Abstract: A headbox is disclosed for ejecting stock onto a forming wire of a papermaking machine. The headbox includes an upper, lower, first and second side wall, with each of the side walls extending between the upper and the lower walls such that the upper, lower and side walls define therebetween a slice chamber for the passage therethrough of a primary flow of the stock. A secondary flow of stock is injected laterally relative to the primary flow such that the secondary flow extends through the side walls for controlling fiber orientation along the lateral side edges of the stock ejected from the headbox onto the forming wire.

Abstract: A headbox apparatus is disclosed for ejecting stock onto a forming wire of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a header for the flow therethrough of the stock. The header finds an inlet and an outlet, the outlet having an upstream and a downstream end. The header is tapered in a cross-machine direction from the upstream end towards the downstream end such that the flow of stock through the outlet remains substantially constant from the upstream to the downstream end. A distributor is disposed immediately downstream relative to the outlet and in fluid communication therewith. The distributor includes a plurality of distributor tubes which are disposed parallel relative to each other. Each of the tubes has an upstream extremity such that the stock flows from the outlet through each of the upstream extremities. Each of the extremities defines an upstream edge and a downstream edge such that for each tube, the upstream edge is nearer than the downstream edge to the upstream end of the outlet.

Abstract: A releasable locking apparatus for securing a closure member to a frame includes a catch plate rigidly secured to the frame, the plate defining a catch. A locking device is pivotally secured to the closure member with the locking means defining an aperture which cooperates with the catch. The arrangement is such that in use of the apparatus, the locking device moves from a first pivotal disposition in which the catch and the aperture are spaced relative to each other to permit movement relative to the frame. The locking means moves to a second disposition in which the catch and the aperture cooperate together so that the locking means rides upon the plate. The locking device moves to a third disposition in which the catch is latchingly disposed within the aperture for securing the closure member to the frame. A backing plate is rigidly secured to the locking device for pivotal movement therewith. The arrangement is such that the closure member is disposed between the backing plate and the locking device.

Abstract: An electrical plug device is disclosed for establishing an electrical connection when the device is inserted within an electrical outlet socket. The device includes a housing and a first blade which extends from the housing for establishing a first electrical connection with the outlet socket. A second blade is electrically insulated from the first blade with the second blade extending from the housing for establishing a second electrical connection with the outlet socket. A biasing device co-operates with at least one of the blades for biasing the first and second blades relative to each other such that the blades establish an interference fit within the outlet socket so that inadvertent removal of the blades from within the outlet socket is inhibited.

Abstract: A papermachine drying apparatus is disclosed for drying a first and a second side of the web. The apparatus includes a first single tier drying section for drying only the first side of the web. The first drying section includes a first plurality of dryer cylinders for drying the first side of the web, and a first plurality of vacuum rolls disposed in close proximity between adjacent dryer cylinders of the first plurality of dryer cylinders. A second single tier drying section for drying only the second side of the web in which the drying section includes a second plurality of dryer cylinders for drying the second side of the web, such cylinders being disposed immediately downstream relative to the first drying section. A second plurality of vacuum rolls are arranged such that each vacuum roll is disposed in close proximity between adjacent dryer cylinders of the second plurality of dryer cylinders.

Abstract: A roll cover apparatus is disclosed for covering a roll of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a synthetic cover which is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the roll, which is of an electrically conductive material. A plurality of fibers are randomly dispersed within the synthetic cover such that the plurality of fibers are disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the roll and an outer face of the synthetic cover. An electrically conductive material is applied to the external boundary of at least some of the fibers such that during use of the apparatus, when slippage occurs between a web of paper being treated by the apparatus and the outer face of the cover, an electrostatic charge generated by the slippage is discharged by the conductive material from the outer face of the cover to the electrically conductive roll so that scorching of the web by discharge of the charge through the web is eliminated.

