Patent Publication Number: US-8992810-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web

Description:
This application is based upon and claims the priority benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2011 116 739.4 filed Oct. 22, 2011 and of German Patent Application DE 10 2011 119 112.0 filed Nov. 22, 2011, the disclosure of each is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven fabric or web as well as to a method for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven fabric or web. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For the production of so-called spunbond nonwoven webs it is generally known that a plurality of extruded fibers, after melt spinning and cooling, are drawn off collectively as a fiber curtain, stretched, and deposited on a deposit belt to form a nonwoven web. The deposited fibers result in a fiber formation within the nonwoven web which, among other things, determines the strength of the nonwoven web. In doing so, the nonwoven web strength is normally determined on a so-called MD axis, and on a so-called CD axis. The MD axis is also the running direction of the belt, in which the nonwoven web is continuously guided after the depositing of the fibers. The CD axis is orthogonal to the MD axis and describes the strength of the nonwoven web at a right angle to the running direction of the belt. Due to the moving during depositing, nonwoven webs of this type are predominantly formed with a depositing oriented on the MD axis. This results in a greater strength of the nonwoven web on the MD axis in relation to the strength on the CD axis. A ratio between MD and CD strengths lies in the region between 1.5 and 3.5, depending on the product setting and the polymer. For the production of technical products, however, spunbonded nonwoven webs having a nonwoven web strength that is distributed equally to the greatest extent possible are required. To influence the fiber formation there are, therefore, various apparatus and methods known in the prior art, for the purpose of obtaining a uniform strength of the nonwoven web to the greatest degree possible in the MD and CD axes. 
     For example, an apparatus and method for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web is described in WO 2008/087193A2, in which the fiber curtain is drawn off by means of a drawing nozzle and subsequently guided as a fiber stream to a deposit belt. The fiber stream, formed by a primary airstream of the drawing nozzle and the fiber curtain, is conducted through guidance paths formed by a plurality of guidance means disposed in pairs. In this manner, acceleration and spreading of the fiber stream can be generated by means of cross-section changes and constrictions within the guidance pathways, which act in particular on the depositing of the fibers. In addition, air intake slits are formed above the guidance means, beneath the drawing apparatus, which enable the feeding of a secondary airstream. In this manner it is possible to influence the pressure differences in the guidance pathways. 
     With the known apparatus and with the known method, the depositing of the fiber stream is substantially influenced by means of changes of the cross-section within the guidance pathways and by resulting flow technical effects, in order to obtain a uniform fiber formation within the nonwoven web. However, in this manner it is only possible to influence the fiber stream in a flow direction within the guidance pathways. 
     A method and an apparatus is known from EP 1 340 842 A1 which shows a drawing apparatus formed by means of a drawing channel, which is connected directly to a cooling device for the fibers. The cooling airstream is used substantially in order to guide the fiber curtain through the drawing channel. A plurality of guidance means are associated with the surface of the drawing channel facing the deposit belt, which form a plurality of merging guidance pathways for the guidance of the fiber stream. The guidance means form numerous air intake slits, through which secondary airstreams are introduced. The guidance means form two merging diffusor-type guidance pathways, such that the fiber stream can be altered by means of cross-section changes and expansions. The depositing of the fibers is therefore also only possible by an influencing the fiber stream in the flow direction. In order to, nonetheless, obtain a distribution of the fibers during depositing that is uniform to the greatest degree possible, a suction device divided into numerous zones is associated with the deposit belt on the undersurface thereof. In this manner, it is possible to generate two different suction effects for receiving the fibers on the upper surface of the deposit belt, having, however, the substantial disadvantage that the fibers are deposited with different intensities and resulting in differing densities of the nonwoven web. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an apparatus for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web, as well as to provide a method for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web in such a manner that a fiber stream can be generated which results in the fibers obtaining a uniform fiber formation in the running direction of the belt, and at a right angle to the running direction of the belt. 
     A further aim of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web, with which a spun nonwoven web for technical applications, having an MD/CD ratio of &lt;1.5, can be produced efficiently and at a high output rate. 
