Abstract: A method and apparatus for beginning the formation of a paper web on a traveling forming wire, or between a pair of converging forming wires, includes a headbox on a papermaking machine for projecting a stock stream onto the forming wire, or between the forming wires over the porous face surface of a forming shoe. The forming wire or wires are looped to travel in a continuous path, and within at least one of the looped forming wires is the forming shoe, which is porous by way of grooves or openings over at least a portion of its face surface. The grooves are in the surface of the forming shoe which engages the inner surface of the looped forming wire to define a portion of the path of travel of the forming wire adjacent the headbox from which the stock stream is projected onto, or between, the forming wire(s). The grooves extend in the surface facing the forming wire from a point downstream of the leading edge in the nose portion of the face surface of forming shoe in the direction of forming wire travel.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a papermaking machine having a plurality of variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying the paper stock and are adjusted by electrical operating devices, such as servo motors or solenoid valves, to vary their water removal rate in response to control signals produced by a computer controller. A plurality of sensors are spaced along the path of the paper sheet downstream from the variable dewatering devices to sense the paper sheet characteristics including light transparency and mass, and to apply sensor output signals corresponding thereto to the computer controller. The servo motors have their shafts coupled to adjustment devices for cam mechanisms which adjust the moveable elements of the variable dewatering elements.

Abstract: A composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine or other device for maintaining a seal when brought into contact with a surface and that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and at least one of a silicone oil or polytetrafluoroethylene as a lubricating agent, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has silicone oil and/or polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface, and when installed into a suction roll or other device, provides a reduced frictional surface.

Abstract: Suction device and process for at least one of conditioning and drainage of an endless felt. The device includes a housing having at least one vacuum chamber, and a plurality of suction slits located on a suction surface of the housing that is adapted to face the endless felt. The plurality of suction slits are oriented to extend at least one of in and obliquely to a travel direction of the endless felt. The process includes guiding the endless belt over a suction surface of a vacuum chamber, and suctioning a surface of the endless belt with a plurality of suction slits located in the suction surface of the vacuum chamber. The plurality of suction slits extend in a direction that is at least one of in and oblique to a belt travel direction.

Abstract: A foil blade for use in dewatering devices found in a web forming section of a papermaking machine is described. The improved foil blade according to the present invention is easily installed into and removed from such dewatering devices. The improved foil blade of the present invention is rigidly mounted within the same dewatering devices such that the foil blade does not rotate or change geometry during a papermaking process as a wire or fabric having a stock mixture thereon travels over the foil blade. The improvement resides in providing a loaded clamping assembly for the foil blade. In one embodiment, according to the present invention, the loaded clamping assembly comprises a pneumatic load air tube to rigidly secure the foil blade to a dewatering device in a web-forming section of a papermaking machine. The foil blade being firmly clamped in position by way of the loaded air tube, cannot rotate or change geometry during operation.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. In a third aspect of the invention, a single elevator is used to adjust the angle of the blade, the blade is provided as a modular or multiple-piece design, mounting buttons are used to engage slots of T-shaped cross section in the blade and/or ceramic inserts are included at wear points.

Abstract: A suction box for use in a press arrangement in a machine for producing a paper or cardboard web. The suction box includes at least one suction side suctioning the fibrous pulp sheet onto a transport side of at least one felt belt. The suction box further includes at least one non-suction side and at least one slit. A vacuum is created by having air blown out of at least one slit. The vacuum occurs along the felt belt in a run direction of the felt belt. The slit is positioned at an edge of at least one non-suction side of the suction box. The suction box may be disposed on an exit side of a press slit of the press arrangement. The press slit is adapted to treat the fibrous pulp sheet. At least one felt belt is guided, simultaneously with the fibrous pulp sheet, through the press slit. Upon exiting the press slit, the fibrous pulp sheet is suctioned onto at least one felt belt by the suction box.

Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. The first and second aspects may be used independently or simultaneously.

