Abstract: A fabric support element for a papermaking machine has improved fluid drainage means, comprising openings which can include flow-through vents. The element can comprise an impingement shoe for a forming section of a papermaking machine. The openings can be defined by a plurality of laminar segments, at least some of which define a paper side surface of the element, and which segments can be spaced apart by additional laminar segments or other spacing means. Laminar segments for use in the element, a method of constructing the element, and a papermaking machine, or a forming section thereof, including the element are also provided.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.

Abstract: A fabric support element for a papermaking machine has improved fluid drainage means, comprising openings which can include flow-through vents. The element can comprise an impingement shoe for a forming section of a papermaking machine. The openings can be defined by a plurality of laminar segments, at least some of which define a paper side surface of the element, and which segments can be spaced apart by additional laminar segments or other spacing means. Laminar segments for use in the element, a method of constructing the element, and a papermaking machine, or a forming section thereof, including the element are also provided.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.

Abstract: A vented lead blade for use in a paper making machine located so that the stock jet impinges the forming fabric at, or near to, its trailing edge. The vented lead blade serves to bend the forming fabric before it enters the forming section, and to vent at least a substantial proportion of any air which becomes trapped in the wedge shaped space between the surface of the forming fabric and the surface of the stock jet, together with at least some of any liquid carried with the air. The vented lead blade of this invention thus enables the forming fabric to be positioned so that the angle of impingement of the stock jet onto the forming fabric can be minimized to become substantially zero. It also makes it possible to reduce the unsupported length of the stock jet. The vented lead blade of this invention can be used in both an open surface forming section with one forming fabric, or in the forming section of a two fabric paper making machine.

Abstract: A fabric support element for a papermaking machine has improved fluid drainage means, comprising openings which can include flow-through vents. The element can comprise an impingement shoe for a forming section of a papermaking machine. The opening can be defined by a plurality of laminar segments, at least some of which define a paper side surface of the element, and which segments can be spaced apart by additional laminar segments or other spacing means. Laminar segments for use in the element, a method of constructing the element, and a papermaking machine, or a forming section thereof, including the element are also provided.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.