     This objective is attained according to the invention by means of an apparatus having the characteristics according to the presently described invention and by means of the presently described method. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined by the characteristics and combinations of characteristics as described in the specification. 
     The invention has the particular advantage that at least on the longitudinal surface of the fiber curtain, along the working width, an airstream can be generated, which in particular, can influence the cross-orientation of the fiber deposit. The sheet according to the invention has, for this purpose, at least on one of the air intake slits, numerous air conducting elements disposed on one of the guidance means. The air conducting elements are associated with the air intake slits, such that the secondary airstream, coming preferably from the surroundings, will assume a flow direction determined by the air conducting elements. 
     In order to be able to influence the fiber stream over the entire working width of the deposit belt, the design of the apparatus according to the invention is preferably such that the air conducting elements are distributed adjacently, disposed over a width of the deposit belt, and having a uniform spacing or an uneven spacing to one another. The number and distribution of the air conducting elements are arbitrary, whereby the distribution of the air conducting elements extends preferably parallel to the fiber curtain. 
     To generate cross-streams, which preferably affect the fiber stream at a right angle to the deposit belt, the air conducting elements according to an advantageous design of the invention, have at least one suitable conducting surface, the conducting surface generating a sub-airstream oriented at a right angle to the deposit belt. 
     The air conducting elements can, for this purpose, be formed by means of profiled bodies and/or obliquely mounted guiding plates. In doing so, the conducting elements can be disposed with differently angled conducting surfaces within the air intake slit. In this manner, the conducting elements associated with the central region of the fiber curtain can be designed, for example, with a more steeply angled conducting surface in relation to the air conducting elements disposed at the edge. 
     Moreover, there is also the possibility of designing the air conducting elements such that they are adjustable in order to obtain a predefined angular setting of the conducting surfaces depending on the product and the method. For this purpose, the air conducting elements may be designed such that they can be adjusted on the relevant guidance means, wherein the setting of the angular position of the air conducting elements can be carried out separately, or collectively. By this means, the air conducting elements can be set having identical angular positions or with irregular angular positions, in order, for example, to obtain different flow effects during the deposit of the fiber strands in the central region of the working width or at the edge regions of the working width. 
     In order that the sub-stream of the secondary airstream generated by the air intake slit provides a sub-stream oriented to the flow direction of the fiber stream, the apparatus according to the invention is designed such that the air intake slit is formed between longitudinal guide ends. The longitudinal guide ends are disposed such that they are nested within one another, such that their guide ends are supported in a manner in which they overlap one another in the vertical plane. In this manner, a vertically oriented air intake slit is formed between the guide ends. The spacing between the overlapping guide ends of the guidance means forms a gap width of the air intake slit. 
     Depending on the desired flow effects, the air conducting elements can, for this purpose, have a guidance height extending into the air intake slit, which is the same size or smaller than the gap width of the air intake slit extending between the guide ends of the guidance means. In this manner, with air conducting elements having the same size, the secondary airstream introduced via the air intake slit can have a plurality of sub-streams that are fed to the fiber stream. 
     In order to further improve the cross-orientation during the deposit of the fibers, the apparatus according to the invention is designed such that an air intake slit is formed on the opposite guidance means with numerous associated separate air conducting agents at the same height. In this manner it is possible to introduce predetermined secondary airstreams at both sides of the fiber curtain, respectively, which in this manner act on the fibers at both sides of the fiber stream. There is also the possibility of disposing the opposite air conducting elements at different heights on the guidance means. 
     The opposite air intake slits can be designed with air conducting agents oriented in the same direction, or with air conducting agents oriented in opposite directions, in order to obtain a predetermined effect to the fiber stream for depositing the fibers. 
