Abstract: A reinforced element for use in the construction and assembly of an industrial textile, the element comprising a fibrous reinforcing material encapsulated by a thermoplastic polymer matrix, wherein: the thermoplastic polymer matrix comprises an amorphous polyester, a low-crystallinity polyester, polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), or a mixture thereof; the fibrous reinforcing material comprises continuous filaments selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymeric filaments, thermosetting polymeric filaments, glass fibers and a mixture thereof such that a majority of the continuous filaments are oriented in a first direction and the remainder of the continuous filaments are oriented in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction; a temperature at which the amorphous polymer substantially enters a liquid state, or the melting point of the low-crystallinity polyester, is at least 10° C.

Abstract: A press felt is provided including a non-woven base fabric material formed of a first fabric structure, with the first fabric structure including an array of MD yarns connected with at least one layer of a hot melt adhesive web material and at least one layer of a non-woven backing. The non-woven backing includes a layer of a first yarn system and a layer of a second yarn system oriented transverse to the first yarn system. At least one of the first and second yarn systems includes a low melt temperature adhesive that is heat activated and binds the first and second yarn systems together. The nonwoven base fabric material has an MD length and CD width and is arranged in two superimposed layers joined by the MD oriented yarns at CD oriented fold regions at each of two opposing ends thereof.

Abstract: A seamed press felt formed from a base fabric having a CD width and an MD length with two opposing MD ends that are joined to form a continuous belt. MD oriented yarns form uniform loops at the two opposing MD ends that are interdigitated to define a pintle channel extending across the CD width. CD oriented yarns are connected to the MD oriented yarns, in a woven or non-woven construction. Loop open spaces are located within the loops on each of the two opposing MD ends in a seam region, with the loop open spaces being defined between a last one of the CD yarns at each of the two opposing MD ends and the pintle channel. At least one CD monofilament support yarn is located in the loop open spaces on each of the two opposing MD ends. The at least one CD monofilament support yarn has a diameter that is at least 1.6 times a diameter of the CD oriented yarns. A pintle extends through the pintle channel to form a seam.

Abstract: A press felt is provided including a non-woven base fabric material formed of a first fabric structure, with the first fabric structure including an array of MD yarns connected with at least one layer of a hot melt adhesive web material and at least one layer of a non-woven backing. The non-woven backing includes a layer of a first yarn system and a layer of a second yarn system oriented transverse to the first yarn system. At least one of the first and second yarn systems includes a low melt temperature adhesive that is heat activated and binds the first and second yarn systems together. The nonwovenbase fabric material has an MD length and CD width and is arranged in two superimposed layers joined by the MD oriented yarns at CD oriented fold regions at each of two opposing ends thereof.

Abstract: A composite forming fabric for a papermaking machine woven according to a repeating fabric weave pattern is provided. The fabric includes a paper side (PS) layer having a PS surface, with the PS layer including PS warps and PS wefts interwoven in a first repeating pattern, and a machine side (MS) layer having a MS surface, with the MS layer including interwoven MS warps and MS wefts. A plurality of pairs of binder weft yarns each including first and second binder weft yarns that are interwoven with the PS warps and the MS warps to bind the PS and MS layers together in the composite forming fabric. In each pattern repeat of the fabric weave pattern at least three of the MS warps pass under each MS weft, where said at least three of the MS warps are co-located adjacent to one another with a further one of the MS warps separating a first of the at least three warps from the others of said at least three warps, and each of the MS warps interlaces with at least two non-adjacent ones of the MS wefts.

Abstract: A fabric is treated by applying a nanoparticle type coating to improve their resistance to contamination by foreign matter. The coating is applied during fabric manufacture and cured during heat setting. Alternatively, the coating applied or renewed by utilizing an existing shower or locating a spray boom or other suitable coating application device to apply the coating to the fabric in a controlled, uniform manner. Prior to application of the coating, the fabric is first thoroughly cleaned such as by showering or spraying, and then dried. Following controlled application of the coating, any excess material is removed by a suitable means, such as by vacuum, and the remaining coating on the fabric is then cured, either by utilizing the ambient heat of the equipment or by a portable bank of heaters. In this manner, the fabric does not have to be removed from the machine in order to apply or renew the contaminant resistant coating.

