초록 ▼

A paper machine dewatering system includes a first fabric, a second fabric, and an airflow device. The first fabric carries a fibrous web on a side thereof. The second fabric is in at least partial contact with the fibrous web, the fibrous web being between the first fabric and the second fabric. Th

A paper machine dewatering system includes a first fabric, a second fabric, and an airflow device. The first fabric carries a fibrous web on a side thereof. The second fabric is in at least partial contact with the fibrous web, the fibrous web being between the first fabric and the second fabric. The airflow device moves air successively through the first fabric, the fibrous web, and the second fabric.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A paper machine dewatering system, comprising: a permeable press belt; a first fabric including a first side and a second side, said first fabric carrying a fibrous web on said first side and being contacted on said second side by said permeable press belt, said first fabric

What is claimed is: 1. A paper machine dewatering system, comprising: a permeable press belt; a first fabric including a first side and a second side, said first fabric carrying a fibrous web on said first side and being contacted on said second side by said permeable press belt, said first fabric being between said permeable press belt and said fibrous web; a second fabric in at least partial contact with said fibrous web, said fibrous web being between said first fabric and said second fabric, said permeable press belt exerting a predetermined amount of pressure on said second side of said first fabric; and an airflow device moving air successively through said permeable press belt, said first fabric, said fibrous web and said second fabric. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first fabric is a structured fabric and said second fabric is a dewatering fabric. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said dewatering fabric includes: a woven permeable fabric; and a polymer layer having openings therethrough, said polymer layer connected to said permeable fabric. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said dewatering fabric further includes at least one batt layer needled to said permeable fabric and said polymer layer, thereby connecting said permeable fabric and said polymer layer. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said at least one batt layer includes a first batt layer and a second batt layer, said first batt layer adjacent said permeable fabric, said second batt layer adjacent said polymer layer, said first batt layer and said second batt layer needled to said permeable fabric and said polymer layer. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said polymer layer is a flexible polyurethane. 7. The system of claim 3, wherein said polymer layer is a grid of polymer material, said grid having a plurality of machine direction runs and a plurality of cross direction runs. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of yarns combined with said grid of polymer material, thereby forming a composite layer, at least one of said yarns internal to each of a corresponding one of said plurality of machine direction runs. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said dewatering fabric further includes at least one batt layer needled to said permeable fabric and said composite layer, thereby connecting said permeable fabric and said composite layer. 10. The system of claim 3, wherein said polymer layer is connected to said permeable fabric by at least one of laminating, melting, re-melting and an adhesive. 11. The system of claim 3, wherein said polymer layer further includes a plurality of yarns within said polymer layer. 12. The system of claim 3, wherein said polymer layer is less than approximately 1.05 mm thick. 13. The system of claim 3, wherein said openings have a mean diameter in the range of approximately 5 microns to approximately 75 microns. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein said airflow device induces at least one of a vacuum on a side of said second fabric and a positive pressure on said second side of said first fabric. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein only said vacuum is induced. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a vacuum roll, said vacuum being applied by way of said vacuum roll. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said vacuum roll has an interior circumferential portion with a vacuum applied thereto, thereby defining a vacuum zone. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said interior circumferential portion is in the range of approximately 200 mm to approximately 2,500 mm. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein said interior circumferential portion is in the range of approximately 300 mm to approximately 1,200 mm. 20. The press of claim 19, wherein said interior circumferential portion is in the range of approximately 400 mm to approximately 800 mm. 21. The system of claim 1, wherein said permeable press belt is an extended nip press belt. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein said extended nip press belt includes at least one of a spiral link fabric and a flexible reinforced polyurethane. 23. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional dewatering component, each said additional dewatering component including one of a Yankee roll, a suction roll, a hot air hood, a boost dryer, an air press, a High Pressure Through Air Dryer and a two pass High Pressure Through Air Dryer, said fibrous web conveyed in a machine direction, each said additional dewatering component being downstream in said machine direction from said airflow device. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein said Yankee roll is downstream in said machine direction, said Yankee roll receiving said fibrous web from said first fabric.