Abstract: A papermaking fabric is woven from synthetic warp and weft threads in an eight harness weave pattern, and is characterized by having long knuckles of at least six crossovers in length in at least one thread system with a minimal number of interlacings of the threads in the fabric. In one embodiment, the long knuckles of each weave repeat of one thread system are six crossovers in length on one side of the fabric and the short knuckles of the system are two crossovers in length on the other side of the fabric. In a second embodiment, the long knuckles of each weave repeat of each thread system are seven crossovers in length and the short knuckles are one crossover in length.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric of the multilayer type having threads of a multiple layer thread system extending in one fabric direction and threads of a single layer thread system extending in the other fabric direction which are interwoven with the threads of each of the multiple layers. The threads of the single layer thread system are spaced apart from one another, and threads of the several layers are tiered above one another with spacing between tiers, so that the fabric has a significant projected open area that allows spray water to penetrate the fabric. The fabric may also have an increased void volume in its interior and binding points between thread systems that are well spaced from one another to enhance the papermaking qualities of the fabric.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a composite papermakers felt made up of a textile base layer and an upper layer of a polymeric resin foam. The felt is useful in the wet press section of a papermaking machine. The disclosure is also of a method of manufacturing the felt of the invention.