Abstract: A composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and polytetrafluoroethylene, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface and when installed into a suction roll provides a reduced frictional surface.

Abstract: A testing device for determining the amount of liquid having been doctored through the Fourdrinier fabric or wire at the wet end of a Fourdrinier-type paper machine. Included is a pick-up for insertion beneath the foil blades of the paper machine, having an opening for insertion into the stream of the liquid being doctored from the pulp. A container is connected in liquid communication with the pick-up. A weir is positioned within the container to divide the container into a collection well upstream from the weir and a discharge well downstream from the weir. The container includes a still well positioned in liquid communication with the collection well. A proximity sensor is provided, and positioned with respect to the still well to sense the level of liquid in the still well. A microprocessor controlled display is provided for receiving a signal from the proximity sensor and displaying a flow rate based on the level of the liquid in the still well.

Abstract: A Fourdrinier-type paper machine having a wet end with a headbox for storing a mixture of pulp and water, this pulp mixture being jetted onto a fabric having two side edges, this fabric forming an endless belt the upper surface of which is caused to continuously move away from the headbox, including an apparatus for continually supporting and curling the edge of the fabric so as to prevent loss of pulp mixture off the sides of the fabric and so as to prevent edge wave formation which would require substantial trimmage and waste. The apparatus includes a pair of bars having a wedge-shaped cross-section, one edge of each inserted under one side of the fabric, to cause the edge of the fabric to curl upward. Apparatus is provided to adjust the amount of curl. Several of these curl adjusting apparatuses are placed along the length of the bars so that the amount of curl can be different at different points along the bars.

Abstract: A suction pipe for a paper machine having a tapered seat and a cover and an insert mounted in the seat to provide an air tight seal therewith. The insert and the cover being laterally removable from the seat after sufficient longitudinal travel of the cover to free the insert in the seat.