Abstract: A throughdrying fabric for the drying section of a papermaking machine is disclosed in several embodiments. In each embodiment, the fabric has a load-bearing layer and a sculpture layer. The sculpture layer is characterized by impression MD knuckles, in the present instance formed as warp knuckles floating over a plurality of shutes but positioned substantially above the tops of the lowest shute knuckles in the load-bearing layer so as to provide machine direction knuckles projecting in the sculpture layer. Methods of weaving the fabric are disclosed using a standard fourdrinier loom. The loom may embody an auxiliary jacquard mechanism which is effective to control the impression warps in the sculpture level to produce a wide variety of patterns of impression knuckles which, in turn, produce an image on the pulp web which the throughdrying fabric carries through the machine.

Abstract: A multi-ply forming fabric for use at the wet end of a papermaking machine for receiving wet pup having a substantial portion of recycled paper fibers. The forming fabric cannot be characterized as either a conventional double-layer or triple-layer fabric. The fabric has an independent top ply comprising a self-sustaining weave of warp yarns and shute yarns, and a bottom side comprising a series of dependent shute yarns interwoven with the top ply by binder warp yarns. The binder warp yarns are illustrated as single and double round yarns, and single ovate yarns. The fabric has a reduced caliper, larger internal fiber interstices and substantial projected open areas which trap fewer contaminants and allow the fabric to be more easily cleaned.

Abstract: A multi-ply forming fabric is provided for use at the wet end of a paper-making machine for receiving wet pulp having a substantial portion of recycled paper fibers. The forming fabric cannot be characterized as either a conventional double-layer or triple-layer fabric. The fabric has an independent top ply comprising a self-sustaining weave of warp yarns and shute yarns, and a bottom side comprising a series of dependent shute yarns interwoven with the top ply by binder warp yarns. The fabric has a reduced caliper, larger internal fiber interstices and substantial projected open areas which trap fewer contaminants and allow the fabric to be more easily cleaned than conventional fabrics.