Vacuum assisted web drive for corrugator double backer

A vacuum assisted conveyor apparatus for moving a web of material comprising:

• a continuous web transport belt including an upper conveying run underlying and supporting the web across its lateral width and a lower return run;
• means for driving said belt including a drive pulley engaging the inner belt surface and providing a transition between the conveying run and the return run;
• said belt having outer flat surface portions on the upper belt surface of the conveying run defining a web contacting surface, said surface portions defining therebetween open channels;
• laterally spaced lines of longitudinally extending openings in said belt providing communication between the inner belt surface and said channels;
• a support structure underlying the conveying run of said belt and providing sliding support for the driven belt;
• said support structure including a series of parallel laterally spaced vacuum plenums defining belt support surfaces extending the length of the conveying run;
• a vacuum source operatively connected to said plenums to supply negative pressure to said channels;
• longitudinal vacuum distribution means in each support surface connected to said vacuum source;
• one of said lines of belt openings aligned with each vacuum distribution means;
• and,
• the inner belt surface having a series of parallel laterally spaced longitudinally extending low friction strips positioned to engage said belt support surfaces, and a high friction strip positioned between each adjacent pair of said low friction strips, said high friction strips adapted to be engaged by said drive pulley.