Abstract: A printing press monitoring and advising system is shown utilizing an inference engine to analyze the operation of the press intelligently. The system analyzes detected press and paper characteristics in accordance with a symptom table, conclusion table, and symptom/conclusion table to advise the operator as to press operation settings, such as tension settings, prior to the start of press operations; possible problems during press operations, and the type and/or the cause of defects as such defects are detected by the system.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying a web of paper emerging from a press section of a papermaking machine. The apparatus incudes a first dryer section means for initiating the drying of the first side of the web. A first transfer arrangement transfers the web from the press section to the first dryer section. A second dryer section is disposed downstream relative to the first dryer section for initiating the drying of a second side of the web, the second side of the web being opposite to the first side thereof. A first dryer transfer arrangement transfer the web without open draw between the first and second dryer sections. The first dryer transfer arrangement permits both threading of the web without the assistance of threading ropes and the drying of both sides of the web.

Abstract: A wide area type of wet press for dewatering an endless traveling web, such as paper, wherein a shoe having a curved face is applied to a traveling belt which travels through a high pressure zone between the shoe and a rotating backing roll. The nip line of the most intense nip pressure along the length of contact of the shoe over the backing roll is selectively located, as desired, by pivotally supporting the shoe about two, parallel, longitudinally extending axes which, in turn, are supported on separately controlled hydraulic pistons. The pressure profile of the nip pressure over the face of the shoe can also be altered by controlling the hydraulic pressure in the support pistons.

Abstract: In a papermaking machine, a method and mechanism for delivering stock to a dewatering web including a pressure headbox with a narrowing slice opening, a receiving throat either with a single traveling forming wire or a pair of traveling forming wires, bridging the space between the headbox opening and the wire so that the stock jet is contained without a free surface, and applying a trailing flexible element opposite the stock in a single wire machine or against one wire in a twin wire machine with the force and location of the trailing element controlled by a series of push rods arranged parallel in a cross machine direction.

Abstract: A vacuum roll transfer apparatus is disclosed for drying a web extending through a single tier dryer section of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a rotatable perforate shell having a first and a second end. A stationary duct is disposed within and along the length of the shell between the ends of the shell. The duct is connected to a source of partial vacuum and the shell defines a plurality of holes along the length thereof such that in use of the apparatus, when the duct is connected to the source of partial vacuum, a partial vacuum is generated within a chamber defined between the shell and the duct. A flow restricting arrangement is disposed within the duct for generating a greater vacuum level adjacent to at least one of the ends of the shell for facilitating threading of a tail of the web.

Abstract: A disc screen or like rotatable shaft assembly is disclosed having a non-metallic, substantially-cylindrical resilient spacer. The spacer has a non-circular shaft receiving opening. A plurality of screen discs are embedded in the spacer to accommodate limited tilting of the discs. Annular metallic surrounds may be provided to cover exposed non-metallic surfaces of the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing fluid from a fibrous web. The apparatus includes a press member and a blanket which cooperates with the press member for defining therebetween an elongate pressing section such that the web is pressed between the press member and the blanket during passage through the pressing section. An elongate press shoe urges the blanket towards the press member such that when the web passes through the pressing section, fluid is removed from the web. A heater is disposed adjacent to the press member for transferring heat to the web such that when the web passes through the pressing section, the web is subjected for an extended period to increase pressure and temperature so that water vapor generated within the pressing section during the passage of the web through the pressing section forces the fluid in the liquid phase away from the web. The press member has an outer surface which cooperates with the web.

Abstract: A web threading apparatus for a web slitting machine which longitudinally divides a wide web in a slitting or cutting station, including a threading device having a threading rod guided by chains through the machine. The threading device supplies first and second groups of sub-webs to first and second groups of associated winding apparatus.

Abstract: A method for winding a traveling web into a wound web roll supported on a two-drum belt winder having a belt looped over two fixedly mounted support drums. The tension in the belt is adjustable from an initially relieved tension condition where a depression is formed in the belt over the notch between the support drums. A new core is inserted in the depression and is wrapped by the on-coming paper web to begin forming a wound roll of paper. As the wound roll of paper increases in diameter, the tension in the looped belt is increased to provide greater support in the span between the nips of the wound roll over the belt against the support drums. Initially, a rider roll is also brought into nipping engagement with the wound paper roll. The nip load of the rider roll is gradually relieved as the diameter of the wound paper roll increases.

Abstract: A headbox is disclosed for ejecting stock onto a forming wire of a papermaking machine. The headbox includes an upper, lower, first and second side wall, with each of the side walls extending between the upper and the lower walls such that the upper, lower and side walls define therebetween a slice chamber for the passage therethrough of a primary flow of the stock. A secondary flow of stock is injected laterally relative to the primary flow such that the secondary flow extends through the side walls for controlling fiber orientation along the lateral side edges of the stock ejected from the headbox onto the forming wire.

Abstract: A headbox apparatus is disclosed for ejecting stock onto a forming wire of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a header for the flow therethrough of the stock. The header finds an inlet and an outlet, the outlet having an upstream and a downstream end. The header is tapered in a cross-machine direction from the upstream end towards the downstream end such that the flow of stock through the outlet remains substantially constant from the upstream to the downstream end. A distributor is disposed immediately downstream relative to the outlet and in fluid communication therewith. The distributor includes a plurality of distributor tubes which are disposed parallel relative to each other. Each of the tubes has an upstream extremity such that the stock flows from the outlet through each of the upstream extremities. Each of the extremities defines an upstream edge and a downstream edge such that for each tube, the upstream edge is nearer than the downstream edge to the upstream end of the outlet.

