Flexible Endless Band Type Mold (e.g., Fourdrinier) Patents (Class 162/348)
  • Patent number: 11931997
    Abstract: A structured tissue belt assembly including a supporting layer, a non-woven web contacting layer, and one or more laser welds that attach the bottom surface of the web contacting layer to the top surface of the supporting layer. The structured tissue belt assembly allows for air flow in x, y and z directions. In exemplary embodiments, the structured tissue belt assembly has an embedment distance between the supporting layer and the web contacting layer of 0.05 mm to 0.60 mm and a peel force between the web contacting layer and the supporting layer of at least 650 gf/inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: First Quality Tissue Se, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Martin, Robbie Edmonds, Allan Manninen, Chi Zhang, Hongjian Zhou, James E. Sealey, II, Byrd Tyler Miller, IV, Marc Paul Begin, Justin S. Pence
  • Patent number: 11668049
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an industrial two-layered fabric including binding wefts which is capable of improving a high adhesivity of the fabric on the front and back surface sides and the supportability of the warps, without deteriorating the surface smoothness, the abrasion resistance on the back surface side, the extension resistance in the longitudinal direction and the hydration property, which have been conventionally desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON FILCON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuo Ueda, Kunio Nomura, Toru Egawa, Hideyuki Yanai
  • Patent number: 11619005
    Abstract: A seamed press felt formed from a base fabric having a CD width and an MD length with two opposing MD ends that are joined to form a continuous belt. MD oriented yarns form uniform loops at the two opposing MD ends that are interdigitated to define a pintle channel extending across the CD width. CD oriented yarns are connected to the MD oriented yarns, in a woven or non-woven construction. Loop open spaces are located within the loops on each of the two opposing MD ends in a seam region, with the loop open spaces being defined between a last one of the CD yarns at each of the two opposing MD ends and the pintle channel. At least one CD monofilament support yarn is located in the loop open spaces on each of the two opposing MD ends. The at least one CD monofilament support yarn has a diameter that is at least 1.6 times a diameter of the CD oriented yarns. A pintle extends through the pintle channel to form a seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AstenJohnson International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Swaine, Gary Linstad, John Snead, John Xu, Rick Phillips
  • Patent number: 11208764
    Abstract: A clothing for a machine for producing a fibrous web, especially a paper, cardboard, tissue or cellulose pulp web. The clothing has a basic structure with a top side and a running side as well as a nonwoven support at least on one side. The nonwoven support has a functional zone, which extends over more than 50 ?m in the thickness direction of the clothing and which includes a first portion and a second portion of nonwoven fibers. The nonwoven fibers of the first portion are formed of, or include, a polyurethane, especially a thermoplastic polyurethane, while the nonwoven fibers of the second portion are a polymer material not including a polyurethane. The first portion makes up between 10 wt. % and 60 wt. %, of the functional zone. There is also described a method for production and a suitable nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Eberhardt, Susanne Klaschka, Hubert Walkenhaus
  • Patent number: 10961660
    Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson, Manish Jain, Dhruv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10415186
    Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson, Manish Jain, Dhruv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10167595
    Abstract: A method of creping a cellulosic sheet and a creped web made by a creping process. The method includes preparing a nascent web from an aqueous papermaking furnish, depositing and creping the nascent web on a multilayer creping belt that includes (i) a first layer made from a polymeric material having a plurality of openings, and (ii) a second layer attached to a surface of the first layer, with the nascent web being deposited on the first layer, and applying a vacuum to the creping belt such that the nascent web is drawn into the plurality of openings, but not drawn into the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Daniel H. Sze, Hung Liang Chou, Xiaolin Fan
  • Patent number: 10060076
    Abstract: A paper machine screen which is formed as a transverse thread-bound, multi-layer fabric. Binding transverse threads extend respectively both in an upper fabric layer and in a lower fabric layer and hereby bind the lower fabric layer to the upper fabric layer. The binding transverse threads form functional transverse thread pairs within the total repeat, the transverse threads of which alternately complete the first weave. In the total repeat, the functional transverse thread pairs in the upper fabric layer are arranged in groups of respectively two or more functional transverse thread pairs arranged directly one after another, when seen in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Andritz Technology & Asset Management GmbH
    Inventors: Ipek Uymur, Wolfgang Heger
  • Patent number: 9957665
    Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson, Manish Jain, Dhruv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9951471
