Apparatus for manufacturing nonwoven articles made from continuous filaments

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a nonwoven article made of continuous filaments. A spinning device for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments are provided. Furthermore, a laying screen is provided, on which the filaments can be laid into a nonwoven web in a laying area. The laying screen can be deflected from the transport direction of the laying screen in a turning area by at least one needle roller. There is at least one subsequent device for the nonwoven web connected downstream of the laying screen in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web can be separated from the laying screen upstream of the turning area and can subsequently be handed over to the subsequent device. In order to separate the nonwoven web from the laying screen, at least one lifting roller is provided, which is arranged or can be arranged above the laying screen. By means of the at least one lifting roller, the nonwoven web can be separated from the laying screen in a separation area, which is arranged at a distance A from the needle roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing nonwoven articles made of continuous filaments, comprising a spinning device for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments, and further comprising a laying screen belt on which the filaments can be laid in a laying area to form a nonwoven web. The laying screen belt is deflectable from the transport direction of the laying screen belt in a turning area by at least one needle roller, and at least one downstream device for the nonwoven web is connected downstream of the laying screen belt along the transport direction of the nonwoven web. The invention further relates to a method for transporting and processing nonwoven webs made of continuous filaments. Continuous filaments are distinguished from staple fibers by their virtually continuous length, which have a significantly smaller length, for example, from 10 mm to 60 mm. Background Technology

[0002] The apparatus and methods of the type described at the beginning are known in practice in various embodiments. In such apparatus, filaments are spun by means of a spinning device, then cooled in a cooling device, and finally laid out as a nonwoven web on a laying screen. The laying screen of the apparatus known in practice is typically constructed as a continuously wound laying screen that is deflected from its transport direction by needle rollers in a turning zone. The nonwoven web is transferred from the laying screen or from the needle rollers to a subsequent device in this turning zone located at the end of the laying screen, and for this purpose, it is separated from the laying screen in the turning zone. However, it has been shown in the apparatus and methods known in practice that separating the nonwoven web from the laying screen requires relatively high forces, and in this respect, the separation cannot always be easy and functionally reliable. Furthermore, it is generally desirable for the nonwoven web to have sufficiently good adhesion on the laying screen, at least in the laying zone, so it can be said that there is a conflict of interest between good separation performance and sufficient adhesion on the laying screen. Furthermore, due to the strong turning of the layup screen belt, continuous filaments, especially in the turning area, may become stuck or entangled in the layup screen belt. As a result, separating the nonwoven web from the layup screen belt requires high force and may damage the nonwoven web due to filament being pulled out. In addition, filament residues pulled from the nonwoven web during the separation process are undesirably retained on the layup screen belt. Improvements are needed in this regard. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In contrast, the present invention addresses the technical problem of providing an apparatus of the type described at the beginning, which enables easy and reliable separation of nonwoven webs from a laying screen, avoids damage to the nonwoven webs, particularly during the separation process, and reduces the force required to separate the nonwoven webs from the laying screen. Furthermore, the present invention addresses the technical problem of providing a corresponding method for transporting and handling nonwoven webs.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problem, the present invention teaches an apparatus for manufacturing nonwoven articles made of continuous filaments, comprising a spinning device for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments, and further comprising a laying screen belt on which the filaments can be laid into a nonwoven web in a laying area, wherein the laying screen belt can be deflected from the transport direction of the laying screen belt by at least one needle roller in a turning area, wherein at least one subsequent device for the nonwoven web is connected downstream of the laying screen belt along the transport direction of the nonwoven web, wherein the nonwoven web can be separated from the laying screen belt upstream of the turning area and subsequently transferred to the subsequent device. The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that, for separating the nonwoven web from the laying screen belt, at least one lifting roller is provided, wherein the lifting roller is provided or can be provided above the laying screen belt, wherein, by means of the at least one lifting roller, the nonwoven web can be separated from the laying screen belt in a separation area, the separation area being disposed at a distance A from the needle roller.

[0005] The spinning apparatus according to the invention is, in particular, constructed as a spinneret within the scope of the invention. The transport direction of the laying screen belt, within the scope of the invention, specifically refers to the direction along which the laying screen belt, or more precisely, the continuously circling laying screen belt, moves for the transport of the nonwoven web. The transport direction of the nonwoven web specifically refers to the transport direction of the laying screen belt. The turning region, within the scope of the invention, specifically refers to the region at the end of the laying screen belt, in which the laying screen belt is deflected from the transport direction of the laying screen belt by a needle roller and thus exits the needle roller. The separation region, or more precisely, the separation region of the nonwoven web, within the scope of the invention, specifically refers to the region in which the nonwoven web separates from the laying screen belt. According to a preferred embodiment, the separation region is a separation line, which extends, in particular, transversely to, and preferably perpendicularly to, the transport direction of the laying screen belt. The separation region or separation line is preferably located upstream of the turning region and / or upstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laying screen belt. The spacing A is specifically measured between the projection of the rotation axis of the needle roller onto the laid screen belt and the separation area or separation line, wherein the projection of the rotation axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt in the area of ​​spacing A. The longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt, within the scope of this invention, refers to the extension along the transport direction. The laying area suitably refers to the area where the spun filaments are laid into a nonwoven web. Here and below, unless otherwise stated, this refers particularly to the operating position or operating state of the equipment.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus according to the invention relates to a spunbond apparatus, wherein a stretching device for stretching filaments is provided. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized in that the apparatus according to the invention is a meltblown apparatus.

[0007] If the apparatus according to the invention is configured as a spunbond apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, then spunbond nonwoven fabrics or nonwoven webs are manufactured using the apparatus according to the invention. Here, monocomponent filaments and / or multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments are produced as continuous filaments. Multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments can be, for example, continuous filaments having a core-sheath structure or continuous filaments having a side-by-side composite structure. Multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments may have a crimping tendency. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the continuous filaments manufactured using the apparatus according to the invention or the method according to the invention comprise at least one thermoplastic material, especially at least one polyolefin, preferably polypropylene and / or polyethylene. According to another preferred embodiment, the at least one thermoplastic is a polyester or copolyester, especially polyethylene terephthalate and / or polyethylene terephthalate copolymers.

