Device for transferring and/or introducing a fibre web, in particular a nonwoven web, into a consolidation installation, in particular one that is mechanical or hydraulic, for example a needle loom, comprising at least one transfer element comprising at least one roller (12), at least one saber (16) and an endless belt (13) extending between an upstream end and a downstream end so as to wrap around the roller at the upstream end and the saber at the downstream end, the at least one roller being arranged so as to drive the endless belt in rotation, and the at least one saber giving the downstream end of the belt the shape of a corner or lip, the at least one endless belt (13) being modular and consisting of links in the form of transverse strips that are articulated to one another, characterised in that the endless belt (13) consists of a plurality of sub-belts extending parallel to one another.

A drying method and to a drying device (2) for a moist material web (4) which is composed of a textile fibrous material and which has for example been compacted using liquid jets (45). The drying device (2) includes a drying chamber (22) with an aeration (ventilating) device (29) and an inlet (18), an outlet (19) and a fluid-permeable conveying device (23) for the running material web (4). The material web (4) is transported within the drying chamber (22) by the conveying device (23) and is dried using a heated gas, in particular air. The drying device (2) additionally has a suction device (5) which locally suctions and discharges liquid, in particular water, which is contained in the material web (4) by a suction flow (6) at one or more suction locations (53) at the material web (4).

A drying method and to a drying device (2) for a moist material web (4) which is composed of a textile fibrous material and which has for example been compacted using liquid jets (45). The drying device (2) includes a drying chamber (22) with an aeration (ventilating) device (29) and an inlet (18), an outlet (19) and a fluid-permeable conveying device (23) for the running material web (4). The material web (4) is transported within the drying chamber (22) by the conveying device (23) and is dried using a heated gas, in particular air. The drying device (2) additionally has a suction device (5) which locally suctions and discharges liquid, in particular water, which is contained in the material web (4) by a suction flow (6) at one or more suction locations (53) at the material web (4).

A process for producing nonwoven materials is provided. The process includes: providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension, providing a first moving carrier sieve, applying the three-phase suspension onto the first moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web, removing aqueous residue of the three-phase suspension through the first carrier sieve, recycling the aqueous residue, pre-integrating the fibrous web by flushing the web with water and collecting flushed water, transferring the pre-integrated fibrous web from the first moving carrier sieve to a second moving carrier sieve, and hydroentangling the fibrous web. The three-phase suspension contains natural and/or manmade fibres, a surfactant, and air.

A process for producing nonwoven materials is provided. The process includes: providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension, providing a first moving carrier sieve, applying the three-phase suspension onto the first moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web, removing aqueous residue of the three-phase suspension through the first carrier sieve, recycling the aqueous residue, pre-integrating the fibrous web by flushing the web with water and collecting flushed water, transferring the pre-integrated fibrous web from the first moving carrier sieve to a second moving carrier sieve, and hydroentangling the fibrous web. The three-phase suspension contains natural and/or manmade fibres, a surfactant, and air.

The invention relates to a device for hydroentangling and/or structuring webs that includes an suctioning rotating drum and a structured shell, including at least two rings which can be pushed on and attached to the drum, is disposed at a distance from the cylindrical surface of the drum around. A web can be at least partially looped around the structured shell. At least one water bar including a nozzle strip with a plurality of nozzles is arranged relative to the structured shell to entangle and/or to structure and/or to perforate the web by the water jets. The invention further relates to the structured shell.

The invention relates to a device for hydroentangling and/or structuring webs that includes an suctioning rotating drum and a structured shell, including at least two rings which can be pushed on and attached to the drum, is disposed at a distance from the cylindrical surface of the drum around. A web can be at least partially looped around the structured shell. At least one water bar including a nozzle strip with a plurality of nozzles is arranged relative to the structured shell to entangle and/or to structure and/or to perforate the web by the water jets. The invention further relates to the structured shell.

The invention relates to a manufacturing process of equipment for use in the production of nonwoven fabrics and paper products. According to the present invention, a sleeve for an embossing roller is produced using additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing. These technologies permit the preparation of pattern-forming and dewatering details in the sleeve in a single operation. The dewatering properties may thus be optimised for the selected pattern, resulting in uniform dewatering tailored for the pattern. Preferably, the technique used is stereolithography.

The invention relates to a manufacturing process of equipment for use in the production of nonwoven fabrics and paper products. According to the present invention, a sleeve for an embossing roller is produced using additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing. These technologies permit the preparation of pattern-forming and dewatering details in the sleeve in a single operation. The dewatering properties may thus be optimised for the selected pattern, resulting in uniform dewatering tailored for the pattern. Preferably, the technique used is stereolithography.

A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.