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 composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and polytetrafluoroethylene, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface and when installed into a suction roll provides a reduced frictional surface.

Abstract: A suction box for a machine for manufacturing a fiber web extends transverse to the travel direction of a porous belt and applies suction to the belt and the fiber suspension on the belt. The suction box has an open side toward the belt. At least two and more usually a plurality of support strips contact and extend transverse to the travel direction of the belt. Each adjacent pair of strips defines a suction slot. At one or both lateral side zones of the belt, a respective filler limits each slot, and the fillers establish the length of the slot across the belt. A respective filler extension extends inward from each of the fillers. The extensions are pervious to the fluids being suctioned, such as water and air, by being narrowed or wedge shaped or by being perforated. The fillers with their extensions are adjustable in position transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.

Abstract: A graphite composite trailing element for a headbox of a paper making machine is described. A protective layer is provided at or around pondside edges of a trailing element. The protective layer reinforces the pondside edges of the element to protect the edges from damage. The protective layer can also provide a protective sheath around the edges of the element to help prevent stock from being absorbed between the composites making up the elements. With reinforced edges and a protective sheath, the bonded composite sheets of the element are less susceptible to separation and delamination thereby resulting in an improved graphite composite trailing element. The protective layer can be made from any number of woven fiber glass mesh materials and is embedded in an epoxy base. The protective layer is compatible with the bonding and curing requirements of the composite sheets making up the trailing element.

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 comprises a leading surface and a trailing surface. The leading surface has a transitional area juxtaposed with the aperture created by the vacuum slot. This transitional area has a predetermined Z-directional spacing from the papermaking belt, which Z-spacing continuously and gradually increases in the machine direction whereby the amount of vacuum pressure applied through the vacuum slot to the paper web gradually increases as the paper web travels in the machine direction over the slot.

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 comprises a textured area in the region of the web-facing surface juxtaposed with the aperture defined by the vacuum slot. This textured area creates a leakage of at least about 35 Marlatts at a pressure differential of 7 inches of Mercury. This leakage eliminates the vacuum seal between a smooth backside of the papermaking belt and the web-facing surface of the vacuum apparatus.

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 comprises a plurality of sequenced vacuum sections successively spaced in the machine direction from a first vacuum section to a last vacuum section. Each vacuum section comprises at least one vacuum slot in fluid communication with the web-facing surface and defining an aperture thereon. Each vacuum section has a vacuum applied therethrough, this vacuum increasing in the machine direction between successive vacuum sections.

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: An adjusting apparatus adjusts the height and/or angular position of a strip associated with an screen belt of a paper producing system, which strip extends transversely to a direction of motion of the screen belt. The apparatus is disposed on a machine frame-fixed guide rail. A carriage is mounted displaceably along the fixed guide rail, such that a longitudinal motion of the carriage translates into a vertical adjusting motion of the strip and/or an angular pivoting of the strip relative to the paper pulp screen. A longitudinally nondisplaceable support is attached to the strip and it is supported on the carriage. Guide elements are disposed either in the carriage or the support for adjusting the height and/or angle of the support relative to the fixed guide rail. The support or the carriage have lateral grooves formed therein in which the guide elements are received. The grooves extend at an incline relative to the direction of motion of the carriage by an angle of substantially between 0.5.degree. and 5.

Abstract: Clip type fasteners for attaching paper machine fabric contacting elements to their supporting structures. The fasteners are provided typically with two tight tolerance slots, which are press-fits onto the elements and the support structure. The fasteners allow for simple removal, replacement, and respacing of the elements.

Abstract: An improved cross direction fiber movement and dewatering device for typical papermaking machinery comprised of a main body (22) typically made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene conventionally machined with vacuum orientation diagonal slots (30) with alternating flat support zones on the top of the unit, equal in relation to the machined vacuum slots (31). The device promotes fiber reorientation on x and y axis, or cross direction to the general flow patterns of the paper machine while dewatering the pulp slurry (20) and promoting improved paper qualities.