[0008] According to the present invention, a cooling device is provided for cooling filaments. The cooling device preferably has a cooling chamber through which the continuous filament is guided for cooling. Preferably, air supply chambers for supplying air are provided on opposite sides of the cooling chamber. According to a preferred embodiment, air supply chambers, particularly two overlapping air supply chambers, are provided on opposite sides of the cooling chamber, through which air of different temperatures is introduced into the cooling chamber. It has been shown that a monomer suction device is provided between the spinning device and the cooling device, which can be used to remove interfering gases that occur during the spinning process from the equipment, or the spunbonding equipment. The interfering gases can be, for example, monomers, oligomers, and similar substances.

[0009] Suitably, a stretching device for stretching the filament is connected downstream of the cooling device along the filament flow direction. According to a particularly recommended embodiment of the device according to the invention, the assembly consisting of the cooling device and the stretching device is configured as a closed assembly in which no other air supply occurs to the closed assembly except for the air supply in the cooling device.

[0010] Preferably, at least one diffuser is provided between the stretching device and the laying screen belt. Continuous filaments from the stretching device are guided through the diffuser and then laid on the laying screen belt, particularly in the laying area of ​​the laying screen belt. According to one embodiment of the invention, two diffusers are provided sequentially connected. The laying screen belt, or more precisely, the continuously wrapped laying screen belt, is also suitably constructed to be air-permeable, thereby allowing process air to be drawn through the laying screen belt from below. Suitably, at least in the laying area of ​​the laying screen belt, process air (particularly process air drawn from below) is drawn through the laying screen belt by means of at least one suction device.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is configured, or can be configured, relative to the needle roller such that the separation region is upstream of the turning region along the transport direction of the laid-out screen belt. Preferably, the at least one lifting roller is configured, or can be configured, upstream or downstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laid-out screen belt. Within the scope of the invention, the nonwoven web can be guided via the upper side of the at least one lifting roller. Preferably, the at least one lifting roller is implemented as a non-suction lifting roller.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the spacing A is less than the spacing C between the needle roller and the guide roller. The guide roller, in particular, refers to a roller, other than the needle roller, configured for transporting the laid-up screen belt, positioned upstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laid-up screen belt. The guide roller is particularly positioned between the laying area and the turning area. According to one embodiment, the laid-up screen belt can be guided along the guide roller without deflecting from the transport direction of the laid-up screen belt. According to a preferred embodiment, as described in more detail below, the laid-up screen belt is deflected from the transport direction of the laid-up screen belt by the guide roller. Preferably, the at least one needle roller is positioned downstream of the laying area and downstream of the assembly consisting of the spinning device and the cooling device along the transport direction of the laid-up screen belt or along the transport direction of the nonwoven web. Suitably, the at least one guide roller is also positioned downstream of the laying area or downstream of the assembly consisting of the spinning device and the cooling device along the transport direction of the laid-up screen belt or along the transport direction of the nonwoven web, but upstream of the needle roller. Within the scope of this invention, the distance C between the needle roller and the guide roller specifically refers to the distance between the rotation axes of the needle roller and the guide roller, which is suitably measured between the projections of each rotation axis onto the laid-up screen belt, wherein the projections of the rotation axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid-up screen belt in the region of distance C. Suitably, a transfer platform is formed in the region between the guide roller and the needle roller, the length of which is defined, in particular, by distance C. The transfer platform suitably functions essentially to transfer the nonwoven web from the laid-up screen belt to subsequent devices.

[0013] Preferably, the spacing A is a maximum of 50% of the spacing C, more preferably a maximum of 25% of the spacing C, more preferably a maximum of 10% of the spacing C, particularly preferably a maximum of 5% of the spacing C, completely particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5% of the spacing C, or for example, 1% of the spacing C. According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the spacing A is at least 25% of the diameter n of the needle roller, preferably at least 50% of the diameter n of the needle roller, more preferably at least 75% of the diameter n of the needle roller, particularly preferably at least 100% of the diameter n of the needle roller, and completely particularly preferably at least 125% of the diameter n of the needle roller. Furthermore, preferably, the spacing A is between 10% and 500% of the diameter n of the needle roller, particularly preferably between 25% and 400% of the diameter n of the needle roller, and completely particularly preferably between 50% and 350% of the diameter n of the needle roller.

[0014] Within the scope of the invention, the at least one lifting roller is height-adjustable relative to the laying screen belt and is for this purpose particularly movable in the vertical direction. Preferably, the at least one lifting roller can be moved from a basic position to different lifting positions and back by means of its height adjustability, or vertical mobility. In the basic position of the at least one lifting roller, for example, cleaning work can be performed on the equipment, or threading of the nonwoven web can be performed. Thus, the equipment is not in its operating state or not in its operating position. In the lifting position, the at least one lifting roller is suitably arranged relative to the needle roller such that, in the operating state of the equipment, a distance A is obtained between the separation area of ​​the nonwoven web, or the separation line, and the needle roller.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is configured as a rotating lifting roller, particularly a drivable rotating lifting roller. In principle, within the scope of the invention, the at least one lifting roller is also configured with a simple circular profile, which is non-rotating and non-drivable. Such a simple circular profile replaces the axis of rotation with a longitudinal axis. However, preferably, the at least one lifting roller is configured as a rotating lifting roller.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is positioned relative to the laid screen belt at a distance D, or is capable of being positioned relative to the laid screen belt, wherein the distance D is suitably greater than 50% of the diameter d of the lifting roller, and preferably at least 55% of the diameter d of the lifting roller, particularly preferably at least 60% of the diameter d of the lifting roller. Within the scope of the invention, the distance D specifically refers to the distance between the axis of rotation of the at least one lifting roller and the laid screen belt, wherein the distance D is suitably perpendicular to a longitudinal extension measurement of the laid screen belt in the region of the at least one lifting roller, or a hypothetical extension measurement perpendicular to that longitudinal extension.

