Patent ID: 7169260

Claim:
A finishing method for a paper or paperboard web which has undergone earlier dewatering stages, comprising the steps of: precalendering the web by passing the web from an earlier dewatering stage to a calendering stage having a calendering nip formed between a heated roll having a hot surface and a resilient backing member, wherein the web as it enters the calendering stage has a first side which has a first absorption level which engages the resilient backing member, and a second side which has a second absorption level which is higher than the first absorption level, wherein the second side engages the heated roll; reducing the absorption level of the second side nearly to the same level or, less than or equal to the same level as the absorption level of the first side, by selecting a nip length and a nip pressure and a temperature for the heated roll; passing the web after precalendering through a coating nip of a film transfer coating unit formed between an upper roll and a lower roll located one on top of the other so that the second side is against the lower roll and is lower than the first side; and coating the first side and the second side in the coating nip, releasing the first side from the upper roll followed by releasing the second side from the lower roll.