Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Craig Steven Besaw

Robert James Seymour

Mark Alan Burazin

Peter John Allen

Kenneth John Zwick

Christopher Lee Satori

Samuel August Nelson

Mark John Hassman

Eric Kent Isom, Jr

Reza Ramazani-Rend

Jason Michael Rudolph

Daniel Keith Lawson

Thomas McLachlan Jenn

Lucia Yiyi Chai

Thomas Mclachlan Jenn

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum dewatering apparatus comprising a vacuum box disposed opposite of a steam box where the steam box comprises a bottom plate having a substantially linear portion and a curvilinear portion. A plurality of apertures are disposed along at least a portion of the curvilinear portion to permit the transmission of steam. In a preferred embodiment, the curvilinear portion is adjacent to the trailing edge and the linear portion is adjacent to the leading edge of the apertured bottom plate. Further, at least a portion of the apertures are aligned opposite the vacuum box which acts to remove the steam. The vacuum dewatering apparatus of the present invention enables the use of high levels of steam improving vacuum dewatering and improving drying efficiency.

Fibrous web dewatering apparatus and method

Methods of improving the drying rate of a cellulosic web, such as a tissue web, by providing an apparatus having two noncompressive dewatering devices, such as two through-air driers, where the temperature of the drying medium supplied to each device is separately controlled. The temperature of the medium supplied to the first device may exceed 450&#xb0; F., such as from about 450 to about 600&#xb0; F. On the other hand the temperature of the medium supplied to the second device may be less than the temperature supplied to the first, such as from about 350 to 450&#xb0; F. Drying the web in this manner not only improves drying efficiency, but also limits or prevents degradation of the web, such as the combustion of cellulosic fibers making up the web or monosaccharides associated therewith. As such, webs that are substantially free from furan and acetaldehyde may be produced by the present methods.

Through-air drying apparatus and methods of manufacture

Growing community of inventors

Stevens Point, WI, United States of America

Craig Steven Besaw