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(11) | EP 0 069 667 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Multi-nip suction press |
| (57) The present invention provides a drying apparatus for use in a papermaking machine
and comprising at least four press rollers in nip contact with one another in succession
in a closed train to define a substantially sealed chamber between the press rollers
and chamber end walls. At least one of the press rollers is a hollow roller having
a pervious outer wall to support at least one endless felt disposed for advance over
an outer support surface of at least some of the rollers and passing through all of
the nip contacts. The endless felt is a pervious carrier for a paper sheet to be dried.
Resilient support means is provided for at least one press roller. Drive means is
also provided for at least one press roller. Conduit means permits air movement through
the hollow roller and the chamber. Air displacement means is connected to the conduit
means. The air movement passes through the sheet carried on the felt whereby to extract
moisture from the sheet and for convection of the moisture by the conduit means. |