Abstract: A woven single layer papermakers' fabric, having a sheet support surface and a machine side surface, comprises a set of monofilament machine direction (MD) oriented warp yarns interwoven with a set of monofilament weft yarns in a ten shed repeating weave pattern, wherein in each repeat of the repeating weave pattern, at least 50% of the warp yarns each forms in the sheet support surface at least one long float over nine consecutive weft yarns. Adjacent long floats define elongated MD oriented pockets in the sheet support surface. The fabrics provide improved properties for forming and conveying topographically patterned products such as tissue.

Abstract: A multiaxial press felt base fabric construction is provided in which the base fabric is formed from a spirally wound precursor textile strip having a width that is less than an overall width of the assembled papermaking fabric and which is joined together along neighboring adjacent edges to form a fabric tube. At least one of: 100% of the MD yarns located on one surface of the precursor textile strip are comprised of cabled yarns or from 50% to 100% of the CD yarns are a cabled yarn. The MD yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs for compression resistance to provide void volume, and the vertically stacked arrangement is maintained by interweaving with one system of CD weft yarns.

Abstract: A papermaker's through-air dryer (TAD) fabric for use in the production of tissue and towel products. The fabric is woven according to a 10-shed, semi-duplex weave design in which the warp and weft yarns are arranged so as to form pockets of at least two differing sizes in a first planar fabric surface. The pockets are designed and arranged to impart a measure of bulk and absorbency to the paper products conveyed thereon by providing MD oriented recesses in the PS fabric surface into which a portion of the component fibers of the paper products formed on the fabric are deflected during manufacture.

Abstract: A seaming element for an industrial textile, a textile with seaming elements, and a method. The seaming element has first and second end regions, a fold line in an intermediate fold region, and outer and inner surfaces. Each end region comprises slits extending from the outer surface through to the inner surface, defining protrusions which provide a profile to at least one of the surfaces. Apertures aligned along the fold line define a plurality of land areas. When the seaming element is folded along the fold line, the land areas form a plurality of loops defining a channel. When the seaming element is secured at each end region to a first end of the industrial textile, the loops are interdigitatable with corresponding loops on a compatible seaming element at a second end of the industrial textile, to define a single aligned channel to receive a securing means.

Abstract: A valve for a vacuum drainage system includes a valve body having an interior chamber operatively connectable to a suction device and through an outlet to a vacuum source. A movable member having an aperture is secured within the chamber and movable through points between closed and open positions to adjust the open area of the aperture and the fluid flow through the outlet. The aperture is configured such that during adjustment to increase the effective operational area of the aperture, a rate of change of the effective operational area increases non-linearly in relation to a linear increase in the distance of travel, while providing advantageous and more controllable linear adjustment of the applied vacuum. The aperture can have a trilateral shape including at least one curved side, or comprise a plurality of sub-apertures, and the movable member can comprise a rotary sleeve.

Abstract: A seaming element for seaming an industrial textile, an industrial textile, and a method of seaming. A first region of the seaming element comprises at least one securing member, and a second region is securable to the textile. Spaced-apart protrusions in the securing members are interdigitatable with corresponding protrusions in an opposing element, or the other seamable edge of the textile. Opposing protrusions are interdigitated to define first and second channels for securing means. Where the seaming element has two or more securing members, the protrusions of the outer securing member are aligned with those of an inner securing member of the opposing element, and the protrusions of an inner securing member are aligned with those of the outer securing member of the opposing element. Where the securing means is a pintle, the free ends can be inserted back into the channel to secure the seam.

Abstract: A nonwoven industrial fabric, and a method of constructing the fabric. The fabric comprises at least one layer of a polymeric film having a plurality of apertures extending from an upper surface through to a lower surface. Adjacent pairs of the apertures define land areas therebetween, and selected land areas comprise protrusions extending from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the layer to form a profile to the respective surface. The method comprises optionally pre-embossing the film, cutting the film to provide the plurality of apertures, applying pressure to selected land areas to form the protrusions to create a contoured profile, and treating the film to set the contoured profile. Additional surface treatment can be provided, and two or more layers can be secured over each other for multilayer fabrics. The invention provides a simplified and economical construction, while maintaining stability and strength.

Abstract: A forming section for a twin fabric papermaking machine, wherein after stock impingement, the two fabrics carry and sandwich the stock. A plurality of spaced apart drainage shoes, selectively provided to either or both of the fabrics, provides continuous support in the machine direction for the respective fabric in sliding contact, and each drainage shoe deflects the fabrics by a selected angle of wrap comprising an angular displacement between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the drainage shoe. At least one of the drainage shoes is secured to a drainage box and is provided with a plurality of drainage openings extending from the fabric contacting surface through to the machine side surface of the shoe. The arrangements of the invention provide improved drainage and formation of the paper web.

Abstract: A flat woven industrial filtration fabric comprises three layers of weft yarns. A first set of warp yarns interweaves only with paper side layer weft yarns and intermediate weft yarns, and a second set of warp yarns interweaves only with machine side layer weft yarns and the intermediate yarns, the first warp yarns and the second warp yarns interweaving with the same intermediate weft yarns at common turning points. The first warp yarns comprise groups of intrinsic binder yarns forming a single combined path on the paper side surface, and the second warp yarns are woven as individual yarns or in groups, such as pairs or triplets. The distinct nature of the paper side and machine side layers increases the available combinations of weave patterns to optimize the characteristics for each layer, and the distinct centre planes between the three layers provide improved drainage control.

