Abstract: The present invention is applicable to grinding apparatus for removing irregularities from and for levelling the working surface of thick, large width rubber belts used to compact paper or (in the case of fabric, preshrink) fibrous webs; and the control of such grinding apparatus. The present invention permits grinding during production use of a belt when the environment near (above) the belt is inimical to visual grinding control by personnel due to high heat and steam. Sensing and control means placed remotely from the working surface of the belt permits an operator to control grinding more precisely than if done visually and without subjecting the operator to dangerously adverse working conditions.

Abstract: A nip roll is disclosed having an inner substantially rigid cylindrical member and an outer cover member of a generally incompressible substantially resilient material positioned about the inner member with reinforcing means embedded within the outer cover member having a tensile modulus greater than the modulus of the generally incompressible resilient material. The reinforcing means are so oriented with respect to the inner member that upon positioning the roll in nipped relation with a rigid roll which is externally driven, depending upon the direction of rotation, portions of the outer cover member are displaced and recoiled at the entrance and exit to the nip to provide resulting forces on web materials passed therethrough, the forces being controllable for treating such web materials. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the web material with either be compacted or elongated. A method is disclosed for producing the inventive nip roll.

Abstract: A nip roll is disclosed having an inner substantially rigid cylindrical member and an outer cover member of a generally incompressible substantially resilient material positioned about the inner member with reinforcing means embedded within the outer cover member having a tensile modulus greater than the modulus of the generally incompressible resilient material. The reinforcing means are so oriented with respect to the inner member that upon positioning the roll in nipped relation with a rigid roll which is externally driven, depending upon the direction of rotation, portions of the outer cover member are displaced and recoiled at the entrance and exit to the nip to provide resulting forces on web materials passed therethrough, the forces being controllable for treating such web materials. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the web material will either be compacted or elongated. A method is disclosed for producing the inventive nip roll.

Abstract: A bonded web of nonwoven fibers is stretched beyond its elastic limit in one direction sufficiently to permanently elongate those filaments or filament portions of the web extending generally in the direction of the applied tension. This results in a narrowing or necking down of the web in the cross direction and consequent shortening or lateral buckling of those filaments or filament portions extending generally transverse to the direction of applied tension. This imparts increased softness, flexibility and resilient stretchability to the fabric, in that transverse direction. The elongated filaments are then compacted longitudinally while the web is retained in its narrowed condition to impart increased softness, flexibility and resilient stretchability in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A nip roll is disclosed having an inner substantially rigid cylindrical member and an outer cover member of a generally incompressible substantially resilient material positioned about the inner member with reinforcing means embedded within the outer cover member having a tensile modulus greater than the modulus of the generally incompressible resilient material. The reinforcing means are so oriented with respect to the inner member that upon positioning the roll in nipped relation with a rigid roll which is externally driven, depending upon the direction of rotation, portions of the outer cover member are displaced and recoiled at the entrance and exit to the nip to provide resulting forces on web materials passed therethrough, the forces being controllable for treating such web materials. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the web material will either be compacted or elongated. A method is disclosed for producing the inventive nip roll.

Abstract: Modified paper which exhibits high tear resistance and toughness and which contains a high percentage of straw fibers and which has fibers consolidated in a three step process including drawing water off by vacuum, press drying and fiber upsetting.

Abstract: A method for compacting a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a thermoplastic binder at a temperature higher than the softening temperature of the binder to improve hand and drape of the fabric. A bar compresses a relatively thick endless elastomeric belt against a steam heated drum so that a nip is formed therebetween. The nonwoven fabric is passed through the nip between the belt and the drum and thence onto the drum. The nonwoven fabric adheres frictionally to a stretched surface of the belt as it goes through the nip and is thereafter compacted by the belt as the belt unstretches onto the drum. Fibers of the fabric are crowded together, rearranged and crimped locally (all between the faces of the fabric) and more of the fibers of the fabric are caused to be oriented crosswise. To allow compacting at sufficiently high temperatures (160.degree. - 280.degree. F.

Abstract: Lubrication of a compacting resilient belt used in a web compacting system is facilitated by maintaining a constant depth pool of lubricating liquid between a fluid compactor bar and the inside surface of the belt on the belt approach side of the compactor bar. The compactor bar includes a liquid dam sidewall portion that is provided with liquid overflow weir openings so that the level of the surface of the pool can be automatically maintained at a predetermined height. The belt is used in conjunction with a drum to form a nip space between the outside surface of the belt and a peripheral sector of the drum, the nip space receiving the web to be compacted in the web running direction in a conventional manner, the outside surface of the belt being compressed against the drum by the compactor bar, which bears against the inside surface of the belt while the belt is driven through the nip space.

Abstract: A nip roll is disclosed having an inner substantially rigid cylindrical member and an outer cover member of a generally incompressible substantially resilient material positioned about the inner member with reinforcing means embedded within the outer cover member having a tensile modulus greater than the modulus of the generally incompressible resilient material. The reinforcing means are so oriented with respect to the inner member that upon positioning the roll in nipped relation with a rigid roll which is externally driven, depending upon the direction of rotation, portions of the outer cover member are displaced and recoiled at the entrance and exit to the nip to provide resulting forces on web materials passed therethrough, the forces being controllable for treating such web materials. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the web material will either be compacted or elongated. A method is disclosed for producing the inventive nip roll.

Abstract: Lubrication of a compacting resilient belt used in a web compacting system is facilitated by maintaining a constant depth pool of lubricating liquid between a fluid compactor bar and the inside surface of the belt on the belt approach side of the compactor bar. The compactor bar includes a liquid dam sidewall portion that is provided with liquid overflow weir openings so that the level of the surface of the pool can be automatically maintained at a predetermined height. The belt is used in conjunction with a drum to form a nip space between the outside surface of the belt and a peripheral sector of the drum, the nip space receiving the web to be compacted in the web running direction in a conventional manner, the outside surface of the belt being compressed against the drum by the compactor bar, which bears against the inside surface of the belt while the belt is driven through the nip space.