Abstract: An adjustable twin-wire gap former is provided for forming a fiber web from an aqueous fiber suspension. The twin-wire gap former is arranged so that the first and second coacting, traveling, looped forming wires have juxtaposed sections, which define a forming zone and confine a paper web therebetween during its formation. A first means for providing suction is located adjacent the first wire fabric in the forming zone for draining water from the suspension and a second means for providing suction is located adjacent the second wire fabric in the forming zone. This second means for providing suction is movable toward and away from the second wire thus adjusting the geometry of the forming zone. Preferably a central operator controls the vacuum in the suction boxes and the pressure exerted by the boxes onto the forming fabric independently of each other.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable drainage foil for paper machines. A facultatively two-part support structure extends across the machine width, and comprises a first beam and a backing shape mounted on it. A facultatively two-part cover strip extends across the machine width, and consists of an upper, wear-resistant foil strip and a support shape supporting the foil strip. A moving device effects a relative longitudinal motion of the cover strip and support structure. As the cover strip and support structure are moved relative to each other, the angle of incidence .alpha. between drainage surface 12b and the wire surface running over it is influenced. Provided between the underside of the cover strip and the top side of the support structure are compression means which force the claws of the cover strip on the respective backing surfaces of the support structure.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for controlling the dewatering of a web (44, 44') in a Fourdrinier fabric (20, 21) by submerged drainage apparatus in which air does not penetrate through the fiber/aqueous dispersion nor the formed web (44, 44'). The dewatering is accomplished by altering the natural tension of the meniscus of the water to induce enhanced drainage of water from the aqueous dispersion of paper making fibers in the fabric (20, 21) and replacement air for the water draining from the formed web (44, 44') is provided from beneath the lower fabric (20) and, if an upper fabric (21) is employed, from above the upper fabric (21).

Abstract: The invention concerns a twin-wire web former in a paper machine, comprising a carrying wire and a covering wire which together form a twin-wire forming zone. In this forming zone, a forming unit is fitted, which comprises a forming board and a drainage box placed one opposite the other. In the forming board placed facing the drainage box there are a number of transverse loading ribs placed at a distance from each other. Subsequent transverse loading ribs are interconnected by intermediate parts which, together with the transverse loading ribs form ribbed shoes. These shoes can be loaded by means of loading hoses to produce a dewatering pressure in the web (W) placed between the wires. In the area of the forming unit the dewatering takes place both through the covering wire and through the carrying wire also toward the forming board through the open spaces placed between its transverse loading ribs.

Abstract: A curved suction box apparatus is disclosed for guiding a web towards a nip of a nip press. The apparatus includes an initial shoe which is disposed upstream relative to the nip, the shoe defining a convex surface for guiding the web. A box is disposed downstream relative to the initial shoe for guiding the web from the initial shoe. The box is connected to a partial vacuum.

Abstract: An improved Uhle box for use in a paper press includes an elongated, generally U-shaped support structure closed at its opposite ends by deckle pieces, and with each upstanding leg including a cylindrical recess for rotatably mounting a cylinder on which the wet felt is supported. The central portion of the support structure defines a vacuum zone which is in communication with a vacuum source. Lubrication is provided to the rotatable cylinder as the wet felt is passed over the Uhle box, and moisture is extracted from the wet felt as it passes over the vacuum zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for drying a web of paper utilizing impulse drying techniques. In the method of the invention for drying a paper web, the paper web is transported through a pair of rolls wherein at least one of the rolls has been heated to an elevated temperature. The heated roll is provided with a surface having a low K value of less than about 3000 w.sqroot.s/m.sup.2 c and having a low porosity. The surface material of the roll is preferably prepared from a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, glass, inorganic plastics, composite materials and cermets. The heated roll may be constructed entirely from the material having a low K value or the roll may be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, or other suitable material which is provided with a surface layer of a material having a low K value.

