Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma modifying a substrate are disclosed along with associated techniques for applying coatings to the substrate. Particular utility has been found using a hollow cathode to generate the plasma along with magnetic focusing means to focus the plasma at the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A woven papermakers fabric having a first system of yarns interwoven with a second system of yarns. The second system of yarns having a repeat which defines three successive knuckles on the paper carrying side of the fabric while maintaining vertical alignment of the first system yarns in the respective first and second layers of the first system by defining a single knuckle on the machine side of the fabric in each repeat. Preferably, the first system yarns are cross machine direction (CMD) yarns which repeat with respect to eight pairs of stacked machine direction (MD) yarns.

Abstract: An endless woven papermaker's fabric of having warp yarns in at least two layers and continuous weft yarns in at least two layers. The warp and weft yarns are interwoven to form a fabric where the first warp yarn layer is adjacent to the second warp layer and the weft yarns define seam loops at two ends of the fabric. Each end of the fabric has at least one warp yarn which is free of interweaving with the weft yarns and is removed to form the seam loops.

Abstract: A papermakers fabric, having top and bottom surfaces, woven from machine direction yarns and one layer of cross machine direction yarns. The cross machine direction yarns comprise relatively large and small yarns and the machine and cross machine direction yarns are arranged such that the machine direction yarns define floats on one of the surfaces of the fabric and knuckles below the one surface around small cross machine direction yarns. The parts of the machine direction yarns defining the knuckles below the one surface do not extend to the plane of the other surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric of a type for use in high temperature operations and including interwoven machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns that define a base fabric and a paper support layer. The fabric is characterized by the paper support layer including high temperature MD yarns woven in a repeat pattern that includes a float over at least seven CMD yarns.

Abstract: An open ended papermaker's fabric having first and second layers of machine direction (MD) yarns interwoven with a plurality of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns. Additional CMD yarns are interwoven with both MD layers at each end of the fabric between the last CMD yarn and the seam loops in a balancing weave that establishes vertical and horizontal alignment for the seam loops.

Abstract: A woven papermakers fabric having a first system of yarns interwoven with a second system of yarns. The second system of yarns define a five float repeat on the paper carrying side of the fabric while maintaining vertical alignment of the first system yarns in the respective first and second layers of the first system. Preferably, the first system yarns are cross machine direction (CMD) yarns which repeat with respect to eight pairs of stacked machine direction (MD) yarns.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric comprised of modular panels secured to one another by hook and loop tape fastener material or similar fastening means. The fabric can be repaired by removing therefrom a section encumbering the damage and securing in its place in overlapping relationship with the existing panels a replacement panel section which bonds to the existing fabric base by similar fastening type means. Alternatively, the fastening means may be used to join the ends of a fabric.

Abstract: A double layer papermaking fabric having first and second layers of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with a system of machine direction (MD) yarns. The MD repeat pattern is characterized by a portion that weaves exclusively with the first CMD layer, a portion that transitions between the layers, a portion that weaves exclusively with the second CMD layer and a portion that transitions between the layers.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved 7,3-broken twill, TAD fabric for use in the formation of a paper web. The present invention is also a process of using this fabric to produce a paper product having high bulk and absorbency. Finally, the present invention is the paper product produced in a TAD process using this fabric.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric for increasing bulk in the paper sheet during forming and/or through air drying which is comprised of a system of MD filaments selectively interwoven with a system of CD filaments having at least smaller and larger filament subsets.

Abstract: A papermaking forming fabric having a single layer of machine direction filaments interwoven with smaller and larger diameter cross direction filaments, the larger diameter filaments forming a wear surface on the machine side of the fabric.

Abstract: Monofilaments useful in papermaking fabrics which contain blended polyphthalamide and fluoropolymer and a process for making these monofilaments. These monofilaments have improved dry heat stability, knot strength, loop strength and abrasion resistance. The process reduces polymer shear in the extruder and eliminates polymer build up on the spinneret face.

Abstract: An open ended papermaker's fabric woven from a longitudinal thread system and a transverse thread system and having a plurality of seam loops at each end of the fabric formed by the threads of the longitudinal thread system. At least one additional transverse thread is interwoven with the longitudinal thread system in at least one seam zone in a repeat pattern that passes over at least two adjacent paper side longitudinal threads and under at least one machine side longitudinal thread.

Abstract: An industrial conveying fabric having a laminated multilayer construction. The laminated fabric includes a first fabric having a tubular configuration that is flattened and a second open flat fabric disposed within the first tubular fabric. The opposed ends of the second fabric project through the first fabric and are joined together to seam the laminated fabric. Preferably, the laminated fabric is used as a base fabric for a papermakers wet press felt and has fibrous batting material needled thereto.

Abstract: An all synthetic corrugator belt seam for joining corrugator belt sections constructed of a multi-layer fabric wherein each of the ends of the fabric is separated by removing intermediate CMD and MD yarns to form separated upper and lower fabric end portions and securing a seam tape between the separated layers at each end of the belting. The seam tape is sandwiched between the separated layers and completely enclosed therein when the layers and seam tape are secured together so that interruption of the otherwise continuous belting is minimized.

Abstract: A shed formation device with a frame assembly having at least two harnesses mounted for movement in the frame. Each harness includes a plurality of heddles through which CMD yarns are passed. The existing cross machine direction (CMD) yarns of the fabric pass over an out-feed bar mounted to the frame assembly as they exit the heddles. A replacement CMD yarn supply provides replacement CMD yarns to the heddles for reweaving with the machine direction (MD) yarns to form seam loops and finished fabric ends. The replacement CMD yarns pass over an in-feed bar, mounted to the frame assembly, prior to passing through the heddles. The harnesses are manipulated to form an unweaving shed in the existing CMD yarns and re-weaving shed in the replacement CMD yarns. Retractable expansion forks assist the unweaving and reweaving of the MD yarns. A leasing device captures MD yarns from the unweaving shed and releases them into the reweaving shed to form seam loops and finished ends.

Abstract: A papermakers fabric having a system of flat monofilament machine direction yarns (hereinafter MD yarns) which are stacked to control the permeability of the fabric. The system of MD yarns comprises at least upper and lower layers of yarns. Preferably, each upper MD yarn is paired in a vertically stacked orientation with a lower MD yarn. Preferably, multiple layers of stacked CMD yarns are provided which are maintained in the stacked relationship by the flat stacked MD yarns to provide suitable void volume within the fabric. In a low permeability embodiment, at least the upper MD yarns are flat monofilament yarns woven contiguous with each other.

Abstract: A seam construction for a papermakers fabric wherein mating seam components are molded onto opposite ends of the fabric. The seam is assembled by matingly engaging the seam components molded onto the respective fabric ends. Preferably, the seam components are male and female and become positively locked when the seam ends are joined together.

Abstract: A flat woven pin-seamed papermakers fabric wherein machine direction yarns define a series of seaming loops on the opposing fabric ends. The fabric comprises a system of flat monofilament machine direction warp yarns (hereinafter MD yarns) which are woven in a selected weave construction. In a preferred embodiment, the system of MD yarns comprises upper and lower yarns which are vertically stacked. Selected end segments of the upper and lower MD yarns are removed and yarn segments made of a more durable material are rewoven into the fabric end in the space vacated by the trimmed upper and lower MD yarn end segments. Non-loop forming upper MD yarns are preferably backwoven into the space vacated by trimming respective lower MD yarns. Preferably, at least the upper MD yarns are woven contiguous with each other to lock in the machine direction alignment of the stacking pairs of MD yarns and the orthogonal orientation of the end loops.