Method and machine for producing a dry-laid fibrous web

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (1) and to a corresponding method for producing an air-laid fibrous web (309). The machine (1) comprises: a) a raw material preparation system for a low-water preparation of cellulose-containing fibers in order to form individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209); b) a dry-forming device (4) for dry-forming the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209) in an air stream in order to form a flat fiber fabric (300) on a forming belt (40); c) an application device (71) for applying a fluid, preferably water and / or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber fabric (300); d) a solidifying device (8) for solidifying the flat fiber fabric (300) by applying pressure in a press nip (80) when the fiber fabric (300) is guided through the press nip (80) on a press belt (41) onto which the fiber fabric (300) was previously transferred from the forming belt (40) in a transfer region (100); and additionally a fluid depositing device which is designed to then deposit the fluid on the press belt (41), the press belt (41) serving as an application device (71) for applying the fluid to the fiber fabric (300).

Description

[0001] Method and machine for producing a dry-cured fibrous web

[0002] The invention relates to a method for producing a fibrous web, preferably a tissue, paper or cardboard web or a nonwoven web, in particular a tissue web with a basis weight of 28g / m². 2 up to 42g / m² 2, comprising the following steps: a) low-water raw material preparation of cellulose-containing fibers into individual fibers and / or fiber bundles; b) forming the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles in an air stream into a planar fiber fabric on a forming belt by a dry forming process; c) application of a fluid, preferably water and / or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber fabric; d) solidification of the planar fiber fabric by applying pressure in a press gap, wherein the fiber fabric is guided through the press gap on a, preferably single, press belt onto which the fiber fabric was previously transferred from the forming belt in a transfer area.

[0003] Many fibrous webs, especially paper, cardboard, or tissue, were and still are produced almost exclusively using the wet process on an industrial scale. For this process, unless recycled paper is used, baled pulp is typically dissolved in large quantities of water in a vat, resulting in a fiber suspension consisting of approximately 99% water by weight and only about 1% fiber by weight. This fiber suspension is then applied to a forming wire via a headbox to form the sheets. The resulting fibrous web is subsequently dewatered or dried by pressure and heat until it can be wound up or otherwise processed. The wet process has the advantage that hydrogen bonds form between the individual fibers during dewatering or drying, giving the fibrous web the necessary strength.However, a disadvantage of this process is that drying the fiber web requires large amounts of energy. Especially in light of current climate change, there is therefore an intensive search for alternatives to this traditional wet process.

[0004] As an alternative to the wet process, the dry air-laying process is already known, in which fibers are laid down to form a fiber web in a largely dry state. To give the fiber web a certain degree of strength, small amounts of water (to form hydrogen bonds) and / or other strengthening agents are added. This results in significantly less energy being required for drying.

[0005] The embodiment shown in Figure 3 of publication WO 2019 / 137667 A1 already discloses a generic method, described above, for producing a dried fibrous web. In this process, fibers are first laid onto a forming belt in a dry forming process to form a flat fiber layup, where the layup is moistened from above. The layup is then transferred from the forming belt to a press belt, where it is subsequently moistened from below. The press belt transports the layup to a press gap formed by two rollers, through which the press belt passes together with the layup. In the press gap, the layup is compressed, thus increasing its strength.

[0006] In the prior art manufacturing process, a problem was observed that when the fiber layup is moistened from above while still on the forming belt, particularly by spraying it from above using spray nozzles, unwanted contamination of the forming belt repeatedly occurs. Specifically, it has happened that individual fluid droplets form after the machine is switched off and detach from the spray nozzles, falling directly onto the forming belt. It can also happen that too much fluid is accidentally applied to the fiber layup, allowing the fluid to penetrate through the typically very thin fiber layup and reach the forming belt. If the fluid on the forming belt has not yet dried when the machine is next started, the newly laid fibers adhere to it, negatively impacting the quality of the produced fiber web.The quality of the fiber web is very sensitive to even minor contamination of the forming belt. If permeability is locally absent or limited in the forming belt, this quickly leads to visible markings in the finished fiber web.

[0007] If, on the other hand, the application of a fluid to the fiber fabric while it is still on the forming belt is simply omitted and the fluid is only applied to the fiber fabric shortly before reaching the press gap, another problem can occur, namely that the transfer of the fiber fabric from the forming belt to the press belt does not work reliably.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a machine for producing a dried fibrous web, in particular a tissue web, with which the problems described above can be solved or at least reduced. In particular, the risk of contamination of the machine, especially the forming belt, should be reduced, while at the same time a reliable transfer of the fiber layup from the forming belt to the pressing belt should be ensured.

[0009] The problem described above is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] In particular, the problem is solved by the generic manufacturing process described above, which is distinguished by the fact that the fluid is first applied to the press belt and then transferred from the press belt to the fiber fabric. This type of indirect application of the fluid to the fiber fabric, with the press belt acting as an application device, ensures two things: firstly, that the forming belt is less prone to contamination, since no fluid can drip directly onto the forming belt even after the machine is switched off; and secondly, that the transfer of the fiber fabric from the forming belt to the press belt is reliable. The inventors have found that a certain level of moisture between the facing surfaces of the fiber fabric and the press belt is beneficial for a reliable transfer.They explain this by saying that the moisture leads to increased adhesion between the fiber fabric and the press belt.

[0011] The fiber fabric is then transported on the press belt, onto which the fluid is applied, from the preceding machine section, preferably the forming section with the forming belt, to the subsequent machine section in the machine direction MD. This means that the fiber fabric is transferred from the transfer area of ​​the preceding forming belt to the press belt coated with fluid and is continuously supported and transported to a subsequent transfer area in a following machine section, in particular to a connecting belt or to a further, preferably unsupported, press gap or to a drying belt. The fiber fabric is in contact with the press belt coated with fluid essentially over the entire transport distance in the machine direction MD.