[0017] Suitablely, the diameter d of the at least one lifting roller is from 10 mm to 500 mm, preferably from 25 mm to 400 mm, more preferably from 50 mm to 300 mm, and particularly preferably from 100 mm to 250 mm. Suitably, the diameter d of the at least one lifting roller is less than eight times the diameter n of the needle roller.

[0018] A particularly important feature of the embodiments within the scope of the invention is that at least two lifting rollers are provided, especially two lifting rollers, wherein, preferably, the second lifting roller is positioned upstream of the needle roller or can be positioned upstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laid screen belt, and preferably, the first lifting roller is positioned between the second lifting roller and the needle roller or is positioned downstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laid screen belt, or can be positioned between the second lifting roller and the needle roller or is positioned downstream of the needle roller.

[0019] Preferably, the at least two lifting rollers, especially the two lifting rollers, are configured as rotating lifting rollers. According to one embodiment, the at least two lifting rollers, especially the two lifting rollers, are configured as drivable rotating lifting rollers. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the first lifting roller and the second lifting roller have the same diameter d or substantially the same diameter d. However, it is also possible for the first lifting roller and the second lifting roller to have different diameters d1 and d2. Suitably, the diameters d1 and d2 are then between 10 mm and 500 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 400 mm, preferably between 50 mm and 300 mm, and particularly preferably between 100 mm and 250 mm, respectively. Preferably, the distance m between the rotation axes of the first and second lifting rollers is at least 105% of the diameter d of the lifting roller, preferably at least 110% of the diameter d of the first and second lifting rollers, and particularly preferably at least 115% of the diameter d of the first and second lifting rollers. If the first and second lifting rollers have different diameters d1 or d2, these descriptions relate to the diameter of the lifting roller with the larger diameter. The rotation axis spacing m is suitably measured between the projections of the rotation axes of each lifting roller onto the laid screen belt, wherein the projections of the rotation axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt in the region of the lifting roller. Preferably, the rotation axis spacing m of the first and second lifting rollers is less than 300% of the diameter d of the lifting roller, preferably less than 250% of the diameter d of the lifting roller, and particularly preferably less than 200% of the diameter d of the lifting roller. If the lifting rollers have different diameters, these descriptions refer to the diameter of the lifting roller with the larger diameter.

[0020] Preferably, the first and second lifting rollers are respectively positioned with the laid screen belt at a distance D, or D1 and D2, or are capable of being positioned with a distance D, or D1 and D2, and the distance D1 and / or D2 is preferably greater than 50% of the corresponding diameter d1 or d2 of the lifting rollers, particularly preferably at least 55% of the corresponding diameter d1 or d2 of the lifting rollers, and even more particularly preferably at least 60% of the corresponding diameter d1 or d2 of the lifting rollers.

[0021] According to a variation of one embodiment of the invention, the at least two lifting rollers, particularly the two lifting rollers, are arranged with the laid screen belt at the same or substantially the same distance D. Thus, the distance between the respective rotation axes of each lifting roller and the laid screen belt is the same or substantially the same. However, within the scope of the invention, the lifting rollers are also arranged with the laid screen belt at different distances D1 and D2, wherein, preferably, the distance D1 between the first lifting roller and the laid screen belt is greater than the distance D2 between the second lifting roller and the laid screen belt. Within the scope of the invention, the following formula is satisfied regarding the diameters d1 and d2 of the two lifting rollers and the distances D1 and D2 of the lifting rollers: D1 + d1 > D2 - d2. Therefore, it is preferred that the sum of D1 and d1 is greater than the difference between D2 and d2.

[0022] Within the scope of this invention, the nonwoven web can be guided above the at least one lifting roller. If, according to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, at least two lifting rollers are provided, in particular two lifting rollers are provided, the nonwoven web can suitably be guided below the second lifting roller and above the first lifting roller. In this regard, it is preferred that the second lifting roller is positioned upstream of the first lifting roller along the transport direction of the laying screen belt. If, according to the preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web can be guided below the second lifting roller and above the first lifting roller, then the first lifting roller is particularly responsible for separating the nonwoven web from the laying screen belt, and the second lifting roller is then preferably responsible for pressing the nonwoven web down beside the laying screen belt. This embodiment is based on the understanding that, due to the second lifting roller pressing down the nonwoven web, a separation area is already located or can be located beside the second lifting roller, and in particular, is already located or can be located in the area of ​​the second lifting roller. In this way, the distance A between the needle roller and the needle roller can be further limited, such that the distance A is particularly 25% of the maximum distance C, preferably 10% of the maximum distance C, preferably 5% of the maximum distance C, particularly preferably 2.5% of the maximum distance C, completely particularly preferably 1% of the maximum distance C, for example, 0.1% of the distance C. Using two lifting rollers (wherein a first lifting roller for the separation process and a second lifting roller for pressing down) further reinforces the understanding that the separation area or separation line can be reliably defined by the second lifting roller. Here, in particular, the distance D2 between the second lifting roller and the laid-out screen belt has a decisive influence on the distance A between the separation area or separation line and the needle roller. In particular, the ratio (D1 / D2) of the distance D1 between the first lifting roller and the laid-out screen belt and the distance D2 between the second lifting roller and the laid-out screen belt preferably influences the position of the separation area or separation line, such that, with a large wrap angle of the nonwoven fabric around the second lifting roller, the separation area or separation line is positioned closer to the intersection of a straight line perpendicular to the extension of the laid-out screen belt, which extends through the center of the second lifting roller. Within the scope of this invention, the separation region or separation line is located in the region of the second lifting roller and, in particular, below the second lifting roller.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, if at least two lifting rollers are provided, particularly two lifting rollers, then within the scope of the invention, the two lifting rollers are height-adjustable relative to the laying screen belt, and for this purpose are preferably movable in the vertical direction. It is feasible that the two lifting rollers can move from the basic position to a lifting position or to different lifting positions and be able to move back. In the basic position, it is recommended that cleaning and / or threading of the nonwoven web by means of the device according to the invention is feasible. If the device is in a lifting state, the lifting rollers are suitably arranged in their lifting position. In principle, if it is not necessary to separate the nonwoven web by means of the lifting rollers, the device can also be operated with the lifting rollers in the basic position. Suitablely, the first lifting roller is arranged below the laying screen belt in its basic position and / or the second lifting roller is arranged above the laying screen belt in its basic position. However, in principle, the two lifting rollers can also be arranged above or below the laying screen belt in their basic position.