     In order that an advantageous vacuum for the suction of the secondary airstream can be generated based on the fiber stream generated in the guidance pathways, the apparatus according to the invention provides the guidance means formed by numerous profiled sheets, which create as a first profiled sheet pair, an intake pathway acting as a diffusor, and as a second profiled sheet pair, form a discharge pathway acting as a diffusor. In this manner, the transition region between the profiled sheet pairs is particularly suited to suction in the desired secondary airstream via an air intake slit. In this respect, the design of the apparatus according to the invention is provided wherein the air intake slits are designed such that each slit has numerous air conducting agents between the two profiled sheet pairs. 
     For the implementation of higher production speeds in the manufacture of the nonwoven web, it has been proven to be particularly effect to form the drawing device with a drawing nozzle having a guidance channel and numerous nozzle channels opening into the guidance channel, wherein the nozzle channels are connected to a pressurized air source. In this manner, it is possible to generate a primary airstream with the vacuum device, which draws off the fiber curtain after the melt spinning with a greater intensity, and blows said into the downstream guidance pathways while stretching the fiber curtain. 
     In order to counteract the vacuum existing directly at the discharge end of the drawing nozzle, there are two opposite air intake slits without air conducting agents formed directly beneath the drawing nozzle in the opposing guidance means, wherein the gap widths of the air intake slits are designed such that they can be adjusted. In this manner, the pressure ratios during the generation of the fiber stream can be advantageously influenced in the guidance pathways. 
     In order to be able to carry out the depositing of the fibers to the greatest degree possible without the further introduction of a secondary airstream, a compensation roller pair is associated with the deposit belt at a belt (discharge) end, wherein a seal is formed between a guide end of the guide means facing the deposit belt and one of the compensation rollers of the compensation roller pair. Furthermore, the nonwoven web can be pre-stiffened via the compensation rollers, wherein the compensation rollers are preferably designed such that they are heated. 
     At the opposite, intake end, the deposit region above the deposit belt is advantageously shielded from the surroundings by means of a shielding plate, which is connected to one of the guide ends of one of the guidance means facing the deposit belt. In this manner, it is possible to deposit the fiber stream at the discharge end of the guidance means without the effect of a secondary airstream. 
     To draw off the air, and to support the depositing of the fibers, according to an advantageous design of the invention, the deposit belt has a vacuum box associated with its lower surface. The vacuum box is connected to a vacuum source and has an adjustable suction opening opposite the lower surface of the deposit belt. In this manner, it is possible to generate different vacuums to the upper surface of the deposit belt, depending on the procedure and the method. 
     The method according to the invention can also be implemented independently of the apparatus according to the invention, in order to influence a fiber stream for depositing the fibers in such a manner that depositing the fibers results in a uniform distribution in the running direction of the belt, and in the direction at a right angle to the running direction of the belt. For this, at least one of the sub-streams of the secondary airstream is fed to the fiber stream, laterally adjacent to the fiber curtain, at an inflow angle that is at a right angle to the deposit belt. By this means, in particular, cross-flowing sub-streams laterally adjacent to the fiber stream can be generated within the guidance pathways, such that a cross-component for the distribution of the fibers acts on the fiber stream. 
     The effect according to the invention can be advantageously improved in that numerous sub-streams of the secondary airstream are introduced to the fiber stream, parallel to both sides of the fiber curtain, at an inflow angle that is at a right angle to the deposit belt. In this manner, cross-streams that are oriented in the same direction, as well as in opposite directions, can be generated on the fiber curtain. 
     The sub-streams can be fed to both sides of the fiber curtain, as well as to one side of the fiber curtain with different inflow angles of the fiber stream. In this manner it is possible to adapt the effect of the cross-stream to the respective procedure and type of polymer, as well as the fiber yarn count. 
     The method according to the invention can be implemented particularly effectively in its variation, in which the sub-stream of the secondary airstream is introduced between two guidance pathways of the fiber stream, each acting as diffusors. In this manner, it is possible to advantageously exploit the pressure ratios acting within the guidance pathways in order to obtain a maximum inflowing secondary airstream. 
     The secondary airstream is preferably taken from the surroundings. The possibility exists, fundamentally, that the secondary airstream is introduced directly to the air intake slits by means of an additional air source. 
