Abstract: A paper machine felt comprising a base fabric of a predetermined width and length, a plurality of fiber batts having a predetermined length and width with fibers forming the fiber batts extending in the width direction, the fiber batts being arranged to extend along their length in juxtaposed manner across the width of the base fabric and to be intertangled therewith by needling so that the fibers extend in the length direction of the base fabric.

Abstract: A papermaking press fabric for use with impulse drying machinery having a base fabric formed of nylon filament machine direction and cross-machine direction yarns. A fiber batt formed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) fibers secured to at least a support surface in such a manner as to encapsulate and insulate the base fabric. The resulting press fabric is capable of operating in temperatures of up to 700.degree. F. while exhibiting superior resistance to compacting and wear.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric formed of warp and weft yarns woven endless in a multi-layer uneven weave pattern and heat set to produce set floats in the warp yarns of one length which appear on one surface of the fabric and floats of a different length which appear on a second surface of the fabric. A low profile seam for joining opposite ends of the fabric to form an endless papermaking fabric. The seam is formed by turning warp yarns back and reweaving them lengthwisse into each of the ends with weft yarns in such a manner as to present appropriate ones of the floats on appropriate fabric surfaces. At the same time, loops are formed along the ends in spaced manner. The weft adjacent the end comprise undersized yarns which are woven with the warp yarns to provide longitudinal space along the warp yarns and between the undersized weft yarns. This allows the formation of small loops at the ends by crowding the small weft yarns.

Abstract: A multi-layer paper machine fabric having a preselected permeability value and an increased weft wise stiffness including a single system of warp threads and multiple layers of weft threads including at least support surface weft threads, intermediate layer weft threads and lower surface weft threads interwoven with the warp threads. The surface layer weft threads are arranged to have at least a first thickness and the intermediate layer and lower surface weft threads are arranged to have a second and equal thickness greater than the first thickness of the surface layer weft threads. The second thickness is selected relative to the first thickness to achieve the preselected permeability value and the preselected weft wise stiffness value of the paper machine fabric. Alternate ones of the support layer weft threads are arranged in vertically stacked rows with the intermediate and lower layer weft threads and intermediate ones of the support layer weft threads are arranged between the vertical rows.

Abstract: A multi-layered paper machine fabric having a preselected permeability value, comprising a single system of warp yarns and a multiple layers of weft yarns. The weft yarns include support surface weft yarns intermediate layer weft yarns and lower surface weft yarns all interwoven with the single system of warp yarns. The surface layer weft yarns are of a first thickness, the lower layer weft yarns are of a second thickness, and the intermediate layer of weft yarns are of a third thickness which differs from the first and second thicknesses. Certain ones of the support surface weft yarns are interwoven with the warp yarns to be vertically aligned with the lower surface weft yarns to form drainage channels therebetween. Certain of the intermediate weft yarns are interwoven with the warp yarns to be located intermediate of the surface weft yarns and the lower weft yarns and centrally of the drainage channels.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric for use in a papermaking machine having a base fabric formed of synthetic filament machine direction and cross-machine direction yarns. A fiber batt formed of synthetic fibers secured to at least a support surface of the base fabric. Both the fibers and the filaments are formed of polypropylene terephthalate so that a papermaking press fabric having chemical resistance characteristics of polyester fabrics and physical properties of nylon fabrics is produced.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric and method therefor is disclosed which may be used as a support fabric or a carrier fabric for paper material on a papermaking machine. The fabric, designated generally as (A) includes a first layer (B) of warp yarns (32, 34, 36, and 38) extending in a machine direction. A second layer (C) of warp yarns (42, 44, 46 and 48) is included in the fabric vertically spaced from the first layer. The warp yarns of the first and second layer form stacked pairs (52, 54, 56, and 58) which reinforce the fabric in a machine direction to enhance its stability. At the same time, the stacked pairs may be spaced apart in a cross-machine direction sufficiently to provide a desired degree of openness and fabric permeability. Fabric openness in the range of thirty percent or more of the total fabric area can be had in accordance with the fabric of the present invention without sacrificing the structural stability.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dryer section of a papermaking machine comprising between 10 and 20 cylinders in with each of the cylinders is gas fired to have an operating temperature of between 500.degree. F. and 700.degree. F. A dryer fabric operating with these cylinders capable of withstanding the above temperatures. The fabric is of coil construction of porosity of between 600 and 1000 CFM. The yarn forming the fabric is a monofilament formed of PEEK.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for papermaking fabrics (W) with a machine direction fiber batt (24) is disclosed. A carding machine (B, B') is arranged with its carding cylinder (39) parallel to the axis of rotation (22) of carriage rollers (20) about which a base fabric (16) travels in a machine direction. A carded batt (24) with fibers (36) oriented in the machine direction is fed directly in the machine direction onto base fabric (16). An auxiliary needling unit (A) including an auxiliary needling module (44) lightly tacks machine direction batt (24) to base fabric (16) across its width. For this purpose, carding machine (B) and base fabric (16) move relative to one another in a direction transverse to the machine direction. In one embodiment, card (B) moves transversely in synchronization with auxiliary needling unit (A) while carriage (18) carrying the base fabric is stationary.

