Paper Forming Member (e.g., Fourdrinier, Sheet Forming Member, Etc.) Patents (Class 162/903)
  • Patent number: 7871498
    Abstract: Forming fabrics for making tissue webs are provided with structural icons on the side of the fabric that does not contact the tissue web during formation. The resulting tissue web has good formation without pinholes, yet contains a watermark corresponding to the shape of the structural icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Bakken, Peter John Allen
  • Patent number: 7811627
    Abstract: A papermaking fabric is treated by applying a nanoparticle type coating to improve their resistance to contamination by foreign matter in the papermaking system. The coating is applied during fabric manufacture and cured during heat setting. Alternatively, the coating applied or renewed by utilizing an existing shower or locating a spray boom or other suitable coating application device in the dryer section to apply the coating to the fabric in a controlled, uniform manner. Prior to application of the coating, the fabric is first thoroughly cleaned such as by showering or spraying, and then dried. Following controlled application of the coating, any excess material is removed by a suitable means, such as by vacuum, and the remaining coating on the fabric is then cured, either by utilizing the ambient heat of the dryer section or by a portable bank of heaters. In this manner, the fabric does not have to be removed from the machine in order to apply or renew the contaminant resistant coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Baker, Rex Barrett, Bud J. Chase, Bruce W. Janda, Ian Gerald Lang, Dietmar Wirtz, Larry Anderson
  • Patent number: 7803252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible and porous fabric structure comprising a support structure (1) and a coating material for use in a paper machine. The coating material (2) is arranged solely on the surface of the support structure (1) at a predefined location(s) so that the coating material (2) does not substantially alter the permeability properties of the support structure (1). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a fabric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Tamfelt PMC Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Martikainen, Pekka Kortelainen, Tania Rautio, Mari Seppanen, Ali Harlin, Tuula Wilenius-Jaakonaho
  • Patent number: 7749925
    Abstract: An industrial fabric having a composite layer, the composite layer having a non-woven mesh layer structure and a yarn layer structure being parallel to the non-woven mesh layer structure. The yarn layer structure has first and second yarns, with the first yarns being connected to the second yarns to form a mesh like structure, and the yarn layer structure being embedded into the non-woven mesh layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Antony Morton
  • Patent number: 7727360
    Abstract: A sieve for the wet-end section of a paper machine is described, in which the sieve has been compressed by at least one of increased temperature, pressure and/or moisture. Such a treatment leads to a sieve which has at least one side wherein the thread floats and knuckles are reshaped and the sieve presents at least one substantially flatter surface for the production of paper. This process does not cause any physical damage to the surface of the sieve, as current techniques of abrasively polishing the surface do, and therefore leads to cloths with improved properties and lifetimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Wangner GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Pitzler, Oliver Baumann
  • Patent number: 7727361
    Abstract: A fabric, in particular for a paper making machine, includes a plurality of helically wound coil members arranged side by side with respect to each other in an intermeshing manner, such that connecting channels are formed by adjacent intermeshing coil members, a hinge member being introduced into and extending along each connecting channel for interconnecting adjacent coil members, a stuffer channel being formed within each coil member extending along and between two connecting channels associated to a respective coil member, at least a part of the stuffer channels being filled with stuffer members extending longitudinally within the stuffer channels, a stuffer material being provided at least in regions of the fabric for filling spaces formed within the fabric between the coil members, the hinge members and the stuffer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Antony Morton, Justin Alan Payne, David Stuart Ponton, John Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 7722742
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fabrics used in papermaking, and relates more specifically to fabrics employed in making corrugated board. The invention also relates to a belt for a corrugated board machine, where the belt includes a coating including an anti-friction modifier which can provide one or more of the following advantages: easy application of the coating to the appropriate area of the fabric, the coating is cost effective, the coating provides for increased belt life on the machine, and increased production quality of corrugated board. The present invention also relates to corrugated board machine including a belt which has a coating containing an anti-friction modifier. The present invention also relates to a method of making a coating for a belt, and a method of applying the coating to a belt where the coating includes an anti-friction modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Jean Alphonse Marie Rouhling