[0024] In principle, within the scope of this invention, the screen laying platform, or transfer station, is arranged parallel to or substantially parallel to the equipment base or the ground during equipment operation. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the needle roller is vertically movable or lowerable. Recommendedly, the needle roller is vertically movable or lowerable such that the screen laying platform is oriented towards the equipment base in the transport direction, at least between the guide roller and the needle roller, and preferably has a slope greater than 0° to 20°, especially 3° to 20°, preferably 4° to 18°, and particularly preferably 5° to 16°. If the screen laying platform has a slope towards the equipment base, the screen laying platform is suitably deflected from its transport direction—previously extending particularly parallel to the equipment base—by the guide roller. The vertical mobility of the needle roller refers particularly to its mobility towards and back towards the equipment base.

[0025] Another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the needle roller is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction, in particular, refers to the direction parallel to the base of the device. Through the horizontal mobility or retractability of the needle roller, the needle roller can thus be moved, for example, closer to the downstream device. Furthermore, the distance C between the needle roller and the guide roller increases during movement or retraction and decreases when the needle roller moves back. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the needle roller is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction and movable or lowerable in the vertical direction. This embodiment is based on the understanding that the needle roller can be adjusted to the most different positions. For example, it is possible to lay the screen belt toward the base of the device while simultaneously moving the needle roller closer to the downstream device. If the needle roller has already moved or lowered in the vertical direction, the horizontal mobility or retractability suitably also refers to the mobility or retractability of the needle roller in the transport direction of the laid screen belt, i.e., according to the adjusted slope of the laid screen belt or transfer table between the guide roller and the needle roller.

[0026] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the needle rollers are movable or extendable in the horizontal direction and lowerable or movable in the vertical direction. Additionally, one or more needle rollers are movable in the vertical direction, allowing adjustment of different positions of the needle rollers. Furthermore, the lifting roller can be positioned in its lifted position such that the spacing between the rollers and the distance between the separation region A and the needle roller, as described above, are achieved. These spacings and positions thus relate to the operating state of the equipment.

[0027] Within the scope of this invention, the distance A between the separation region and the needle roller can also be adjusted by the vertical and / or horizontal mobility, or stretchability, of the needle roller.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the needle roller is movable or retractable only in the horizontal direction and immovable or non-lowerable in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the laid screen belt is arranged parallel to or substantially parallel to the device base or the ground, and the needle roller is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction. According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the needle roller is immovable or non-lowerable in both the vertical and horizontal directions, thus there is a stationary laid screen belt arranged parallel to or substantially parallel to the device base or the ground. In the embodiment described above, it is feasible for the device not to have a steering roller. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance A between the separation area or separation line and the needle roller is less than the distance E between the needle roller and the laying area of ​​the laid screen belt. The distance E is measured within the scope of the invention, particularly between the projection of the rotation axis of the needle roller onto the laid screen belt and the laying area (especially the center of the laid screen belt), wherein the projection of the rotation axis of the needle roller is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt in the area of ​​distance E. Preferably, the spacing A is 50% of the maximum spacing E, more preferably 25% of the maximum spacing E, more preferably 10% of the maximum spacing E, particularly preferably 5% of the maximum spacing E, completely preferably 2.5% of the maximum spacing E, or for example, 1% of the spacing E. The spacing E suitably relates to a state of the equipment in which the screen belt is laid parallel to or substantially parallel to the equipment base or the ground, and the spacing suitably relates to an embodiment in which the equipment does not have a steering roller, and / or in this embodiment, the needle roller is immovable or non-lowerable in the vertical direction and / or immovable or non-extendable in the horizontal direction.

[0029] A particularly important embodiment within the scope of this invention is characterized by a downstream device being a reinforcing device, especially a hot air bonding device, such as an oven, and / or a calender, and / or a winding machine. It is feasible that the equipment has at least two downstream devices, such as a reinforcing device, especially a calender and a winding machine. Suitably, along the transport direction of the nonwoven web, a reinforcing device or calender is first provided, and a winding machine is located downstream of the reinforcing device or calender. The reinforcing device or calender is particularly used for reinforcing or final reinforcing the nonwoven web. Suitably, the nonwoven web is transferred to the reinforcing device or calender after a separation process in the separation zone.

