Device and process for transferring a material web

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for transferring a material web, particularly a web made of paper, board, tissue, or other pulp. In order to transfer the material web and, preferably, a supporting belt from a first supporting surface to a subsequent supporting surface, a pick-up box with a pick-up zone to lift the material web off the first supporting surface and a stabilizer box with a stabilizing zone to stabilize the material web are arranged before the subsequent supporting surface. Suction can be applied to the pick-up zone and the stabilizing zone by means of a vacuum source. A further zone to separate the vacuum in the pick-up zone from the vacuum in the stabilizing zone is located between the pick-up zone and the stabilizing zone. This invention also relates to a process for transferring a material web performed with the device according to the invention.

1 . A device for transferring a material web from a first supporting surface to a subsequent supporting surface, the device comprising:
 a pick-up box having a pick-up zone adapted to lift the material web off the first supporting surface, the pick-up zone being connected to a vacuum source and being limited by first and second sealing mechanisms;   a stabilizer box disposed proximate to the subsequent supporting surface, the stabilizer box having a stabilizing zone connected to a vacuum source and being limited by a seal and the subsequent supporting surface; and   a further zone disposed intermediate the pick-up zone and the stabilizing zone to separate the vacuum in the pick-up zone from the vacuum in the stabilizing zone, the further zone being limited by the second sealing mechanism of the pick-up zone and the seal of the stabilizing zone.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pick-up box is disposed at a distance from the stabilizing box. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sealing mechanisms is swivel-mounted. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sealing mechanisms has a plurality of lips, at least two of the sealing lips defining a space therebetween, the space being connected to a vacuum source. 
   
   
       5 . A process for transferring a material web from a first supporting surface to a subsequent supporting surface, the process comprising:
 lifting the material web off the first supporting surface in a pick-up zone using vacuum;   stabilizing the material web before the subsequent supporting surface in a stabilizing zone using vacuum; and   running the material web through an additional zone disposed intermediate the pick-up zone and the stabilizing zone, the additional zone having a pressure that is higher than the vacuum in the pick-up zone and the vacuum in the stabilizing zone.   
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the vacuum in the pick-up zone is set at a higher level than the vacuum in the stabilizing zone. 
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 5 , further comprising applying a suction in at least one sealing mechanism delimiting the pick-up zone or the stabilizing zone.