[0012] Preferably, the fluid-applied press belt is the only press belt through which the fiber fabric is guided and pressed via the press gap additionally formed by two rollers. The fiber fabric is transferred from the forming belt to the fluid-applied press belt essentially free of consolidation in the transfer area, as this prevents the fluid from penetrating or passing through the fiber fabric onto the forming belt and thus avoids contamination of the forming belt. If consolidation or compression of the fiber fabric were to occur in the transfer area where the fluid-applied press belt comes into contact with the fiber fabric and the forming belt, it could lead to contamination of the forming belt. It is therefore advantageous if consolidation step d) only takes place after the successful transfer of the fiber fabric onto the press belt.The fiber fabric is supported solely by the single press belt and is solidified in the press gap.

[0013] Thus, the press belt is the only press belt with which the fiber fabric is guided through the press gap, and in particular, the press belt carries out the transfer of the fluid to the fiber fabric and the guiding of the fiber fabric through the press gap.

[0014] If another belt, for example a forming belt or connecting belt, is guided through the press gap in addition to the press belt, this can lead to contamination of this additional belt.

[0015] The fluid can essentially consist solely of water. Alternatively or additionally, strengthening agents such as liquid starch can be used.

[0016] The press belt is preferably permeable so that the fiber fabric can be drawn through the press belt and onto it. This is advantageous for the reliable transfer from the forming belt, as well as for the further, reliable transport of the fiber fabric on the press belt, especially when it is to be transported suspended overhead.

[0017] Preferably, no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric before it reaches the transfer area, in order to minimize the risk of contamination, particularly of the forming belt. The forming belt thus remains completely dry at all times. The forming belt should also not be guided through the press gap together with the press belt, as this could cause the applied fluid to penetrate the fiber fabric and contaminate the forming belt during consolidation. Furthermore, it is also advantageous if no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric between the transfer area and the consolidation point in the press gap. In particular, a humidification device that applies fluid from below, especially by spraying, onto the fiber fabric suspended overhead from the press belt before the press gap, as shown in Figure 3 of the aforementioned publication WO 2019 / 137667 A1, can be omitted.The press gap is preferably provided by two heated press rollers. If the underside of the fiber web, which comes into direct contact with the hot surface of the lower press roller, is not pre-moistened and therefore remains dry, this offers several advantages. Firstly, it reduces the risk of the fiber web following the surface of the lower press roller after leaving the press gap, instead of remaining adhered to the press belt. Secondly, it also reduces the risk of undesirable sudden evaporation of the fluid (also known as "flashing") when the underside of the fiber web comes into direct contact with the heated surface of the lower press roller. Finally, if the underside of the fiber web remains dry, its temperature in the press gap can be increased further, which has a beneficial effect on the adhesion of the fibers to one another.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric before it reaches the transfer area, nor between the transfer area and the consolidation in the press gap. In other words, fluid is applied to the fiber fabric indirectly via the press belt before the press gap. This reduces the cost of the manufacturing machine, as only a single application device is required. This single application device not only ensures improved transfer of the fiber fabric from the forming belt to the press belt, but also provides the fluid that is needed anyway to achieve the desired strength in the press gap. The total amount of fluid can be kept very low, which minimizes the energy required for drying. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid is applied to the entire surface of the press belt.This can be achieved, in particular, by means of at least one spray nozzle. Generally, several spray nozzles arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the machine are used to cover the entire width. If the press belt is a woven fabric, the term "full coverage" in this context means that preferably all surfaces of the interwoven threads facing the at least one spray nozzle are wetted by it. The fluid application should be as uniform as possible across the entire width.

[0019] Preferably, the press belt has an outer surface facing the fiber web during intended operation, which includes raised areas and depressions designed to provide the fiber web with a multitude of high-pressure and low-pressure zones in the press gap, thereby increasing the fiber web's strength. It can thus also be described as a structuring press belt. If the press belt is woven, the raised areas and depressions can be created by the threads. However, this does not refer to the usual thread bends, such as those found in a simple plain weave, where a thread alternately passes under and over threads running perpendicular to it. Rather, special weaving patterns are required to create correspondingly pronounced raised areas and depressions. Typically, threads on the side facing the fiber web float over several transverse threads.The raised and recessed areas should be so pronounced that the high-pressure and low-pressure zones they create in the fiber layup form a structure visible to the naked eye. Corresponding structuring screens, used in the conventional wet manufacturing process of tissue webs, are known to those skilled in the art. If the press belt is designed as a structuring press belt, this has the advantage that the pressing elements forming the press gap, in particular press rollers, can have a smooth surface and are therefore simpler in design. In another embodiment of the present invention, if the press belt is designed as a structuring press belt, the fluid can be applied essentially exclusively to the raised areas of the press belt, instead of being applied over the entire surface. This has the advantage that even less fluid is required to achieve the desired properties of the fiber web.The bond between the individual fibers of the fiber web should primarily form in the high-pressure zones. Here, heat, pressure, and the fluid should create a strong bond between the fibers. In the low-pressure zones, the fiber web should remain as voluminous as possible to ensure a pleasant feel and absorbency. Therefore, it is neither desirable nor necessary to apply a fluid in these areas.

[0020] When using multiple spray nozzles arranged side by side as described above, undesirable edge effects may occur, hindering a uniform fluid application and / or leading to contamination. Reference is made to US patent 4,319,870, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, it is difficult, if not impossible, to use spray nozzles to wet essentially only the raised areas of a structuring press belt with fluid. For this reason, it is proposed that a fluid application roller, in contact with the press belt, be used to apply the fluid to the press belt. To better control the amount of fluid transferred from the fluid application roller to the press belt, it may be provided that the fluid application roller and the press belt in contact with it are operated with slippage at the point of contact, i.e., not at the same speed.

[0021] Furthermore, to improve the metering of the fluid application quantity, it is advantageous if the fluid application roller includes discrete pockets on its surface to apply a predetermined amount of fluid to the press belt in a controlled manner. Such rollers are known to those skilled in the art, for example, as anilox rollers from printing technology.

[0022] Acting as a counter-bearing for the fluid application roller, the press belt can be guided between the fluid application roller and another roller, in particular a deflection roller, and / or a suction device during the application of the fluid onto the press belt. For example, this could be a suction roller, especially a deflection roller.