  • Patent number: 7691238
    Abstract: A spiral-link fabric for use in a papermaking machine or the like. The spiral-link fabric may include a plurality of spiral coils arranged in a predetermined manner such that adjacent ones of side-by-side spiral coils are interdigitated with each other so as to form a channel and interconnected by a pintle extending through the channel. At least some of the plurality of spiral coils have a coil width of approximately 12 mm or larger, as measured in machine direction of the spiral-link fabric. The ratio of the diameter of the monofilament forming the spiral coils to the coil width may be approximately 0.07 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Alan L. Billings
  • Patent number: 7641768
    Abstract: A method of joining two ends of a fabric for use in a paper machine, carried out using a joining assembly, includes the steps of: placing a first end of the fabric on a first portion of a pin plate, the pins in the first portion of the pin plate extending into the first end; placing a second end of the fabric on a second portion of the pin plate such that the first end and the second end are in close proximity to each other in a join area, the pins in the second portion of the pin plate extending into the second end; and joining the first end and the second end in the join area. The method results in a perforated (and therefore permeable) join area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Sanjay Patel, Robert Crook, Bryan Wilson
  • Patent number: 7611607
    Abstract: A woven fabric for a papermaking machine includes a textured sheet contacting surface having substantially continuous machine-direction ripples separated by valleys. The ripples are formed of multiple warp strands grouped together and supported by multiple shute strands of two or more diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Cristina Asensio Mullally, Brooke Savell
  • Patent number: 7611605
    Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. This provides the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Edward Joseph VanRengen, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Jerome Steven Veith, Ralph Lee Anderson, Michael William Veith
  • Patent number: 7591928
    Abstract: A spiral-link fabric comprised of connected sets of “chain mail” intertwined spiral coils. Alternating sets of two right-turn spiral coils and two left-turn spiral coils are repeatedly connected to form the body of the fabric. Within each set, the spiral coil loops are intertwined in a pattern which does not require fastening to connect the coils. The alternating sets are connected by interdigitating respective spiral coil loops and inserting a series of parallel pintles extending through the channels formed by the interdigitated loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Alan L. Billings, Curtis L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7581567
    Abstract: A triple layer papermaker's fabric includes: a set of top MD yarns; a set of top CMD 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 stitching yarn pairs that interweave with the top MD yarns, wherein at least one of the yarns of each stitching yarn pair interweaves with the bottom MD yarns. The top MD yarns and the top CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of repeat units and the bottom MD yarns and the bottom CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of corresponding repeat units. The set of top MD yarns comprises a first number of top MD yarns in each repeat unit, and the set of bottom MD yarns comprises a second number of bottom MD yarns in each repeat unit, and the ratio between the first number and the second number is 2:3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin John Ward, Christine Barratte
  • Patent number: 7575659
    Abstract: A spiral-link fabric for use in a papermaking machine or the like. The spiral-link fabric may include a plurality of spiral coils arranged in a predetermined manner such that adjacent ones of side-by-side spiral coils are interdigitated with each other so as to form a channel and interconnected by a pintle extending through the channel. At least some of the plurality of spiral coils have a coil width of approximately 12 mm or larger. The ratio of coil thickness to coil width may be approximately 0.5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Alan L. Billings
  • Patent number: 7550100
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a paper product, in which paper (M) in a particular form, and mixed with water, is subjected to pressure to form a compacted mass which involves, or includes, depositing the mix onto a first conveyor belt (10) and then progressively forming the conveyor belt into an upwardly open U-shape configuration and compressing the mix by means of a second conveyor belt (20) guided to progressively enter the first conveyor belt and progressively compact the mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Fibrecycle Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Donald Barry Webb
  • Patent number: 7534325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a forming fabric, with a paper side fabric having paper side threads and with a wear side fabric having wear side threads. The paper side fabric and the wear side fabric are superimposed to one another and connected by binding threads weaving with both the paper side threads and the wear side threads, both extending in cross direction relative to the binding threads. The binding threads form part of the weave pattern of the paper side fabric and form part of the weave pattern of the wear side fabric, and alternate from weaving with the paper side fabric to weave with the wear side fabric and vice versa, thereby crossing each other forming crossing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Quigley, Martin Ringer