     The apparatus according to the invention for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web, as well as the method according to the invention for guiding depositing of synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web shall be described in greater detail in the following, using some embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows a cross-section view of a first embodiment example of the apparatus according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  schematically shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  schematically shows a sectional depiction of opposite lying guidance means having air intake slits. 
         FIG. 5  schematically shows a view of one of the guidance means in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  schematically shows a side view of a guidance means having air conducting elements. 
         FIG. 7  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  shows the embodiment schematically in a cross-section view and  FIG. 2  shows a side view thereof. Insofar as no express reference is made to one of the figures, the following description applies to both figures. 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a drawing device  1 , for drawing a plurality of fibers extruded by means of a spinning device collectively as a fiber curtain. The fiber curtain is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and indicated by the reference symbol  19 . 
     The drawing device  1  is formed in this embodiment by a drawing nozzle  2 , composed of two nozzle halves  2 . 1  and  2 . 2 . The nozzle halves  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  of the drawing nozzle  2  are disposed parallel to one another and form a central guidance channel  3 . Each of the nozzle halves  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  contains a pressure chamber  5  and at least one nozzle channel  4  opening into the guidance channel  3 . The pressure chambers  5  of the nozzle halves  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  are connected by means of pressurized air connections  29  to a pressurized air source, not shown here, such that pressurized air is introduced by means of the nozzle channels  4  into the guidance channel  3 . 
     A deposit belt  20  is disposed beneath the drawing device  1 , preferably configured as a continuous belt, driven in a belt running direction via a spindle  21 . The belt running direction is indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 1 . The deposit belt  20  is gas permeable, and can be configured as a screen or as a webbing. 
     A plurality of guidance means  6 . 1 - 6 . 4  for the formation of numerous merging guidance pathways  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  are disposed above the deposit belt  20  between the drawing device  1  and the deposit belt  20 . The guidance means  6 . 1 - 6 . 4  are, in each case, disposed in pairs, parallel to the nozzle halves  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  of the drawing nozzle  2  in such a manner that between the opposing guidance means  6 . 1  and  6 . 2 , as well as  6 . 3  and  6 . 4 , they form guidance pathways  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  in the extension of the guidance channels  3 . 
     In this embodiment, the guidance means  6 . 1  and  6 . 2  are formed by the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2 , and the guidance means  6 . 3  and  6 . 4  are formed by the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2 . The profiled sheet pair  9  of the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2  defines an intake path  11 . 1 , designed as a diffusor  12 . 1 , and the profiled sheet pair  10  of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  defines a discharge path  11 . 2 , designed as a diffusor  12 . 2 . The guide ends  17 . 1  and  17 . 2  of the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2 , as well as the guide ends  18 . 1  and  18 . 2  of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  are disposed such that they overlap, and each form an air intake slit  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  between them. The overlapping guide ends  17 . 1  and  17 . 2  as well as  18 . 1  and  18 . 2  respectively form vertically oriented air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2 , the gap width of which is determined by the spacing of the guide ends  17 . 1  and  18 . 1 , as well as  17 . 2  and  18 . 2 . 
     In this embodiment, The air intake slit  8 . 1  formed at a discharge end  37  between the guidance means  6 . 1  and  6 . 3  has numerous air conducting elements  13 . The air conducting elements  13  are disposed on the upper guide end  18 . 1  of the guidance means  6 . 3  and extend with a conducting surface  16  into the air intake slit  8 . 1 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of air conducting elements  13  are evenly disposed over the width of the deposit belt  20  on the upper guide end  18 . 1  of the profiled sheet  10 . 1 . In each case, a uniform spacing is formed between the air conducting elements  13 . The air conducting elements  13  are formed in this embodiment by a longitudinal profiled body  15 , the upper surface of which forms an angled conducting surface  16 . The angle of the molding  15  is uniformly oriented over the entire width of the deposit belt  20  in this embodiment. 
