Papermaking Press Felts Patents (Class 162/900)
  • Patent number: 7276137
    Abstract: The invention concerns a textile product (6) for use in a paper machine, having a monofilament or a profiled structure as support element (1) on which is arranged a layered sensor for measuring pressure and/or temperature, and is characterized in that the sensor is constituted from at least three layers (2, 3, 4), the second layer (3) having piezoelectric properties and the layers (2, 4) in contact against the second layer (3) forming electrodes that are couplable or coupled to an analysis device. The invention further concerns a method for producing such a textile product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Best, Sebastian Gerundt
  • Patent number: 7270151
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric which comprises eight pairs of warps obtained by arranging eight upper surface side warps and eight lower surface side warps, and a plurality of upper surface side wefts and lower surface side wefts, and has an upper surface side layer and a lower surface side layer bound with warp-direction yarns. In the lower surface side layer, warps are formed by successively arranging a design in which one warp passes over four successive lower surface side wefts, passes under one lower surface side weft, passes over two lower surface side wefts, and passes under one lower surface side weft while shifting the design by three lower surface side wefts, and two adjacent lower surface side warps simultaneously weave therein, from the lower surface side, one lower surface side weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagura, Ikuo Ueda, Keiichi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7267745
    Abstract: A paper makers felt comprising a fibrous outer layer formed of inter-engaged fibers of between 3.0 and 67 dtex inter-engaged preferably by needling, and a web layer formed of fibers which are between 200 and 600 dtex and are inter-engaged preferably by point bonding. The outer layer is engaged with the web layer, preferably by needling, forming a composite paper makers felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Crook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7229531
    Abstract: A method of seaming an on-machine-seamable multiaxial papermaker's fabric to prevent yarn migration. The multiaxial fabric is in the form of an endless loop flattened into two layers along fold lines. CD yarns are removed from the folds to create ravel areas. This leaves the MD yarns unbound in the ravel areas. Seam loops are then formed from the unbound MD yarns at the folds. A thin porous material is sewn to the fabric at each fold. The porous material binds the CD yarns along the edges of the ravel areas while allowing passage of the seam loops through the material. The laminate prevents migration of CD yarn tails into the seam area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Steven S. Yook, Michael A. Royo
  • Patent number: 7220340
    Abstract: The invention concerns a porous paper machine clothing (1) for dewatering a paper web in a paper machine, having a yarn layer made up of at least one ply (2) of longitudinal yarns (3) and at least one ply (4) of transverse yarns (5, 6, 7) that cross the longitudinal yarns (3), which is characterized in that the longitudinal and transverse yarns (3, 5, 6, 7) are connected positively to one another at crossing points (8). The invention further concerns a method for manufacturing a porous paper machine clothing of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Heimbach Gmbh & Co.
    Inventor: Walter Best
  • Patent number: 7216677
    Abstract: In an industrial two-layer fabric, running surface side wefts constituting the running surface side layer each has a design in which the running surface side weft passes over a running surface side warp, passes under two successive running surface side warps, passes over a running surface side warp and passes under at least four successive running surface side warps, thereby forming a long crimp of the weft on the running surface side surface. A running surface side weft adjacent to the above-described weft or adjacent to the above-described weft with one weft sandwiched therebetween is arranged with a design obtained by shifting the design of the above-described weft by two running surface side warps. The design of the running surface side warps is formed of a portion passing under a running surface side weft and a portion passing over at least two running surface side wefts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co. Ltd.,
    Inventor: Shigenobu Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7207356
    Abstract: A through-air dryer (TAD) fabric formed by interweaving of a warp yarn system with a weft yarn system. The TAD fabric has a paper side with a contact area between 20% and 30%. The warp yarn system includes flat warp yarns and/or the weft yarn system includes flat weft yarns which have not been subjected to a sanding process after weaving of the fabric and which have an aspect ratio of 1.15:1 to 1.35:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Sanjay Patel, Jeff Herman
  • Patent number: 7198067
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in a forming section of a paper machine, having a first layer formed of a first system of paired machine-direction (MD) warp yarns interwoven with a first system of cross machine-direction (CD) weft yarns and a second layer formed of a second system of MD warp yarns interwoven with a second system of CD weft yarns. The paired MD warp yarns are intrinsic to the first layer and are interwoven with the second system of CD weft yarns to bind the second layer to the first layer. The second system of MD warp yarns forms long floats, or warp-runners, on an external surface of the second layer. In this manner, a triple layer forming fabric with paired intrinsic binders and warp-runners may be produced with improved wear side abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Joseph Collegnon
  • Patent number: 7192507
    Abstract: Machine for producing a fibrous material web and process for guiding the web through the machine. The machine includes a wire section, a drying section, arranged downstream of the wire section with regard to a web travel direction, having at least one free web draw, a first and second shoe press separated in the web travel direction, and an upper felt and a lower transfer belt arranged to guide the fibrous material web through the second shoe press. The lower transfer belt is structured and arranged to transfer the fibrous material web to the drying section, and the material web is guided in a closed draw from the wire section to a first free web draw, with regard to the web travel direction, in the drying section. At least one high-performance drying device is positioned before the first free web draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Begemann
  • Patent number: 7172982
    Abstract: An industrial fabric having improved sheet restraint and wear resistance along with acceptable permeability. The improvement is effected by coating only the high spots of the fabric with silicone material. The coating methods used in this invention may include kiss roll coating, gravure roll coating, rotogravure printing, rotary screen coating, screen-printing and/or flexography. The improvement is also applicable to corrugator fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Adam J. Jaglowski, Alan L. Billings
  • Patent number: 7166195
