Method of ventilating cylinder pockets in a cylinder dryer and apparatus

Abstract

A cylinder dryer usually includes a plurality of heated cylinders (4) about which a web-like material (1) is taken in a zig-zag mode and pressed against certain of the heated cylinder surfaces by means of an endless high-permeability wire (3), whereby cylinder pockets are formed between the cylinders (4), web (1) and wire (3), when the latter relinquishes contact with the web at a cylinder surface (6) to pass over a return roll (7) arranged between the cylinders, and once again makes contact with the web at the next following cylinder circumference (8). According to the invention these cylinder pockets are ventilated by a flow of drying air from a blowing box (9) being blown over the width of the wire against its surface facing away from the cylinder, in a direction forming an acute angle to and having a directing component substantially counter to the direction of travel of the wire. Blowing is carried out thereby within an area (6) where the wire relinquishes contact with the web. The blowing box (9) is also provided with means (11) arranged for preventing an interface layer of moist air about the circumference of the return roll being introduced into the cylinder pocket upon rotation of the return roll.