[0023] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that, after the consolidation step d), the fiber fabric is guided unsupported through a further press gap for further consolidation by pressure, before the further consolidated fiber fabric is dried in a drying device.

[0024] The inventors recognized that the strength of the fiber web depends not only on the quantity and / or type of applied fluid, but also on the pressure applied to the fiber web. It has been shown that higher pressure tends to lead to higher strength. However, with the machine known from the prior art described above, there are limits to increasing the pressure in the press gap, as the press belt transporting the fiber web, which is usually made of plastic threads, can only withstand a limited amount of pressure. If excessive pressure is applied in the press gap, plastic deformation and thus permanent damage to the press belt can occur. Significantly higher pressure can be applied to the fiber web if it were guided through a press gap unsupported, i.e., without a tensioning device like the press belt. However, the problem here is that the still unpressed or...Unbonded fiber fabrics do not yet possess the necessary strength to be guided unsupported through such a press gap, at least not at industrial production speeds. Therefore, it is proposed to provide a further press gap behind the press gap through which the fiber fabric is guided supported on a press belt, as is known from the prior art. In this way, the fiber fabric can acquire the necessary strength in the first press gap to then be guided unsupported through the further press gap.

[0025] "At an industrial level" means a high, continuous production speed of 150 m / min or greater, in particular 250 m / min or greater, and preferably 400 m / min or greater. Furthermore, at an industrial level, the width of the continuously produced fibrous web is preferably 0.5 m or greater, more preferably 1 m or greater, in particular 2.3 m or greater, but generally 10 m or less.

[0026] The fiber fabric is preferably subjected to a pressure in the further press gap that is greater than the pressure to which the fiber fabric was previously subjected in the press gap. The pressure in the further press gap is preferably 1.5 to 4 times greater than the pressure in the previous press gap.

[0027] The further press gap is also preferably formed by two rollers. The materials of the surfaces of the two rollers should be designed such that correspondingly high compressive forces can be applied to the fiber fabric. In particular, the material for this purpose can be a metallic material, such as steel, and / or a ceramic material.

[0028] To achieve high strength in the fiber web without negatively impacting the bulk, absorbency, and / or feel, it is particularly advantageous if at least one of the two rollers is designed to provide the fiber layup in the further press gap with a multitude of high-pressure and low-pressure zones, thereby further increasing the strength of the fiber layup. Preferably, the high-pressure and low-pressure zones are dimensioned such that they form a structure visible to the naked eye within the fiber layup. In such a case, the high pressures are applied to the fiber layup only in the high-pressure zones, whereas the fiber layup is compressed significantly less or not at all in the low-pressure zones.

[0029] It is preferred if both one of the two rollers forming the further press gap and the press belt are suitable for creating corresponding high-pressure and low-pressure zones in the fiber layup. This allows the strength to be increased even further. Furthermore, in this case, it is particularly preferred if the high-pressure and low-pressure zones introduced into the fiber layup in the press gap are not identical to those introduced in the further press gap. In this way, a so-called moiré effect can be created in the finished fiber web, which gives the product a particularly high-quality appearance.

[0030] Preferably, no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric between the press gap and the subsequent press gap. This prevents the surfaces of the two pressing elements, in particular the press rollers forming the subsequent press gap, from becoming contaminated when they come into direct contact with the fiber fabric. The fluid applied to the fiber fabric according to the invention by means of the press belt is preferably already largely or completely dry by the time the subsequent press gap is reached. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the pressing elements forming the previous press gap are heated.

[0031] An advantageous further development of the embodiment with the extended press gap provides that only water and / or dry-strength agents are applied to the fiber layup before the extended press gap, whereas wet-strength agents are applied to the further consolidated fiber layup after the extended press gap. Wet-strength agents serve to impart a degree of mechanical strength—albeit limited—to the fiber web, particularly tissue webs, even in the wet state. Without wet-strength agents, the fiber web would otherwise lose its internal cohesion due to the breaking of hydrogen bonds upon exposure to water. In their processed state, wet-strength agents are generally water-soluble polymers, primarily produced from polyamines and epichlorohydrin derivatives, which react with the fibers. This reaction forms water-insoluble cross-links between the fibers, stabilizing the fiber web.Dry strength agents, on the other hand, primarily serve to further increase the strength of the fiber web, especially tissue webs, in their dry state. A well-known and relatively inexpensive dry strength agent is starch, particularly cationic starch. However, there are also chemical dry strength agents, especially sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Wet strength agents, in particular, which are not yet dry, and to some extent also dry strength agents, typically tend to contaminate or adhere to the surfaces of machine parts with which they come into contact. For this reason, wet strength agents, and preferably also any dry strength agents, should only be applied to the fiber web downstream of the final press gap, which is preferably also the last press gap in the manufacturing process or machine, in order to protect the elements, especially the rollers, that form the final press gap from contamination.

[0032] To prevent the fluid applied to the fiber fabric via the press belt according to the invention from penetrating too deeply into the fiber fabric or even completely penetrating it, the time interval between the time of application of the fluid from the press belt to the fiber fabric and the time of passage of the fiber fabric through the press gap in consolidation step d) should preferably be less than 1,000 ms, more preferably between 10 ms and 250 ms. This time depends on the operating speed of the manufacturing machine, which is preferably at least 200 m / min, more preferably at least 300 m / min, and even more preferably at least 400 m / min, as well as on the distance between the transfer area (and the length of the transfer area) and the press gap. The applied fluid is preferably dried quickly in the press gap.

[0033] In general, as little fluid as possible and only as much as necessary should be applied to minimize energy consumption for drying and to ensure reliable transfer of the fiber layup and the desired strength of the finished fiber web. With the present invention, it is possible to apply a maximum of 10 wt.%, preferably a maximum of 8 wt.%, and more preferably a maximum of 6 wt.%, of fluid based on the weight of the dry fiber layup (300) in process step c).