Abstract: A piston apparatus for use in a controlled deflection roll includes a rectilinear-shaped piston having at least one side seal extending longitudinally in a slot in each side wall and an end seal in each end of the piston extending between the side seals. The end seals have at least one pair of intersecting surfaces at each end thereof which cooperate with a corresponding pair of surfaces of each side seal to move longitudinally relative to the piston and side seals to maintain a continuous seal peripherally about the piston. The continuous seal engages the side walls of a channel within the support shaft of the controlled deflection roll and a non-movable seal surface in each of two, opposed dams at either end of the channel in the support shaft. The side and end seals move with the piston relative to the support shaft and seal surfaces on the end dams.

Abstract: A roll cover apparatus is disclosed for covering a roll of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a synthetic cover which is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the roll, which is of an electrically conductive material. A plurality of fibers are randomly dispersed within the synthetic cover such that the plurality of fibers are disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the roll and an outer face of the synthetic cover. An electrically conductive material is applied to the external boundary of at least some of the fibers such that during use of the apparatus, when slippage occurs between a web of paper being treated by the apparatus and the outer face of the cover, an electrostatic charge generated by the slippage is discharged by the conductive material from the outer face of the cover to the electrically conductive roll so that scorching of the web by discharge of the charge through the web is eliminated.

Abstract: An extended nip press apparatus is disclosed for pressing water from a formed web. The apparatus includes a frame and an elongate shoe pivotally supported by the frame. A backing roll cooperates with the shoe for defining therebetween an extended nip for the passage therethrough of the web. The backing roll includes a beam which extends in a cross-machine direction, the beam being rigidly supported by the frame. A roll shell is rotatably supported by the beam, the roll shell cooperating with the shoe for defining the extended nip. A plurality of roll shell deflection compensating devices are disposed in a cross-machine direction between the roll shell and the beam for urging the roll shell towards the elongate shoe and for compensating for deflection of the roll shell relative to the shoe during passage of the web through the extended nip.

Abstract: An improved screen plate for a pressure screening apparatus and a method for making the basket are disclosed wherein prestressed areas are provided at each end of each slot formed in the screen plate for minimizing crack propagation.

Abstract: A coating apparatus and method is disclosed for applying coating material onto a web supported by a backing member. The apparatus includes a housing which is disposed closely adjacent to the backing member. The arrangement is such that the web supported by the backing member moves between the backing member and the housing. The housing defines a chamber having an open end facing towards the backing member. A coating shoe slidably cooperates with the web, the shoe being movably disposed within the chamber. The shoe defines a cavity which is connected to a source of pressurized coating material. The cavity has an exposed face towards the web such that the coating material flows into the cavity and through the exposed face for applying the material onto the web.

Abstract: A press apparatus and method for pressing water from a paper web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a first press roll which is rotatably supported by the frame. A second press roll cooperates with the first roll for defining therebetween a pressing nip such that in use of the apparatus, the web extends through the nip for pressing the water therefrom. An elastomeric cover covers at least one of the rolls such that the pressing nip is extended in a machine direction so that the residence time of the web during passage of the web through the nip is increased.

Abstract: A self-loading controlled deflection roll has its tubular shell rotatably supported on front and back bearings which, in turn, are mounted on a bearing ring which is outwardly-movable arcuately on a pair of opposed pistons and shoes at either end of the roll. The bearing ring at each end of the roll is pivotally-linked with the roll shaft to prevent skewing movement between their longitudinal axes. The opposed pistons and shoes operating within the bearing rings at the edges of the roll shell position and load the roll into and out of nipping engagement with a mating roll independently of the operation of a separate nip shoe which controls the deflection of the roll. The pistons within the bearing rings can be used to either provide additional nip loading independent of the nip shoe, or provide a counterload in the opposite direction. Both can be used for edge correction.

Abstract: A press apparatus is disclosed for pressing a formed web of paper. The apparatus includes an extended nip press for pressing water from the formed web. A press roll is disposed downstream relative to the extended nip press, and a roll cooperates with the press roll for defining therebetween a roll couple for further pressing the web such that substantially uniform surface characteristics are imparted to both sides of the web.

Abstract: A self-loading, controlled deflection roll for forming a pressure nip with another roll has at least one support shoe, and preferably two opposed support shoes, mounted in a stationary support shaft for controlling the deflection of the roll shell in the direction of the nip. At either end of the controlled deflection roll, a pair of opposed guide shoes are pivotally disposed on the stationary support shaft to apply pressure against the roll shell to stabilize the position of the roll shell relative to the stationary shaft. At least one guide shoe at either end of the roll is equipped with a compensating piston to permit its face surface to move radially outwardly relative to the guide shoe support on the stationary shaft. Also, at least one of the guide shoes at either end of the roll is pivotally supported on the stationary shaft to allow rotational movement of its guide shoe about an axis in a plane substantially parallel with a nip plane through the nip and the longitudinal axis of the roll.