    Abstract: An improved method for producing paper from pulp includes a plurality of subassemblies arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. The Fourdrinier includes a dewatering table having a plurality of blades that are static and on-the run adjustable in height and/or angle to control orientation of paper fibers in the stock to create a superior quality of paper and improved paper strength characteristics. Gravity and vacuum assisted drainage elements are equipped with on-the-run adjustable angle and height dewatering foil blades starting from a paper dryness of 0.1% and extending all the way to 5% dryness. The result of this process and machine is to improve the paper quality, save fibers and chemicals and fulfill the required paper properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: IBS OF AMERICA
    Inventors: James Faufau, Andrew Forester
  • Patent number: 9873980
    Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson, Manish Jain, Dhruv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9863095
    Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers that has an upper side and a lower side. A plurality of hollow domed regions projects from the upper side of the absorbent sheet. Each of the hollow domed regions is shaped such that a distance from at least one first point on an edge of a hollow domed region to a second point on an edge at an opposite side of the hollow domed region is at least about 0.5 mm. Connecting regions form a network interconnecting the hollow domed regions of the absorbent sheet. A singly-ply of the absorbent sheet has a caliper of at least about 140 mils/8 sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Daniel H. Sze, Hung Liang Chou, Xiaolin Fan
  • Patent number: 9636640
    Abstract: A separation membrane for removing contaminants comprises: a hydrophobic membrane; and a graphene oxide layer formed to cover the hydrophobic membrane partially or wholly, wherein one surface of the hydrophobic membrane facing the graphene oxide layer has been hydrophilic-processed. The separation membrane is capable of enhancing removal efficiency on volatile contaminants, while maintaining a performance of the conventional separation membrane. The separation membrane is useful as a separation membrane for water treatment. Further, the separation membrane may be comprised in a membrane distillation apparatus, or may be utilized as a filter of a humidifier or a water purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byungsoo Oh, Jeongil Kye, Minjoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9611591
    Abstract: A papermaking machine for making a paper product using a through air drying process. A headbox supplies an aqueous furnish. A structuring fabric has a surface with a contact area and (i) receives the furnish from the headbox on the surface to thereby form a cellulosic web from the furnish and (ii) non-compactively dewaters the cellulosic web. At least one through air drier dries the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Hung Liang Chou, Daniel H. Sze, Xiaolin Fan
  • Patent number: 9062416
    Abstract: A process of determining the depth of pockets in a woven fabric that includes warp yarns and weft yarns. The process includes forming a representation of a portion of a surface of the woven fabric to provide a fabric representation, with the fabric representation showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets at the surface of the fabric. Knuckles surrounding a pocket in the woven fabric are identified, and a path is determined that passes from a first of the knuckles across the pocket to a second of the knuckles. The woven fabric is scanned using a measurement device along a line that corresponds to the determined path to provide a scan of the woven fabric, and a depth of a pocket is determined based on the scan of the woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventor: Daniel H. Sze
  • Patent number: 9045859
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism comprising: (a) a lower pultrusion; (b) an upper pultrusion; and (c) a plurality of cam blocks located between the lower pultrusion and the upper pultrusion; wherein the plurality of cam blocks are longitudinally movable relative to the lower pultrusion and the upper pultrusion so that as the plurality of cam blocks longitudinally move, at least a portion of the upper pultrusion moves away and/or angularly relative to the lower pultrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: IBS of AMERICA
    Inventors: Alex Gauss, Hermann M. Vogl, Joshua N. Kruger, Michael Boehmer, Andrew S. Forester, James F. Faufau
  • Patent number: 9011645
    Abstract: A process for preparing a seam area for a paper machine clothing (PMC) base fabric includes the steps of: forming the PMC base fabric by flat-weaving, the PMC base fabric including warp yarns extending in machine direction and weft yarns extending in cross machine direction and interwoven with the warp yarns, the weft yarns including first weft yarns and a second weft yarn, the second weft yarn being a multifilament yarn, the warp yarns, the first weft yarns, and the multifilament yarn being woven together on a loom in an original weaving process, the multifilament yarn being positioned in an anticipated seam area; and folding over the PMC base fabric, after weaving the multifilament yarn with the warp yarns, to form a seam loop of the PMC base fabric such that the multifilament yarn is a first one of the weft yarns on a sheet side of the seam loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan, Susanne Klaschka, Barbara Elmer
  • Publication number: 20150096704