     As can be seen in the depiction in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two more opposing air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2  are formed, in each case directly beneath the drawing nozzle  2 , between the drawing nozzle  2  and the adjacent guidance means  6 . 1  and  6 . 2 . An air flap  28 . 1  and  28 . 2  is associated with each of the air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2 , respectively, by means of which an opening cross-section of the air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2  can be adjusted with respect to its size. 
     At the opposite ends of the guidance means  6 . 3  and  6 . 4 , the deposit belt  20  is disposed at a short distance from the guidance ends  6 . 3  and  6 . 4 . Sealing elements are provided in each case at the intake end  38  and the discharge end  37  of the deposit region for the fibers of the fiber curtain, formed thereby between the profiled sheet pair  10  and the deposit belt  20 . The upper surface of the deposit belt  20  is protected from the exterior at the intake end  38  by means of a shielding plate  27 , which is attached to the profiled sheet  10 . 2 . A compensation roller pair  26  is associated with the deposit belt  20  at the discharge end  37 , wherein one of the compensation rollers  26 . 1  is disposed on the upper surface of the deposit belt  20  and the opposing compensation roller  26 . 2  is disposed on a lower surface of the deposit belt. A sealing strip  31  is disposed on the upper surface of the deposit belt  20  between the compensation roller  26 . 1  and the profiled sheet  10 . 2 , such that the deposit region on the upper surface of the deposit belt  20  is protected from the exterior. 
     Depending on the design of the ends of the profiled sheet pairs  10 , there is, however, also the possibility to configure the deposit region without an additional shielding means at the intake end  38  and without an additional sealing strip at the discharge end. 
     As can be seen in particular in the depiction in  FIG. 2 , the lateral surfaces of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  are protected from the exterior in the deposit region of the deposit belt  20  by means of sealing plates  30 . 1  and  30 . 2 . In this respect, the deposit region at the upper surface of the deposit belt  20  is substantially shielded from the exterior. 
     As can be seen in the depiction in  FIG. 1 , a vacuum box  22  is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the deposit belt  20 , which directly subjects the lower surface of the deposit belt  20  to suction in the region of the fiber deposit via a suction opening  23 . The vacuum box  22  is connected for this purpose by means of a suction connection  25  to a vacuum source, not shown here. An adjustable flap  24  is associated with the suction opening  23  in this embodiment, so that the size of suction opening  23  can be altered. 
     When in operation, the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is combined with a spinning device, not shown here. The spinning device can be designed to have a nozzle block with numerous nozzle holes disposed in a row, and a cooling device located beneath the nozzle block. The fibers generated in the spinning device are guided as a fiber curtain  19  and drawn into the guidance channel  3  by means of the drawing nozzle  2 . The fibers of the fiber curtain  19  are blown out of the guidance channel  3  together with the primary airstream generated by the drawing nozzle  2  as a fiber stream, and blown into the adjacent intake pathway  11 . 1  of the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2 . As a result of the high flow rates, a vacuum results, which draws a secondary airstream from the surroundings via the air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2  at the lower surface of the drawing nozzle  2 . The inflowing secondary airstream can be adjusted in a continuously variable manner by means of adjusting the air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2  with the adjustment flaps  28 . 1  and  28 . 2 , respectively. The flow rate of the fiber stream is increased at a narrow cross-section of the intake pathway  11 . 1 , designed as a diffusor, by means of the secondary airstream that has been introduced, and subsequently slowed by means of the cross-section expansion between the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2 . Upon exiting the intake pathway  11 . 1 , a secondary airstream is again drawn in via the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2 . In doing so, the secondary airstream drawn in via the air intake slit  8 . 1  is guided by means of the air conducting elements  13  in the direction corresponding to the orientation of the air conducting elements  13 . In this manner, with the inflowing of the secondary airstream through the respective conducting surfaces  16  of the air conducting elements  13 , a sub-stream laterally adjacent to the fiber curtain  19  is generated at a right angle to the deposit belt  20 , which acts on the fiber stream as a secondary airstream. The cross-flows of the inflowing secondary airstream acting on the fiber stream result in a deflection of the fibers and causes an improved cross-orientation when depositing the fibers. 
