Apparatus for dissipating moisture from an item

A device for dissipating moisture from a moving surface, comprising:

• a hot member;
• a conveyor for moving a surface relative to the hot member, the hot member positioned adjacent to the moving surface;
• a frame positioned proximate to the hot member so that the moving surface moves between the frame and the hot member;
• a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame for applying pressure to the moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a row of pressure applicators substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface;
• each pressure applicator comprising,
• at least one foot mounted in movable relation to the frame, and
• a variable pressure source operable for variably biasing the foot away from the frame and toward the moving surface;
• and
• a control device for varying the pressure supplied by each variable pressure source.