  • Patent number: 7524403
    Abstract: A forming fabric for an ATMOS system or a TAD machine. The forming fabric includes a permeability value of between approximately 100 cfm and approximately 1200 cfm, a paper surface contact area of between approximately 0.5% and approximately 90% when not under pressure and tension, and an open area of between approximately 1.0% and approximately 90%. A belt press for a paper machine can utilize the forming fabric. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Ademar Lippi Alves Fernandes, Martin Ringer, Carl Warren
  • Patent number: 7514030
    Abstract: A smoothed and durable industrial process fabric and method for producing such a fabric. The fabric may be used as a papermaker's fabric, other industrial process fabric and/or engineered fabric. In any case, the fabric is processed using a device comprising at least two smooth rolls which form a pressure nip, such as a calender, such that at least some of the fabric components are permanently deformed. Preferably, at least one of the rolls is heated to a pre-selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Anders Nilsson, Goran Nilsson, Ademar Lippi Fernande, David Rougvie, Lynn Kroll, Jeffrey Scott Denton
  • Patent number: 7491297
    Abstract: Papermaching clothing for conveying a fibrous web in a machine for producing the fibrous web, whereby a fabric made of fibers which run in the machine direction and in the transverse direction, is disclosed having circular fibers, flat fibers or, as compared with the plane of the clothing formed by them, flattened fibers, such as fibers having an elliptical cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Serr, Lena Johannson, Scott Quigley, Volker Schmidt-Rohr
  • Patent number: 7487805
    Abstract: A triple layer papermaker's fabric includes: a set of top MD yarns; a set of top CMD 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 stitching yarn pairs that interweave with the top MD yarns, wherein at least one of the yarns of each stitching yarn pair interweaves with the bottom MD yarns. The top MD yarns and the top CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of repeat units and the bottom MD yarns and the bottom CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of corresponding repeat units. The set of top MD yarns comprises a first number of top MD yarns in each repeat unit, and the set of bottom MD yarns comprises a second number of bottom MD yarns in each repeat unit, wherein the second number being greater than the first number. Each bottom MD yarn follows a different interweaving pattern than that followed by each of its two immediate neighboring bottom MD yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventors: Christine Barratte, Stewart Hay, Kevin John Ward
  • Patent number: 7484538
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric includes: a set of top machine direction yarns; a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the top machine direction yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a plurality of stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom fabric layers. The yarns are interwoven as a series of repeat units. In each of the repeat units, each top cross machine direction yarn forms multiple paper side floats, and at least a first of the paper side floats passes over a first number of top machine direction yarns, and at least a second of the paper side floats passes over a second number of top machine direction yarns that differs from the first number by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventor: Christine Barratte
  • Patent number: 7473336
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer multiaxial fabric for a paper machine having a reduced interference pattern and accordingly improved dewatering uniformity. The present invention also provides a method of forming such a multilayer multiaxial fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: John M. Hawes, Glenn Kornett
  • Patent number: 7464731
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric having a lower surface structure excellent in water drainage property, fiber supporting property, rigidity and wear resistance, obtained by binding an upper layer fabric and a lower layer fabric, wherein each of lower surface side wefts has a design in which it passes over one lower surface side warp, passes under one lower surface side warp, passes over one lower surface side warp and then passes under five successive lower surface side warps, while lower surface side warps each has a design in which it passes over four successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over three successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over two successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over three successive lower surface side wefts and then passes under one lower surface side weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigenobu Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7448416
