Abstract: A double layer papermaking fabric includes a plurality of machine direction yarns interwoven with a plurality of layers of cross direction yarns including an upper, paper side layer of yarn comprising a first set of generally parallel main cross direction yarns having one of a plurality of extra support yarns interposed between each adjacent yarn of this first set of main cross direction yarns and a plurality of machine direction yarns with each machine direction yarn interweaving with only a single yarn of the first set of main cross direction yarns in each weave repeat of the machine direction yarn. The double layer fabric also includes a lower, machine side layer of yarns including a second set of generally parallel main cross direction yarns with the machine direction yarns interweaving with at least one yarn of that second set of main cross direction yarns in each weave repeat of the machine direction yarns.

Abstract: A dual layer 14 harness woven papermaking fabric having an upper, or sheet, side and a lower, or machine, side is disclosed and includes a set of machine direction yarns, a first set of cross machine direction yarns extending mainly on the sheet side and a second set of cross machine direction yarns extending mainly on the machine side, both being interwoven with the machine direction yarn, with the sheet side knuckles of the machine direction yarns floating over two of the sheet side cross machine direction yarns. The interlacing of the machine direction yarns and the cross machine direction yarns includes at least one machine direction yarn interposed between the lowermost portions of each of the sheet side cross machine direction yarns and any subjacent machine side cross direction yarns, whereby overlap of adjacent cross machine direction yarns of the machine side set and the sheet side set is substantially avoided.

Abstract: A helical coil seam construction for joining the ends of a length of papermakers fabric into a continuous loop is disclosed using a pair of generaly helical coils formed of a multifilament yarn subjected to a stiffening treatment with that stiffened yarn being formed into a helical coil. A first such coil is affixed to a first end of a length of papermakers fabric and a second coil, wound in the direction opposite to the winding of the first coil, is affixed to a second end of the fabric, opposed to the first end. Means are provided for releasably joining the coils with the loops thereof in an interengaged relationship, whereby the ends of the fabric are releasably joined to form a continuous loop of the fabric.

Abstract: A pin seam construction in which cross direction yarns in the area proximal the seam have a cross sectional size greater than the size of the cross direction yarns appearing in the body of the fabric to provide a weave portion of greater thickness proximal the pin seam to protect the seam in use.

Abstract: A procedure is described for providing an angled pin seam on a papermakers felt in which a base fabric is woven with a selectively joinable pin seam to form a continuous loop of the base fabric, skewing that base fabric and its seam by displacing one of the lateral edges of the fabric longitudinally of the machine direction relative to the opposed lateral edge while maintaining the machine direction yarns extending substantially in the machine direction, thus skewing the seam relative to the machine direction and to the cross machine direction, and in which batt material is needled into the base fabric while the base fabric is maintained in the skewed condition, whereby the needled batt maintains the fabric in its skewed condition.

Abstract: A seamed papermaking fabric having a multilayer base fabric includes an endless woven fabric forming a tubular belt that is flattened to form a base fabric with at least one helical coil seaming member inserted between opposing sidewall portions at each respective lengthwise extremity of the base fabric. The helical axes of the seaming members extend transverse to the lengthwise direction of the fabric and the coils of the seaming member extend through spaces between adjacent machine direction yarns and supportably engage the machine direction yarns. The opposed lengthwise extremities of the base fabric are joined together by interengagement of the coils of the respective seaming members and insertion of the pintle member axially through the interengaged coils to form a seamed endless fabric of substantially twice the predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A braking assembly for use on loom shuttle boxes is provided extending inwardly of at least one wall of the shuttle cell and includes a support member attachable to the shuttle cell wall, a shuttle engaging member having at least one surface for engaging a shuttle entering the cell and at least one inflatable bladder interposed between the support member and the shuttle engaging member for urging the shuttle engaging member inwardly of the cell upon inflation of the bladder into a position interfering with movement of the shuttle within the cell. The assembly further includes apparatus for urging the bladder to a deflated condition to move the shuttle engaging member away from engagement of the shuttle when the bladder is deflated.

Abstract: An improved weaving loom provides for mounting of the shuttle box assemblies and shuttle picking apparatus at any of a plurality of positions along the shuttle raceway to enable the loom to be configured to have a weaving width substantially narrower than the total width of the loom raceway.

Abstract: A technique of forming a seam in a woven multilayer papermaking fabric provides a machine side join for the ends of each machine direction filament with a machine side knuckle formed in such machine direction filament and spaced from the closest exit point of the machine direction filament tails from the fabric by not less than one nor more than three intervening cross machine filaments, with the weave crossings in both the machine direction and cross machine direction in the join being substantially the same as the weave crossings in the body of the fabric.

Abstract: A method for making a perfluoroolefin polymer filament belt is disclosed. The belt is substantially free of stretching under typical conditions of use including application of heat and force to the belt. This characteristic is produced by the process which includes the steps of weaving a belt and thermally fixing the woven belt by heating to the filaments to their white point while applying a force to the load bearing filaments.