Calender for embossing and compacting a textile web

Abstract

An apparatus for embossing and compacting a textile web has a calender with a body having a surface. An array of embossing formations project from the body surface and each have an outer face directed away from the body surface and formed as a narrow strip pressable into the web.

1 . In an apparatus for embossing and compacting a textile web, a calender comprising: 
 a body having a surface; and    an array of embossing formations projecting from the body surface and each having an outer face directed away from the body surface and formed as a narrow strip pressable into the web.    
     
     
         2 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the formations are substantially uniformly spaced over the body.  
     
     
         3 . The calender defined in  claim 2  wherein the body is a roller adapted to be rotated about a central axis, and the body surface is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         3 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein each formation has a base at the body surface that is wider than the respective outer face.  
     
     
         4 . The calender defined in  claim 3  wherein each base is between 1.2 and 3 times wider than the respective end face.  
     
     
         5 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the outer faces are generally C- or O-shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The calender defined in  claim 5  wherein the outer faces are substantially circular.  
     
     
         7 . The calender defined in  claim 5  wherein the formations are frustoconical bumps.  
     
     
         8 . The calender defined in  claim 5  wherein the formations are cylindrical bumps.  
     
     
         9 . The calender defined in  claim 5  wherein the outer faces are oval.  
     
     
         10 . The calender defined in  claim 5  wherein each formation had a center recessed toward the body surface from the respective outer face.  
     
     
         11 . The calender defined in  claim 10  wherein the centers are generally part spherical.  
     
     
         13 . The calender defined in  claim 10  wherein the centers extend substantially parallel to the body surface and to the respective end faces.  
     
     
         14 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the formations are bumps and are spaced apart on the body surface on center by a spacing equal to between 2 and 5 times a diameter of the end faces.  
     
     
         15 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the formations project between 0.01 and 4 mm from the body surface.  
     
     
         16 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the formations have side flanks inclined at an angle of between 15° and 45° to the body surface.  
     
     
         17 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the formations are an array of ridges.  
     
     
         18 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the ridges cross and define an array of recessed lands.  
     
     
         19 . The calender defined in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises 
 means for forming a two-layer fleece having at least one outer layer and a mass of fibers thereon; and    means for passing the fleece past the calender while pressing the formations into the fleece.    
     
     
         20 . The calender defined in  claim 19  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 means for water-jet needling the fleece upstream of the calender.