    Abstract: An industrial fabric is described which comprises a woven fabric body having opposing ends. The fabric repeating weave pattern includes at least two systems of vertically stacked machine direction warp yarns interwoven with at least one system of cross machine direction weft yarns. On each end of the fabric at least some of the warp yarns form a first set of loops each of which is at a first angle to the machine direction, at least some of the warp yarns form a second set of loops each of which is at a second angle to the machine direction and each of the second set of loops is substantially concentric with the first set of angled loops to provide double end loops which can be seamed by using a coil seam or a pin seam. This fabric structure has the advantage that it is possible to use all of the fabric warp yarns in the loops, thus significantly increasing the tensile strength of the seam. It also permits the fabrication of a flatter seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventor: James Harrison
  • Publication number: 20080264511
    Abstract: A paper machine mesh, in particular forming mesh, includes an upper and a lower fabric layer and with binder threads to join the two fabric layers, whereby the lower fabric layer is formed by the binder threads, lower transverse threads and, woven therewith and extending transverse thereto, lower longitudinal threads, whereby the lower fabric layer has a weaving pattern which is repeated in lower repeats, whereby the binder threads are arranged in pairs and the binder threads of each pair are interchangingly woven with upper and with lower longitudinal threads, whereby each binder thread pair is flanked on both sides respectively by one lower transverse thread and each of the two flanking lower transverse threads is woven in periodic sequence with lower longitudinal threads as follows: i) the flanking lower transverse thread continually crosses several directly consecutive lower longitudinal threads on the outer side of the lower fabric layer; and ii) the flanking lower transverse thread continually crosses a
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Johann Boeck
  • Patent number: 7431802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a forming fabric, with a paper side fabric having paper side threads and with a wear side fabric having wear side threads. The paper side fabric and the wear side fabric are superimposed to one another and connected by binding threads weaving with both the paper side threads and the wear side threads, both extending in cross direction relative to the binding threads. The binding threads form part of the weave pattern of the paper side fabric and form part of the weave pattern of the wear side fabric, and alternate from weaving with the paper side fabric to weave with the wear side fabric and vice versa, thereby crossing each other forming crossing points. The wear side weave pattern is repeated by wear side repeat units, wherein the binding threads alternate such that one or less than one crossing point within each wear side weave repeat unit is formed and the ratio of the paper side threads to the wear side threads is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Quigley, Martin Ringer
  • Patent number: 7426944
    Abstract: Double layer forming fabrics, woven to an overall repeating weave pattern requiring at least 8 sheds in the loom, provide a low drainage area in a notional center plane between the paper and machine side layers, to resist and retard initial impingement drainage. Transverse binder yarn pairs follow a single combined path interweaving with paper side layer and machine side layer yarns, with long internal floats under at least four paper side layer yarns between exchange points and interlacing points in the machine side layer. The members of the pairs are laterally displaced in relation to each other along the single combined path. The fabric has a total warp fill after heatsetting of at least 100%. The drainage areas of the paper side layer and the machine side layers are between 25% and 50%, and the center plane drainage area is between 8% and 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Danby, Dale B. Johnson, Richard Stone
  • Patent number: 7410554
    Abstract: A forming fabric including a sheet contact layer of woven material and a base layer formed of a layer of spiral turns formed by a spirally-wound material strip, the material strip having a width which is smaller in width than the forming fabric, the longitudinal axis of the spiral turns making an angle with said machine direction of the fabric. The sheet contact layer and the base layer are laminated to one another to form a single fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Francis L. Davenport
  • Publication number: 20080169040
    Abstract: A machine side layer weave design for use in woven composite fabrics, particularly papermakers forming fabrics having differing weave designs on each planar surface is provided. The composite fabric is comprised of two sets of weft yarns interwoven with at least one system of warp yarns. A first set of weft yarns is interwoven with the at least one system of warp yarns to form the paper side layer, while the second set of weft yarns is interwoven with the at least one system of warp yarns to form the machine side layer. In each repeat of the machine side layer weave design, at least 50% of the warp yarns pass under two adjacent weft yarns on the machine side of the fabric to form a double warp knuckle, and each double warp knuckle is bounded on either side by a single warp knuckle formed on each of the first and second weft passed under by the double warp knuckle. Further, in each repeat of the weave, each weft yarn is passed under by two adjacent warp yarns to form two adjacent single warp knuckles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: ASTENJOHNSON, INC.
