Abstract: A web dewatering concept which has particular utility in papermaking processes wherein overall compression and compaction of the paper web by mechanical means is avoided comprising a high pressure jet of compressible fluid such as air or steam emitting from a slot extending across the entire width of the web. The web is constrained between a pair of foraminous supporting members while it is passed across a slotted nozzle expelling a jet of compressible fluid at pressures up to about 50 psig. The jet of compressible fluid scrubs the free water from the spaces between the fiber matrix of the web and the foraminous supporting members. The edges of the slotted nozzle make intimate contact with and form a seal against the interior surface of the foraminous supporting member closest the nozzle. This causes direct penetration of the web and the carrying members by the fluid jet, thereby continuously expelling an atomized stream of moisture from the web.

Abstract: A method of producing an inorganic substance board, wherein after preparation, such as by use of paper making process, the board is hardened in an autoclave with saturated steam at a high temperature, high pressure and for a suitable length of time, and after hardening, subjecting the board to one or more drying cycles comprising a vacuum treatment at 60 to 300 Torrs, for a suitable length of time to enable the core of the board to reach a suitable temperature, the application of saturated steam at 2 to 12 Kg/cm.sup.2 pressure and 120 to 190.degree. C temperature for a period of time sufficient to allow the core to reach a suitable temperature. The number of cycles is preferably 10 or less. Advantageously, the inventive drying treatment prevents efflorescence and warping of the boards.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the density and increasing the bulk of a fibrous web having an initial basis weight between 20 and 60 pounds per ream and an initial nondirectional breaking length between 50 and 500 meters.The web is loosely placed between a pair of wire screens. The screens and the web are then transported past a nozzle assembly that impinges a gaseous medium onto the surface of the web with sufficient velocity so that the fibrous web is decompacted throughout the entire thickness of the web.

Abstract: Soft, absorbent, bulky paper web useful in tissue, towel, sanitary, and like products. The web is formed by supplying an aqueous furnish which includes thermomechanically defibrated pulp in admixture with chemically defibrated pulp to a foraminous surface such as a Fourdrinier wire, transferring the moist web to an imprinting fabric, thermally drying the web without mechanical compression to a consistency of from about 30 percent to about 98 percent, imprinting the pattern of the fabric into the thermally predried web, and finally drying the web. The resulting web has relatively high tensile strength at relatively low density. Also, the strength properties of the web are significantly improved if the thermomechanically defibrated pulp is made from wood chips which have been soaked in chemical solutions prior to defibrating and then treated with ozone after defibrating.

Abstract: An improved low-density papermaking process particularly suited for use in conjunction with twin wire formation style papermaking machines is disclosed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a foraminous drying/imprinting fabric conventionally utilized to thermally predry a moist paper web is extended to the twin wire formation zone, thereby eliminating one of the conventionally utilized Fourdrinier wire sections. Extension of the drying/imprinting fabric to the formation zone eliminates disturbance of the deflected portions of the paper web which fill the interstices of the drying/imprinting fabric during formation of the web, thus producing unexpected improvements in finished product bulk and absorptive capacity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for shrinking a travelling web of fibrous material by transferring the web of fibrous material on a porous carrier web to a transfer web travelling at a lower velocity than the carrier web, curving the carrier web to a convex curvature toward the transfer web, at the transfer area, and employing a differential pressure to aid in the transfer of the web of fibrous material to the transfer web. Transversal shrinking is also accomplished by deviating the travel direction of the transfer web in the transfer area laterally at an acute angle from the travel direction of the carrier web. The fibrous material may also be transferred to a second transfer web which may also be at a lateral angle to effect transversal shrinking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for continuously shrinking a fibrous sheet containing heat-shrinkable fibers by means of a hot liquid wherein a sheet is driven by a continuous, stable film formed on the emerged surface of a series of aligned cylinders with parallel axes rotated in the direction of the advance of the sheet and partially immersed in a hot liquid without the sheet being in contact with the cylinders. The invention makes it possible to shrink uniformly and at a high speed heat-shrinkable fibers obtained from an aqueous dispersion thereof by a paper-making method.

Abstract: A fire resistant vermiculite composition board comprises, in percent by weight, from 40 to 90% heat expanded vermiculite particles; from 5 to 20% ceramic clay particles; from 10 to 30% hydrated cellulosic gel having a TAPPI drainage time of at least 900 seconds; from 1 to 20% defiberized wood; and from 1 to 20% starch. The vermiculite is in an incompletely expanded condition of a degree predetermined to permit its further expansion upon subsequent exposure to heat. This results in a corresponding expansion of the composition board of which it is a component when the board is exposed to fire, preventing the formation of cracks and insuring continued fire protecting coverage of the area across which the board is applied.

Abstract: Waterlaid sheets comprising essential solids consisting of (I) elastomeric binder, and (II) nonelastomeric solids comprising inflexible, non-fibrous, rounded, particulate fillers and a fibrous reinforcing component. The waterlaid sheets are useful as substitutes for leather in the manufacture of footwear, particularly as the outsole or insole portion of a shoe.

Abstract: A carbon fiber paper is obtained from a mixture of carbon fibers, pulp, organic fibers having a carbon yield of not less than 20% and a paper sheet binder in relative amounts such that the ratio of the carbon fibers to the pulp falls in the range of 40 - 90% by weight of carbon fibers to 60 - 10% by weight of pulp, the ratio of the organic fibers to the combined weight of said carbon fibers and pulp falls in the range of from 5 to 20% by weight and the ratio of the paper sheet binder to the combined weight of said carbon fibers, pulp and organic fibers falls in the range of from 5 to 50% by weight. The resultant mixture is shaped into the form of sheet to produce a mixed paper sheet, impregnated with an organic high molecular substance and baked to carbonize at a temperature of not less than 800.degree. C in an atmosphere of an inert gas.

Abstract: A web-forming method and apparatus to be used in the manufacture of paper. A web is formed at one side of a travelling wire while at the opposite side thereof, from a location in close proximity thereto, jets of steam are directed toward the wire to produce an implosion at the opposite side of the wire, as well as directly in the wire and in the web. The jets of steam issue from openings in the wall of an enclosure which is situated in close proximity to the said opposite side of the wire, this enclosure having in its interior steam which issues through the openings to form the jets. A plurality of these enclosures may form part of a forming board, and also one or more of the enclosures may be situated along the wire at a part thereof which has travelled beyond the forming board.

Abstract: A tufted nonwoven web material exhibiting high loft, bulk and absorbency is made by a papermaking technique using an apertured, plate-like, fiber-collecting element having a structure appropriate to preventing entanglement between adjacent tufts prior to removal from the element. The apertured element is adapted not only to form the tufted nonwoven fibrous web but also to permit consolidation of individual tufts and facilitate the formation of tufted webs from 100 percent wood pulp. Additionally, webs having tufts on both planar surfaces also can be formed by this technique.

Abstract: The moisture content of a web of newsprint paper which runs from the drying unit to the collecting station of a paper making machine is increased in several stages by atomized water issuing from rows of spraying devices followed by cylindrical members which distribute the particles of water in the material of the web. The rate of water discharge from each spraying device is adjustable so as to compensate for eventual differences between the moisture content in the marginal portions and the moisture content in the median portion of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the surface of a web of printing material for coating or printing including means to "drag" under pressure the web of material over a surface thereby flattening and aligning in a uniform pattern the fibers of a web of printing material.