Abstract: A wet press papermaker's felt which has a base fabric joined at a pin seam, and which has a batting applied to the felt surface so that the felt is relatively stiff and difficult to join at the pin seam, is provided with a region of increased transverse flexibility through the felt to facilitate the bending of one end of the felt during the threading of a pin through the pin seam. In one embodiment, the region of increased transverse flexibility is formed by a second pin seam in which the batting is uncut at the seam. In another embodiment, this region is defined by a common transverse cross-over point in which the top loop-forming strands go through the fabric to the opposite surface, thereby forming a region of transverse flexibility.

Abstract: A pin-seam type of wet papermaker's felt of the kind in which the seam includes a series of interfitted and transversely aligned pin-receiving loops, and in which alternate loops are associated with either one or the other of the felt ends. At least one of the series of loops is provided with a surface impression in the form of a distinctive color, which color is distinguished or different from the color of the loops associated with the other end of the felt so that when the loops are properly aligned, an alternating visual pattern is presented to indicate such proper alignment and to facilitate the threading of the pin therethrough.

Abstract: A pin seam type of papermaker's wet press felt is disclosed in which a base fabric, joined by a pin seam, has a relatively heavy batting applied to at least one surface. The batting is cut through at the pin seam to form a joint in the batting, defined by opposed free ends. One of the free ends in the batting is formed with a transverse Vee groove, and the opposed free end is formed with a transverse Vee proportioned to be received in the groove, thereby forming an interlocking joint.

Abstract: A method of applying alignment stripes to the surface of a papermakers' felt includes the steps of printing a dye pattern in the form of the stripes on a sheet of transfer paper, employing heat sublimatible transfer dyes, applying such a sheet with the transferable dye thereon adjacent an inside surface of a felt as mounted on a felt finishing setup which includes a heated head roll, and causing said sheet to be drawn with the felt between the felt and heated roll, while maintaining tension in the felt. The heated head roll causes the transfer of the dye pattern defining the alignment strip from the sheet to the adjacent surface of the felt.

Abstract: A papermakers' felt for the press or dewatering section of a papermaking machine is formed with an inner woven fabric and with a plurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced heavy yarns or strands which are supported on the bottom surface of the fabric by a relatively light cross-machine yarn or binder pick which interconnects the heavy strands with the warp yarns of the fabric. A batting of non-woven material is needled primarily into the upper surface of the inner fabric to form the top of the felt. The underlying strands define therebetween relatively open, longitudinally extending spaces or channels into which the water from the web of paper can flow. Some fibers of the batting intermingle and interlock with the strands to provide additional stability to the felt.