Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.

Abstract: A papermaking vacuum apparatus having a web-facing surface adapted to support a papermaking belt and comprising a head, a body and at least one vacuum slot disposed in the head and defining an aperture on the web-facing surface. The vacuum slot is in fluid communication with the web-facing surface and extends from the web-facing surface to the body which is in further fluid communication with a vacuum source. The web-facing surface has a textured clothing interposed between the web-facing surface of the vacuum apparatus and a backside of the papermaking belt. The textured clothing creates leakage between the backside of the papermaking belt and the web-facing surface of the vacuum apparatus and effectively eliminates the vacuum seal between these two surfaces.

Abstract: A papermaking vacuum apparatus having a web-facing surface adapted to support a papermaking belt and comprising a head, a body and at least one vacuum slot disposed in the head and defining an aperture on the web-facing surface. The vacuum slot is in fluid communication with the web-facing surface and extends from the web-facing surface to the body which is in further fluid communication with a vacuum source. The vacuum apparatus has a flow management device facing said web-contacting surface of the papermaking belt and disposed such that the papermaking belt having the paper web thereupon travels between the flow management device and the web-facing surface of the head. The flow management device has an air flow resistance and controls the distribution of the air flow through the aperture on the web-facing surface such as to effectively increase in the machine direction the amount of vacuum pressure applied through the vacuum slot to the papermaking belt.

Abstract: A secondary belt for papermaking. The belt has a framework of protuberances arranged in a semicontinuous pattern to provide a semicontinuous pattern of deflection conduits. The semicontinuous pattern is distinguished from the discrete and continuous patterns of the prior art. The protuberances may be generally parallel, or may provide individual cells within the deflection conduits between the protuberances. Also disclosed is the paper made on such a secondary belt.