Transfer apparatus from press section to drying section

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a transfer apparatus and method for transferring a web from a press section to a first dryer of a dryer section.
The apparatus includes a lead-in roll which is disposed closely adjacent to the press section.
A felt extends around the lead-in roll and from the lead-in roll to the first dryer, such that the web extends in an "open draw" from the press section to the lead-in roll.
The web is thereafter supported by and beneath the felt towards a dryer nip defined between the felt and the first dryer.
A vacuum generating means is disposed adjacent to the dryer nip such that the web and the felt are disposed between the vacuum generating means and the first dryer.
The web is disposed between the felt and the first dryer and the vacuum generating means induces a partial vacuum in the vicinity of the nip between the felt and the web so that wrinkling and breakage of the web as the web approaches the nip is inhibited.
More particularly, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum generating means is a blow box which defines a slot extending in a cross-machine direction across the width of the felt such that air flows from within the blow box through the slot in a direction substantially parallel to and opposite to the direction of movement of the felt for inducing the partial vacuum between the felt and the web.
More specifically, the slot has a first and a second lip.
The first lip has a curved configuration such that air within the blow box flows in a direction initially radially towards the first dryer and then curves in a direction to follow the first lip due to the Coanda effect, and thereafter follows a direction substantially parallel to and opposite to the direction of movement of the felt so that a partial vacuum is generated between the blow box and the felt which in turn induces the partial vacuum between the felt and the web.
The aforementioned flow of air in a direction parallel to and opposite to the direction of movement of the felt deflects boundary air that follows the felt from the lead-in roll towards the blow box, thereby augmenting the partial vacuum induced between the felt and the web in the vicinity of the nip