    Abstract: An endless fabric belt for use in a paper, cardboard or tissue machine has machine-direction threads and cross-machine-direction threads. At least part of the threads are yarns composed substantially of a thermoplastic polymer material which is transparent for light of a wavelength. The fabric belt is a flat-weave with two front-side ends that are subsequently connected by bringing together end sections of the machine-direction threads in pairs with the formation of junction points and are woven with cross-machine-direction threads, forming a seam region. A material-to-material bond is formed in the seam region by absorbing light at the wavelength at yarn contact points. In the seam region, a plurality of spaced-apart, strip-shaped fabric sections are formed, in which the junction points and the yarn contact points which are connected to one another are arranged, and one strip-shaped fabric section without junction points is formed between two immediately adjacent fabric sections having the junction points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Voith Patent GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Straub, Robert Eberhardt
  • Publication number: 20150096705
    Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a transferring unit configured to transfer a web which includes fibers and resin and accumulates on the transferring unit, and a heating unit configured to heat the web. The transferring unit has a first surface onto which the web is transferred, and a second surface onto which the web is transferred and which is positioned on a downstream side of the first surface in the transfer direction of the web, and an angle which is formed by the first surface and the second surface is less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Shigeo ` FUJITA, Katsuhito GOMI, Shunichi SEKI
  • Patent number: 8999115
    Abstract: An industrial textile belt, a method for making it, and its use. The belt includes a seam with joining ends that can be joined together so that the belt becomes an endless loop. The joining ends have seam areas with cross-machine direction wear yarns on their machine surface. The wear yarns receive wear stress when the belt slides against the support surface of a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kari A. Salonen
  • Publication number: 20150090417
    Abstract: A woven-fabric web, such as a forming fabric or forming wire, for a machine for producing and/or processing a fibrous web, has a first woven-fabric layer with first longitudinal threads and first transverse threads interwoven with the first longitudinal threads and a second woven-fabric layer with second longitudinal threads and second transverse threads interwoven with the second longitudinal threads. The weaving pattern of the fabric is repeated in pattern repeats. The first and second longitudinal threads are arranged in a plurality of groups in each pattern repeat, with a first group and a second group and at least one further of the first and/or second group. Each first group is formed from a first longitudinal thread and a second longitudinal thread arranged below the first longitudinal thread and the first and second longitudinal threads in each group are arranged at no offset or only a slight offset in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: JOHANN BOECK
  • Publication number: 20150075743
    Abstract: A fabric tape or forming wire for a fibrous web manufacturing or processing machine, includes an upper fabric layer having upper longitudinal threads and interwoven first crossthreads, and a lower fabric layer having lower longitudinal threads and interwoven lower crossthreads. The fabric layers are stacked and the weaving pattern of the tape repeats. A ratio of upper to lower longitudinal threads in a repeat is smaller than one. The upper and lower longitudinal threads in each repeat are in first and second groups. Each first group is formed by an upper longitudinal thread and two lower longitudinal threads thereunder. Each second group is formed by an upper longitudinal thread and a lower longitudinal thread thereunder. In a perpendicular projection onto the fabric layers, the upper and lower longitudinal threads in each group are not or slightly offset forming a maximum free space of a half upper longitudinal thread diameter therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Johann BOECK
  • Patent number: 8980062
    Abstract: An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, around two rolls in a side-to-side manner in which a gap between adjacent edges is formed. A second material, for example a gap filler material, is placed between the adjacent edges, and the adjoining edges are joined by melting the filler material, strips of polymeric material, or both. The gap filler material can have a specific cross-sectional shape corresponding to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Jonas Karlsson, Anders Nilsson, Mikael Danielsson, Marcus Backstrom
  • Patent number: 8951389
    Abstract: An improved method for producing paper from pulp includes a plurality of subassemblies arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. The Fourdrinier includes a dewatering table having a plurality of blades that are static and on-the run adjustable in height and/or angle to control orientation of paper fibers in the stack to create a superior quality of paper and improved paper strength characteristics. Gravity and vacuum assisted drainage elements are equipped with on-the-run adjustable angle and height dewatering foil blades starting from a paper dryness of 0.1% and extending all the way to 5% dryness. The result of this process and machine is to improve the paper quality, save fibers and chemicals and fulfill the required paper properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: IBS of America
    Inventors: James Faufau, Andrew Forester
  • Publication number: 20140338853
    Abstract: An industrial textile belt, a method for making it, and its use. The belt includes a seam with joining ends that can be joined together so that the belt becomes an endless loop. The joining ends have seam areas with cross-machine direction wear yarns on their machine surface. The wear yarns receive wear stress when the belt slides against the support surface of a processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kari A. Salonen
  • Patent number: 8845862