Abstract: A composite forming fabric for a papermaking machine woven according to a repeating fabric weave pattern is provided. The fabric includes a paper side (PS) layer having a PS surface, with the PS layer including PS warps and PS wefts interwoven in a first repeating pattern, and a machine side (MS) layer having a MS surface, with the MS layer including interwoven MS warps and MS wefts. A plurality of pairs of binder weft yarns each including first and second binder weft yarns that are interwoven with the PS warps and the MS warps to bind the PS and MS layers together in the composite forming fabric. In each pattern repeat of the fabric weave pattern at least three of the MS warps pass under each MS weft, where said at least three of the MS warps are co-located adjacent to one another with a further one of the MS warps separating a first of the at least three warps from the others of said at least three warps, and each of the MS warps interlaces with at least two non-adjacent ones of the MS wefts.

Abstract: A seamless press felt is provided having inner and outer base fabric layers, which can be woven or non-woven, having an MD length and CD width, each including at least a first array of MD oriented yarns and being formed as a continuous unbroken tube structure. An elastic intermediate yarn assembly with parallel and regularly spaced CD yarns, each bonded to an elastic carrier material, is formed as a continuous unbroken tube structure, and is “socked” between the inner and outer base fabric layers. The elastic intermediate yarn assembly has an MD length that is from 1% to 10% less than the MD length of the press felt prior to assembly and is elastically stretched during assembly between the inner and outer base fabric layers. At least one batt layer needled through the inner and outer base fabric layers and the elastic intermediate yarn assembly to fornt he press felt.

Abstract: A forming fabric for a papermaking machine woven according to a repeating fabric weave pattern is provided. The fabric includes a PS layer having a PS surface, with the PS layer including PS warps and PS wefts interwoven in a first repeating pattern, and a MS layer having a MS surface, with the MS layer including interwoven MS warps and MS wefts. A plurality of pairs of binder weft yarns is provided, with each of the pairs of binder weft yarns comprising first and second binder weft yarns that are interwoven according to a binder weft pattern with the PS warps and the MS warps to bind the PS and MS layers together in the composite forming fabric, and each interchanges between the layers at exchange points.

Abstract: A seaming element for seaming industrial textiles for filtration or other uses, an industrial textile with seaming elements, and a method of seaming such textiles. The seaming element is secured to a first seamable end or edge of the fabric, and includes at least one extension member, which can be a channelled protrusion, and which is engageable with a corresponding at least one extension member of a corresponding seaming element secured to the second seamable end or edge. The seaming elements are configured and dimensioned so that when the extensions or protrusions of the two seaming elements are aligned together and engaged, in some embodiments being secured by a pintle, they have a thickness which is compatible with the caliper of the finished fabric, to form a secure seam while avoiding or minimizing any discontinuity or irregularity in the finished fabric.

Abstract: An industrial textile is provided, preferably suitable for use as a dryer fabric in a papermaking machine. The industrial textile has first and second surfaces and is defined by first and second systems of warp yarns interwoven with a system of weft yarns in a repeating pattern. In the repeating pattern, each of the warp yarns in the first system of warp yarns is interwoven with the system of weft yarns with a float on the first surface over at least 5 of the weft yarns, under 1 of the weft yarns, over 1 of the weft yarns, and under 1 of the weft yarns. Additionally, each of the warp yarns in the second system of warp yarns is interwoven with the system of weft yarns with a float on the second surface under at least 5 of the weft yarns, over 1 of the weft yarns, under 1 of the weft yarns, and over 1 of the weft yarns in the repeating pattern.

Abstract: An industrial textile formed from first and second systems of warp yarns interwoven with first, second, and third sets of weft yarns in a repeating pattern to provide a 2½ weft layer fabric construction is provided. One of each of the yarns of the first and second sets of weft yarns are arranged so as to form a vertically aligned pair with respect to one another, and the third set of weft yarns is located intermediate of the first and second sets of weft yarns between vertically aligned pairs from the first and second sets. Each of the warp yarns in the first system of warp yarns is interwoven only with the weft of the first and third sets, and each of the warp yarns of the second system of warp yarns is interwoven only with the weft yarns of the second and third sets. The warp yarns of the first and second systems of warp yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs.

Abstract: A seamless press felt is provided having inner and outer base fabric layers, which can be woven or non-woven, having an MD length and CD width, each including at least a first array of MD oriented yarns and being formed as a continuous unbroken tube structure. An elastic intermediate yarn assembly with parallel and regularly spaced CD yarns, each bonded to an elastic carrier material, is formed as a continuous unbroken tube structure, and is “socked” between the inner and outer base fabric layers. The elastic intermediate yarn assembly has an MD length that is from 1% to 10% less than the MD length of the press felt prior to assembly and is elastically stretched during assembly between the inner and outer base fabric layers. At least one batt layer needled through the inner and outer base fabric layers and the elastic intermediate yarn assembly to fornt he press felt.

