Abstract: A felt for use in a papermaking machine includes a woven base fabric and a batt layer for supporting the paper web. A flow control layer is interposed between the base fabric and the fibrous batt layer, to impede rewetting of the paper web as the paper web exits a press nip of the papermaking machine. The flow control layer is formed of a porous hydrophobic material. Pressure exerted by the press nip forces water from the paper web through the batt layer and the flow control layer into the base fabric. When the pressure is relieved, the hydrophobic properties of the flow control layer impede back-flow of water to the batt layer and thence to the paper web, thereby impeding rewetting of the web. The flow control layer is preferably formed of a spunbonded filamentary nylon material which is non-circular in cross-section, such as tri-lobed/triangular, and which may be treated with an hydrophobic chemical composition to enhance hydrophobic properties.

Abstract: An instrument determines one or more physical properties, including dielectric, in a web or other material. A resonant cavity in the instrument resonates at a known band of frequencies. The instrument generates a constant frequency signal within the known band, divides the signal into a measuring signal and a reference signal. With the instrument proximate the web, the measuring signal is passed into the resonant cavity. A first fraction passes through the resonant cavity. incurring a phase shift. A second fraction is reflected from the cavity. The phase shift in the measuring signal is compared to the reference signal, and a first output signal is sent to a controller. The magnitude of the reflected signal is determined, and a second output signal is sent to the controller. Using the first and second output signals, the controller calculates a resultant property value (e.g. moisture content), using the combined values of phase shift and reflected power to cancel out the affect of distance of the e.g.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an instrument, and methods of use, for collecting and mathematically manipulating physical property data relating to a material such as a felt for a papermaking machine. An indeterminate number of data values are collected, and a determinate number of data points are calculated therefrom. The data points, representing physical properties of the material, are correlated to specific loci on the material, thus identifying specific data points with specific loci on the material or web. The methods are useful for determining, for example, moisture content of a pepermaking felt at specific locations on the felt.

Abstract: This invention pertains to papermaking felts, methods of making such felts, methods of using the felts, and methods of making paper using such felts. A felt of the invention contains at least one substrate web having a fuse-bonded joint extending across the width of the felt. The joint is preferably formed by superposing, onto each other, end portions of a flat-woven substrate web element, with the end portions extending away from the ends in a common direction, and concurrently severing the ends from the end portions, and fuse bonding the end portions to each other, along a common cut line.

Abstract: This invention pertains to papermaking felts, methods of making such felts, methods of using the felts, and methods of making paper using such felts. A felt of the invention contains at least one substrate web having a fuse-bonded joint extending across the width of the felt. The joint is preferably formed by superposing, onto each other, end portions of a flat-woven substrate web element, with the end portions extending away from the ends in a common direction, and concurrently severing the ends from the end portions, and fuse bonding the end portions to each other, along a common cut line.

Abstract: A felt for use in a papermaking machine consists of a textile base fabric and a batt layer for supporting the paper web. A flow control layer is interposed between the base layer and the batt layer, to prevent rewetting of the paper web upon the paper web exiting the press nip of the paper making machine. The flow control layer is formed of a porous hydrophobic material. Pressure exerted by the press nip forces water from the paper through the upper batt layer and the flow control layer into the base layer. When such pressure is relieved, the hydrophobicity of the flow control layer prevents backflow of water to the upper batt layer and the paper web, to prevent rewetting of the web. The flow control layer is preferably formed of a spunbonded filamentary nylon material treated with a hydrophobic chemical composition, which maintains its integrity during the needling process in which the batt layer and the base layer are secured together.

Abstract: A composite structure for extracting water from a wet paper web in a papermaking process. The structure includes a base or substrate and a layer of water permeable polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam, is secured to a surface of the substrate and an outer web supporting layer of water permeable polymeric material is bonded to the outer surface of the foam layer. The outer polymeric layer provides a smooth web supporting surface having toughness and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of papermaking in which a wet paper web is supported on press felt and passed through the nip between cooperating press rolls to extract water from the web. The felt, supporting the paper web, then travels through a span of distance and is passed around a heated dryer roll in the dryer section with the felt being interposed between the heated roll and the paper web. The felt is thus heated and insulates the paper web from the high temperature roll. The paper web is separated from the felt and travels around the remaining dryer rolls in the dryer section, while the heated felt is returned to the nip into position to support the wet paper web.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring air permeability and boundary air flow for a papermaking fabric, such as a dryer felt. The apparatus includes a housing having an open front end bordered by a lower straight edge. An air flow measuring device, such as an anemometer is mounted in the rear surface of the housing a funnel-shaped deflector directs air entering the open front end of the housing to the anemometer. Air flowing through the anemometer generates an electrical signal in proportion to air flow. The electrical signal actuates a visual display mounted on the housing which provides a visual indication of air flow. A thin blade is mounted at the open front edge of the housing and is adapted to ride along the moving fabric when the apparatus is used. A handle is secured to the upper surface of the housing and extends forwardly of the front end and is adapted to be grasped by an operator.

