Process and apparatus for the treatment of fibrous webs

A process for treatment of a bulky fibrous web formed at least in part of thermoplastic fibers and the web having considerable thickness comprising the steps of:

• (a) passing the web between at least one pair of rotating cylindrical metallic electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart to provide an insulating gap therebetween and one electrode connected to a high frequency generator and the other electrode to earth and one electrode being covered with a layer of dielectric material having a smooth surface;
• (b) compressing the web between the electrodes and the web being driven by the electrodes;
• and
• (c) creating glow discharges between the electrodes from the high frequency generator and the discharge path extending only a part of the insulating gap separating the two electrodes, and the glow discharge starting from the electrode covered with dielectric material and extending to near the surface of the other electrode through substantially the thickness of the web whereby cohesion is imparted to the web which retains its bulk, thickness and textile characteristics existing before the web is subjected to the above steps.