Patent ID: 8083897

Claim:
An apparatus for producing a fibrous web comprising: a smooth roll; at least one opposing element; said smooth roll and said at least one opposing element being arranged to form at least one press nip; a creping doctor structured and arranged to wet crepe and separate the web from the smooth roll; a felt structured and arranged to guide the fibrous web through said at least one press nip; an embossing belt arranged below the creping doctor that is structured and arranged to receive, under the force of gravity, the fibrous web from said smooth roll; and a suction element arranged in an area where the fibrous web, under the force of gravity, falls onto the embossing belt, the suction element being structured and arranged to emboss the web by sucking the web into voids of the embossing belt, wherein said smooth roll and said embossing belt are arranged such that the fibrous web passes in an unsupported manner over a free draw between said smooth roll and said embossing belt.