Abstract: The present invention relates to a press blanket for pressing water from a formed web which extends through an extended nip defined by an elongate press shoe and a cooperating backing roll. The blanket includes a single layer of fiber reinforced urethane which defines an endless loop. The layer cooperates with the press shoe and extends through the extended nip for pressing the water from the formed web. The single layer has an inner and an outer surface and a first and a second edge zone. The inner surface slidably cooperates with the press shoe and is smooth. The inner surface has a diameter which is reproducible to within a predetermined tolerance range. The outer surface defines a plurality of parallel-spaced circumferential grooves for assisting the drainage of water from the formed web during passage of the web between the outer surface and the backing roll.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus is disclosed for transferring a web from a press nip to a dryer section. The apparatus includes a backing roll and a press member which cooperates with the backing roll for defining therebetween the press nip. A press blanket extends through the press nip such that the web is disposed between the blanket and the backing roll during passage of the web through the press nip. A backing drum is disposed downstream relative to the press nip such that the blanket and the web extend contiguously relative to each other from the press nip to the backing drum. A dryer felt cooperates with the backing drum such that the web is disposed between the blanket and the felt during passage of the blanket, web and felt around the backing drum and a transfer mechanism is disposed adjacent to the backing drum for transferring the web without an open draw from the blanket to the felt such that the web follows the felt through the dryer section.

Abstract: In a headbox of a web forming apparatus, a trailing elemnet device is disclosed for dividing a flow of stock flowing through a slice chamber of the headbox towards a slice lip of the headbox. The trailing element device includes a rectangular sheet having an upstream and a downstream end and a first and a second surface. The upstream end of the sheet is pivotally secured within the slice chamber for dividing the flow of stock into a first and a second current. The downstream end of the sheet freely floats adjacent to the slice lip such that the first current of stock flows past the first surface and the second current of stock flows past the second surface so that turbulence within the slice chamber is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying a web of paper emerging from a press section of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a first dryer section for transferring 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. A first dryer transfer means transfers the web without open draw between the first and the second dryer sections. The first dryer transfer includes a downstream vacuum roll, a downstream felt roll and a felt extending between the downstream vacuum roll and the downstream felt roll such that the web is conveyed and disposed between the felt and the second dryer section.

Abstract: A core supply apparatus for a web slitting machine which includes a receiver arranged above support rolls of the slitting machine, said receiver adapted for holding a set of winding tubes which are dimensioned in length to correspond to the width of the sub-webs resulting from the slitting operation. The winding tubes are inserted into the receiver as a complete set for all sub-webs, and are arranged coaxially end-to-end in the receiver. Upon activation of the core loading process, the winding tubes fall from the receiver into transfer elements which engage alternate tubes from alternate sides of the receiver, and separate the winding tubes toward opposite sides. The transfer elements pivot downwardly and discharge the winding tubes onto a support roll of the slitting machines or alternatively onto a guide device including angular surfaces directing the tubes onto separate winding support drums.

Abstract: A spreader bar apparatus is disclosed for separating slit portions of a web. The apparatus includes a first spreader bar which extends in a cross-machine direction relative to the web. The first spreader bar is bowed relative to the slit portions such that the slit portions are separated axially relative to each other when the slit portions are guided around the first spreader bar. A second spreader bar is disposed downstream relative to the first bar and extends in a cross-machine direction relative to the web for guiding the separated slit portions. The second bar is bowed relative to the separated slit portions such that each of the slit portions disposed downstream relative to the second bar is disposed parallel to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a newly formed paper web from the forming fabric over a couch roll in a papermaking machine includes a transfer roll which guides a pick-up felt into nipping engagement with the paper web over the couch roll. The nip is located intermediate the circumferentially spaced ends of a vacuum zone on the surface of the couch roll. The web with the forming fabric on one side and the pick-up felt on the other side is guided onto the transfer roll surface by the forming fabric downstream of the nip and is transferred onto the pick-up felt. The transfer roll has a vacuum zone located downstream of where it is wrapped by the forming fabric. The application of pressure on the web over the couch roll prior to, and in conjunction with, the nip operates to further dewater the web as well as to facilitate its transfer to the pick-up felt.