[0034] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a machine for producing a fibrous web, preferably a tissue, paper or cardboard web or a nonwoven web, in particular a tissue web with a basis weight of 28g / m². 2 up to 42g / m² 2, comprising: a) a raw material preparation plant for the low-water processing of cellulose-containing fibers into individual fibers and / or fiber bundles; b) a dry forming device for the dry forming of the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles in an air stream into a planar fiber layup on a forming belt; c) an application device for applying a fluid, preferably water and / or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber layup; d) a consolidation device for consolidating the planar fiber layup by applying pressure in a press gap when the fiber layup is guided through the press gap on a press belt onto which the fiber layup has previously been transferred from the forming belt in a transfer area; wherein the machine (1) comprises a fluid application device configured to first apply the fluid to the press belt, the press belt serving as an application device for applying the fluid to the fiber layup.The advantageous further developments previously described for the method according to the invention also apply analogously to the machine according to the invention.

[0035] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "low-water" raw material processing also includes the processing of the raw material entirely without the targeted addition of water and / or other liquids.

[0036] The invention expressly extends to embodiments which are not given by combinations of features from explicit cross-references of the claims, whereby the disclosed features of the invention can be combined arbitrarily with one another - insofar as this is technically sensible.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing.

[0038] The invention will be explained below with reference to the following figures.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fiber web plant 3 for the production of a dry-formed fiber web 309;

[0040] Fig. 2 schematically shows a press belt 41 with protrusions 44, as it passes through the press gap 80 together with the fiber fabric 300; and

[0041] Fig. 3 schematically shows a part of a fluid application roller for applying fluid to the raised areas 44 of the press belt 41 .

[0042] To clarify the individual directions, a higher-level Cartesian coordinate system is shown in the figures. The x-direction corresponds to a longitudinal extension, also referred to as the machine direction MD (Machine-Direction). The y-direction corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the machine direction MD. It is also referred to as the machine cross-direction CD (Cross-Direction). The z-direction, on the other hand, corresponds to the vertical direction. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of the manufacturing process or the manufacturing machine 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, three dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C are arranged one behind the other to produce three superimposed layers of a finished fiber web 309. However, this is not mandatory.The fiber web system 3 could also include fewer than three dry forming devices, in particular only a single dry forming device, or more than three dry forming devices.

[0043] Individual fibers and / or fiber bundles 209, transported by an airflow, are guided to at least one of the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C of the fiber web system 3 and distributed as evenly as possible transversely to the machine direction MD or in the transverse direction CD of the fiber web system 3. If the capacity of an upstream raw material preparation plant (not shown here) is sufficiently large and all three layers of the finished fiber web 309 are to consist of the same fiber material, the raw material preparation plant preferably feeds all three dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C. Otherwise, at least one of the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C is fed by another method. This can be done, in particular, by another raw material preparation plant (not shown here).The provision of at least three dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C has the advantage that the two outer cover layers of the finished fiber web 309 can be formed from a different, in particular higher quality, fiber material than the at least one layer in between.

[0044] Following the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C, preferably at least two application devices 7 are provided, which apply a (further) fluid, preferably water or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber fabric 300 or the consolidated fiber fabric 305. The at least two application devices 7 are configured as a first application device 71, which will be discussed in detail below, and at least one further application device 72, 73. Preferably, one of the further application devices 72, 73 is also the last application device in the fiber web system 3. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, three application devices 7 are provided, with a second application device 72 arranged between the first application device 71 and the third application device, which is also the last application device.

[0045] Following the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C, at least one consolidation device 8 is provided which can consolidate the fiber fabric 300. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, three consolidation devices 8 are arranged. Preferably, at least one consolidation device 8 is designed such that, in addition to consolidating the fiber fabric, it can also structure and / or heat it. Structuring by the consolidation device 8 is particularly useful for producing a tissue web with low- and high-pressure zones, preferably a tissue web with a basis weight of 28 g / m². 2 up to 42g / m² 2 , important.

[0046] To complete the continuously produced fiber web 309, a web-width winding unit 12 is arranged at the end of the fiber web system 3.

[0047] Preferably, at least one drying device 10 is further included in the fiber web system 3. It is advantageous if the at least one drying device 10 is arranged downstream of the application devices 7 in order to dry the fiber web 309. Preferably, the at least one drying device 10 is arranged upstream of the winding unit 12 of the finished fiber web 309, which is also included in the fiber web system 3.

[0048] The dry forming step in at least one of the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C can be controlled and / or regulated by at least one included control and / or regulating means, wherein the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles 209 in the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C are laid down, preferably partially by the force of gravity, onto a rotating, preferably permeable, forming belt 40 and form a fiber fabric 300, preferably still substantially unconsolidated.

[0049] Furthermore, the dry forming devices 4A, 4B, 4C can each include a suction device 30 which supports the depositing of the individual fibers 209 on the permeable forming belt 40, and can also influence this process as a control and / or regulating means.

[0050] Preferably, the fiber layup 300 is measured with respect to its mass distribution by at least one encompassed measuring device 61, preferably a mass measuring device extending in the machine transverse direction CD, wherein the measuring signal can act as a control variable, preferably via the higher-level control and / or regulating device 60, on the supply of the individual fibers without knots 209 from the raw material preparation plant and / or on the suction device 30.

[0051] The air 39A, 39B, 39C extracted by the respective suction device 30 may contain a certain quantity of individual fibers 209. Therefore, it is advantageous if a large proportion, preferably up to 95%, of the air extracted by the respective suction device 30 is recirculated directly back into the respective dry forming device 4A, 4B, 4C. This allows the continuously added individual fibers 209 to be broken down even more effectively in order to achieve good formation on the forming belt 40, while the extracted individual fibers can be immediately returned to the corresponding production step.

[0052] In one embodiment, a suction device extending in the transverse direction CD of the machine can extract excess fibers in the z-direction (thickness) from the surface of the first fiber layup 300 after it has left the at least one dry forming device 4A, 4B, 4C, thus achieving a homogeneous thickness distribution of the fiber layup 300 in both the CD and MD directions. This process can be selectively influenced by the at least one measuring device 61, preferably supported by the higher-level control and / or regulating device 60.