Abstract: A seaming element for joining opposed ends of woven or nonwoven industrial textiles, textiles including seaming elements, and methods of making a seam area for textiles. The seaming element comprises a continuous filamentary structure, configured as first and second layers of aligned looped segments, each segment of one layer being connected to adjacent segments of the other layer by a connecting portion. The seaming elements can be bonded directly to the fabric edges, or inserted into the fabric so that free ends of the looped segments engage and are secured by selected MD yarns or components. Connecting portions of complementary elements when interdigitated together define a continuous channel to receive a pintle. The seaming element is readily and securely installed in the textiles, and overcomes problems of alignment of fabric ends for securing a seam, while minimizing any disruption in fabric properties adjacent the seam area.

Abstract: A multiaxial press felt base fabric construction is provided in which the base fabric is formed from a spirally wound precursor textile strip having a width that is less than an overall width of the assembled papermaking fabric and which is joined together along neighboring adjacent edges to form a fabric tube. At least one of: 100% of the MD yarns located on one surface of the precursor textile strip are comprised of cabled yarns or from 50% to 100% of the CD yarns are a cabled yarn. The MD yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs for compression resistance to provide void volume, and the vertically stacked arrangement is maintained by interweaving with one system of CD weft yarns.

Abstract: An extruded oriented thermo-plastic polymeric element for industrial textiles, and textiles comprising polymeric elements. The polymeric elements are constructed of a material selected from yarn material, fiber material and film, and comprise a thermoplastic polymer, and at least one dry lubricant, selected from molybdenum disulphide, tungsten disulphide, boron nitride, and a soft metal, the dry lubricant comprising particulate matter having an average particle size between about 0.05? and about 100?, and present in the polymeric element in an amount from between about 0.1% and about 10% parts by weight, based on a total weight of the polymeric element. The polymeric elements can be used as yarns in woven and non woven textiles, and as seaming elements. The polymeric elements provide increased abrasion resistance in industrial textiles, and reduced co-efficient of friction.

Abstract: A nonwoven industrial fabric, and a method of constructing the fabric. The fabric comprises at least one layer of a polymeric film having a plurality of apertures extending from an upper surface through to a lower surface. Adjacent pairs of the apertures define land areas therebetween, and selected land areas comprise protrusions extending from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the layer to form a profile to the respective surface. The method comprises optionally pre-embossing the film, cutting the film to provide the plurality of apertures, applying pressure to selected land areas to form the protrusions to create a contoured profile, and treating the film to set the contoured profile. Additional surface treatment can be provided, and two or more layers can be secured over each other for multilayer fabrics. The invention provides a simplified and economical construction, while maintaining stability and strength.

Abstract: A seaming element and a method of seaming an industrial textile. The seaming element comprises first and second components, each constructed of a substantially planar polymeric film, comprising a textile body contacting portion and a free edge, and at least one row of pairs of substantially parallel slits spaced across the component, the slits having first ends substantially equidistant from the free edge of the component, and the pairs of slits defining strips which are deformable out of a plane of the film. When the two components are attached respectively to textile edges to be seamed, and the components are brought together, deformed strips of the first component are alignable with deformed strips of the second component to interengage the two components and to define a channel for a seam securing means, thus providing a simple and secure seam which is compatible with the properties of the textile body.

Abstract: A multilayer woven industrial fabric comprises at least two layers of weft yarns interwoven with at least one system of warp yarns. At least some of the machine side (MS) weft yarns are arranged as complementary pairs, such that for each pair, the members follow mutually complementary paths, and exchange positions with each other so that, in the MS surface, the path of a pair of weft yarns appears to be that of a single yarn. The complementary weft yarns interweave only with the MS warp yarns and do not appear in the paper side. The unique MS weft yarn arrangement allows for the use of smaller yarns, while increasing fabric stiffness and dimensional stability, and is applicable to any multi-layer fabric design which includes at least two layers of weft yarns and one system of warp yarns.

Abstract: A method of weaving industrial textiles to a single warp platform, and textiles made thereby. The method comprises identifying optimal fabric characteristics for selected uses to determine groups of suitable fabrics; selecting a first group, identifying fabric properties for optimal characteristics, and identifying optimal properties for warp yarns to be used for all fabrics in the group; selecting a structure type and weave design for each fabric of the group; providing a loom with selected shedding options and installing warp yarns having the identified optimal properties. Thereafter, each fabric in the group can be woven without changing the warp yarns, simply by identifying properties for weft yarns to correspond with the weave design of the respective fabric, setting the loom accordingly and weaving the fabrics as required, adjusting only the weft parameters between successive fabrics, resulting in increased efficiency of manufacturing and avoiding time consuming warp changes between fabrics.

Abstract: A seaming area for a woven industrial fabric, a fabric, and a method of providing a seaming area and seam. The fabric comprises at least a first set of warp yarns interwoven with weft yarns, either in a single layer, or multiple layers in which the warp yarns can optionally be stacked. At each seaming area, yarns of a first group pass around and in contact with the fabric edge, and yarns of a second group pass around the fabric edge to form protruding loops. Free ends of the warp yarns are bonded to the fabric body, over warp yarns or weft yarns, or combinations thereof. Opposing fabric ends are brought together, and the loops interdigitated to be joined by a pintle or coil to render the fabric endless. The seaming area and the method provide increased seam strength and reliability, with significant reduction of time and costs of manufacture.

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 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: Segments, typically ceramic, for use in dewatering blades for papermaking and similar machines comprise lower surfaces to each of which at least one interlock member is bonded. The segments are installed by inserting the interlock members into a channel in an intermediate sub-assembly or base member. The members are securely attached within the channel by a suitable adhesive, or clip means to engage the interlock members, with the optional addition of an adhesive. The segments and dewatering blades, and a method of manufacture, allows for the segments to be made as flat units, without unnecessary angular surfaces, simplifies their attachment to the base, and reduces the occurrence of stress cracking or other damage to the segments. A single segment can be used in various dewatering blade types and in more than one orientation in dewatering blades, reducing manufacturing costs by unitizing construction.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.