Patents Assigned to Albany International Corp.
  • Patent number: 6554963
    Abstract: An industrial process fabric is embossed in a device, such as a continuously operating two-roll calender having a preselected embossing pattern. The roll(s) of the calender may alternatively themselves be engraved or etched to provide the embossing. Embossing takes place with controlled temperature, pressure, speed and gap (between the rolls) settings. The fabric may be a forming, press, dryer or TAD fabric used in paper and pulp production, pulp forming fabric or an engineered fabric used to produce nonwoven textile products by meltblowing, spunbonding, hydroentangling or air laid needle punching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Botelho, Jeffrey Scott Denton, James G. Donovan, John M. Hawes, Joseph Gerald O'Connor, David S. Rougvie
  • Patent number: 6508278
    Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric produced by modified endless weaving includes machine-direction (MD) and first cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. The MD yarns weave continuously back and forth between the two widthwise edges of the fabric, each time forming a seaming loop at one of the two widthwise edges. The MD and first CD yarns are interwoven with one another in a first weave pattern. The fabric also includes systems of second and third CD yarns. The second CD yarns are interwoven with the MD yarns along one of the two widthwise edges of the fabric between the system of first CD yarns and the seaming loops in a second weave pattern which may be different from the first weave pattern. Likewise, the third CD yarns are interwoven with the MD yarns along the other of the two widthwise edges of the fabric between the system of first CD yarns and the seaming loops in a third weave pattern which may be different from the first weave pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn J. Kornett
  • Patent number: 6491794
    Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric has a base structure which is a flattened array of a spirally wound multicomponent yarn. The flattened array has two layers, two sides, a length, a width and two widthwise edges. In each turn of the spiral winding, the multicomponent yarn has a substantially lengthwise orientation and is joined side-by-side to those adjacent thereto by a fusible thermoplastic material in each of the two layers. The multicomponent yarn forms seaming loops along the two widthwise edges. At least one layer of staple fiber material is needled into one of the two sides of the base structure and through the two layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Francis L. Davenport
  • Patent number: 6470944
    Abstract: An unlaminated belt for a single-facer section of a corrugated board production line has a single base structure in the form of an endless loop lacking a seam. The base structure is made up of yarns oriented in the machine, or running, and cross-machine directions of the belt. At least one layer of staple fiber material is needled into the outside of the base structure, extends at least partly therethrough, and forms a layer on the outside of the base structure. The base structure, once so needled, is impregnated with a polymeric resin material. The yarns of the base structure, the staple fiber material and the polymeric resin material are all of high-temperature-resistant materials to enable the belt to withstand the conditions under which it must operate on a corrugator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Alan L. Billings, Bernard Lantiegne
  • Patent number: 6465074
    Abstract: A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender of the shoe type, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, has a base support structure which includes coated elements, such as yarns, having a coating of a first polymeric resin material. The base support structure is in the form of an endless loop, at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of which is coated with a second polymeric resin material. The second polymeric resin material impregnates the structure of the base support structure, rendering it impermeable to oil and water. The first and second polymeric resin materials have an affinity for one another, so that the coating of second polymeric resin material on the base support structure as a whole establishes a chemical, as well as a mechanical, interlock with the coated yarns having the coating of first polymeric resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Keith FitzPatrick, Francis L. Davenport
  • Patent number: 6455448
    Abstract: A calender belt for the compliant calendering of a paper web includes an endless base substrate, a staple fiber batt attached to at least the outside of the endless base substrate, and a polymeric resin material totally impregnating the fiber/base composite structure comprising the endless base substrate and the staple fiber batt to a substantially uniform depth. That depth may be such that the polymeric resin material does not reach the base substrate, or partly or completely impregnates the base substrate. A layer of polymeric resin material is built up upon the staple fiber material to a predetermined thickness. Once the polymeric resin material is cured, it is ground to a desired smoothness without exposing any fiber on the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Francis L. Davenport, William H. Dutt
  • Patent number: 6447873
    Abstract: A leader used to pull a seamable papermaker's fabric onto a paper machine comprising at least one section of material comprising yarns which are so oriented so as to distribute the load evenly across and down the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn Kornett
  • Patent number: 6428874
    Abstract: A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press of the shoe type has a base structure impregnated by a polymeric resin material which renders the belt impermeable to fluids, such as oil, water and air. The polymeric resin material forms layers on the inner and outer sides of the base structure. The inner layer is smooth, but the outer layer has primary grooves for the temporary storage of water pressed from a paper web. The primary grooves are separated by land areas which have secondary grooves extending thereacross to relieve stresses which give rise to flex fatigue and stress cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Desmond J. McGahern, Bo-Christer Åberg
  • Patent number: 6419795
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin-impregnated endless belt structure having a texturized outer surface requires the use of a support structure, either a cylindrical mandrel or a pair of carrying rolls, having a texturized surface. An endless, permeable base structure is placed about the support structure, which is adapted to place the base structure under tension in a longitudinal direction. A polymeric resin material is dispensed onto the outside of the base structure on the support structure. The polymeric resin material totally impregnates the base structure and passes therethrough to coat the texturized surface of the support structure. A layer of polymeric resin material is also built up on the outside of the base structure. The polymeric resin material is then cured, and may be ground to provide the layer of polymeric resin material with a smooth, uniform surface, and the belt structure thus obtained is removed from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: William H. Dutt
