It includes an intermediate press nip (N-I) formed between first and second press members (21, 22) with a porous felt (20) on one surface of the web (W) and a nonpervious looped smooth surface belt (15) of nonextensible material impervious to water passing through the nip in direct contact with the other surface of the web so that the web follows the belt (15) downstream of the nip (N-I) with the web first being pressed between an earlier press (N) upstream of the intermediate press (N-I), and the web being removed from the belt (15) following the intermediate press (N-I) with rewetting of the web (W) on the offrunning side of the intermediate nip due to contact with the impervious belt (15) being eliminated.
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