Abstract: A tail cutter apparatus is disclosed for cutting a tail from a web extending through a single tier dryer section. The apparatus includes a dryer of the drying section and a felt extending contiguously with the web around the dryer, the web being disposed between the felt and the dryer for drying the web. The further dryer is disposed downstream relative to the dryer and the felt and web extend contiguously around the further dryer with the web being disposed between the felt and the further dryer for further drying the web. A felt roll is disposed downstream relative to the dryer and upstream relative to the further dryer for guiding the felt during movement of the felt between the dryer and the further dryer. A guide roll is disposed downstream relative to the dryer and upstream relative to the further dryer for guiding the web during movement of the web away from the towards the felt roll such that a first and second open draw of the web are defined between the felt roll and the guide roll.

Abstract: A wood chip classifier and classification system in which chips are separated into a plurality of fractions according to chip size in an apparatus having an automatically adjustable hole spacing for first removing from a sample chips in the fraction smallest in size, and subsequently removing therefrom fractions containing chips of progressively larger size. A particularly suitable apparatus includes a rotating drum for receiving chips on the inside thereof, with the perimeter of the drum being formed from a plurality of spaced rods, and the spacing between the rods being adjustable.

Abstract: A bearing blanket is disclosed for an extended nip press of a papermaking machine. The blanket (44) includes a base (46) having a first and a second side (48, 50). A first laminate (52) extends along the first side (48of the base (46), the first laminate (52) having an interface (54) which is disposed contiguous with the first side (48) of the base (46) and a face (56) which cooperates with a hydraulically loaded shoe (22) of the extended nip press (12). A second laminate (58) extends along the second side (50) of the base (46) with the second laminate (58) having a surface (60) which is disposed contiguous with the second side (50) of the base (46). The second laminate (58) defines a plurality of recesses (64, 66) for relieving fluid pressure during passage through the nip. The first laminate has a hardness which permits flexing of the first laminate while the second laminate has a hardness such that crushing of the recesses during passage through the extended nip is inhibited.

Abstract: A single tier dryer section apparatus is disclosed for drying a web extending through a paper machine. The apparatus includes a first dryer and a dryer felt extending around the first dryer such that the web is disposed between the felt and the first dryer for drying the web. A vacuum transfer roll is disposed downstream relative to the first dryer such that the web and felt extend contiguously from the first dryer to and around the transfer roll so that the felt is disposed between the web and the roll during transit of the web and felt around the roll. A second dryer is disposed downstream relative to the transfer roll such that the web and the felt extend contiguously from the transfer roll to and around the second dryer so that the web is disposed between the felt and the second dryer during transit of the web and the felt around the second dryer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically threading a traveling web strip, such as a so-called paper tail in a papermaking machine, utilizes a doctor for doctoring the web strip from the surface of a roll. A stream of compressed air is projected against the oncoming web strip in the vicinity of the point where the doctor blade contacts the web on the roll and urges the oncoming web off the roll surface upstream of the doctor. A foil is brought into proximity with the outer surface of the web spaced over the roll to urge the strip outwardly and against a serrated knife to sever the web strip against the force of its momentum. The severed end of the web strip is then guided onto a plate for conveyance into a downstream section of the machine for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the oxygenation of both the bearing lubrication oil and the hydraulic oil used for actuating the roll shell support elements in a controlled deflection roll, such as used in the papermaking industry, includes a seal at either end of the controlled deflection roll which establishes a gas-impervious seal between the roll shell support and rotation bearings at either end of the roll and the interior of the roll. A source of pressurized inert gas is linked to both the interior of the roll and to the reservoir of hydraulic oil used to actuate the roll shell support shoes. This prevents oxygen from interfacing with the hydraulic oil at the only two points in the closed system where the hydraulic oil and the atmosphere would otherwise come into contact. A separate bearing oil lubrication system having its own reservoir is maintained to supply bearing lubricant to the bearings and return it to a sump while maintaining the bearing lubricant separate from the hydraulic oil.