     The fiber stream is slowed by means of the cross-section expansion between the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2 , and deposited directly on the deposit belt. The spacing between the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2 , and the deposit belt  20  is set in this embodiment example to a predetermined spacing. This spacing can, however, be advantageously designed to be adjustable, such that, depending on the procedure and the polymer, a predetermined spacing between the discharge end of the guidance means  6 . 3  and  6 . 4 , and the deposit belt  20  can be adjusted. 
     The depositing of the fiber stream and the uptake of the surplus air is supported thereby through the suction effect of the vacuum box  22 . The suction opening  23  is set for this purpose at a predetermined range, such that a defined formation range for depositing the fibers is obtained. 
     The intake of further secondary airstreams is prevented by means of the shielding plate  27  on the intake end  38  and the sealing strip  31 , as well as the compensation roller  26 . 1 . In this respect, depositing of the fibers is determined by means of the fiber stream, which is composed of the primary airstream and the added sub-streams of the secondary airstream. Important for this is that at least one of the sub-streams of the secondary airstream is introduced to the fiber stream laterally adjacent to the sheet at a stream angle that is at a right angle to the deposit belt. The fiber steam can be influenced for the generation of a predefined fiber orientation by mean of this sub-stream, directed at a right angle to the deposit belt  20 , in a such manner that the strength of the nonwoven web generated thereby is made uniform to a high degree, such that the nonwoven web exhibits a nearly uniform strength on both the MD axis and the CD axis. The nonwoven webs generated in this manner are therefore particularly suited for use as, for example, filter substrates, tensioned underlay strips or geo-textiles. The nonwoven webs produced in this manner are distinguished by an MD/CD ratio in the range of 1.0-1.5. 
     The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3  is particularly suited to obtaining nearly equal strengths in both the running direction of the belt and at a right angle to the running direction of the belt. The embodiment according to  FIG. 3  is substantially identical to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such that at this point only the differences shall be explained and otherwise, reference shall be made to the aforementioned description. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the opposing air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  are executed in each case with air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  between the profiled sheet pairs  9  and  10 . In this manner, the secondary airstream drawn in at the intake end  38  and the secondary airstream suctioned in at the discharge end  37  can be advantageously guided by means of the conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  such that at both sides of the fiber curtain, the sub-stream of the secondary airstream can be fed into the fiber stream at specific inflow angles that are at a right angle to the deposit belt. The air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  associated with the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  can be designed here to be identical, as conducting plates or moldings, for example. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1-3 , the drawing nozzle  2  and the guidance means  6 . 1 - 6 . 4  are normally mounted in a machine frame. The flexibility for the manufacturing of different nonwoven webs and for the processing of different products can be increased to an even greater extent if the drawing nozzle and the guidance means  6 . 1 - 6 . 4  are mounted in such a manner that their respective heights can be adjusted. In this manner, a spacing formed between the drawing nozzle  2  and the deposit belt  20  can be altered. Likewise, a vertical spacing of the profiled sheet pairs  9  and  10  can also be adjustable. In addition, the profiled sheets  9 . 2  and  10 . 2  disposed on the intake end  38  are connected to a nozzle half of the drawing nozzle  2  in such a manner that they can be directed back and forth between an operational position and a maintenance position. In the maintenance position, the nozzle halves of the drawing nozzle  2  and the profiled sheets  9 . 2  and  10 . 2  are held such that a cleaning of the guidance channel  3  as well as a start-up of the procedure is possible. 
     An embodiment of a possible execution of the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  is schematically depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 4  schematically shows a sectional portion of the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  in the profiled sheet pairs  9  and  10 , and  FIG. 5  shows a view of a guide end  17 . 1  of one of the profiled sheets  9 . 1  having air conducting elements  13 . 1  disposed thereon. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , the air conducting elements  13 . 1  in the air intake slit  8 . 1  and in the air intake slit  8 . 2  are identical in design. The air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  have a guidance height extending into the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2 , which is less than the gap width of the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2 . The guidance height of one of the air conducting elements  13 . 2  is defined in  FIG. 4  with the reference symbol L. The gap width of the dedicated air intake slit  8 . 2  is indicated by the reference symbol S. Therefore, in this embodiment example, S&gt;L. 