[0030] Within the scope of this invention, the reinforcing device or calender has at least one calendering roller, particularly at least one pair of calendering rollers, wherein the at least one calendering roller is preferably movable in a vertical direction. The nonwoven web is guided, in particular, through the gap or roll gap between at least two calendering rollers—preferably arranged overlapping each other—within the at least one pair of calendering rollers. Here, the nonwoven web is either guided so that it does not contact any calendering roller, since the calender or the at least one pair of calendering rollers is open, or guided so that it contacts only one of the calendering rollers, in order to affect, for example, the performance of the corresponding side of the nonwoven web, or guided so that it contacts both calendering rollers, since the calender or the at least one pair of calendering rollers is closed. Furthermore, within the scope of this invention, the nonwoven web is reinforced—particularly by thermal bonding—as it is guided through the space between the two calendering rollers. Particularly preferably, the reinforcing device, or more precisely, the calender, is provided with at least three calendering rollers, wherein preferably at least one calendering roller is movable in the vertical direction, and the at least three calendering rollers are particularly preferably arranged overlapping each other. This arrangement results in corresponding pairs of calendering rollers. The two pairs of calendering rollers consist of an uppermost calendering roller and a middle calendering roller, and also consist of a lowermost calendering roller and a middle calendering roller. The nonwoven web is suitably guided through one of the resulting gaps for reinforcement or final reinforcement. In this respect, within the scope of the invention, the position of the needle rollers and / or lifting rollers is adjustable or modulated according to the operating mode of the calender. The reinforcing device or calender preferably has at least one reinforcement area in which the nonwoven web is reinforced or finally reinforced. In this regard, a reinforced area refers to an area in which the nonwoven web is reinforced, ultimately reinforced, or otherwise treated through interaction or contact with at least one calendering machine roller. Preferably, the reinforced area of ​​the reinforcing device or calender is located above the needle roller and / or above the laying screen belt. The arrangement of the reinforced area here relates to the operating position or operating state of the equipment.

[0031] Within the scope of this invention, the burnishing machine is a hardening burnishing machine and / or a coating burnishing machine and / or a calibrating burnishing machine and / or a laminating burnishing machine and / or an activating burnishing machine.

[0032] Suitablely, the separation of the nonwoven web from the laying screen belt is performed after the pre-reinforcement of the nonwoven web. Therefore, it is recommended that the nonwoven web be pre-reinforced before separation from the laying screen belt. For this purpose, the equipment suitably has a pre-reinforcement device, preferably positioned upstream of the separation area along the transport direction of the laying screen belt. It is feasible to separate the nonwoven web from the laying screen belt before final reinforcement of the nonwoven web. However, it is also feasible in principle that the equipment is configured such that final reinforcement of the nonwoven web is performed before separation from the laying screen belt. If the nonwoven web is then directly supplied to a coating burnisher and / or a calibration burnisher and / or a laminating burnisher and / or an activation burnisher and / or a hot air bonding device, such as an oven, then such an implementation (in which final reinforcement of the nonwoven web is performed before separation from the laying screen belt) is particularly preferred.

[0033] Furthermore, within the scope of this invention, the at least one lifting roller and / or the second lifting roller have a distance U from the needle roller, the distance U being at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller. The distance U is suitably measured between the projections of the rotation axis of the lifting roller and the rotation axis of the needle roller onto the laid screen belt, wherein the projection of the rotation axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt or perpendicular to an imaginary extension of that longitudinal extension within the region of the distance U. If, according to a preferred embodiment, at least two lifting rollers are provided, particularly two lifting rollers, the two lifting rollers preferably have distances U1 and U2 from the needle roller, the distances U1 and U2 being at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller.

[0034] To address the aforementioned technical problem, the present invention further teaches a method for transporting and processing nonwoven webs made of continuous filaments, particularly utilizing the apparatus described above, wherein the nonwoven web is guided via a layup screen belt that can be deflected from its transport direction by needle rollers in a turning region, wherein the nonwoven web is transferred to a downstream subsequent device, and wherein the nonwoven web is separated from the layup screen belt upstream of the turning region. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the nonwoven web is guided via at least one lifting roller for separation from the layup screen belt, wherein the at least one lifting roller is disposed above the layup screen belt, wherein the nonwoven web is separated from the layup screen belt in a separation region by means of the at least one lifting roller, the separation region being disposed at a distance A from the needle rollers, and the nonwoven web is subsequently supplied to the subsequent device.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is subsequently wound and / or coated and / or calibrated and / or activated and / or reinforced in one or more subsequent devices.

[0036] This invention is based on the understanding that it is feasible to easily and reliably separate nonwoven webs from the laying screen belt using the device according to the invention, and in particular, it can reduce the force consumption for separating the nonwoven webs compared to known methods. This is achieved by means of at least one lifting roller in a separation zone located upstream of the turning zone along the transport direction of the laying screen belt. The separation of the nonwoven webs can be carried out by the method according to the invention, especially without damaging the nonwoven webs (e.g., due to filament pull-out), and thus without any undesirable filament residue remaining on the laying screen belt. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the method according to the invention can be implemented relatively easily and without significant consumption or cost. If at least two lifting rollers are provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, especially two lifting rollers, the separation zone or separation line can be adjusted very precisely, and therefore the distance A with the needle roller can be adjusted very precisely. Different operating states of the equipment can be adjusted by the preferred vertical mobility of one or more lifting rollers and / or by the horizontal mobility or telescoping and / or vertical mobility of the needle rollers, and in particular, by adjusting the distance between the needle rollers and subsequent devices, such as a calender, and / or by achieving the slope of the laying screen belt. Nevertheless, the one or more lifting rollers can be configured with the laying screen belt such that the separation of the nonwoven web is performed or can be performed in a separation zone upstream of the turning zone, or at a separation line upstream of the turning zone. The equipment according to the invention or the method according to the invention can therefore be used very flexibly, wherein, in different operating states, it is feasible to easily and reliably separate the nonwoven web from the laying screen belt, requiring relatively little force and, in particular, being able to perform the separation without damaging the nonwoven web. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which show only one embodiment. In the schematic illustrations:

[0038] Figure 1 A vertical sectional view of a device according to the invention having two lifting rollers in their basic state is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 The device in its first operating state or in its first operating position;

[0040] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 The device in the second operating state or in the second operating position;