[0053] Alternatively, the extraction device can also be designed as an edge trimming device 50 or edge extraction device 50, wherein fibers are preferably selectively extracted from the edge regions of the fiber web 300 emerging from the at least one dry forming device 4A, 4B, 4C and which is not yet solidified. It has been found that the edge regions often exhibit very strong variations in thickness compared to the main or central region of the fiber web 300. Advantageously, by means of the edge strip extraction, fresh fibers, free of chemicals, can be fed directly back into the raw material processing plant immediately after the last of the at least one dry forming device 4A, 4B, 4C, which has a positive effect on the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. Likewise, a clean edge of the fiber web 309 can be produced in this way.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 1, the fiber fabric 300 deposited in the at least one dry forming device 4A, 4B, 4C can pass through a pre-solidification device 83 before the first application device 71, in which the still unsolidified fiber fabric 300 receives a first, full-surface pre-solidification or pre-compacting over the entire transverse direction CD.

[0055] The last two or further application devices 72, 73 are preferably designed as nozzle applicators, which can spray a further fluid in the form of a spray jet consisting of individual small fluid droplets onto the solidified fiber fabric 305. Alternatively, the further application devices 72, 73 can also be designed such that the further fluid is applied in the form of foam, mist, or vapor. Immediately before its winding 12, the fiber web 309 is guided through a dryer device 10, preferably electrically operated. A non-contact dryer device 10 can advantageously maintain the properties of the fiber web 309 with regard to its thickness, its feel characteristics, and its absorption capacity. The non-contact dryer device 10 can, for example, be designed as a hot air dryer, a flow-through drying hood, or a TAD dryer.Alternatively or additionally, the dryer device 10 can also be equipped with infrared elements.

[0056] Due to the small amounts of moisture used in the manufacturing process, the length of the dryer unit 10 can be kept very compact compared to the usual drying sections from wet lay-up processes. This allows the overall length of the fiber web plant 3 and infrastructure costs to be kept low.

[0057] Furthermore, at least one additional heating step of the laid fiber fabric 300 can also be provided upstream of the dryer 10. This additional heating step can, for example, be integrated into a consolidation device 8 by heating, for instance, a press roller 81 provided for consolidation and / or a pressing element 82 arranged opposite it. Heating below 250°C, in particular less than or equal to 100°C, preferably less than or equal to 80°C, is advantageous because the heating supports the penetration depth and distribution of a fluid, preferably water, applied in a first application step 71 within the fiber fabric 300, leading to more efficient consolidation and / or structuring. The temperature specifications refer to the temperature of the heating elements used. The temperature introduced into the fiber web or the fiber fabric can be lower.The two further application devices 72, 73 are preferably designed such that the solidified fiber fabric 305 can be wetted over its entire surface with the additional fluid. "Over its entire surface" means that the additional fluid is applied substantially uniformly over the entire width or over the entire transverse direction CD of the fiber fabric. In the second and third application devices 72, 73, a vacuum box 31 can each be arranged on the side of the solidified fiber fabric 305 opposite the side to be wetted. This vacuum box draws ambient air through the solidified fiber fabric 305 and through a permeable support element, preferably a conveyor belt 103 and / or a drying screen 42, by means of a vacuum applied, preferably during application.This advantageously allows, for example, influencing the penetration depth of the applied fluid into the solidified fiber fabric 305 and / or the quantity distribution in the machine direction MD or machine transverse direction CD during the application of another fluid. It should be noted that the reference numeral 22 indicates the respective running direction of the fabrics in Fig. 1.

[0058] Optionally, at least one moisture measuring device 63 and / or a measuring device for monitoring the fluid application may be provided. Preferably, the at least one moisture measuring device 63 is arranged such that it can measure before and / or after the heating device 10.

[0059] It is also conceivable to provide a moisture measuring device 63 immediately after each application device 71, 72, 73. The moisture measuring device 63 can be stationary or traversing in the machine transverse direction CD. Furthermore, the moisture measuring device 63 can also be suitable for measuring other fiber web properties, such as mass, thickness, formation, opacity, or the like. After passing through the pre-consolidation device 83, the fiber fabric 300 is transported on the conveying section of the forming belt 40 to a transfer area 100. The transfer area 100 serves to transfer the fiber fabric 300 from the forming belt 40 to the press belt 41. Preferably, this transfer is particularly gentle, so that even at high production speeds and low moisture contents of the fiber fabric 300, no qualitative impairment of the fiber fabric 300 occurs.For this purpose, the forming belt 40 and the pressing belt 41 are both guided essentially parallel to a displacement direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the displacement direction corresponds to the machine direction MD. The transfer section 100 preferably has a certain length, namely a length of at least 50 mm and at most 1,000 mm, preferably at least 100 mm and at most 800 mm. The length of the transfer section 100 is defined as the distance, measured in the displacement direction or in the machine direction MD, between the axis of rotation of a first pressing belt deflection roller and the axis of rotation of a last forming belt deflection roller. The first pressing belt deflection roller is the deflection roller in the screen loop of the pressing belt 41, which is arranged at the beginning of the conveying section of the pressing belt 41.The last forming belt deflection roller, on the other hand, is the deflection roller in the screen loop of the forming belt 40, which is arranged at the end of the conveying section of the forming belt 40. Due to the parallel guidance of the two belts 40, 41 over the corresponding length, the still very delicate fiber fabric 300 is given sufficient time, even at high production speeds, in particular at production speeds of greater than or equal to 150 m / min, preferably greater than or equal to 250 m / min, and more preferably greater than or equal to 400 m / min, and at low moisture contents, in particular less than 20%, to detach "gently" from the forming belt 40 and adhere to the press belt 41.