Abstract: A sling device is disclosed for securing to a waistband of a user. The sling device extends over the left and right shoulders of the user for supporting an arm of the user. The device includes a first and second strap extending over the left and right shoulder of the user respectively. Each of the straps has a first and a second end. Front and further front fasteners are connected to the first end of the first and second straps respectively for fastening the first ends of the straps to the waistband. Rear and further fasteners are connected to the second ends of the first and second straps respectively for fastening the second ends to the waistband. A first and second portion each having a first and second extremity are secured at the first extremities to the first and second straps respectively between the front and further front fasteners and the left and right shoulders respectively of the user.

Abstract: An extended nip press apparatus is disclosed for pressing water from a formed web. The apparatus includes a frame and an elongate shoe pivotally supported by the frame. A backing roll cooperates with the shoe for defining therebetween an extended nip for the passage therethrough of the web. The backing roll includes a beam which extends in a cross-machine direction, the beam being rigidly supported by the frame. A roll shell is rotatably supported by the beam, the roll shell cooperating with the shoe for defining the extended nip. A plurality of roll shell deflection compensating devices are disposed in a cross-machine direction between the roll shell and the beam for urging the roll shell towards the elongate shoe and for compensating for deflection of the roll shell relative to the shoe during passage of the web through the extended nip.

Abstract: A coating apparatus and method is disclosed for applying coating material onto a web supported by a backing member. The apparatus includes a housing which is disposed closely adjacent to the backing member. The arrangement is such that the web supported by the backing member moves between the backing member and the housing. The housing defines a chamber having an open end facing towards the backing member. A coating shoe slidably cooperates with the web, the shoe being movably disposed within the chamber. The shoe defines a cavity which is connected to a source of pressurized coating material. The cavity has an exposed face towards the web such that the coating material flows into the cavity and through the exposed face for applying the material onto the web.

Abstract: A press apparatus and method for pressing water from a paper web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a first press roll which is rotatably supported by the frame. A second press roll cooperates with the first roll for defining therebetween a pressing nip such that in use of the apparatus, the web extends through the nip for pressing the water therefrom. An elastomeric cover covers at least one of the rolls such that the pressing nip is extended in a machine direction so that the residence time of the web during passage of the web through the nip is increased.

Abstract: A press apparatus is disclosed for pressing a formed web of paper. The apparatus includes an extended nip press for pressing water from the formed web. A press roll is disposed downstream relative to the extended nip press, and a roll cooperates with the press roll for defining therebetween a roll couple for further pressing the web such that substantially uniform surface characteristics are imparted to both sides of the web.