[0041] Figure 4 The needle roller and lifting roller of the device are shown in accordance with Figure 2 A magnified illustration of the state. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The accompanying drawings illustrate an apparatus for manufacturing nonwoven articles made from continuous filaments, comprising a spinning device 1 configured as a spinneret for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments. Furthermore, a laying screen 3 is provided on which the filaments can be laid in a laying area 4 to form a nonwoven web 5. Suitably, and in an embodiment according to the drawings, the apparatus relates to a spunbond apparatus, wherein a stretching device 17 is provided for stretching the filaments. Suitably, the continuous filaments are monocomponent filaments made of at least one thermoplastic material. The cooling device 2 preferably, and in an embodiment, has a cooling chamber 18 through which the continuous filaments are guided for cooling. Preferably, and in an embodiment, two overlapping air supply chambers 19, 20 are provided on opposite sides of the cooling chamber 18, preferably from which air of different temperatures is introduced into the cooling chamber 18. Furthermore, preferably and in an embodiment, a monomer suction device 21 is provided between the spinning device 1 and the cooling device 2. This monomer suction device can remove interfering gases that occur during the spinning process from the equipment, or the spunbonding equipment. The interfering gases can be, for example, monomers, oligomers, and similar substances.

[0043] Suitably and in an embodiment, the stretching device 17 for stretching the filament is disposed downstream of the cooling device 2 along the filament flow direction FS. According to a highly recommended embodiment, the assembly consisting of the cooling device 2 and the stretching device 17 is configured as a closed assembly in which no other air supply occurs to the closed assembly except for the air supply in the cooling device 2.

[0044] Within the scope of the invention and in embodiments, a diffuser 23 is provided between the stretching device 17 and the laying screen belt 3, through which the continuous filament is guided. According to a preferred embodiment, a secondary air inlet gap 24 is provided between the stretching device 17 and the diffuser 23 to introduce secondary air into the diffuser 23. After passing through the diffuser 23, the continuous filament is laid in the laying area 4 on the laying screen belt 3 to form a nonwoven web 5, and then suitably transported along the transport direction T of the laying screen belt 3. Preferably, in embodiments, a suction device 22 for drawing air, or process air, through the laying screen belt 3 is provided below the laying screen belt 3.

[0045] According to the present invention, the laying screen belt 3 can be deflected from its transport direction T in the turning zone 6 by at least one needle roller 7. The nonwoven web 5 is in the operating state of the equipment ( Figures 2 to 4In the turning zone 6, the screen can be separated from the laying screen belt 3 and then transferred to at least one subsequent device 8. In an embodiment, there are two subsequent devices 8, a calender 16 and a winding machine 26.

[0046] To separate the nonwoven web 5 from the laying screen belt 3, preferably, and in the embodiment according to the drawings, two lifting rollers 9, 14 are present. Recommendedly, and in the embodiment, the lifting rollers 9, 14 are configured to be height-adjustable relative to the laying screen belt 3, and preferably, in the embodiment, are configured to be movable in the vertical direction. This is particularly useful for... Figure 1 As can be seen from this. Suitablely, the lifting rollers 9 and 14 can be moved from a basic position to different lifting positions and back through their height adjustability, or vertical mobility. In the lifting rollers 9 and 14... Figure 1 In the basic position shown, cleaning and / or threading of the nonwoven web of the device according to the invention is feasible, so that the device is not yet in its operational state. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figures show two different lifting positions of the lifting rollers 9 and 14. These figures illustrate the equipment in operation. In operation, or in the lifting position of the lifting rollers 9 and 14, the lifting rollers 9 and 14 are suitably positioned above the laying screen belt 3, and the nonwoven web 5 can be separated from the laying screen belt 3 in the separation zone 10, or at the separation line, by means of the lifting rollers 9 and 14. The separation zone or separation line is positioned at a distance A from the needle roller 7 and, in particular, upstream of the needle roller 7 along the transport direction T. The distance A between the needle roller 7 and the separation zone 10 or separation line refers specifically to the distance between the axis of rotation of the needle roller 7 and the separation zone or separation line 10. The distance A is suitably measured here between the projection of the axis of rotation of the needle roller 7 onto the laying screen belt 3 and the separation zone 10 or separation line, wherein the projection of the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laying screen belt 3 in the region of distance A. Figures 2 to 4 ).

[0047] Recommendedly, and in the embodiment according to the accompanying drawings, in the operating state of the equipment, the first lifting roller 9 is positioned downstream of the needle roller 7 along the transport direction T of the laid screen belt 3. Figure 2 ) or set upstream of needle roller 7 ( Figure 3 The second lifting roller 14 is preferably positioned upstream of the needle roller 7 along the transport direction T of the laid screen belt 3.

[0048] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, and in an embodiment, the spacing A is smaller than the spacing C between the needle roller 7 and the guide roller 15. The guide roller 15 is suitably a roller, other than the needle roller 7, configured for transporting the laid-out screen belt 3, and is positioned upstream of the needle roller 7 along the transport direction T of the laid-out screen belt 3. The guide roller 15 is preferably, and in an embodiment, positioned between the laying area 4 and the turning area 6. As will be explained in more detail below, the laid-out screen belt 3 can be guided along the guide roller 15 without deflecting from the transport direction of the laid-out screen belt. Figure 1 ), or deflected from the transport direction of the laid screen belt by the deflector roller 15 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0049] The distance C between the needle roller 7 and the guide roller 15, within the scope of the invention, specifically refers to the distance between the rotation axis of the needle roller 7 and the rotation axis of the guide roller 15, which is suitably measured between the projections of each rotation axis onto the laid screen belt 3, wherein the projections of the rotation axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt 3 in the region of distance C. Suitablely, the distance A is a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 20%, of the distance C. According to... Figure 2 In one embodiment, the spacing A can be approximately 5% of the spacing C. According to... Figure 3 In one embodiment, the spacing A can be approximately 15% of the spacing C.

