facing toward said one support surface of said support structure and having a web-engaging forming surface on the other side against which said starting web can be disposed, said web-engaging forming surface including recesses into which portions of said starting web may be deformed, said forming member defining drain holes extending from said recesses through said forming member to said mounting surface so that at least one of said drain holes faces said one support surface of said support structure, at least one of said drain holes extending at least partly over said one support surface of said support structure; anda porous structure that is disposed between said support structure and said forming member mounting surface and that defines at least one curved surface which faces said one drain hole and which is located between said one drain hole and said one support surface to accommodate fluid flow from said one drain hole past said one support surface.