A PRESS APPARATUS FOR PRESSING A MOVING WEB

A press apparatus is disclosed for pressing a moving web formed on a forming wire. The apparatus includes a frame and a first plurality of rolls rotatably secured to the frame. A first continuous felt extends around the first plurality of rolls which include a pickup roll disposed adjacent to the wire for transferring the web from the wire onto the first felt. The first plurality of rolls also includes a first press roll which is disposed downstream relative to the pickup roll. A second continuous felt extends around a second plurality of rolls with the second felt cooperating with the first felt. The second plurality of rolls includes a second press roll which cooperates with the first press roll for defining therebetween a first nip. The web is urged against the second felt when the web emerges from the first nip and the second felt and supported web pass through a second nip defined by an extended nip press disposed downstream relative to the first nip.