[0050] Recommendedly and in embodiments, the lifting rollers 9 and 14 are configured as rotating lifting rollers. The diameter d of the lifting rollers 9 and 14 is preferably 25 mm to 400 mm, particularly preferably 100 mm to 250 mm. Within the scope of the invention and in embodiments, the first lifting roller 9 and the second lifting roller 14 have the same diameter d or substantially the same diameter d. Particularly preferably and in embodiments (especially...) Figure 4 In the embodiment of the accompanying drawings, the distance m between the rotation axes of the first and second lifting rollers 9 and 14 is at least 115% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers 9 and 14 during the operation of the equipment. In the embodiment according to the drawings, the distance m between the rotation axes of the first and second lifting rollers 9 and 14 is approximately 130% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers 9 and 14. The distance m between the rotation axes refers in particular to the distance between the rotation axes of the first and second lifting rollers 9 and 14, wherein the distance m between the rotation axes is suitably measured between the projections of the rotation axes of the lifting rollers 9 and 14 onto the laid screen belt 3, wherein the projection of the rotation axes is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laid screen belt 3 or, in other words, perpendicular to an imaginary extension of that longitudinal extension.

[0051] Suitably and in embodiments, the lifting rollers 9, 14 are positioned relative to the laying screen belt 3 at a distance D. The distance D, in particular, refers to the distance between the rotation axis of the respective lifting roller 9, 14 and the laying screen belt 3. This distance D relative to the laying screen belt 3 is suitably measured or determined perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laying screen belt 3 in the region of the lifting rollers 9, 14, or rather, a hypothetical extension perpendicular to that longitudinal extension. This is done according to the accompanying drawings (especially...). Figure 3 In this embodiment, the distance between the first lifting roller 9 and the laying screen belt 3 is marked as D1, and the distance between the second lifting roller 14 and the laying screen belt 3 is marked as D2. Within the scope of the invention and in this embodiment, the distance D, or rather the distances D1 and D2, is greater than 50% of the diameter d of the corresponding lifting rollers 9 and 14.

[0052] Furthermore, preferably and in embodiments (especially) Figure 3 The distance D1 between the first lifting roller 9 and the laying screen belt 3 is greater than the distance D2 between the second lifting roller 14 and the laying screen belt 3. The nonwoven web 5 is suitably, and in embodiments, guided via the underside of the second lifting roller 14 and the upper side of the first lifting roller 9 during equipment operation. This is particularly important. Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the diagram, the first lifting roller 9 is preferably responsible for separating the nonwoven web 5 from the laying screen belt 3. The second lifting roller 14 is preferably responsible for pressing the nonwoven web 5 down beside the laying screen belt 3. Thus, the separation area 10, or separation line, is suitably, and in this embodiment, located beside the second lifting roller 14 and especially below it.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, and in an embodiment, the needle roller 7 is movable or lowerable in the vertical direction, such that the laid screen belt 3 is oriented towards the equipment base 11 in the transport direction T between the guide roller 15 and the needle roller 7. Suitably, and in an embodiment, the laid screen belt has a slope of 3° to 20° in this area. Figure 2 In one embodiment, the laid screen belt 3 can have a slope of approximately 7°, and according to... Figure 3 In this embodiment, there is a slope of approximately 15°. The steering roller 15 thus deflects the laying screen belt 3 from its transport direction T—previously extending particularly parallel to the equipment base 11. Figure 2 and Figure 3The vertical mobility of the needle roller 7 refers in particular to its mobility toward and from the equipment base 11. Furthermore, preferably and in embodiments, the needle roller 7 is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction refers in particular to the direction parallel to the equipment base 11. Through the horizontal mobility or retractability of the needle roller 7, it can be moved, for example, closer to the downstream device 8 or, more precisely, the burnishing machine 16. Particularly preferably and in embodiments, the needle roller 7 is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction and movable or lowerable in the vertical direction, thereby enabling adjustment of the needle roller's most different positions. If, according to a preferred embodiment, the needle roller 7 is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction and lowerable in the vertical direction, and additionally, the lifting rollers 9 and 14 are movable in the vertical direction, then different positions of the needle roller 7 can be adjusted, and the lifting rollers 9 and 14 can be configured in their raised positions such that, in particular, the distance A between the separation region 10 and the needle roller 7 can be achieved during the operation of the equipment.

[0054] Within the scope of the invention and in embodiments, the subsequent device 8 is configured as a burnishing machine 16. According to... Figure 1 As can be seen in the embodiments, another subsequent device 8 in the form of a winding machine 26 may be provided, wherein a calender 16 is first arranged along the conveying direction of the nonwoven web 5, followed by the winding machine 26. In the embodiment according to the drawings, the calender 16 has three calender rollers 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3, which are movable in the vertical direction. The nonwoven web 5 is guided, in particular, through the gap, or roller gap, between two of the three calender rollers 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3. The three calender rollers 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 are suitably and in the embodiments arranged overlapping each other. This correspondingly forms two calendering roller pairs, each consisting of an uppermost calendering roller 12.1 and a middle calendering roller 12.2, and a lowermost calendering roller 12.3 and a middle calendering roller 12.2. The nonwoven web 5 is suitably, and in embodiments, guided by the gap or roll gap formed between the calendering rollers 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 for reinforcement or final reinforcement. The nonwoven web 5 can then be reinforced or finally reinforced in the reinforcement region 13 of the calender 16. In this regard, the reinforcement region 13 refers to the area in which the nonwoven web 5 can be reinforced or finally reinforced by the action of at least one calendering roller 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3. Within the scope of the invention and according to… Figures 2 to 4 In one embodiment, the reinforced area 13 of the burnishing machine 16 is correspondingly positioned above the needle roller 7 and above the laying screen belt 3 during the operation of the equipment.

[0055] Furthermore, preferably and in the embodiment according to the drawings, the nonwoven web 5 is separated from the laying screen belt 3 after pre-reinforcement. The nonwoven web is therefore recommended, and in the embodiment, pre-reinforced by means of a pre-reinforcement device 25 before being separated from the laying screen belt 3. This is particularly true... Figure 1 This can be seen from the text.