Abstract: A stationary support device for a paper making machine wire has a movable cover strip, which is formed of a movable support strip and a head strip formed of a hard material on the support strip. The head strip has a leading upstream edge over which the wire slides and has a dewatering surface after the leading edge and which forms a variable angle of inclination with the wire. In the region of its front edge the moveable support strip is connected by a web-groove joint to a rigid support. A bar which is displaceable cross machine is inserted in the rigid support on the rear of the support device. A plurality of obliquely extending grooves are provided in the bar. In each groove there is a slide block which receives the spherical head of a pin. The pin is engaged by its external thread in the internal thread of a square bushing which is fastened in the support strip of the cover strip. The position of the pin can be adjusted parallel to the direction of travel of the wire in the bushing.

Abstract: A saveall apparatus is disclosed for collecting water ejected from stock through a forming wire of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a box which is disposed closely adjacent to the forming wire. The box defines an enclosure which is connected to a source of partial vacuum so that water ejected from the stock is collected within the enclosure. A throat wall is rigidly secured to the box and has an upstream and a downstream end. The upstream end of the throat wall slidingly engages the forming wire. A moveable throat wall cooperates with the throat wall for defining therebetween a vacuum slot which is connected to the enclosure such that the water ejected from the stock is drawn by the partial vacuum through the vacuum slot into the enclosure. The throat wall is disposed in a first plane, and the moveable throat wall is disposed in a second plane such that when the moveable throat wall is moved relative to the throat wall, an angle defined between the planes remains constant.

Abstract: An adjustable angle foil apparatus for a paper making machine is described in which a rigid foil member is pivoted by a cam actuated adjustment mechanism to change the foil angle. The cam actuator includes at least a rear set of cam slots and cam follower pins connecting a foil support member to a foil mounting base member to pivot support member in response to longitudinal movement thereof for adjustment of the foil angle. A rigid foil body made of foil segments of ceramic or other hard, wear resistant material, are attached by tongue and groove connections and bonding adhesive to the foil support member. The cam actuated adjustment mechanism pivots such support member to adjust the foil angle without bending the foil. In one embodiment a front set of cam slots and cam follower pins is provided to maintain the height of the leading edge of the foil substantially constant at different foil angles.

Abstract: A suction box for use in drying a felt web in a papermaking machine has one or more cover members in contact with a surface of the felt web. The surface of at least one of these cover elements which normally contacts the felt web has a leading portion which is feathered or inclined away from the surface of the felt web in the direction opposite the direction of motion of the felt web. This allows the felt web to come into contact with the cover member surface more gradually, which reduces wear on the felt.

Abstract: A stationary support device for the drainage wire screen of a fiber web forming section. The cover ledge over which the drainage screen passes has a front edge which the screen passes and then the drainage surface beneath the wire screen diverges from the wire screen in the wire screen advancing direction. The cover ledge is of hard material. The front part of the cover ledge is supported by a support at a rigid pivot joint. The rearward part of the cover ledge is supported by wedge surface connections for permitting adjustment of the tilt orientation of the cover ledge with respect to the drainage wire. Leaf type clamping springs disposed between the cover ledge and the support, disposed rearwardly of the front joint and disposed forwardly of the wedge surface connections. The clamping leaf springs being connected to the cover ledge by tie rods at the center of the spring and to the support by tie rods at the ends of the springs.

Abstract: A ledge for resiliently supporting a paper making machine wire has a head ledge which extends across the direction of travel of the wire and over which the wire can slide. The head ledge is rigidly connected to a movable support ledge which also extends across the direction of travel of the wire and is guided on a stationary support structure. Between the movable support ledge and the stationary structure there is a resilient push device which can displace the movable support ledge together with the head ledge between a position of rest away from the wire and an operating position in which the head ledge is pressed with a predetermined force against the wire. The stationary structure has several guide arms distributed over the length of the support ledge which are the exclusive means for guiding the movable support ledge. Several guide arms arranged in pairs are provided which grip around the support ledge, in the manner of a clamp.

