Patent ID: RE39601

Claim:
A method of transferring a fast running and essentially endless ready-dried fibrous web having two longitudinal edges from one device and along a predetermined run to a subsequent device for performing an act or operation on the web, which comprises: (a) providing a substantially web-wide surface having an upstream end and a shape conforming to at least a portion of that of the predetermined run, the substantially web-wide surface being located in a position adjacent that of the predetermined run and extending substantially all the way from said one device to the subsequent device and facing a surface of said web; and (b) creating a flow of air in the direction of the web run and only in the direction of the web run along the substantially web-wide surface by supplying pressurized air of a first pressure along a first line across the substantially web-wide surface in a cross machine direction adjacent the upstream end of the substantially web- wide surface and by supplying pressurized air, downstream thereof, along at least one further line across the substantially web - wide surface in a cross machine direction , the flow of air forming - between the web and the substantially web-wide surface an air layer of reduced static pressure, so as to stabilize the web against flutter and help transfer the web from one device to a subsequent device for performing an act or operation on the web .