Fibrous material moulding apparatus

Apparatus for forming a fibrous element in an elongate closed foraminous former during movement of said former through fluid extraction means, said fibrous element comprising a fibrous core enclosed and stiffened by a fibrous crust which is integral with the core and has a density greater than that of the core, which comprises:

• (a) means for forming an aqueous fibrous dispersion,
• (b) means for generating a pressure gradient across an extraction zone within said fluid extraction means,
• (c) means for continuously injecting the aqueous fibrous dispersion into the former at a predetermined efflux ratio, i.e., the ratio of the aqueous fluid dispersion injection velocity relative to the speed of the moving former, to cause some of the fibres, upon extraction of fluid as the dispersion traverses said extraction zone, to build up as a continuous crust on the inner surface of the former and the remaining fibres to pack together within the area inside said crust to form the aforesaid core so as to produce a continuous fibrous element, in said elongate, moving foraminous former, having a fibrous core enclosed and stiffened by a fibrous crust which is integral with the core but of greater density, and
• (d) means for removing said fibrous element thus formed from said former.