[0060] It is further advantageous if the forming belt 40 in the transfer area 100 has a distance from the press belt 41 that is no greater than the thickness of the fiber layup 300, measured immediately in front of the transfer area 100. The distance between the two belts 40, 41 can be determined or set by measuring the distance between the axis of rotation of the first press belt deflection roller and the axis of rotation of the last forming belt deflection roller, perpendicular to the direction of displacement or in the z-direction. The distance between the two belts 40, 41 in the transfer area 100 essentially corresponds to the distance between the axis of rotation of the first press belt deflection roller and the axis of rotation of the last forming belt deflection roller, less the radius of the first press belt deflection roller, the radius of the last forming belt deflection roller, the thickness of the forming belt 40, and the thickness of the press belt 41.The press belt 41 is preferably designed to provide the fiber fabric 300 in the subsequent press gap 80 between the press roller 81 and the press element 82 with a plurality of high-pressure and low-pressure zones, thereby increasing the strength of the fiber fabric 300. The high-pressure and low-pressure zones should be dimensioned such that they form a structure visible to the naked eye in the fiber fabric 300. In such a case, the press belt 41 includes protrusions on its outer surface 43 facing the fiber fabric 300 to form the high-pressure zones. However, the height of these protrusions should be disregarded when determining the "thickness of the press belt 41".

[0061] Such a distance between the two belts 40, 41 in the transfer area 100 prevents the fiber fabric 300 in the transfer area 100 from undergoing any significant change in its direction of movement, which corresponds to the displacement direction or the machine direction MD. This also contributes to ensuring that no impairment of the quality of the fiber fabric 300 occurs at high production speeds.

[0062] However, the distance between the two bands should be 40, 41 in the transfer range.

[0063] The transfer area 100 should not be too small to avoid losing too much bulk. A correspondingly high degree of compaction should ultimately be present only in the high-pressure zones of the finished fiber web 309, whereas the low-pressure zones are only lightly compacted, so that the fiber web 309 has the desired bulk and / or absorbency. Therefore, the distance between the two belts 40, 41 in the transfer area 100 should preferably be at least 80% of the thickness of the fiber layup 300 immediately before the transfer area 100.

[0064] In the sieve loop of the press belt 41, several vacuum boxes 32 or other vacuum means can be arranged behind the first press belt deflection roller in order to continue the transfer of the fiber fabric 300 over the entire length of the transfer area 100 and also to hold the fiber fabric hanging upside down on the transporting section of the press belt 41 after the transfer area 100.

[0065] At the end of the conveying section of the press belt 41, the fiber fabric 300, which has meanwhile been compacted by the press gap 80, is transferred from the press belt 41 to a connecting belt 102 in a further transfer section. The second transfer section is preferably designed analogously to the transfer section 100. Although the fiber fabric 300 exhibits a significantly greater strength after the press gap 80 than before the press gap 80, the principle of "gentle transfer" has also proven advantageous for the quality of the final fiber web 309 at this point.

[0066] After passing through the press gap 80, the fiber fabric 300 is transported overhead on the conveying section of the press belt 41 to the further transfer area. This further transfer area serves to transfer the fiber fabric 300 from the press belt 41 to the connecting belt 102. For this purpose, the press belt 41 and the connecting belt 102 are preferably both guided essentially parallel to a further transfer direction. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, this further transfer direction also corresponds to the machine direction MD. The further transfer area preferably also has a certain length, namely a length of at least 50 mm and at most 1,000 mm, preferably at least 100 mm and at most 800 mm. The length of the further transfer area is defined as the distance measured in the further transfer direction.in the machine direction, between the axis of rotation of a first connecting belt deflection roller 125 and a last press belt deflection roller 126. The first connecting belt deflection roller 125 is the deflection roller in the screen loop of the connecting belt 102, which is located at the beginning of the conveying section of the connecting belt 102. The last press belt deflection roller 126, on the other hand, is the deflection roller in the screen loop of the press belt 41, which is located at the end of the conveying section of the press belt 41. Due to the parallel guidance of the two belts 41 and 102 over the corresponding length, the fiber fabric 300 is given sufficient time, even at high production speeds, to detach "gently" from the press belt 41 and attach itself to the connecting belt 102.

[0067] The connecting belt 102 serves to guide the fiber fabric 300 from the press belt 41 to just before a further press gap 84, through which the fiber fabric 300 is then guided unsupported. In the further press gap 84, the fiber fabric 300 is further consolidated by pressure before being guided as a further consolidated fiber fabric 305 to the dryer device 10. The further press gap 84, like the press gap 80, can be provided by the nip between two rollers. However, because the fiber fabric 300 is guided unsupported through the further press gap 84, unlike in the previous press gap 80, no consideration needs to be given to the stability of a supporting fabric for the fiber fabric 300 at this point. Thus, it is possible to apply significantly higher pressures to the fiber fabric 300 in the further press gap 84 than is the case in the press gap 80.The higher pressures allow for significantly greater strength in the finished 309 fiber web. The rollers should therefore be designed to be correspondingly robust. For example, the rollers can be made primarily of steel.

[0068] In addition, preferably at least one of the two rollers forming the further press gap 84 between them is designed to also provide the fiber fabric 300 with a plurality of high-pressure and low-pressure zones. The previously mentioned high pressures in this case refer only to the high-pressure zones. This further increases the strength of the fiber fabric 300. Just as the high-pressure and low-pressure zones introduced into the fiber fabric 300 in the press gap 80 are, preferably, also dimensioned such that they form a structure in the fiber fabric 300 that is visible to the naked eye.For a visually appealing appearance of the finished fiber web 309, it is particularly advantageous if the high-pressure and low-pressure zones introduced into the fiber fabric 300 in the press gap 80 are not identical to the high-pressure and low-pressure zones introduced in the further press gap 84, so that a moiré effect preferably appears.

[0069] The connecting belt 102 is preferably designed to guide the fiber fabric 300 as close as possible to the further press gap 84 in order to keep the free pull, i.e., the distance that the fiber fabric 300 must travel unsupported between the connecting belt 102 and the further press gap 84, as short as possible. For this purpose, a final connecting belt deflection roller, i.e., the deflection roller at the end of the conveying section of the connecting belt 102, can have a relatively small diameter, and the connecting belt 102 itself can be designed to be sufficiently flexible to follow the correspondingly strong surface curvature of the final connecting belt deflection roller.