     The relation between the guidance height S and the gap width L can also be advantageously adjusted by means of movable outer guide ends  18 . 1  and  18 . 2  of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2 , or by means of movable inner guide ends  17 . 1  an  17 . 2  of the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  9 . 2 , wherein the air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  act as stops, in order to obtain a setting where S=L. In this manner, the air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  extend over the entire spacing between the profiled sheets  9 . 1  and  10 . 1 , and the profiled sheets  9 . 2  and  10 . 2 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  are each executed as profiled bodies  15  having a triangular shape. In this respect, each of the profiled bodoes  15  has two diagonal conducting surfaces  16 , which in relation to a vertical inflow direction of the secondary airstream, form an inflow angle a. The inflow angle a is oriented at a right angle to the flow direction of the fiber stream, and thus generates an orientation of the fibers within the fiber stream directed at a right angle to the deposit belt. This flow effect generated by means of the conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  can, depending on the design of the conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2 , be advantageously used in order to influence the fiber stream in accordance with the desired deposit. 
     It is also possible for the air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  to be disposed in the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  with opposing orientations. Thus, in  FIG. 6  an embodiment is shown in which numerous air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  in the form of conducting plates  14  are disposed at a spacing to one another, disposed on the upper guide ends  18 . 1  and  18 . 2  of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2 . The conducting plates  14  have a diagonal conducting surface for the guidance of the suctioned-in secondary airstream. The conducting elements  13 . 1  disposed on the guide end  18 . 1  of the profiled sheet  10 . 1  are depicted by solid lines. The air conducting elements  13 . 2  that are not visible and are disposed in the air intake slit  8 . 2  behind this, at the guide end  18 . 2  of the profiled sheet  10 . 2 , are depicted by broken lines, and have an opposite angling of the conducting surfaces  16 . In this respect, differently oriented sub-streams of the secondary airstream are generated on both sides of the fiber curtain, which act accordingly on the fiber stream. 
     The angular position of the conducting plate  14  can be adjusted in this embodiment, such that the inflow angle formed by the conducting plate  14  can be altered. The adjustment mechanism can be designed for this purpose such that all of the conducting plates  14  mounted at one guide end,  18 . 1  or  18 . 2 , can be collectively adjusted to the desired angular position. The adjustment mechanism could, however, also allow for an individual adjustment to the conducting plates  14 , such that individual adjustments to each conducting plate would be possible. 
     The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention offer in this manner a high degree of flexibility for individual effects to the fiber stream, in order to obtain a desired fiber orientation with the depositing of the fibers. 
     In  FIG. 7  another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention together with a spinning device is depicted. For the embodiment example depicted in  FIG. 7  only a cross-section view is depicted. 
     The embodiment according to  FIG. 7  has a heatable spinning beam  32 , having a longitudinal spinning nozzle with a plurality of nozzle bores on its lower surface. The spinning nozzle is not shown here. A cooling device  33  is provided beneath the spinning beam  32 , having two pressure chambers  34 . 1  and  34 . 2  laterally adjacent to the spinning beam  32 , which each form a spinning shaft by means of a blow wall. 