Abstract: A component to be used in a papermaking machine for extracting moistu re from a paper web. The component includes a supporting structure and a water permeable member is mounted on the supporting structure and is adapted to support a paper web. The water permeable member comprises a rigid mass of ceramic foam having a plurality of interconnected cells. The ceramic foam has an air permeability in the range of 10 to 1,000 cubic feet per square foot of surface area per minute and has a density of 5 to 100 lbs/cubic foot. When a pressure differential is applied to the permeable member to the paper web, moisture will be extracted from the web and passes through the permeable member.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the pressure of a shower or water spray used in a papermaking machine. The gauge includes a body and an arm extends laterally outward from one end of the body and is adapted to be supported on a water conduit or pipe that contains a shower of nozzles. An alignment plate is mounted on the body and has an opening to receive the liquid stream being discharged from the nozzle. A pressure sensing device is located on the opposite side of the alignment plate, and the liquid stream passing through the opening in the alignment plate will strike the pressure sensing device to generate an electrical signal in proportion to the pressure. The electrical signal is then transformed into a measurement of pressure in psi which is displayed on a readout or gauge mounted on the body. The arm can be adjustably connected to the body to thereby adjust the spacing between the nozzle and the pressure sensor, depending upon the diameter of the water conduit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for extracting water from a paper web in a paper making machine using a ceramic foam component. The component includes a supporting structure and a water permeable member is mounted on the supporting structure and is adapted to support a paper web. The water permeable member comprises a rigid mass of ceramic foam having a plurality of interconnected cells. The ceramic foam has an air permeability in the range of 10 to 1,000 cubic feet per square foot of surface area per minute and has a density of 5 to 100 lbs/cubic foot. When a pressure differential is applied to the permeable member to the paper web, moisture will be extracted from the web and passes through the permeable member.

Abstract: A papermaker's felt having improved water extraction characteristics. The felt is composed of a base fabric, and a layer of a closed cell polymeric foam is disposed on a face of the base fabric. A batt of fibrous material is needled to the base fabric and foam layer. The needling operation penetrates the fibers of the batt into the foam layer, intersecting the cells. The resiliency of the foam tends to close the cell walls against the penetrated fibers so that under uncompressed conditions, the felt is substantially impervious. Under compressive forces, as occurs in the nip between press rolls, the interfaces between the penetrated fibers and the cell walls will open to enable water to be extracted through the felt.

Abstract: A papermakers felt composed of a pin seam base fabric and a needled batt and having a reinforced batt flap covering the pin seam. The ends of the woven base fabric are provided with interdigitated loops which are connected by a pin to form a pin seam joint. A layer of machine direction yarns are disposed on a face of the base fabric and extend across the joint. A fibrous batt is needled into the base fabric and machine direction yarns. To install the felt on a papermaking machine, the batt is slit at a location spaced from the joint and the portion of the batt between the slit and the joint is pulled away from the base fabric to provide a flap. The machine direction yarns are separated from the base fabric along with the batt and serve to reinforce the batt flap, preventing the flap from tearing away from the felt.

Abstract: A method of making a papermaker's felt which includes the steps of forming a pin seam fabric having interdigitated loops at the ends of the fabric joined by a pin. A batt of fibrous material is needled into at least one face of the fabric and across the pin seam joint. When the felt is to be installed on the papermaking machine, the pin is removed and the felt is bent back on itself at the joint to bring the portions of the batt adjacent the joint into contiguous or contacting relation and cause the loops to separate. The batt is then cut along a line extending through the separated loops to provide a flat or opened felt which can then be installed on the papermaking machine. After installation, the loops are interdigitated and the pin is reinserted through the loops to provide the endless felt construction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a loop-shaped substrate composed solely of helical wound yarns. An endless winding belt is mounted on a pair of support rolls for travel in an endless path and a plurality of yarns are connected in parallel spaced relation to a threading section disposed along a side edge of the belt. As the belt is driven in its endless path, the yarns are wound on the rolls in a helical pattern. Guide members are located adjacent and upstream each of the rolls and include a plurality of openings to receive and uniformly space the respective yarns. After the group of yarns has been wound in a single convolution, the wound convolution is shifted laterally along the length of the rolls to thereby enable subsequent convolutions of the yarns to be wound on said rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a base fabric composed solely of warp yarns to be used in making a papermaker's felt. A plurality of yarns are drawn from a supply and wound around a pair of parallel drive rolls in a helical pattern by a travelling winding member. Two sets of parallel guide tines project from each end of the winding member. The corresponding ends of a plurality of loops are attached to the trailing ends of the first set of tines and pass around the rolls and the opposite ends of the loops are attached to the leading ends of the second set of tines. The yarns to be wound are attached to the trailing ends of the second set of tines. As the rolls rotate, the winding member travels in an endless path around the rolls to draw the yarns from the supply and wind the yarns in a helical pattern. A comb is located parallel to the rolls and the tines pass through the teeth of the comb to maintain proper spacing and order of the yarns as they are wound.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the air flow through a papermaker's felt at a location in registry with a vacuum box. The instrument includes a housing having a generally rectangular discharge outlet which is placed in contact with the felt in registry with the slot of a vacuum box. The housing includes an inlet chamber which houses an anemometer, and as the air is drawn into the inlet chamber by virtue of the vacuum created in the vacuum box, the air flow will rotate the anemometer vanes. A sensor produces an electrical signal in accordance with the speed of rotation of the anemometer and the signal generates, through suitable circuitry, a visual readout of the air flow. The device can be used to measure the permeability of the felt, as well as the air flow through the vacuum box.

Abstract: An alignment gauge for use in determining whether two elongated members, such as cylindrical rolls, are in parallel relationship. The gauge includes a rod or standard, and a pad is connected to a micrometer and is mounted for lateral movement with respect to the rod. A level having a bubble-containing vial is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rod. In operation, the rod is placed tangentially against one of two generally parallel rolls and the pad is placed tangentially against the other of the rolls. The level is then pivoted until the vial is horizontal. The gauge is then positioned in the same manner at the opposite ends of the rolls and the micrometer is adjusted until the vial is horizontal or level. The reading of the micrometer is an indication of the misalignment of the two rolls.