Method and apparatus for feeding fibers to headbox in paper-making using an electrical field

Abstract

Abstract A METHOD PRODUCING NONWOVEN SHEET MATERIAL COMPRISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART STAPLE FIBERS BETWEEN ABOUT 1/4 TO 1 1/2 INCHES LONG WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF FEEDING THE FIBERS DRY AT A PREDETERMINED RATE TO THE BREAST BOX OF A WET LAID FORMING MACHINE BY MEANS OF AN ELECTRICAL FIELD WHICH ACCELERATES THEM TOWARD THE SURFACE OF THE AQUEOUS MEDIUM IN THE BREAST BOX. THE ELECTRICAL FIELD IS PRODUCED EITHER BY THE DIRECT APPLICATION OF A VOLTAGE TO THE FIBERS OR BY SPONTANEOUSLY CHARGING THEM WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY. THE BREAST BOX ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION INCLUDES AN ELECTRODE WHICH MAINTAINS THE MEDIUM AT GROUND POTENTIAL. THE APPARATUS ALSO INCLUDES A FIBER BASKET WITH A PERFORATED BOTTOM ABOVE THE BREAST BOX THROUGH WHICH THE FIBERS ARE ISTRIBUTED INTO THE MEDIUM. THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET COMPRISES AN ELECTRODE FOR CHARGING THE FIBERS. THE BREAST BOX ALSO INCLUDES A BAFFLE PLATE WHICH DIRECTS THE IMMERSED FIBERS DOWNWARDLY INTO THE REGION OF THE SHEET FORMING ZONE WHERE THEY ARE UNIFORMLY MIXED WITH THE MEDIUM BEFORE BEING LAID DOWN ON A FORMING WIRE.

Inventors

• 👤 Fritz Opderbeck
• 👤 Theodor Ploetz
• 👤 Rudolf Thamm
• 👤 Popko J Westerhuis

Bibliographic Details