    Inventor: Rex Barrett
  • Patent number: 7384515
    Abstract: A fabric and a method of forming a fabric formed by the steps of providing an endless fabric having at least two layers of MD yarns, raveling CD yarns in an area of said endless fabric to be cut, cutting at least one layer of MD yarns at a first predetermined location, and cutting at least one layer of MD yarns at a second predetermined location. The method also includes steps of folding the endless fabric in half in the MD direction, placing the first and second predetermined locations proximally to one another, forming loops from at least one uncut layer of MD yarns when said fabric is folded, and seaming the loops to form an endless fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Tobias Byfeldt, Bjorn Rydin
  • Patent number: 7384513
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric for use as a forming fabric. The fabric may include bondable or meltable monofilament yarns which may be formed from materials that retain substantial strength and tenacity after thermal treatment. Further, the remaining yarns in the forming fabric may be formed from materials that have a higher melting temperature than the monofilament material that will be thermally bonded or melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Dana Eagles
  • Patent number: 7381308
    Abstract: A method of seaming an on-machine-seamable multiaxial papermaker's fabric to prevent yarn migration. The multiaxial fabric is in the form of an endless loop flattened into two layers along fold lines. CD yarns are removed from the folds to create extended ravel areas. This leaves the MD yarns unbound in the ravel areas. Seam loops are then formed from the unbound MD yarns at the folds. CD materials (e.g. continuous CD yarns) are affixed to (rewoven into) the fabric along the edges of the ravel area at each fold. The affixed CD materials bind the CD yarn tails along the edges of the ravel areas to prevent migration of CD yarn tails into the seam area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Glenn Kornett, Bjorn Rydin, Bodil Jonasson, Sandra Rae, Frank Oxley, Dave Krebs
  • Patent number: 7381306
    Abstract: The invention concerns a paper machine belt having front ends (6, 7) extending transversely to the machine direction and having a yarn structure (2, 4) made up of longitudinal yarns (3) extending in the machine direction and transverse yarns (5) extending transversely to the machine direction, and having a coupling device (8, 32, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92) connecting or capable of connecting the front ends (6, 7), which device comprises at both front ends (6, 7) coupling elements (9, 10; 33, 34, 35, 36; 53, 54; 63, 64: 83, 84; 93, 94) engaging respectively onto the yarn structure (2, 4); which is characterized in that the coupling elements (9, 10; 33, 34, 35, 36; 53, 54; 63, 64; 83, 84; 93, 94) are propping themselves against the side facing away from the front edges (6, 7) transverse yarns (5) belonging to the yarn structure (2, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Walter Best, Christian Molls
  • Patent number: 7374639
    Abstract: A papermaking belt having a reinforcing structure and a pattern layer is disclosed. The reinforcing layer has a first layer of interwoven machine direction yarns and cross-machine direction yarns. The machine direction and cross-machine direction yarns of the first layer are interwoven in a weave. The pattern layer extends outwardly from and into the first layer. The pattern layer provides a web contacting surface facing outwardly from the first layer. The pattern layer further has at least one region having an amorphous pattern of elongate two-dimensional geometrical shapes having a longitudinal axis having an angle relative to either of the machine direction or the cross-machine direction. The amorphous pattern of two-dimensional geometrical shapes has a statically controlled degree of randomness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Stanley Ampulski, Osman Polat
  • Patent number: 7373957
    Abstract: A papermaking screen includes at least one individual fabric for the paper side and at least one individual fabric for the machine side. Each of those fabrics is provided with a set of weft yarns (4, 6) and warp yarns (1, 5). At least one part of the superimposed individual fabrics is interconnected via binder yarns (3). The two fabric layers (paper side and machine side) are connected by binder yarns that are fully integrated into the fabric structure of the paper side and are able to support the resulting binding point due to each binder yarn (3) engaging with warp yarns (1) of the individual fabric from above at defined points on the paper side, while at least one weft yarn (2) of the individual fabric engages with the warp yarns (1) from below on the opposite side so as to lean against it such that the binder yarns remain on one plane along with the weft and the remaining warp yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Andreas Kufferath GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Heger, Klaus Fichter
  • Patent number: 7357157
    Abstract: In a repeating unit of a two-layer fabric, a first upper surface side warp forms a first upper surface side warp design. A second upper surface side warp forms a latent portion in which the second upper surface side warp passes between the two layers of the fabric. A first lower warp binding yarn and a second lower warp binding yarn form first and second knuckles respectively by passing over one or two upper surface side wefts at a position not adjacent to two knuckles of the second upper surface side warp in the latent portion. The first and second knuckles are formed at different positions. The first lower warp binding yarn, second upper surface side warp and second lower warp binding yarn cooperatively form a second upper surface side warp design similar to the first upper surface side warp design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Ueda