     A drawing device  1  is disposed beneath the cooling device  33 , which forms a drawing channel  35  as an extension of the spinning shaft  39 . The drawing channel  35  is connected to the cooling device  33  in a sealed manner, such that the cooling airstream of the cooling device  33  is guided, together with the fiber curtain, through the drawing channel  35 . A plurality of profiled sheet pairs  9  and  10  are disposed at the discharge end of the drawing channel  35 , between which, in each case, a diffusor  12 . 1  and  12 . 2  is formed. The air intake slits  7 . 1  and  7 . 2  are formed between the drawing device  1  and the first profiled sheet pair  9 , through which the inflow of a secondary airstream can be regulated. Further downstream in the guidance pathways  11 . 1  and  11 . 2 , other air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  are formed between the first diffusor  12 . 1  and the second diffusor  12 . 2 , to each of which numerous air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  are dedicated. The function and design of the air conducting elements  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  in the air intake slits  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  is identical to those in the aforementioned embodiment, such that at this point, no further explanation is deemed necessary. 
     The deposit region is sealed by means of two sealing rollers  36 . 1  and  36 . 2  on the upper surface of the deposit belt at the ends of the profiled sheets  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  facing away from the deposit belt  20 . Between the sealing rollers  36 . 1  and  36 . 2 , a vacuum box  22  is provided on the lower surface of the deposit belt  20 , which is connected to a suction opening  23  and a vacuum source, not depicted therein. The deposit belt  20  is also configured in this embodiment to be gas permeable, and as a continuous belt, driven by means of a drive, not shown here, in the running direction of the belt. In order to improve the seal, the sealing rollers  36 . 1  and  36 . 2  can also have sub-rollers, which are mounted accordingly on the lower surface next to the vacuum box  22 . 
     With the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , the generation of the primary airstream is substantially obtained by means of the cooling airstream. Thus, the fiber stream generated by means of the drawing device  1  is formed by the cooling airstream and the fiber curtain, which is influenced in the downstream course of the guidance of the fiber stream by the secondary airstream introduced thereto. 
     The guidance means for generating one or more guidance pathways of the fiber stream used in the depicted embodiment are exemplary. It is contemplated that any molded profiled sheet could be used as a guidance means, or rollers, or other shielding means may be used for the formation of the guidance pathways. In other words, any suitable configuration that provides that a secondary airstream suctioned in through an air intake slit is deflected by means of suitable air conducting elements in such a manner that a sub-stream of the secondary airstream flows at a right angle to the deposit belt, and thereby has an effect in the fiber stream in the depositing of the fibers. 
     Furthermore, in the depicted embodiments, the secondary airstream is, in each case, generated from the surroundings. The possibility exists, fundamentally, that in the shown embodiments, an additional airstream source is connected to one or both of the air intake slits containing the air conducting elements. In this respect, it is also possible to actively introduce the secondary airstream by means of an airstream source. 
     REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST 
       1  drawing device 
       2  drawing nozzle 
       2 . 1  nozzle half 
       2 . 2  nozzle half 
       3  guidance channel 
       4  nozzle channel 
       5  pressure chamber 
       6 . 1 ,  6 . 2 ,  6 . 3 ,  6 . 4  guidance means 
       7 . 1 ,  7 . 2  air intake slit 
       8 . 1 ,  8 . 2  air intake slit 
       9  profiled sheet pair 
       9 . 1 ,  9 . 2  profiled sheet 
       10  profiled sheet pair 
       10 . 1 ,  10 . 2  profiled sheet 
       11 . 1 ,  11 . 2  guidance pathway 
       12 . 1 ,  12 . 2  diffusor 
       13 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2  air conducting element 
       14  conducting plate 
       15  molding 
       16  conducting surface 
       17 . 1 ,  17 . 2  guide end 
       18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  guide end 
       19  fiber curtain 
       20  deposit belt 
       21  belt spindle 
       22  vacuum box 
       23  suction opening 
       24  adjustment flap 
       25  suction connection 
       26  compensation roller pair 
       26 . 1 ,  26 . 2  compensation roller 
       27  shielding plate 
       28 . 1 ,  28 . 2  air flaps 
       29  pressurized air connection 
       30 . 1 ,  30 . 2  sealing plate 
       31  sealing strip 
       32  spinning beam 
       33  cooling device 
       34 . 1 ,  34 . 2  pressure chamber 
       35  drawing channel 
       36  sealing roller 
       37  discharge end 
       38  intake end 
       39  spinning shaft