Abstract: A forming fabric for a papermaking machine woven according to a repeating fabric weave pattern is provided. The fabric includes a PS layer having a PS surface, with the PS layer including PS warps and PS wefts interwoven in a first repeating pattern, and a MS layer having a MS surface, with the MS layer including interwoven MS warps and MS wefts. A plurality of pairs of binder weft yarns is provided, with each of the pairs of binder weft yarns comprising first and second binder weft yarns that are interwoven according to a binder weft pattern with the PS warps and the MS warps to bind the PS and MS layers together in the composite forming fabric, and each interchanges between the layers at exchange points.

Abstract: A film for conveying in an industrial process, industrial fabrics made from the film, and methods of manufacture. The film has a plurality of protrusions separated by land areas. Each protrusion comprises a top member having opposing lateral edges and is supported by opposed compression resistant first and second end walls, which with at least one of the lateral edges define an aperture extending through the film to provide a flow path. The base edge of each end wall has a configuration selected from at least one of the base edge being convexly curved away from the protrusion body; and each end wall extending below at least a part of each of the first and second lateral edges and being connected to each of the first and second lateral edges. The film structure provides physical properties equivalent to a woven fabric, with improved strength, stability and compression resistance.

Abstract: An industrial textile formed from first and second systems of warp yarns interwoven with first, second, and third sets of weft yarns in a repeating pattern to provide a 2½ weft layer fabric construction is provided. One of each of the yarns of the first and second sets of weft yarns are arranged so as to form a vertically aligned pair with respect to one another, and the third set of weft yarns is located intermediate of the first and second sets of weft yarns between vertically aligned pairs from the first and second sets. Each of the warp yarns in the first system of warp yarns is interwoven only with the weft of the first and third sets, and each of the warp yarns of the second system of warp yarns is interwoven only with the weft yarns of the second and third sets. The warp yarns of the first and second systems of warp yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs.

Abstract: A fabric is treated by applying a nanoparticle type coating to improve their resistance to contamination by foreign matter. The coating is applied during fabric manufacture and cured during heat setting. Alternatively, the coating applied or renewed by utilizing an existing shower or locating a spray boom or other suitable coating application device to apply the coating to the fabric in a controlled, uniform manner. Prior to application of the coating, the fabric is first thoroughly cleaned such as by showering or spraying, and then dried. Following controlled application of the coating, any excess material is removed by a suitable means, such as by vacuum, and the remaining coating on the fabric is then cured, either by utilizing the ambient heat of the equipment or by a portable bank of heaters. In this manner, the fabric does not have to be removed from the machine in order to apply or renew the contaminant resistant coating.

Abstract: A nonwoven industrial fabric comprising a first layer secured to a second layer, with each layer comprising a plurality of flow-through apertures and profiling protrusions, wherein: a) at least a portion of the flow-through apertures of the first layer is aligned with at least a portion of the flow-through apertures of the second layer; b) the first layer comprises a plurality of securing protrusions integral to the first layer; c) the second layer comprises a plurality of detents integral to the second layer; and d) the first layer is secured to the second layer by a plurality of locking pairs, each locking pair comprising a securing protrusion lockably engaged with a detent. A method of making the nonwoven industrial fabric is also described.

Abstract: A seaming element for an industrial textile, and methods of manufacture. The seaming element body is constructed from a single layer of polymeric film that is folded to provide a fold region and arms that comprise a first region, and a further second region. The first region is bonded to surfaces of an edge region of the textile, while the second region comprises a plurality of spaced-apart aligned protrusions extending from the first region, each protrusion comprising an interior space defined by an upper layer; a lower layer; and a loop at the fold region that connects the upper and lower layers. The interior space is divided into an outer securing region and an inner securing region by either a rib member placed between and bonded to an inner surface of at least one of the upper and lower layer, or by bonding a portion of the upper layer with a portion of the lower layer at a constriction zone.

Abstract: Nonwoven double layer industrial textiles comprising a plurality of interconnected selectively slit and profiled folded panels formed from suitable sheet or film materials. Each panel includes two fold regions having an array of slots and seaming loops. The folded panel is formed by folding each fold region toward the panel body, thereby providing seam loops and seam loop receiving openings, which are used to connect adjacent folded panels in a given layer of the textile. Two such layers are bonded together in overlapping relation such that outside free edges of any of the fold regions are returned and sealed interior to the double layer. Further panels composed of heat or wear resistant material can be connected to lateral outside edges of panels forming the textile.