US 12,012,697 B2
Through-air apparatus to reduce infiltration of ambient air
Mikhail Y. Shekhter, South Portland, ME (US); and Robert H. Miller, III, Gray, ME (US)
Assigned to Valmet AB, Sundsvall (SE)
Filed by Valmet AB, Sundsvall (SE)
Filed on Jun. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/335,365.
Prior Publication US 2022/0380979 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. B32B 41/00 (2006.01); B32B 5/26 (2006.01); B32B 37/00 (2006.01); D21F 5/18 (2006.01); D21F 11/04 (2006.01); D21H 27/00 (2006.01); F16L 3/02 (2006.01); F16L 5/02 (2006.01); F16L 11/12 (2006.01); F16L 45/00 (2006.01); F16L 57/00 (2006.01); F16L 59/14 (2006.01)
CPC D21F 5/182 (2013.01) [B32B 5/266 (2021.05); B32B 37/0046 (2013.01); D21F 11/04 (2013.01); D21H 27/002 (2013.01); F16L 3/02 (2013.01); F16L 5/02 (2013.01); F16L 11/125 (2013.01); F16L 45/00 (2013.01); F16L 57/00 (2013.01); F16L 59/143 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper, tissue, or nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising:
a web-carrying structure configured to move;
a first component having at least one sealing element adjacent the web-carrying structure, wherein the at least one sealing element is configured to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus; and
at least one channel configured to direct air to the at least one sealing element to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus, wherein the at least one channel is positioned within the web-carrying structure and is configured to direct air out from the web-carrying structure.