Method and Device for Compacting a Web of Endless Fabric Including a Nonwoven

Abstract

A method and a device are for compacting a web of endless fabric including a nonwoven. According to the method and device, the web of endless fabric is subjected to the following treatment steps: a) impinging the web of endless fabric with a pressurized liquid; b) sucking off liquid; c) squeezing off liquid; and d) drying the web of endless fabric.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method for compacting a web of endless fabric including a nonwoven, comprising:
 acting upon the web of endless fabric by liquid under pressure;   sucking away of liquid;   squeezing away of liquid; and   drying the web of endless fabric.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the liquid includes water. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the liquid consists of water. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the sucking away of the liquid is performed subsequent to the acting upon the web of endless fabric by the liquid under pressure, the squeezing away of the liquid is performed subsequent to the sucking away of the liquid, and the drying of the web of endless fabric is performed subsequent to the squeezing away of the liquid. 
     
     
         8 . A device for compacting a web of endless fabric including a nonwoven, comprising:
 a compacting device adapted to supply liquid under pressure to the web of endless fabric;   a squeeze mechanism downstream of the compacting device configured to squeeze away liquid from the web of endless fabric;   a suction device upstream of the squeeze mechanism; and   a dryer configured to dry the web of endless fabric.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the device is configured to perform a method including:
 acting upon the web of endless fabric by the liquid under pressure;   sucking away of liquid;   squeezing away of liquid; and   drying the web of endless fabric.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the suction device is upstream of the squeeze mechanism and downstream of the compacting device. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the dryer is downstream of the suction device. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the dryer is downstream of the suction device. 
     
     
         13 . A device for compacting a web of endless fabric including a nonwoven, comprising:
 means for acting upon the web of endless fabric by liquid under pressure;   means for sucking away of liquid;   means for squeezing away of liquid; and   means for drying the web of endless fabric.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the means for sucking away of the liquid is located downstream of the means for acting upon the web of endless fabric by the liquid under pressure, the means for squeezing away of the liquid is located downstream of the means for sucking away of the liquid, and the means for drying the web of endless fabric is located downstream of the means for squeezing away of the liquid.