Method for removing water from a press roll sleeve or belt on a paper making machine

Abstract

A blade ( 20 ) for wiping water from a grooved sleeve ( 26 ) mounted on a press roll ( 14 ) in a paper making machine is adjustably mounted on the machine for movement toward and away from the sleeve ( 26 ). The wiper blade ( 20 ) is positionable against the surface of the sleeve ( 26 ) to wipe water therefrom adjacent and upstream from the nip between the sleeve ( 26 ) and a mating press roll ( 12 ).

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for removing water from a sleeve mounted on a press roll in a paper making machine comprising: 
 positioning a blade in intimate contact with the surface of said sleeve as it rotates; and    collecting the water in a trough positioned below said blade.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blade is positioned upstream from the nip between the sleeve and a mating press roll.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said blade and said sleeve are comprised of the same material.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said material comprises polyethylene.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 selectively moving said blade toward and away from the surface of said sleeve.  
 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing water content in a fiber mat, comprising: 
 forming a fiber mat from an aqueous slurry;    passing the fiber mat through at least one press roll;    collecting water on a patterned surface of the roll; and    removing the water from the patterned surface of the roll with a blade aligned with the roll; and,    collecting the removed water and transporting the removed water away from the press roll.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said patterned surface includes at least one of a grooves and pattern holes.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the distance between said blade and roll is varied.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said blade is in contact with said roll.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the pressure made by contact between said blade and said roll is varied.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said fiber mat passes between at least one pair of nip rolls.