  • Patent number: 7306014
    Abstract: In a lower surface side layer of an industrial two-layer fabric, warps are formed by sequentially arranging a repeating design unit, in which one warp passes over six successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over two lower surface side wefts, and passes under one lower surface side weft while shifting the design by three lower surface side wefts. Two adjacent lower surface side warps simultaneously weave therein, from the lower surface side, one lower surface side weft, whereby the lower surface side weft passes over two lower surface side warps and then passes under eight lower surface side warps to form a weft long crimp corresponding to eight lower surface side warps on the lower surface side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagura, Ikuo Ueda, Keiichi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7300554
    Abstract: A multi-layer tissue forming fabric constructed so that the top forming surface has topographical differences measured as a plane difference between at least two top weft yarns. The plane difference—the difference in height between the two weft yarns—must be greater than zero. Using at least two different diameter, size, or shape weft yarns positioned at the same contour in the forming surface creates this plane difference and defines pocket areas in the forming surface of the tissue forming fabric. The pocket areas act to generate bulk, cross directional tensile, absorbency, and softness in a formed sheet of tissue, napkin, or towel paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: John J. LaFond, Cynthia Rose Mathe, Jeffrey Joseph Collegnon, Bruce Stowe
  • Patent number: 7297234
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and a papermaker's or industrial fabric, which includes the application of a polymeric resin material onto preselected discrete locations on a base substrate in a controlled manner in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) to point bond yarns, bond spiral wound strips together or to bond layers of a fabric together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Francis L. Davenport, Charles E. Kramer, Joseph G. O'Connor, Maurice Paquin
  • Patent number: 7294238
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric having a three-dimensional texture suitable for use as a fabric for producing three-dimensional fibrous webs. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a plurality of substantially parallel adjoining sections of non-woven material. Each section of non-woven material has a width substantially less than the width of the non-woven tissue making fabric. Each section of non-woven material may be joined to at least one other adjoining section of non-woven material. The non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, a tissue contacting surface and a tissue machine contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface comprises solid matter at a plurality of heights such that the tissue contacting surface of the non-woven tissue making fabric has an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm in regions of solid matter on the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Bakken, Mark Alan Burazin, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7279074
    Abstract: The invention refers to a paper machine clothing, in particular a forming wire or dryer felt, having a paper side and a machine side, the paper side being constituted by plastic elements (1, 11, 21, 31), for example in the form of a belt layer, yarns, coils or planar element rods, or the like, the plastic elements being equipped, at least on the surfaces constituting the paper side, with an anti-adhesive coating (5, 6, 14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35) whose adhesion is less than the adhesion of the material of which the plastic elements (1, 11, 21, 31) are substantially made, which is characterized in that the plastic elements (1, 11, 21, 31) have, at least on the paper side, depressions (3, 4, 12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33) into which anti-adhesive coating (5, 6, 14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35) is incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Best, Walter Schaaf, Frank Zils
  • Patent number: 7276137
    Abstract: The invention concerns a textile product (6) for use in a paper machine, having a monofilament or a profiled structure as support element (1) on which is arranged a layered sensor for measuring pressure and/or temperature, and is characterized in that the sensor is constituted from at least three layers (2, 3, 4), the second layer (3) having piezoelectric properties and the layers (2, 4) in contact against the second layer (3) forming electrodes that are couplable or coupled to an analysis device. The invention further concerns a method for producing such a textile product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Best, Sebastian Gerundt
  • Patent number: 7270151
