Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine includes a base fabric and at least one layer of an assembly of fibers, preferably forming a carded web or batt, the assembly of fibers containing a plurality of fibers having a deep grooved configuration. The deep-grooved fibers of the press felt provide improved dewatering properties to the press felt as compared to conventional round monofilaments of the same denier currently employed as the batt in press felts used in the press sections of papermaking machines. A method for at least partially dewatering a sheet of paper fibers within the press section of a papermaking machine includes positioning the sheet of paper fibers on the press felt described herein, transporting the sheet of paper fibers through the press section, and pressing the sheet to at least partially remove the water therefrom.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament is formed from a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolyric stabilizing agent, and exhibits increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation. The high temperature polyester resin can be blended with from 0 to about 5 percent by weight of a thermal stabilizing agent. In addition, a masterbatch including the PET resin and hydrolytic stabilizing agent may be compounded prior to blending with the high temperature polyester resin. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation and includes a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments, comprising a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

Abstract: A polyester fabric is formed from a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments. The fabric exhibits improved hydrolytic stability and abrasion resistance. The woven polyester monofilaments are manufactured from a polymer blend comprising at least about 75 percent by weight of a polyester resin, up to about 20 percent by weight of a melt extrudable fluoropolymer resin, and more than 1.5 percent by weight and up to about 5 percent by weight of a hydrolytic stabilizing agent, to form 100 percent by weight of a polymer blend. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament is formed from a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolyric stabilizing agent, and exhibits increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation. The high temperature polyester resin can be blended with from 0 to about 5 percent by weight of a thermal stabilizing agent. In addition, a masterbatch including the PET resin and hydrolytic stabilizing agent may be compounded prior to blending with the high temperature polyester resin. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation and includes a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments, comprising a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A high temperature copolyester monofilament exhibits enhanced knot tenacity and is formed from the extrusion of a polymer blend of a copolyester resin and a fluoropolymer resin. Additives such as thermal stabilizers may be added to the polymer blend. The polymer blend may be extruded in the presence of other additives such as a hydrolytic stabilizer. The monofilament exhibits a higher average knot tenacity, a higher minimum knot tenacity, a narrower knot tenacity range and lower standard deviation as compared to standard high temperature copolyester monofilaments. A dryer fabric comprises a plurality of woven copolyester monofilaments having enhanced knot tenacity, the monofilaments comprising a polymer blend of copolyester resin and fluoropolymer resin, and may further include thermal stabilizers and hydrolytic stabilizers.

Abstract: A papermaker's wet press felt constructed entirely from a plurality of layers of non-woven batt fibers which have layers of polymeric mesh interposed between and alternating with the batt layers. The mesh layers may be a thermoplastic material having a lower melt temperature than the batt fibers. The mesh layers and batt layers may be fixed by needling, sewing, heating or some combination thereof.

Abstract: An improved wet press felt for a papermaking machine which includes a woven base layer, a layer of monofilament fiber mesh oriented adjacent the woven base and at least one layer of non-woven batt material affixed to the combination of woven base layer and mesh layer. When a plurality of layers of non-woven batt material are employed, a layer of mesh is oriented between adjacent batt layers.