Abstract: A papermaker felt that is formed in a conventional manner and the ends thereof being interconnected at a seam to form an endless construction. Extruded monofilaments are secured in a machine direction to the underside of the felt in spaced parallel relation and overlie the area of the seam, wherein the seam area is protected from abrasion and the spaces between the monofilaments define channels for expressing water therethrough in the use of the felt in the endless form thereof in the press section of a paper making machine.

Abstract: A woven work fabric includes a first set of monofilament yarns that extend in a first direction and a second set of monofilament yarns that are interwoven with the first set of yarns and that extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first set of yarns. Each of the monofilaments in one of the sets of yarns has a cross section that has a substantially "X"-shaped configuration, and that is deformed during the weaving of the yarn sets wherein a relatively flat outer exposed surface is formed on each of the monofilament yarns in the one set of yarns.

Abstract: An endless work fabric having a loop seam construction and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed, wherein the fabric is used as a papermaker felt, a papermaker dryer fabric, a forming wire, or filter fabric. An endless belt formed of a preselected material preferably having longitudinally extending yarns included therein is collapsed upon itself to form folded ends that are stripped to expose end loops. The loops as formed in the ends of the fabric are intermeshed to define a transversely extending channel through which a pintle member is extended for joining the two ends of the folded fabric to define the endless work fabric. An alternate construction includes forming the fabric of nonwoven materials and interconnecting the ends of the collapsed fabric by a hinge-like construction through which a pintle member is extended.