[0070] After leaving the further press gap 84, the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 is picked up by a transfer belt 103, which transfers the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 to the drying screen 42. For similar reasons as before, the transfer belt 103 can be designed similarly to or identically with the connecting belt 102. In particular, the transfer belt 103 can be designed to pick up the fiber fabric 305 as close as possible behind the further press gap 84 in order to keep the free pull, i.e., the distance that the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 has to travel unsupported between the further press gap 84 and the transfer belt 103, as short as possible. For this purpose, a first transfer belt deflection roller, i.e.,The deflection roller at the beginning of the conveying section of the transfer belt 103 has a relatively small diameter, and the transfer belt 103 itself can be flexible enough to follow the correspondingly strong surface curvature of the first transfer belt deflection roller.

[0071] Vacuum devices, not shown in Fig. 1, may be provided in the sieve loop of the connecting belt 102 and / or in the sieve loop of the transfer belt 103. This applies in particular to the transfer belt 103, on which the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 is preferably transported hanging upside down. Here, the vacuum devices can help to hold the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 against gravity on the transfer belt 103. Furthermore, vacuum devices in the sieve loop of the transfer belt 103 are advantageous if another fluid is to be applied to the side of the further consolidated fiber fabric 103 facing away from the transfer belt 103. This is indicated in Fig. 1 by the second application device 72.

[0072] After the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 is transferred to the drying screen 42, additional fluid is applied to the side of the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 facing away from the drying screen 42 by the third application device 73. Thus, the further consolidated fiber fabric 305 can be moistened from both sides by the second application device 72 and the third application device 73 before it is dried in the drying device 10 and subsequently wound onto the reel 12. As shown in Fig. 2, in the present embodiment, the press belt 41 preferably has an outer surface 43 facing the fiber fabric 300, which includes projections 44 and depressions located between the projections 44. These depressions are designed to provide the fiber fabric 300 with a plurality of high-pressure zones 45 and low-pressure zones 46 in the press gap 80, thereby increasing the strength of the fiber fabric 300.It is therefore possible to speak here of a "structuring press band 41". It should be noted that the illustration in Fig. 2 is to be understood as a purely schematic representation of the process in the press gap 80. In reality, the press band 41 does not come into contact with the fiber fabric 300 only shortly before the press gap 80, nor does it separate from the fiber fabric 300 immediately after the press gap 80. Furthermore, the outer surface 43 of the press band 41 can indeed come into contact with the surface of the fiber fabric 300 at the locations of the indentations, at least in the press gap 80, in order to achieve a certain degree of compaction of the fiber fabric 300 in the low-pressure zones 46, although this compaction is rather slight compared to the high-pressure zones 45.Because the press band 41 in the present embodiment is designed as a structuring press band 41, the press elements 81 and 82 forming the press gap 80, in particular the lower press roller 82, can be designed with a smooth surface 85 and thus be simpler.

[0073] As can be seen in Figure 1, the press belt 41 not only serves to structure the fiber fabric 300, but also simultaneously as a first application device 71. According to the invention, the fluid is first applied to the press belt 41 and then applied by the press belt 41 to the fiber fabric 300. In the present embodiment, the fluid is advantageously applied to the press belt 41 by means of a fluid application roller 74. The fluid application roller 74 can be arranged opposite another roller, in particular a deflection roller for the press belt 41, as shown in Figure 1, or another static component, which acts as a counter element so that the fluid application roller 74 can be brought into contact with the press belt 41 with a well-defined contact pressure. The counter element can also be suction-fed to assist the application of the fluid to the press belt 41.

[0074] The fluid application roller 74 preferably comprises discretely formed pockets 75 on its surface to allow a controlled application of a predetermined quantity of fluid onto the press belt 41. The fluid application roller 74 can resemble or correspond to a so-called "anilox roller" known to those skilled in the art of printing. Fig. 3 schematically shows a portion of such a fluid application roller 74 with pockets 75 at least partially filled with fluid during the application of the fluid onto the press belt 41. To be more precise, the fluid is not applied to the entire surface of the press belt 41, but essentially exclusively to the raised areas 44 of the press belt 41. This is indicated in Fig. 3 – again purely schematically – by the hatched area on one of the raised areas 44 and the only partially filled pockets 75 in the lower part of this figure. The only partially filled or possibly even completely emptied pockets 44 can, for example, be formed by a [missing information] as shown in Fig.1 The filling device 76, which is only schematically indicated, is refilled in order to be able to transfer the fluid to the elevations 44 of the press belt 41 again during the next cycle.

[0075] In the present embodiment, by applying the fluid essentially exclusively to the raised areas 44 of the press belt 41, which functions as the first application device 71, it is possible to achieve the desired strength of the fiber fabric 300 in the press gap 80 with less fluid and thus less drying energy. This is because the fluid is applied to the fiber fabric 300 essentially only in the high-pressure zones 45 and not also in the low-pressure zones 46, where strength is less critical and which can therefore remain correspondingly voluminous and absorbent. At the same time, the application of the fluid to the fiber fabric 300 via the press belt 41, according to the invention, also promotes the reliable transfer of the fiber fabric 300, in particular from the forming belt 40 to the press belt 41.If, in the transfer area 100, the raised areas 44 of the press belt 41, onto which the fluid was previously applied by the fluid application roller 74, come into contact with the surface of the fiber fabric 300, this promotes the adhesion of the fiber fabric 300 to the press belt 41 and prevents the fiber fabric 300 from undesirably continuing to follow the forming belt 40 instead of being gently transferred onto the press belt 41.

[0076] As can also be seen in Fig. 1, unlike in the prior art described above, no fluid is applied over the forming belt 40, thus reducing the risk of contamination of the forming belt 40, which is very sensitive to the quality of the finished fiber web 309. If, on the other hand, fluid droplets unintentionally reach the press belt 41 from the fluid application roller 74 after the machine 1 has been switched off, this is far less critical for the quality of the finished fiber web 309. Likewise, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, unlike in the prior art cited above, no further fluid is applied from below to the fiber layup 300 before it reaches the press gap 80. This avoids further problems described above. It is particularly preferred if the first application device 71, which is designed according to the present invention, uses essentially pure water, i.e.,Water, free of artificial or chemical additives, is applied to the fiber fabric 300 and / or any further fluid application, especially of wet-strength agents, only takes place downstream of the further press gap 84. This further reduces the risk of contamination of machine 1. List of reference symbols.