    Abstract: A device for producing a fibrous sheet, including a water squeezing section which squeezes the dispersion medium from a dispersion to generate a web, and a drying section which dries the web to generate a fibrous sheet, the water squeezing section having multiple first fabric sheets arranged longitudinally along the transport direction of a web substrate that is partway through web generation, and water squeezing units which are provided beneath the multiple first fabric sheets and squeeze the dispersion medium from the dispersion, and in the water squeezing section, a continuous sheet is positioned so as to extend over the upper surface of the multiple first fabric sheets, and the dispersion is discharged onto the upper surface of the continuous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oji Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirao, Mitsuru Tsunoda, Hiroki Sato, Takashi Kawamukai
  • Publication number: 20140262096
    Abstract: A method for modifying the physical and/or chemical characteristics of a web of paper material includes the steps of causing a web of paper material, having a dry content between 1% and 90%, to adhere to an endless conveyor belt of elastic material, subjecting the conveyor belt and the web to at least one localized dimensional variation, and introducing at least one additive between the fibers of the web while adhering to the belt before or during the localized dimensional variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Giorgio TRANI
  • Patent number: 8815057
    Abstract: A fabric for a papermaking machine is configured as a belt, the two side edges of which are configured in each case as closed lines. Furthermore, the belt is formed in one layer from a solid material and has pores which form passages between the two surfaces of the belt. The belt has regions with a width of approximately 400 micrometers (?m) or less. These regions extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire circumference of the belt, transversely with respect to the side edges, and include no pores formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Eberhardt, Michael Straub, Matthias Hoehsl, Matthias Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8808505
    Abstract: A device for producing a fibrous sheet, including a water squeezing section which squeezes the dispersion medium from a dispersion to generate a web, and a drying section which dries the web to generate a fibrous sheet, the water squeezing section having multiple first fabric sheets arranged longitudinally along the transport direction of a web substrate that is partway through web generation, and water squeezing units which are provided beneath the multiple first fabric sheets and squeeze the dispersion medium from the dispersion, and in the water squeezing section, a continuous sheet is positioned so as to extend over the upper surface of the multiple first fabric sheets, and the dispersion is discharged onto the upper surface of the continuous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Oji Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirao, Mitsuru Tsunoda, Hiroki Sato, Takashi Kawamukai
  • Patent number: 8808506
    Abstract: A papermaking machine for the production of a fibrous web including a plurality of rollers and a structured fabric moving along the rollers. The structured fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns woven with the plurality of weft yarns to produce a weave pattern, the plurality of warp yarns being a plurality of paired warp yarn sets. Each paired warp yarn set including a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn. Within the weave pattern the first warp yarn forms a float over at least four weft yarns and weaves with a single weft yarn immediately adjacent with the float. The second warp yarn having an inverse pattern to the first warp yarn, with the second warp yarn weaving with another single weft yarn that is not adjacent to the single weft yarn with which the first warp yarn is woven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Scott Quigley
  • Patent number: 8801903
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of through voids, where each of the voids has a first opening associated with a top surface of the fabric and a first raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the first opening. The voids may each further include a second opening associated with a bottom surface of the fabric and a second raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the second opening, such that the first opening may have a surface area that is larger than or the same as the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Sabri Mourad, Jonas Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20140216676
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism comprising: (a) a lower pultrusion; (b) an upper pultrusion; and (c) a plurality of cam blocks located between the lower pultrusion and the upper pultrusion; wherein the plurality of cam blocks are longitudinally movable relative to the lower pultrusion and the upper pultrusion so that as the plurality of cam blocks longitudinally move, at least a portion of the upper pultrusion moves away and/or angularly relative to the lower pultrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IBS of AMERICA
    Inventors: Alex Gauss, Hermann M. Vogl, Joshua N. Kruger, Michael Boehmer, Andrew S. Forester, James F. Faufau
  • Publication number: 20140216675
    Abstract: Improved height and angle adjustment mechanisms and methods for producing paper includes a plurality of height and angle adjustment mechanisms arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. Glide shoes and cam-blocks having sloped grooves are arranged to be driven within a recess of an upper pultrusion assembly to change the angle or height of a particular foil blade. Actuators extend or withdraw a connecting rod, coupled to the cam-blocks, to influence heights and angles of various foils blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IBS of AMERICA
