Apparatus and method for compacting webs

Method for compacting a continuous web of flexible material in an apparatus including at least one pair of superimposed plates, having facing surfaces defining at least one compacting space therebetween, and thrust means adapted to actuate closure of the at least one pair of superimposed plates, the apparatus adapted to be fed with the continuous web,

• through said at least one compacting space such that the continuous web is compacted by the closure of the at least one pair of superimposed plates actuated by the thrust means, said method comprising the steps of:
• a) closing the at least one pair of superimposed plates to compact a web section;
• b) opening the at least one pair of superimposed plates;
• c) moving the continuous web by a distance or pitch substantially equal to the length of the at least one compacting space of the apparatus;
• d) repeating the steps a)-c) for a number of times n=s/p, where s is defined by an extension of the fabric from an outlet of the at least one compacting space to an inlet of the at least one compacting space, and p a length of the at least one compacting space;
• e) closing the at least one pair of superimposed plates to compact a web section;
• f) opening the at least one pair of superimposed plates;
• g) moving the continuous web by a number of pitches defined by P=V+n (V−1), where P is the number of pitches and, V indicates the number of spaces;
• h) repeating the steps a)-g).