[0056] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the first lifting roller 9 and / or the second lifting roller 14 have a distance U with the needle roller 7, said distance U being at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller 9, 14. The distance U in this regard specifically refers to the distance between the axis of rotation of the at least one lifting roller 9, 14 and the axis of rotation of the needle roller 7, wherein said distance U is suitably measured between the projections of the axis of rotation of the lifting roller 9, 14 and the axis of rotation of the needle roller 7 onto the laying screen belt 3, wherein the projection of the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laying screen belt 3 or to an imaginary extension of that longitudinal extension in the region of said distance U. In an embodiment according to the drawings, the first and second lifting rollers 9, 14 respectively have midpoint distances U1 and U2 with the needle roller 7, said midpoint distances U1 and U2 being at least 50% of the diameter d of the respective lifting roller 9, 14. Figure 4 ).

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing nonwoven articles made of continuous filaments, wherein, There is a spinning device (1) for spinning filaments and a cooling device (2) for cooling filaments, wherein a laying screen belt (3) is provided on which filaments can be laid into a nonwoven web (5) in a laying area (4), wherein the laying screen belt (3) can be deflected from the transport direction of the laying screen belt by at least one needle roller (7) in a turning area (6), wherein at least one downstream device (8) for the nonwoven web (5) is connected downstream of the laying screen belt (3) along the transport direction of the nonwoven web (5), wherein the nonwoven web (5) can be separated from the laying screen belt (3) upstream of the turning area (6) and subsequently transferred to the downstream device (8). In order to separate the nonwoven web (5) from the laying screen belt (3), at least one lifting roller is provided, wherein the lifting roller is positioned above the laying screen belt (3) or can be positioned above the laying screen belt, wherein, by means of the at least one lifting roller, the nonwoven web (5) can be separated from the laying screen belt (3) in a separation area (10), the separation area being provided with a distance A from the needle roller (7). The feature is that the at least one lifting roller is height-adjustable relative to the laid screen belt (3).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one lifting roller has been or can be configured relative to the needle roller (7) such that the separation region (10) is located upstream of the turning region (6) along the transport direction of the laid screen belt (3).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one lifting roller is positioned upstream or downstream of the needle roller (7) along the transport direction of the laid screen belt (3), or can be positioned upstream or downstream of the needle roller.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The distance A is less than the distance C between the needle roller (7) and the guide roller (15), and is at most 50% of the distance C.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least one lifting roller can move in the vertical direction.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least one lifting roller is configured as a rotating lifting roller.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one lifting roller is configured as a driveable, rotating lifting roller.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least one lifting roller is positioned at a distance D relative to the laid screen belt (3) or is capable of being positioned relative to the laid screen belt, and the distance D is greater than 50% of the diameter d of the lifting roller.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein, The spacing D is at least 55% of the diameter d of the lifting roller.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The diameter d of the at least one lifting roller is from 10 mm to 500 mm.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least two lifting rollers are provided, wherein the second lifting roller (14) is positioned upstream of the needle roller (7) or can be positioned upstream of the needle roller along the transport direction of the laid screen belt (3), and the first lifting roller (9) is positioned between the second lifting roller (14) and the needle roller (7) or downstream of the needle roller (7) along the transport direction of the laid screen belt (3), or can be positioned between the second lifting roller and the needle roller or downstream of the needle roller.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein, The first lifting roller (9) and the second lifting roller (14) have the same diameter d.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein, The distance m between the rotation axes of the first lifting roller (9) and the second lifting roller (14) is at least 105% of the diameter d of the first lifting roller (9) and the second lifting roller (14).

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein, The nonwoven web (5) can be guided via the lower side of the second lifting roller (14) and the upper side of the first lifting roller (9).

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The needle roller (7) is movable in the vertical direction such that the laid screen belt (3) is oriented toward the equipment base (11) in the conveying direction at least between the steering roller (15) and the needle roller (7), and has a slope of 3° to 20°.

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The needle roller (7) is movable or retractable in the horizontal direction.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The distance A between the separation area (10) and the needle roller (7) can be adjusted by the vertical mobility of the needle roller (7).

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The distance A between the separation area (10) and the needle roller (7) can be adjusted by the horizontal mobility or stretchability of the needle roller (7).

19. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The subsequent device (8) is a reinforcement device.

20. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The subsequent device (8) is a hot air bonding device.

21. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The subsequent device (8) is an oven.

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The reinforcement device has at least one burnishing roller (12).

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein, The reinforcement device has at least one pair of burnishing machine rollers.

24. The device according to claim 22, wherein, At least one burnishing roller (12) is movable in the vertical direction.

25. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, After the nonwoven web (5) is pre-reinforced, the nonwoven web (5) is separated from the laid screen belt (3).

26. The device according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one lifting roller and / or the second lifting roller (14) have a distance U from the needle roller (7), the distance U being at least 50% of the diameter d of the respective lifting roller.

27. A method for transporting and processing nonwoven webs made of continuous filaments using the equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein, The nonwoven web (5) is guided by a laying screen belt (3) that can be deflected from its transport direction by needle rollers (7) in the turning zone (6), wherein the nonwoven web (5) is transferred to a downstream downstream device (8), wherein the nonwoven web (5) is separated from the laying screen belt (3) upstream of the turning zone (6), characterized in that, The nonwoven web (5) is guided via at least one lifting roller for separation from the laying screen belt (3), wherein the at least one lifting roller is positioned above the laying screen belt (3), wherein the nonwoven web (5) is separated from the laying screen belt (3) in a separation zone (10) by means of the at least one lifting roller, the separation zone being positioned at a distance A from the needle roller (7), and the nonwoven web (5) is subsequently supplied to a downstream device (8).

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