    Inventors: Alex Gauss, Hermann M. Vogl, Joshua N. Kruger, Michael Boehmer, Andrew S. Forester, James F. Faufau
  • Patent number: 8784615
    Abstract: A clothing for a paper machine is configured as a film-shaped continuous band that is closed in the circumferential direction and that has a perforated useful area and at least one edge extending between the useful area and a lateral edge. The edge area has a perforation density lower than the perforation density of the useful area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Straub, Robert Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 8764943
    Abstract: An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric, belt or sleeve may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20140178687
    Abstract: A monofilament fiber as described made from a polyoxymethylene polymer. Polyoxymethylene polymer can be blended with an abrasion additive in order to improve abrasion resistance. The polyoxymethylene polymer may be combined with a thermoplastic elastomer and a coupling agent. The fiber can be used as fishing line, as bristles for a brushing device, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Robert Gronner, Arvind Karandikar, Kaushik Chakrabarty, David McIlroy
  • Patent number: 8758569
    Abstract: A fabric structure used to make textured nonwoven products, the structure being permeable to air and water, comprising a web contact surface having a pattern including a series of raised land areas and corresponding depressions adapted to impart a texture to the nonwoven product produced thereon, and a series of through voids adapted to allow passage of both water and/or air from the fabric surface into and/or through the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Bo-Christer Aberg, Cary P. Johnson, Francis L. Davenport, Pierre Riviere, John J. Lafond, Jonas Karlsson, Jean-Louis Monnerie
  • Patent number: 8758570
    Abstract: A triple papermaking fabric includes a set of warp machine direction top yarns; a set of weft cross machine direction top yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of binding yarns arranged in the cross machine direction and interwoven with the top MD yarns and binding the top layer to the bottom layer. The binding yarns are arranged in pairs between two adjacent top CMD yarns, and in a fabric repeat unit at least one binding yarn of each pair is interwoven with at least one bottom MD yarn. The ratio between weft yarns and warp yarns is 4:2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Feltri Marone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Clara Rossetti
  • Publication number: 20140166224
    Abstract: A clothing fabric for a paper machine has two or more endless strips, which are each formed by a film-like web spliced along a joint to form a film-like web that is endless in the direction of circulation of the fabric. The endless strips are connected to one another at the side edges with the joints of two endless strips that are connected to each other are arranged to be offset in relation to one another with respect to the direction of circulation of the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Straub, Matthias Hoehsl
  • Patent number: 8709213
    Abstract: A macroscale, self-supporting, composite laminate sheet includes individual, layered graphene oxide sheets and a polymer in spaces between the sheets. This composite product can be fabricated by combining a suspension of individual graphene oxide sheets and a solution of polymer, passing the resulting fluid through a fluid-permeable support, and assembling the graphene oxide sheets and polymer as a laminate sheet by flow-directed assembly. The laminate is dried and released from the membrane filter as a self-supporting thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Owen C. Compton, Karl W. Putz, L. Catherine Brinson, SonBinh T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140096927
    Abstract: A twin wire press for dewatering solid-liquid suspensions, such as pulp suspensions, between top and bottom webs is described herein which includes consecutive primary, secondary and tertiary dewatering sections. The primary dewatering section includes a wedge area. The secondary dewatering section is positioned adjacent to the primary section downstream therefrom and includes grooved rolls in an s-roll configuration. The tertiary dewatering section includes rolls in a scissor-nip configuration. The press rolls in the secondary and tertiary section are all supported onto a frame. Whenever maintenance is to be performed on any one of the grooved rolls or on the press roll assemblies, an overhead crane can for example be used since no frame structure is provided on top thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Kadant Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Hughes Dionne, Marc-Andre Hetu, Daniel Parenteau
  • Patent number: 8685209
    Abstract: An improved method for producing paper from pulp includes a plurality of subassemblies arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. The Fourdrinier includes a dewatering table having a plurality of blades that are static and on-the run adjustable in height and/or angle to control orientation of paper fibers in the stack to create a superior quality of paper and improved paper strength characteristics. Gravity and vacuum assisted drainage elements are equipped with on-the-run adjustable angle and height dewatering foil blades starting from a paper dryness of 0.1% and extending all the way to 5% dryness. The result of this process and machine is to improve the paper quality, save fibers and chemicals and fulfill the required paper properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: IBS of America
    Inventors: James Faufau, Andrew Forester
