Patents Assigned to Albany International Corp.
  • Patent number: 7252133
    Abstract: A high load operation industrial roll door, including a flexible door curtain windable about a top roll positioned above a door opening and provided with a drive system. The roll door includes a bottom beam fastened to the door curtain, and a biasing spring, for resisting movement of the door upon application of a load thereon, and a positive stop preventing movement of the biasing means beyond a predetermined point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Mikael Bengtsson, Hakan Larsson, Raymond Sauve, Holger Siewert, Jan Victor, Kent Palsson
  • 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: 7229531
    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 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. A thin porous material is sewn to the fabric at each fold. The porous material binds the CD yarns along the edges of the ravel areas while allowing passage of the seam loops through the material. The laminate prevents migration of CD yarn tails into the seam area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Steven S. Yook, Michael A. Royo
  • Patent number: 7197997
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to large waterborne, towed flexible fluid containment vessels for the transportation of cargo comprising a fluid or fluidisable material and a method of fabricating the vessels. The flexible fluid containment vessel includes an impervious, elongated flexible tubular structure comprised of fabric having a first circumference. The vessel also includes a sealed front end and rear end and a means for filling and emptying the vessel of cargo. The front end or the rear end of the tubular structure is formed by weaving, knitting or braiding in such a manner to have a taper that terminates in a second circumference that is less than the first circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Roland E. Jordan, Jonathan S. Barish, John J. Farrell, Glenn Kornett, Stoney Thornley
  • Patent number: 7198067
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in a forming section of a paper machine, having a first layer formed of a first system of paired machine-direction (MD) warp yarns interwoven with a first system of cross machine-direction (CD) weft yarns and a second layer formed of a second system of MD warp yarns interwoven with a second system of CD weft yarns. The paired MD warp yarns are intrinsic to the first layer and are interwoven with the second system of CD weft yarns to bind the second layer to the first layer. The second system of MD warp yarns forms long floats, or warp-runners, on an external surface of the second layer. In this manner, a triple layer forming fabric with paired intrinsic binders and warp-runners may be produced with improved wear side abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Joseph Collegnon
  • Publication number: 20070032155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn containing siliconized micro-denier polyester fibers and macro-denier fibers. The blending ratio of the siliconized micro-denier polyester fibers and macro-denier fibers in the yarn ranges between about 10 to about 90 and about 90 to about 10 percent by weight. The macro-denier fiber of the yarn is selected from the group consisting of a synthetic fiber, a natural fiber, and a combination of synthetic and natural fibers. The invention also relates to a woven or knitted fabric and articles of clothing containing the yarn of the invention, either alone or in combination with other yarns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Ian Patterson
  • Patent number: 7172982
    Abstract: An industrial fabric having improved sheet restraint and wear resistance along with acceptable permeability. The improvement is effected by coating only the high spots of the fabric with silicone material. The coating methods used in this invention may include kiss roll coating, gravure roll coating, rotogravure printing, rotary screen coating, screen-printing and/or flexography. The improvement is also applicable to corrugator fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Adam J. Jaglowski, Alan L. Billings
  • Patent number: 7169265
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structures and belt structures designed for use on a long nip press on a papermaking machine and for other papermaking and paper processing applications, requires the application of a sacrificial material onto a base substrate in a predetermined pattern in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. Polymeric resin material is then deposited on the base substrate to cover all areas except those on which the sacrificial material has been previously applied. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and the sacrificial material removed. Optionally, the polymeric resin material may then be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Charles E. Kramer, Joseph G. O'Connor, Maurice Paquin
  • Patent number: 7166195
    Abstract: A grooved perforated layer for use in a papermakers' fabric is provided. The grooves serve to diffuse flow at the surface of the perforated layer so as to reduce the pressure drop across the layer and thereby reduce the migration of fines. In this manner, the light/dark pattern associated with the fines is avoided and the quality of the resulting paper sheet is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: John Hawes
  • Patent number: 7166196
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structure and belt structure, designed for use on a long nip press on a papermaking machine and for other papermaking and paperprocessing applications, requires the application of a polymeric resin material onto a base substrate in a precise predetermined pattern in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and, optionally, may be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Charles E. Kramer, Joseph G. O'Connor, Maurice Paquin, John Skelton
