Abstract: The present invention is directed to forming fabrics. The forming fabrics may include a series of repeat units. Each of the repeat units may include a set of binding warp yarns including a first set of binding warp yarns and a second set of binding warp yarns, wherein a binding warp yarn from the first set is paired with a binding warp yarn from the second set; a set of spring warp yarns, wherein each spring warp yarn is between a first pair of binding warp yarns and a second pair of binding warp yarns; a set of top weft yarns including odd and even top weft yarns, wherein the top weft yarns interweave with the binding warp yarns and the spring warp yarns to form a top fabric layer, wherein the spring warp yarns interweave only with the top weft yarns; a set of bottom weft yarns; and a set of bottom warp yarns, the bottom warp yarns interwoven with the bottom weft yarns to form a bottom fabric layer.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric includes a series of repeat units, wherein each of the repeat units includes: a set of top machine direction MD yarns having a first diameter; a set of bottom MD yarns having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; a set of auxiliary bottom MD yarns having the first diameter; a set of top cross machine direction CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns and the auxiliary bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of stitching yarns arranged in pairs, wherein at least one of the stitching yarns of the pair interweaves with the top and bottom fabric layers.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric includes a series of repeat units, wherein each of the repeat units includes: a set of top machine direction MD yarns having a first diameter; a set of bottom MD yarns having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; a set of auxiliary bottom MD yarns having the first diameter; a set of top cross machine direction CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns and the auxiliary bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of stitching yarns arranged in pairs, wherein at least one of the stitching yarns of the pair interweaves with the top and bottom fabric layers.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric for a press felt for a papermaking machine includes: (a) forming a base fabric comprising a plurality of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising a plurality of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns and a plurality of machine direction (MD) yarns interwoven with the CMD yarns, wherein the machine direction yarns comprise a first set of MD yarns and a second set of MD yarns, comprising a plurality of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising a plurality of cabled cross machine direction (CMD) yarns and a plurality of machine direction (MD) yarns interwoven with the CMD yarns, wherein the machine direction yarns comprise a first set of MD yarns and a second set of MD yarns, wherein the first set of MD yarns include seam loops at their ends that capture a first pintle, and wherein the second set of MD yarns include loops at their ends that capture a second pintle that is positioned above the first pintle; and (b) removing the second pintle from the ends of the second s

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber cement felt comprising repeat units, each of which includes top, middle, and bottom machine direction yarns and cross-machine direction yarns interwoven with the top, middle, and bottom machine direction yarns in a predetermined weave pattern. The top, middle, and bottom machine direction yarns may comprise effect yarns and linear yarns without the need for a batt layer.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric includes a series of repeat units, wherein each of the repeat units includes: a set of top machine direction MD yarns having a first diameter; a set of bottom MD yarns having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; a set of auxiliary bottom MD yarns having the first diameter; a set of top cross machine direction CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns and the auxiliary bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of stitching yarns arranged in pairs, wherein at least one of the stitching yarns of the pair interweaves with the top and bottom fabric layers.

Abstract: A fiber cement felt includes: a base fabric layer including MD and CMD yarns interwoven with each other, wherein the CMD yarns comprise twisted monofilaments; and at least one batt layer overlying the base fabric layer.

Abstract: A press felt includes: a base fabric comprising a plurality of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising a plurality of exterior machine direction (MD) yarns, each of which includes an upper run and a lower run merging with seam loops at each end, a plurality of middle MD yarns positioned between the upper and lower runs of the exterior MD yarns, a plurality of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the exterior MD yarns and the middle MD yarns in a predetermined regular weave pattern, the seam loops defining the longitudinal ends of the press felt; and a batt layer overlying the base fabric.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-woven web includes the step of collecting stretched filaments that form the non-woven web on a fabric in an apparatus for the formation of non-woven webs. The fabric comprises machine direction (MD) yarns and cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns, wherein the MD and CMD yarns are interwoven in a repeating pattern in which at least some of the CMD yarns are interwoven with the MD yarns in pairs that follow the same weaving sequence. Such a fabric can provide potential advantages such as reduced air leakage, reduced air disturbances, and improved web hold-down effect.

Abstract: A papermaking forming fabric includes a series of repeat units, wherein each repeat units includes: a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns; a set of top cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom fabric layers. The bottom MD yarns and bottom CMD are woven such that floats formed by the bottom CMD yarns under the bottom MD yarns are at least 1.8 mm in length. A first ratio of top MD yarn coverage area to bottom MD yarn coverage area is less than 0.5, and a second ratio of bottom CMD yarn cross-sectional area to bottom MD yarn cross-sectional area is greater than 2.0.

Abstract: A method of installing an industrial fabric on a machine configured to utilize such a fabric includes as a first step: (a) providing an industrial fabric having: a plurality of machine direction (MD) yarns, the MD yarns forming seam loops at first and second ends of the fabric; a first flap attached adjacent the first end and underlying a first portion of the fabric, the first flap including a first zipper track on an edge portion thereof; and a second flap attached adjacent the second end and underlying a second portion of the fabric, the second flap including a second zipper on an edge portion thereof, the second flap able to stretch elastically such that the distance between its attachment to the second portion of the fabric and the second zipper track can increase when a load is applied to the second zipper track.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric for use in the press section of a papermaking machine having a base fabric layer woven from either oval shaped monofilament yarns or "cabled monofilament oval yarns", which are cabled yarns comprised of two or more oval shaped monofilament yarns.

