Transfer Belts in Closed Sheet Transfer, 1997 Engineering Conference Proceedings

The last fifteen years have seen a number of patents issued on press configurations without an open draw between the press and dryer sections. Almost all of the patents that we are aware of, which feature the closed draw concept, speak of a transfer belt on which the sheet is carried and transported to the dryer.

Later, the concept of a modified press felts was proposed. In some cases, they have been patented, however none are yet in commercial use. With the ever increasing demand for higher speeds and better runnability, as well as running with weaker sheets from recycled paper, entirely closed sheet transfer was steadily becoming necessary. However, there had been no practical, functional belt designed for this type of sheet transfer on the market.

With this in mind, we embarked on a development project in 1991 and successfully developed a commercially viable transfer belt.

The belt, TRANSBELT®, is not dependent on permeability for its function, but controls the sheet with an active surface topography and variable surface energy.