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric which comprises eight pairs of warps obtained by arranging eight upper surface side warps and eight lower surface side warps, and a plurality of upper surface side wefts and lower surface side wefts, and has an upper surface side layer and a lower surface side layer bound with warp-direction yarns. In the lower surface side layer, warps are formed by successively arranging a design in which one warp passes over four successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over two lower surface side wefts, and passes under one lower surface side weft while shifting the design by three lower surface side wefts, and two adjacent lower surface side warps simultaneously weave therein, from the lower surface side, one lower surface side weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagura, Ikuo Ueda, Keiichi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7238259
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric and a method of forming a papermaker's fabric, for installation in a papermaking machine. The papermaker's fabric having a plurality of cross-machine, a plurality of machine directional yarns, and a plurality of heat shrunk joints connecting ends of either the machine directional yarns or the cross machine directional yarns to form and continuous loop of fabric. The papermaker's fabric is formed by providing a fixture for securing a plurality of heat shrink tubing sections. Two or more corresponding yarns of the papermaker's fabric are inserted into each of the heat shrink tubing sections and heat is applied to the heat shrink tubing. Upon application of the heat the heat shrink tubing reduces its size to form a tight joint between two yarns inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph G. O'Connor, Victor P. Laskorski
  • Patent number: 7216677
    Abstract: In an industrial two-layer fabric, running surface side wefts constituting the running surface side layer each has a design in which the running surface side weft passes over a running surface side warp, passes under two successive running surface side warps, passes over a running surface side warp and passes under at least four successive running surface side warps, thereby forming a long crimp of the weft on the running surface side surface. A running surface side weft adjacent to the above-described weft or adjacent to the above-described weft with one weft sandwiched therebetween is arranged with a design obtained by shifting the design of the above-described weft by two running surface side warps. The design of the running surface side warps is formed of a portion passing under a running surface side weft and a portion passing over at least two running surface side wefts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co. Ltd.,
    Inventor: Shigenobu Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7175743
    Abstract: In an antifouling papermaker's fabric woven from a warp and weft made of synthetic resin filament, the fabric is coated with a resin composition made by blending a two-liquid reaction type epoxy resin with a prepolymer of phenolsulfonic acid as a curing agent to form on the surface of a constituent yarn an antifouling coating film constituted by a reaction product of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Murakami
  • Patent number: 7166189
    Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved either by imparting cross-machine direction dominant bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue by using specially woven transfer fabrics and/or by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. Both techniques provide the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Edward Joseph VanRengen, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Jerome Steven Veith, Ralph Lee Anderson, Michael William Veith
  • Patent number: 7144479
    Abstract: A method whereby a water permeable press fabric is given greater dewatering and drainage capacity by providing voids which are reservoirs of minimum pressure available to accept water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Trent W. Davis, James G. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7128809
    Abstract: A web-making fabric for producing a high caliper fibrous web and the fibrous web produced thereby. The web-making fabric comprises a reinforcing structure and a framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The framework defines a plurality of deflection conduits, at least one deflection conduit is a negatively radiused deflection conduit, and at least one deflection conduit is a positively radiused deflection conduit. The positively radiused deflection conduits are sized, shaped, and arranged to maximize fiber deflection along the periphery of the conduits. The web comprises three regions, a first region a second region and a third region. The first region is immediately adjacent to at least one of the second region and the third region. The second region comprises a plurality of negatively radiused domes. The third region comprises a plurality of positively radiused domes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Vinson, John Allen Manifold, Jonathan Andrew Ficke, Yanping Zhang
  • Patent number: 7118651
    Abstract: A press felt comprises a base fabric, optionally with a batt of fibrous material needled thereto. The base fabric is woven endless, having upper and lower layers of weft yarns and first and second sets of warp yarns. The first set of warp yarns interweaves with at least the upper layer of wefts and the second set of warp yarns interweaves with at least the lower set of wefts. At least some of the first set of warps at least occasionally interweave with the lower wefts and at least some of the second set of warps at least occasionally interweaves with the upper wefts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics Heidenheim GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: William Daniel Aldrich