Abstract: Dewatering apparatus for papermaking machines, such as suction boxes, are provided with spaced cover elements of a composite structure. The cover elements include ceramic cover strips which engage the porous conveyor belt that conveys the paper web and are separated by drainage slots. The ceramic cover strips are bonded to support members of fiber-reinforced plastic. The cover elements are mounted on metal cross braces by mounting projections on the support members which slide into mounting slots of the same shape on the cross braces for attachment thereto without threaded fasteners or welding. The mounting slots and mounting projections may be of an interlocking shape, such as a dovetail shape or a T-shape, which prevents vertical movement of the cover elements toward or away from the conveyor belt while allowing horizontal sliding movement for insertion and removal of the cover elements into the mounting slots of the cross braces.

Abstract: A stationary drainage device for a papermaking machine is described including a drainage box which may have a plurality of vacuum chambers and a stationary curved cover formed by cover strips of ceramic material separated by drainage slots. The cover includes a central cover strip of greater width than the other cover strips on opposite sides thereof. A pressure roll presses the paper sheet and the porous conveyor transporting such sheet across the curved cover of the drainage device, against the curved upper surface of the central cover strip at a nip position spaced from the drainage slots and the other cover strips for greater dewatering efficiency. The stationary drainage device may be mounted at the output of the forming section as a stationary couch device or in the press section as a felt conveyor cleaning and dewatering device.

Abstract: A component to be used in a papermaking machine for extracting moistu re from a paper web. The component includes a supporting structure and a water permeable member is mounted on the supporting structure and is adapted to support a paper web. The water permeable member comprises a rigid mass of ceramic foam having a plurality of interconnected cells. The ceramic foam has an air permeability in the range of 10 to 1,000 cubic feet per square foot of surface area per minute and has a density of 5 to 100 lbs/cubic foot. When a pressure differential is applied to the permeable member to the paper web, moisture will be extracted from the web and passes through the permeable member.

Abstract: The suction box cover able to support a stock wire (31) over it, the stock wire running as in the prior art of paper mill machinery, the suction box cover 10 having a frame structure constructed by external side member 11,111 and a plurality of blades 13, 14, 15, intermediate, front and back, including a carrier 18 and running blades 19 connected together, the blades 13, 14, 15 being the running table of the wire and being supported by a plurality of profiled or shaped staffs oriented orthogonally to the blades and connected to the external side members 11, 111. The suction box cover is closed at the sides by removable seals 29, and the suction box cover is connectable by means of the side members to a lower suction box 26.

Abstract: An improved suction box for paper making machine includes a cover for contacting a press fabric with an elongated slot. The slot is covered with a mesh to eliminate noise and reduce wear on the fabric.

Abstract: The cover piece for a suction box of a dewatering unit for a fleece made of a pulp material conveyed over the suction box on an endless conveyor belt is provided with at least one zigzag or wavelike passage extending substantially transversely to the conveyor belt travel direction composed of a plurality of passage portions inclined to the travel direction of the conveyor belt and distributed on both sides of the medium plane of the cover piece. Advantageously the distance across the passage in the travel direction of the conveyor belt is maintained constant so that the open surface area per unit length across the passage is substantially constant, although the width across the passage may differ for portions of the passage which widen in the conveyor belt travel direction and portions which constrict in the conveyor belt travel direction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for extracting water from a paper web in a paper making machine using a ceramic foam component. The component includes a supporting structure and a water permeable member is mounted on the supporting structure and is adapted to support a paper web. The water permeable member comprises a rigid mass of ceramic foam having a plurality of interconnected cells. The ceramic foam has an air permeability in the range of 10 to 1,000 cubic feet per square foot of surface area per minute and has a density of 5 to 100 lbs/cubic foot. When a pressure differential is applied to the permeable member to the paper web, moisture will be extracted from the web and passes through the permeable member.

