Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent Gmbh

Tony Hill

Leif Mohrsen

A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction. The process includes transferring the at least a portion of the web from the first structure onto the endless belt, holding the at least a portion of the web onto the endless belt through the underpressure, directing air from the air jet outlet through the opening in a direction against a rotational direction of the second pulley, transferring the at least a portion of the web from the endless belt to the nose shoe, and directing an air curtain from the upstream section of guiding tray along a surface of the guiding tray, whereby the at least a portion of the web is guided over the guiding tray.

Web handling process

An apparatus and process for transporting at least a portion of a web of flexible material between first and second structures spaced from each other. The apparatus includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, and an air-pervious endless belt movably mounted on the first and second pulleys. The belt has a run traveling from the first pulley, adjacent the first structure, to the second pulley, adjacent the second structure, and the belt is adapted and arranged to receive the at least a portion of the web from the first structure. An underpressure source is arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt. A nose shoe is disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, so as to define an opening between the nose shoe and the second pulley at a second position where the at least a portion of the web leaves the endless belt. The nose shoe includes an inlet adapted to receive a supply of air, and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley, and the air jet outlet is adapted to direct at least one air jet into the opening in a direction contrary to a rotation of the second pulley, such that the at least one air jet is sufficient to lift the at least a portion of the web from the endless belt. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction, adapted for emitting an air curtain that flows along the surface of the guiding tray. The process includes transferring the at least a portion of the web from the first structure onto the endless belt, holding the at least a portion of the web onto the endless belt through the underpressure, directing air from the air jet outlet through the opening in a direction against a rotational direction of the second pulley, transferring the at least a portion of the web from the endless belt to the nose shoe, and directing an air curtain from the upstream section of guiding tray along a surface of the guiding tray, such that the at least a portion of the web is guided over the guiding tray.

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New Westminster, Canada

Tony Hill