Infrared paper drying machine and method for drying a paper web in an infrared paper drying machine

Abstract

A paper drying apparatus and method therefor including an infrared drying unit and a vacuum unit, wherein the infrared drying unit emits infrared radiation in a direction toward the vacuum unit. A fabric sheet for carrying a paper web is provided, wherein the fabric sheet passes between the infrared drying unit and the vacuum unit. The infrared drying unit is positioned on the side of the fabric sheet adjacent to the paper web and the vacuum unit is juxtaposed on the opposite side of the fabric sheet from the infrared drying unit, wherein the vacuum unit draws air through the paper web in a direction from the infrared drying unit toward the vacuum unit. The combination of the infrared drying unit with the vacuum units provides a compact arrangement which efficiently removes moisture from the paper web. After passing by the infrared drying unit, the fabric sheet then conveys the paper web toward a final drying drum where the paper web is transferred from the fabric sheet to the final drying drum through the use of a pressure roll.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.