[0077] 1 machine

[0078] 3 Fiber web plant

[0079] 4A, 4B, 4C dry forming device

[0080] 7 Application device

[0081] 8 Solidification device

[0082] 10 T dryver construction

[0083] 12 Roll-up

[0084] 22 Direction of travel

[0085] 30 Suction device of the dry forming device

[0086] 31 Vacuum Box - Application Device

[0087] 32 vacuum boxes

[0088] 39A, 39B, 39C extracted air

[0089] 40 Forming tape

[0090] 41 Press band

[0091] 42 Drying sieve

[0092] 43 Outer side of the press belt

[0093] 44 Survey

[0094] 45 High-pressure zone

[0095] 46 Low-pressure zone

[0096] 50 Edge trimming (edge ​​suction)

[0097] 60 Control and / or regulating device

[0098] 61 Measuring device

[0099] 63 Moisture measuring device

[0100] 71 first application device

[0101] 72 second application device

[0102] 73 third application device

[0103] 74 Fluid coating roller

[0104] 75 Bag 76 Filling device

[0105] 80 Press gap

[0106] 81 Press roller

[0107] 82 Pressing element (pressing roller)

[0108] 83 Pre-solidification device

[0109] 84 more press gap

[0110] 85 Surface area of ​​pressing element 82

[0111] 100 Transfer area

[0112] 102 Connecting strap

[0113] 103 Transfer belt

[0114] 125 first connecting belt deflection roller

[0115] 126 last press belt deflection roller

[0116] 209 single fibers and / or fiber bundles

[0117] 300 fiber layups after dry forming device

[0118] 305 reinforced fiber fabric

[0119] 309 Fibre web

[0120] MD Machine direction

[0121] CD machine transverse direction z vertical direction

Claims

1. Method for producing a fibrous web (309), preferably a tissue, paper or cardboard web or a nonwoven web, in particular a tissue web with a basis weight of 28g / m² 2 up to 42g / m² 2, comprising the following steps: a) low-water raw material preparation of cellulose-containing fibers into individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209); b) forming the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209) in an air stream into a planar fiber fabric (300) on a forming belt (40) by a dry forming process; c) application of a fluid, preferably water and / or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber fabric (300); d) consolidation of the planar fiber fabric (300) by applying pressure in a press gap (80), wherein the fiber fabric (300) is guided through the press gap (80) on a press belt (41) onto which the fiber fabric (300) was previously transferred from the forming belt (40) in a transfer area (100); characterized in that the fluid is first applied to the press belt (41 ) in order to then be applied from the press belt (41 ) to the fiber fabric (300).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric (300) before it reaches the transfer area (100).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, preferably according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric (300) between the transfer area (100) and the consolidation in the press gap (80).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid is applied over the entire surface of the press belt (41), in particular by means of at least one spray nozzle.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press belt (41 ) has an outer surface (43) facing the fiber fabric (300) in intended operation, which comprises protrusions (44) and depressions designed to provide the fiber fabric (300) in the press gap (80) with a plurality of high-pressure zones (45) and low-pressure zones (46) and thus increase the strength of the fiber fabric (300).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 and according to claim 5, characterized in that the fluid is applied essentially exclusively to the protrusions (44) of the press belt (41 ).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fluid application roller (74) is used to apply the fluid to the press belt (41), which is in contact with the press belt (41).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the fluid application roller (74) comprises discretely formed pockets (75) on its surface to apply a predetermined amount of fluid to the press belt (41) in a controlled manner.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, during the application of the fluid to the press belt (41), the press belt (41) is held between the fluid application roller (74) and a guided by a further roller, in particular a deflection roller, and / or a suction device.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber fabric (300) is guided unsupported through a further press gap (84) after the consolidation step d) for further consolidation by pressure, before the further consolidated fiber fabric (305) is dried in a dryer device (10).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that no further fluid is applied to the fiber fabric (300) between the press gap (80) and the further press gap (84).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that only water and / or dry strength agents are applied to the fiber fabric (300) before the further press gap (84), whereas wet strength agents are applied to the further consolidated fiber fabric (305) after the further press gap (84).

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time interval between the time of application of the fluid from the press belt (41) to the fiber fabric (300) and the time of passage of the fiber fabric (300) through the press gap (80) in the consolidation step d) is less than 1,000 ms, preferably between 10 ms and 250 ms.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a maximum of 10 wt.%, preferably a maximum of 8 wt.%, more preferably a maximum of 6 wt.%, of fluid based on the The weight of the dry fiber layup (300) is applied in process step c).

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press belt (41 ) is the only press belt with which the fiber fabric (300) is guided through the press gap (80) and in particular the press belt (41 ) performs the application of the fluid and the guiding of the fiber fabric (300) through the press gap.

16. Machine (1) for producing a fibrous web (309), preferably a tissue, paper or cardboard web or a nonwoven web, in particular a tissue web with a basis weight of 28g / m² 2 up to 42g / m² 2, comprising: a) a raw material preparation plant for the low-water processing of cellulose-containing fibers into individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209); b) a dry forming device (4) for the dry forming of the individual fibers and / or fiber bundles (209) in an air stream into a planar fiber fabric (300) on a forming belt (40); c) an application device (71 ) for applying a fluid, preferably water and / or a water-additive mixture, to the fiber fabric (300); d) a consolidation device (8) for consolidating the planar fiber fabric (300) by applying pressure in a press gap (80) when the fiber fabric (300) is guided through the press gap (80) on a press belt (41) onto which the fiber fabric (300) was previously transferred from the forming belt (40) in a transfer area (100);characterized in that the machine (1) comprises a fluid application device which is configured to first apply the fluid to the press belt (41), wherein the press belt (41) serves as an application device (71) for applying the fluid to the fiber fabric (300).

Images