Abstract: The coating head substantially comprises an elastic blade thrust against the paper sheet which is transported by a rotating cylinder, and a chamber fit for containing a coating suspension which is delimited by a portion of the outer surface of the cylinder and by the blade and which communicates with a feeding line of the suspension; moreover, said chamber is delimited by a deflector plate, the position of which, in relation to the cylinder, can be adjusted so as to define an exhaust port for the coating suspension between it and the surface of the cylinder; according to the invention, the deflector plate is provided with a blocking element which can be elastically deformed and fit for limiting the passage of the coating suspension through said exhaust port, said element presenting a free edge facing the cylinder which is parallel to the cylinder axis.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus is disclosed for transferring a web from an upstream dryer to a downstream dryer of a dryer section. The apparatus includes a first dryer felt which extends around the upstream dryer for supporting the web such that the web is disposed between the first felt and the upstream dryer for drying a first side of the web. The first felt roll is disposed downstream relative to the upstream dryer for guiding the first felt such that the first felt diverges relative to the upstream dryer and extends from the upstream dryer to and around the first felt roll. A second felt roll is disposed between the upstream dryer and the first felt roll such that the web is disposed between the second felt roll and the first felt. A second dryer felt extends around the downstream dryer for supporting the web such that the web is disposed between the second dryer felt and the downstream dryer for drying a second side of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a porous cover of a press roll of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a hydrostatic bearing disposed adjacent to the porous cover, the bearing defining a concave surface for cooperating with porous cover. The bearing defines a fluid conveying passageway having a first and a second end. The first end of the passageway is connected to a source of pressurized fluid and the second end is in fluid communication with the concave surface such that in use of the apparatus, when the porous cover of the press roll rotates, the fluid passes through the passageway and along the concave surface and between the concave surface and the porous cover. The pressurized fluid flow inwardly through the porous cover for flushing contaminants lodged within the porous cover outwardly away from the porous cover thereby inhibiting the buildup of comtaminants on the external surface of the porous cover that would otherwise impair the water absorbing capabilities of the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a forming section for forming a web from stock. The apparatus also includes a press section which is disposed downstream relative to the forming section for removing a portion of water from the formed web. The press section includes a suction pick-up roll disposed downstream relative to the forming section for picking up the formed web from the forming section. A press felt extends around the suction pick-up roll such that in use of the apparatus, the formed web is picked up from the forming section and is supported by the press felt. An extended nip press is disposed downstream relative to the pick-up means. The press includes a rotatable backing roll and a pressing shoe which cooperates with the backing roll for defining therebetween an elongate pressing section. A bearing blanket movably extends through the pressing section with the blanket cooperating with the suction pick-up roll such that the formed web is transferred from the press felt to the blanket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for removing fluid from a fibrous web. The apparatus includes a press member and a blanket which cooperates with the press member for defining therebetween an elongate pressing section such that the web is pressed between the press member and the blanket during passage through the pressing section. An elongate shoe urges the blanket towards the press member such that when the web passes through the pressing section, fluid is removed from the web. A heater is disposed adjacent to the press member for transferring heat to the web such that when the web passes through the press section, the web is subjected for an extended period to increased pressure and temperature so that water vapor generated within the pressing section during passage through the pressing section forces the fluid in the liquid phase away from the web. The press member defines a pressing surface which is porous so that delamination of the web is inhibited.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a liquid film of controlled thickness to a paper web. The apparatus is in the form of a flexible blade coater having a flexible blade fixed at one end and bearing against a backing roll (with interposed web) at a free end. The blade has independent loading means, preferably pneumatic. An intermediate loading means applies a first load intermediate the fixed and free ends which serves primarily and substantially independently to establish blade geometry or tip slope. A second loading means positioned near the free end of the blade primarily and substantially independently establishes tip load for a given geometry established by the first loading means. The compound loading arrangement allows a wider range of finer control of coating film thickness.

Abstract: A single tier drying section is disclosed for drying a web. The drying section includes a dryer and a felt guided about the dryer such that the web is disposed between the dryer and the felt for drying a first side of the web. A further dryer is disposed downstream relative to the dryer and a further felt is guided about the further dryer such that the web is disposed between the further dryer and the further felt for drying a second side of the web. A dryer transfer mechanism is used for transferring the web from the dryer to the further dryer.

Abstract: A blanket is disclosed for an extended nip press. The blanket includes a woven base having a first plurality of filaments which are disposed in a machine direction. The first plurality of filaments have a modulus of elasticity which permits flexing of the blanket during movement of the blanket through the extended nip press. The base also includes a second plurality of filaments woven together with the first plurality of filaments and disposed in a cross-machine direction. The second plurality of filaments have a modulus of elasticity which is higher than the modulus of elasticity of the first plurality of filaments for inhibiting flexing of the blanket in a cross-machine direction. Thermo-setting resin is applied to the base such that the resin is reinforced by the base. The resin defines a plurality of vents for permitting the escape of water in the liquid and vapor phase away from the extended nip press during use thereof.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus for permitting axial rotational and angular movement of a doctor journal of a papermaking machine, includes a housing which defines a cylindrical bore for the reception therein of the doctor journal. An annular bearing ring defines an inner and an outer surface with the outer surface being cylindrical and having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the bore such that when the ring is disposed within the bore, axial sliding of the bearing ring within the bore is permitted. A sleeve is disposed within the bearing ring with the sleeve defining an internal channel for supporting the doctor journal. The sleeve also defines an external face which closely conforms to the inner surface of the bearing ring such that angular movement of the sleeve within the bearing ring is permitted while axial movement of the sleeve relative to the bearing ring is inhibited.