Patent ID: 7631406

Claim:
A device for hydrodynamically consolidating a fiber web, the device comprising: conveyor means for supplying the web to an intake location; a rotatable needling upper drum offset horizontally from the intake location; an endless conveyor belt having a reach extending generally horizontally from the intake location to the needling upper drum and bearing downward on the upper drum; a vacuum box above the reach for suctionally retaining the web against the lower face of the reach between the location and the upper drum, the belt being advanced so as to convey the web suctionally adhered to its lower face from the intake location to the upper drum, the upper drum being rotated so as to advance the web downward after leaving contact with the reach; a first needle beam above the reach and above the upper drum for projecting water jets through the reach and through the web to entangle fibers of the web; and at least one second needle beam juxtaposed with the upper drum downstream of the first needle beam for projecting water jets through the web and against the upper drum.