Abstract: A papermaking machine is modified by replacing a conventional rotatable couch roll by a stationary couch device that still serves the essential functions of the roll, namely dewatering of the furnish carried by the web and modification of the direction of travel of the web to turn it down towards the main drive roll. This stationary device is made of an abrasion resistant ceramic material and has a member with a convexly curved upper surface on which the web slides. Water is sucked from the furnish by a vacuum applied through perforations in the member. The majority of these perforations preferably take the form of slots that extend obliquely to both the transverse extent of the machine and the direction of web travel. The arrangement permits easier and more effective maintenance of the vacuum than with a couch roll and more efficient dewatering, with no rewetting of the web or furnish when leaving the couch device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stationary supporting member for the drainage wire belt of a paper machine. The supporting member has a transverse head board with a doctor-like leading edge which contacts the underside of the wire belt. The head board is formed from hard material, which has a drainage area forming a small, variable angle of inclination with the direction of travel of the wire belt. Two C-beams support the head board, one secured rigidly in the machine and the other, which carries the head board, being hinged to the rigid beam. An adjusting board on the rigid beam and having several adjustable stop surfaces distributed over its length, engages stops on which the movable beam is supported. The two beams are clamped together by means of an inflatable hose between the arms of the beam.

Abstract: A hydrofoil blade for use in a paper making machine wherein a plurality of variously angulated surfaces is provided for producing turbulence having controllable scale and intensity while independently controlling the rate of dewatering.

Abstract: Skimming blades in papermaking machines have a dewatering surface 4 adjoining the supporting surface 3 supporting the wire 1. To sustain the desired microturbulence of the fiber suspension 2 on the wire 1, the dewatering surface 4 is provided with troughs 7. The troughs 7 have a wavy shape, in which the wave crests 5 have a smaller radius r than the wave valleys 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support apparatus of a dewatering unit (30) below a bottom wire of the twin wire forming section of a paper or board machine.The problem in known, corresponding arrangements has been insufficient crosswise stiffness of the dewatering unit and lack of adjustability.The above-mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated or minimized by a support arrangement, characterized in that the dewatering unit (30) is supported on beams (36) transversely in view of the machine direction by means of a hose-like pressure-medium filled elements (37), which also allow a longitudinal adjustment of the dewatering unit by means of an adjusting element (38).

Abstract: An improved papermaking apparatus of the type in which a headbox directs a jet of papermaking slurry onto the upper surface of the wire which moves longitudinally over and is supported by a forming board. The improvement is means for adjusting the length of the leading forming board strip and means for adjusting the position of that strip to properly relate the strip to the intercept of the jet with the wire.

Abstract: Sealing strips mounted on an internal vacuum box and engaged with the internal surface of a perforated rotatable shell forming a suction roll in a conventional paper making machine are contructed from a body portion of organic material having an outer surface forming an interface with an inner surface of the shell, and a PTFE inlay strip exposed at the outer surface of the sealing strip for rubbing against the interior surface of the shell and smearing across the outer surface of the sealing strip to reduce friction and improve lubrication at the interface.

Abstract: A hydrofoil blade and support for use in a paper making machine, and a method using a hydrofoil blade for dewatering and forming a paper web on a paper machine forming medium wherein a single phase fluid is formed in a gap between the hydrofoil blade and forming medium, and the gap is extended a sufficient distance in the machine direction to prevent expansion and corresponding cavitation of the single phase fluid in the gap.

Abstract: In a forming section of a papermaking machine, a foil blade for being positioned in close running relation with a wire for dewatering a web on the wire, a mount for the foil positioned to support the foil in its operative position and an inflatable member between the mount and foil securing the foil tightly in operative position preventing rocking when inflated and releasing the foil when deflated so that the foil can be slid out in a cross-machine direction.