WEB SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE WHEN TRANSFERRING A PAPER WEB BETWEEN COMPONENTS OF A PAPERMACHINE

摘要

An apparatus (62) and method for supporting a web (22) of paper being transferred through a region (40) from the surface (26) of one moving component (24) of a papermachine (20) to the surface (30) of a subsequent moving component (28) of the papermachine utilizes an air-permeable sheet (70) and a blowbox (86) or Coanda air knives (38) supported adjacent the air-permeable sheet. The sheet is supportable in a stationary condition across so as to span at least a portion of the papermachine region through which the moving web of paper is transferred and adjacent one side (72) of the web, and the blowbox or Coanda air knives are used to move air away from the side (72) of the air-permeable sheet opposite the web so that as the web is moved through the papermachine region, the web is biased by atmospheric air pressure into contact with the air-permeable sheet and moves in sliding engagement therealong.