Patent ID: 8511250

Claim:
A fluid transfer apparatus comprising: a) a rotatable permeable cylinder having a permeable nature and an inherent porosity, the permeable cylinder comprising a cylindrical shell having a single layer and comprising a first surface, a second surface and an array of pores, each pore of the array of pores having an aspect ratio of at least 25:1 disposed within said cylindrical shell and connecting the first surface and the second surface by providing a pathway comprising a single entry point on the first surface and a single exit point on the second surface, the pores disposed each at a preselected position to form a pattern upon the second surface of the cylinder and decouple the permeable nature from the inherent porosity, b) a rotatable web support cylinder disposed such that a nip is formed between the rotatable permeable cylinder and the support cylinder, a web being transportable therebetween, and c) a fluid supply adapted to provide a fluid to the first surface of the permeable cylinder.