Abstract: A woven dryer fabric A having a low fabric permeability characteristic is disclosed having multiple layers in which an intermediate layer includes cabled multi-filament weft elements (B) consisting of low-melt monofilament strands twisted together which are melted in the fabric to effect closure of the fabric mesh. In the weaving process, the cabled multi-filament weft elements have a softer texture which renders them more flexible and allows a more dense mesh count to provide for greater pre-melt void coverage. After melt, the multi-filaments become fused and flow into the void areas of the shed for more complete void coverage.

Abstract: A low permeability dryer fabric and method are disclosed which include a helical dryer fabric comprised of helix strips (12) whose winding arcs (16) are intermeshed and joined together by a composite pintle (A) to define a pintle joint. The composite pintle includes a polyester core (B) and an outer low-melt polymeric sheath (C) which has been heat softened and deformed and exhibits a profile (30) which occupies void areas in the mesh of the helical fabric in the area of the pintle joint.

Abstract: A fluid permeable fabric is disclosed having particular advantages as a dryer fabric for papermaking is disclosed. The fabric includes a number of helix A extending cross-wise in the fabric and joined together along the length dimension by pintles 38. Crevice spaces 40 formed by intermeshing bend portions extending into the loop openings C are closed by a contoured filler strip B. The contoured filler strip occupies the loop openings and includes contoured edges 56 which penetrate and occupy a substantial portion of the crevice spaces. A fabric having a low permeability is thus provided. An enlarged heat radiating surface 52 facing the paper side 39 of the fabric increases the heat transfer occurring in the paper web W to expedite drying. Crevice space 40 and tapered edges 56 of the filler element provide a guiding function which facilitates filler insertion in the loop openings.

Abstract: A woven textile fabric and seam is disclosed for joining dryer fabrics and the like papermaking clothing constructed of multiply woven fabric belting wherein each of the ends of the belting is separated into continuous woven superposed plys permitting insertion and securing of seam webbing between the plys at each end of the belting. The seam webbing is illustrated sandwiched between the separated plys and completely enclosed therein when the plys and webbing are secured together so that interruption of the otherwise continuous belting is minimized. Having affixed the webbing at ends of the woven fabric in this manner, pintle loops may be interlaced and fastened securely together by the insertion of pintle material. One of the separated plys may be advantageously woven to provide pintle loops when folded upon itself.

Abstract: A dryer fabric for the dryer section of a paper forming machine consisting of a plurality of coils arranged side by side in parallel rows and connected at opposite ends by hinge pins to form a continuous belt. The coils are formed from a synthetic monofilament consisting of polyphenylene sulphide and fluorocarbon.