  • Patent number: 6398915
    Abstract: A leader having a shape substantially that of a triangle which is used to pull a seamable papermaker's fabric onto a paper machine comprising a plastic coated substrate having plastic reinforcing strips thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Patrick Fargeout
  • Patent number: 6378566
    Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric, which may be produced by modified endless weaving, includes machine-direction (MD) and cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. When so produced, the MD yarns weave continuously back and forth between the two widthwise edges of the fabric, each time forming a seaming loop at one of the two widthwise edges. Interwoven with at least one of the two sides, top and bottom, of the seaming loops at one or both widthwise edges are at least two additional CD yarns. The additional CD yarns interweave with the top and/or bottom of the seaming loops in a leno weave, which keeps the seaming loops in a common position vertically relative to the plane of the papermakers fabric, locks the seaming loops into a desired position and orientation with their planes perpendicular to that of the papermaker's fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn J. Kornett
  • Patent number: 6350336
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Maurice R. Paquin
  • Patent number: 6331341
    Abstract: A multiaxial press fabric includes a base fabric and a plurality of layers of staple fiber material attached to the base fabric. The base fabric has at least one layer assembled by spirally winding a woven fabric strip, and takes the form of an endless loop. Because of the spiral winding, the yarns of the woven fabric strip lie in directions different from the machine- and cross-machine directions of the base fabric, giving the base fabric multiaxial characteristics. The woven fabric strip includes, in at least one of its lengthwise and crosswise directions, shaped yarns, which are either hollow yarns or yarns having a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 6329052
    Abstract: A blowable insulation material includes batt shredded into blowable clusters. In the several embodiments, the clusters include water-repellant or lubricant-finished fiber and/or dry fiber and/or binder fiber, and may be a mixture of clusters and a natural material including down, silk, wool, cotton or any other natural material with insulating properties, or any combination thereof, and may also include synthetic open fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Zivile M Groh, Victor P. Laskorski
  • Patent number: 6329051
    Abstract: A blowable insulation material comprising batt shredded into blowable clusters. In preferred embodiments, the clusters comprise water repellant or lubricant finished fiber and/or dry fiber and/or binder fiber and may be mixed with opened fiber. A process to produce the blowable clusters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Zivile M. Groh, Victor P. Laskorski
  • Patent number: 6290818
    Abstract: A resin-coated endless belt for a long nip press has a base which is a polymeric film structure in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction. The polymeric film structure has a plurality of perforations which may be aligned in one or both of these directions. The polymeric film structure is stretched in the presence of heat to orient the molecular chains in the unperforated intervals between the perforations to provide the structure with tenacity and resistance to further stretching. At least the inner surface of the base (polymeric film structure) is coated with a polymeric resin material, such as polyurethane. The polymeric resin material coats the base and upon curing, forms a mechanical interlock therewith by virtue of the perforations, and renders it impermeable to oil and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Eric R. Romanski
  • Patent number: 6284380
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fabrics for paper making machines that are rendered contamination resistant, maintain good permeability, and enhanced seam strength as a result of a durable coating that lasts the entire life of the fabric. A polyurethane based coating containing a fluorochemical will render the fabric contamination resistant over the entire fabric lifetime. It has been found that optical brighteners and titanium dioxide also enhance fabric appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Chad Aaron Martin, Bryan Casteel
  • Patent number: 6276420
    Abstract: A corrugator belt for a corrugator machine includes a base having two sides. One of the two sides is the face side of the corrugator belt when the belt is in the form of an endless loop on a corrugator machine. A layer of polymeric resin material is coated onto the face side of the base. The polymeric resin material provides the corrugator belt with an increased coefficient of friction relative to corrugated board, enabling the belt to pull corrugated board more readily through a corrugator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Lanthier
  • Patent number: 6265048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated clothing for a papermaking or cellulose manufacturing machine, as well as a method and a blank for manufacturing thereof. The clothing comprises two laminated layers (O, I), each having an inclined direction-defined thread system, the thread systems being inclined relative to the machine direction of the clothing and relative to each other. The two layers (O, I) constitute an upper and an inner part, respectively, of an endless band (40), which is so flattened that two edge folds (48, 50) are formed transversely of the machine direction, and which is then doubled with the edge folds (48, 50) coupled together. As a result, the band comprises a direction-defined thread system which is inclined relative to the machine direction and which, owing to the flattening and doubling of the band, forms the thread systems, inclined relative to each other, of the first and the second layer (O, I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Björn Rydin, Douglas L Horanburg
  • Patent number: 6253493
    Abstract: A door sweep includes a holder and a plurality of astragals extending from the holder. The holder has a generally U-shaped cross-section defining a cavity for receiving a portion of a door. The astragals are provided with tongues, which are received in grooves of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Raymond Sauve