Abstract: A forming apparatus (10) is disclosed for forming a web from stock. The apparatus (10) includes a frame (14) and a first and second plurality of guide rolls (16-26 and 30-34) rotatably connected to the frame (14). A first and second forming wire (28,36) extend respectively around the first and second plurality of guide rolls, with the first and second wires (28,36) cooperating together to define therebetween, a forming section (38) having a first and second (40,42) end. A headbox (12) is disposed adjacent to the first end (40) of the forming section (38). A suction shoe (44) is disposed adjacent to the first end (40) of the forming section for effecting an initial dewatering of the web. The suction shoe (44) has a curved surface (46) which abuts against the first wire (28) for removing a first portion of the water through the first wire (28) and a second portion of the water through the second wire ( 36).

Abstract: A self-loading controlled deflection roll is rotatably mounted with non-self-aligning bearings at either end to bearing housings which, in turn, are pivotally-mounted to support stands. The stationary support beam extending through the roll is pivotally-mounted in the same support stands. At one end of the roll, a drive shaft having a drive gear engaging a ring gear which is mounted on the end of the roll shell concentric with its surface is provided to rotatably drive the roll shell while simultaneously permitting lateral movement of the roll shell relative to the support beam during the self-loading phase of roll oepration.

Abstract: A dryer section apparatus is disclosed for drying a web. The apparatus includes a first and second tier of dryers which include, respectively, a first, second dryer and a third dryer. The arrangement is such that the web moves from the first dryer towards and around the third dryer and subsequently to and around the second dryer. A transfer roll is disposed between the first, second and third dryers such that the distance between the transfer roll and the first dryer is less than the distance between the transfer roll and the second dryer. A dryer felt extends contiguously with the web around the first dryer with the felt then extending around the transfer roll and thereafter around the second dryer such that a pocket is defined between the web extending between the dryers, the third dryer and the felt.

Abstract: A system of processing baled secondary fibre furnish is provided. The system includes the steps of breaking the baled furnish, dry screening the furnish to remove abrasive contaminants, and then repulping the dry screened furnish.

Abstract: A guide roll apparatus is disclosed for guiding a contiguous web and web-supporting felt through a drying section of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a rotatable guide roll having an outer cylindrical surface defining a first and a second edge portion and a central portion disposed between the edge portions. The first edge portion defines a first plurality of air flow channels such that in use of the apparatus, when the web and felt are guided around the rotatable guide roll, air entrapped between the first edge portion and the felt wrapped around the first edge portion is permitted to flow through the first plurality of channels away from the felt so that fluttering of the web during guidance around the first edge portion is inhibited.

Abstract: A press drying apparatus is disclosed for removing excess water from a formed web by the simultaneous application to the web of elevated temperature and pressure for a prolonged period of time. The apparatus includes a frame and a heated roll rotatably supported by the frame. A shoe is connected to the frame with the shoe cooperating with the heated roll for defining therebetween a first nip for the passage therethrough of the web. A deflection controller is connected to the frame with the controller cooperating with the heated roll for defining therebetween a second nip. The second nip is disposed diametrically opposite to the first nip such that when the web extends through the first nip and the heated roll is heated, deflection of the heated roll towards the second nip is compensated for by the deflection controller.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for making a paper web from stock. The apparatus includes a first and a second forming wire which cooperate together to define therebetween a web-forming section having a first and a second end. A headbox is disposed adjacent to the first end of the forming section for ejecting the stock between the wires such that the web is formed from the stock during passage of the stock from the first towards the second end of the forming section. A first felt is disposed downstream relative to the forming section with the first felt running contiguously relative to the second wire such that the second wire is disposed between the first felt and the web. A second felt is disposed downstream relative to the forming section and on the opposite side of the web relative to the first felt.