  • Patent number: 7156956
    Abstract: A family of paper industry process belts (“PIPB's”) having a range of properties for different applications in the paper industry. The PIPB can be a laminate comprising a grooved press belt and a porous membrane embedded therein and used as a substitute dewatering structure heretofore provided by press fabric(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Keith FitzPatrick
  • Patent number: 7147756
    Abstract: An industrial process fabric and a method for manufacturing such a fabric. The fabric is made of material and is endless, or made endless with a seam, in the machine direction of a machine on which it is used. The fabric comprises at least one layer composed of a spirally-wound strip made of material and having a width which is smaller than the width of the final fabric. The longitudinal axis of the spirally-wound strip of material makes an angle with the machine direction of the fabric. The fabric strip of material may advantageously be a flat-woven fabric of MD and CD yarns in any weave pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Francis L. Davenport
  • Patent number: 7144480
    Abstract: A shoe press belt having formed on an outer surface a plurality of parallel machine direction grooves. Each groove has formed therein a plurality of conical rebates. The rebates are spaced along each groove with centers coincident with the groove center line. The positions of the rebates are stepped diagonally across adjacent parallel grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Trent Davis
  • 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: 7141144
    Abstract: A multi-layer woven papermaker's fabric having at least two sets of seam loops. Longer and a shorter seam attachment mechanisms are used to connect the bottom and top layer seam loops. The longer attachment mechanism in the top layer being over the shorter attachment mechanism in the bottom layer, and vice versa. A pintle or installation cable is positioned between each set of connectors to form a seam. The pair of connectors for each set of seam loops comprises different lengths in the MD direction such that the pintle or installation cables on adjacent layers are offset in the MD direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Björn Rydin
  • Patent number: 7128810
    Abstract: An anti-rewet press fabric for paper and board machines includes a barrier layer such that during compression in the press nip, the water is forced through the barrier layer, but is prevented from flowing back to the paper web during expansion. The barrier layer comprises a continuous material possessing, for example square, rectangular, tetrahedral, circular or oblong conical inclusions with a smaller opening on the bottom than on the top of the structure. Each of these “funnels” effectively constitutes a one-way valve and creates a vacuum to prevent re-absorption of water by the paper sheet. Under pressure, the structure of the barrier layer allows water to flow into the cones and out of the smaller opening in the bottom. Upon expansion, the smaller opening in the bottom of the structure restricts backward water flow and creates a vacuum on the other side. The vacuum increases water retention in the press fabric and prevents rewetting of the paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7128097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seam for use in joining a first end and a second end of a papermakers' fabric. The seam may include a first seaming spiral element attachable to the first end and a second seaming spiral element attachable to the second end. At least one of the first or second spiral seaming elements is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Stefan Axelsson, Lars Jansson
  • Patent number: 7124781
    Abstract: A multi-layer fabric which may be utilized in a papermaking process. Such fabric has a first layer of machine direction (MD) yarns, a second layer of MD yarns and a first system of cross-direction (CD) yarns having first binder yarns weaving a first contour pattern and second binder yarns weaving a second contour pattern different from the first contour pattern. The first binder yarns and the second binder yarns are each intrinsic to the first layer and each bind with the second layer. Moreover, the binder yarns each weave in sequence in the first layer more than once in a pattern repeat of the fabric. The binder yarns also weave plural contour patterns in the first layer in the weave pattern repeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Ernest Fahrer, Monique Fagon
  • Patent number: 7107921
    Abstract: A flexible fluid containment vessel fabricated out of a fabric for transporting and containing a large volume of fluid, particularly fresh water, having a tapered front and/or rear portions on which an end portion is affixed in the form of a clamping mechanism sealing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Trent W. Davis, Mary M. Toney
  • Patent number: 7101599
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric formed of a woven fabric strip. The fabric strip has a width less than a width of the papermaker's fabric, a main portion that is in the form of a multi-layer weave, and two lateral edges that are in the form of weaves having fewer layers than the main portion. The edges are formed such that when the fabric strip is wound around in a continuous spiral fashion to form a papermaker's fabric, the lateral edges overlap one another forming a spiral seam which has a number of layers equal to that of the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Michael G. Moriarty