Abstract: A papermaker's forming fabric comprising a fabric layer including cross machine direction fabric yarns and machine direction fabric yarns interwoven to form a papermaking surface with alternating single knuckles thereon and to define top, bottom, left, and right saddles between adjacent ones of the cross machine direction fabric yarns. According to one embodiment of the invention, first and second additional cross machine direction yarns are interwoven with the base fabric between adjacent cross machine direction fabric yarns and positioned oppositely in top and bottom saddles. According to another embodiment, single additional cross machine direction fabric yarns are interwoven with the base fabric between adjacent ones of the cross machine direction fabric yarns. The single additional cross machine direction yarns are positioned successively and repeatedly in right, top, left, and then top saddle positions.

Abstract: A base fabric structure and a press felt incorporating that base fabric structure, having at least one set of plied monofilament twist yarns in the cross machine direction. The base fabric structure may be a single base fabric, or it may be a base fabric assembly of more than one separately woven fabric layers, of which one, more than one, or all will have plied monofilament twist yarns in the cross machine direction.

Abstract: To provide a simulation of the formation of a sheet of paper and the appearance of print thereon, a computerized system is adapted to receive input parameters related to a type of headbox stock desired, the fabric upon which the paper is to be formed, the paper machine to be used, and the printing process desired. Data relating to the actual production of paper is configured to simulate a series of fibres being dropped onto the surface of the fabric to create a mat. After a sufficient amount of fibre has been simulated as being dropped onto the fabric creating a fibrous mat, the system will indicate a final sheet has been completed when it has the desired basis weight as initially inputted by the user. After a final sheet of paper is deemed finished a report pertaining to sheet characteristics is generated. The report provides the user with data relating to fibre retention, a display of the simulated sheet along with its density variations, surface characteristics, and structure.

Abstract: A press fabric incorporating bicomponent material in fiber form or yarn form, the bicomponent material having a core material with a higher melting point surrounded by a covering material with a lower melting point. The bicomponent material will be present in the base fabric in yarn form and/or in the batt material in fiber form in amount ranging from 10-100%. Upon heatsetting the assembled press fabric structure, the lower melting point material of the bicomponent material becomes soft, flowing into the crossing of the batt fibers, if present in the batt material, or into the crossings of the weave pattern, if present in a base fabric, to form a matrix.

Abstract: A papermaker's forming fabric comprising a fabric layer including cross machine direction fabric yarns and machine direction fabric yarns interwoven to form a papermaking surface with alternating single knuckles thereon. First additional cross machine direction yarns are positioned between adjacent cross machine direction fabric yarns on the papermaking surface of the fabric layer. Second additional cross machine direction yarns are positioned between the cross machine direction fabric yarns on the papermaking surface of the fabric layer. Each of the first and second additional cross machine direction yarns serve as fiber supporting yarns and as locator yarns for another of the first and second additional cross machine direction yarns. Each of the first and second additional cross machine direction yarns are interwoven with the fabric layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a printed piece of paper wherein the paper is formed by forming fabric having knuckles disposed thereon. Color printing screens are provided having diagonals for depositing ink arranged at angles of typically 45.degree. or more. The printing screens are applied to the paper after ensuring that the angles of the diagonals in the printing screens are different from angles of areas of high and low density in the paper formed by the forming fabric knuckles when the printing screens overlie the piece of paper, whereby to provide more uniform print on the piece of paper.

Abstract: A triple layer fabric, useful in the forming section of a papermakers' machine, is provided. The fabric has a top fabric layer having at least one set of warp yarns interwoven with at least one set of weft yarns; a bottom fabric layer having at least two sets of weft yarns forming a top and bottom layer of the bottom fabric layer, and at least one set of warp yarns; and at least one binder yarn interweaving and joining the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer. The top fabric layer is preferably a plain weave fabric while the bottom fabric layer is preferably a semi-duplex weave. Also, in one preferred embodiment, the weft yarns in the bottom fabric layer are generally stacked, as are the warp and weft yarns of the top and bottom fabric layers. The binder yarns are preferably a binder warp yarns, but may be a binder wefts. In interweaving the top and bottom fabric layers, the binder yarns engage only the upper weft yarns or the warp yarns of the bottom fabric layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer self-stitched papermakers' fabric including a top fabric layer of relatively fine machine direction and cross machine direction yarns and a bottom fabric layer of relatively coarse machine direction and cross machine direction yarns, interwoven to produce seating and self-stitching conditions for optimal drainage. In a preferred embodiment, the top fabric layer has a right to left twill on its upper papermaking surface and the bottom fabric layer has a left to right twill on its upper interlacing surface.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,352, filed Mar. 7, 1994, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).