  • Patent number: 8652302
    Abstract: A fabric belt for a machine for producing a web of fibrous material includes: a first fabric layer including a web contact side and formed by interweaving a plurality of warps with a plurality of wefts; and a second fabric layer positioned below said first fabric layer and formed by interweaving a plurality of warps with a plurality of wefts, a first ratio of a number of said plurality of warps of said first fabric layer to a number of said plurality of warps of said second fabric layer being greater than 1, a second ratio of a number of said plurality of wefts of said first fabric layer to a number of said plurality of wefts of said second fabric layer being greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Boeck, Matthias Hoehsl, Petra Hack-Ueberall
  • Patent number: 8647474
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or melt selected locations in papermachine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved seam for a papermaker or other industrial fabric that has properties such as strength, durability, openness, adequate number of support points, and fiber support index (FSI) essentially the same as the fabric body. The invention also relates to a fabric having a durable seam, wherein the seam width as measured in the MD is a fraction of the width of a normal seam or a seam that is formed using a conventional technique of equal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Albany International Corp
    Inventor: Dana Eagles
  • Publication number: 20140014285
    Abstract: A fabric for a papermaking machine is in the form of an endless belt which is closed in the circulating direction. The fabric has a first layer and a second layer which is arranged on the first layer. Each layer is formed by one or by a plurality of film-shaped tapes which adjoin one another and are arranged next to one another in the direction transversely with respect to the circulating direction. The side edges, which adjoin one another, of two film-shaped tapes of one of the two layers are arranged between the side edges of the two layers are arranged between the end edges of adjoining end edges of film-shaped tapes of one of the two layers. The film-shaped tapes of one of the two layers are connected over their full area to the film-shaped tapes of the other of the two layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Straub, Robert Eberhardt
  • Publication number: 20130299114
    Abstract: A clothing for a paper machine is configured as a film-shaped continuous band that is closed in the circumferential direction and that has a perforated useful area and at least one edge extending between the useful area and a lateral edge. The edge area has a perforation density lower than the perforation density of the useful area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Straub, Robert Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 8574403
    Abstract: A fabric belt for producing a web material, the fabric belt including a first layer on a web material side and a second layer on a machine side of the belt. The layers each having a basic weave connected to each other by binding threads extending in a binding thread direction. The layers having base binding threads extending both in and transverse to the binding thread direction. The binding threads form binding segments which are successive in the binding thread direction in the second layer. The binding threads are tied off on one base binding thread of the second layer extending transversely to the binding thread direction. The binding segments formed in the second layer are arranged in a binding pattern repeat extended in and transverse to the binding thread direction along a binding segment diagonal progressing obliquely to the binding thread direction and transverse to the binding thread direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Hoehsl, Johann Boeck
  • Patent number: 8551293
    Abstract: An improved method for producing paper from pulp includes a plurality of subassemblies arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. The Fourdrinier includes a dewatering table having a plurality of blades that are static and on-the run adjustable in height and/or angle to control orientation of paper fibers in the stock to create a superior quality of paper and improved paper strength characteristics. Gravity and vacuum assisted drainage elements are equipped with on-the-run adjustable angle and height dewatering foil blades starting from a paper dryness of 0.1% and extending all the way to 5% dryness. The result of this process and machine is to improve the paper quality, save fibers and chemicals and fulfill the required paper properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: IBS Corp.
    Inventors: James Faufau, Andrew Forester
  • Patent number: 8539987
    Abstract: A quadruple papermaking fabric comprises: a set of longitudinal machine direction top yarns; a set of cross machine direction top yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of central MD yarns; a set of central CMD yarns interwoven with the central MD yarns to form a central fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; a set of pairs of binder yarns arranged in the cross machine direction and interwoven with the top MD yarns. At least one of the binder yarns of each pair is interwoven with the central MD yarns to form a first binding pattern between the top layer and the central layer; at least some of the central CMD yarns define respective stitching yarns that are interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a second binding pattern between the central layer and the bottom layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Feltri Marone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Clara Rossetti
  • Patent number: 8524041
    Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hemant Gupta, Brad E. Kahlbaugh