    Abstract: A grooved perforated layer for use in a papermakers' fabric is provided. The grooves serve to diffuse flow at the surface of the perforated layer so as to reduce the pressure drop across the layer and thereby reduce the migration of fines. In this manner, the light/dark pattern associated with the fines is avoided and the quality of the resulting paper sheet is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: John Hawes
  • Patent number: 7156956
    Abstract: A family of paper industry process belts (“PIPB's”) having a range of properties for different applications in the paper industry. The PIPB can be a laminate comprising a grooved press belt and a porous membrane embedded therein and used as a substitute dewatering structure heretofore provided by press fabric(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Keith FitzPatrick
  • Patent number: 7144479
    Abstract: A method whereby a water permeable press fabric is given greater dewatering and drainage capacity by providing voids which are reservoirs of minimum pressure available to accept water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Trent W. Davis, James G. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7141144
    Abstract: A multi-layer woven papermaker's fabric having at least two sets of seam loops. Longer and a shorter seam attachment mechanisms are used to connect the bottom and top layer seam loops. The longer attachment mechanism in the top layer being over the shorter attachment mechanism in the bottom layer, and vice versa. A pintle or installation cable is positioned between each set of connectors to form a seam. The pair of connectors for each set of seam loops comprises different lengths in the MD direction such that the pintle or installation cables on adjacent layers are offset in the MD direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Björn Rydin
  • Patent number: 7141142
    Abstract: Papermaking fabrics, particularly those fabrics useful for making tissue and towel products, can be modified to alter their structure, such as surface texture, and re-used to make a different product. The fabrics can be modified after removal from the paper machine or while on the paper machine, including while the machine is running, so that down time between making different products can be eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Andrew Peter Bakken, Irene Beatrice Strohbeen
  • Patent number: 7138037
    Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine is provided. The press felt includes a base fabric layer and at least one layer of a staple fiber batt material connected thereto. The press felt has a paper side surface (PS) which when in operation is in contact with a paper web conveyed thereon and a machine side surface (MS) which contacts various press section components. The base fabric layer includes a regenerated cellulosic component in either or both the MD and CD yarns. Regenerated cellulosic fibers may also be provided in the batt and/or scrims located in the batt to improve dewatering when compared to similarly constructed felts which lack this regenerated cellulosic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Despault, Brady S. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7135094
    Abstract: An endless papermaking press felt comprises a base and a batt layer intertwiningly integrated with the base. The batt layer comprises a wet paper web side layer and a machine side layer formed on an outer surface and inner surface of a base respectively, The base is manufactured from belt-shaped partial base bodies, which are connected to one another in side-by-side relationship. The press felt can be manufactured easily and at reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Watanabe, Hirokuni Ohno
  • Patent number: 7135093
    Abstract: A press felt for a papermaking machine includes: a base fabric comprising a plurality of machine direction (MD) yarns interwoven with a plurality of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns in a predetermined regular weave pattern, the MD yarns being divisible into upper MD yarns, lower MD yarns, and seam loops merging with either end of the upper and lower MD yarns, the seam loops defining the longitudinal ends of the press felt and having upper and lower portions; and a first Dreher CMD yarn interwoven with a CMD yarn of the regular weave pattern located nearest to the seam loops and with the upper portions of the seam loops of at least one end of the press felt in a Dreher weave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventor: Hippolit Gstrein
  • Patent number: 7135095
    Abstract: A press felt for use in a papermaking machine comprises a base body, a batt material and a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, all intertwiningly integrated by needle punching. The batt material comprises a staple fiber, and is composed of a wet paper web side layer and a press side layer. The hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is provided in the wet paper web side layer. The hydrophilic character of the nonwoven fabric improves the movement of water to the nonwoven fabric, and the holding the water in the nonwoven fabric. As a result rewetting is prevented more effectively than in the case of prior press felts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignees: Ichikawa Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Oda, Shin Kawashima, Kazumasa Watanabe, Minenari Imada, Hiroshi Iwata, Daisuke Goto, Hidemasa Iijima, Naoyuki Harada
  • Patent number: 7135096
    Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine is provided. The press felt includes a base fabric layer and at least one layer of a staple fiber batt material connected thereto. The staple fiber batt material is includes between 20% to 100% by weight of a regenerated cellulosic staple fiber material, such as rayon, and from 80% to 0% by weight of a polymeric staple fiber, such as nylon. A scrim including regenerated cellulosic material can also be incorporated into the press felt construction, either between two layers of batt material, or between a batt layer and the base fabric. The regenerated cellulosic staple fibers of the batt and/or scrim having a dtex from at least about 1.1 to about 44, and are preferably non-fibrillatable. As a further option, at least a portion of the base fabric includes a regenerated celluliosic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Despault, Brady S. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7132036
    Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine. The felt is comprised of at least one base fabric to which at least one batt layer is attached by needling or another suitable method. A woven or nonwoven fibrous scrim may be included between the base fabric and the at least one layer of batt material, or between any two or more layers. At least one of the base fabric, the at least one layer of batt material, or the fabric scrim is comprised of polymeric fibers which are blended with fibers whose modulus of elasticity is substantially less than the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric fibers. Press felts manufactured in accordance with the teachings of the invention provide a retarded elastic spring-back in the vertical (or Z) direction of the felt following the mid-nip point in the press section. This retarded elastic spring-back advances the post nip separation position of the felt and the paper web towards the mid-nip point, thus reducing rewetting of the paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Despault, Brady S. Patterson, Graham Jackson
  • Patent number: 7128810
    Abstract: An anti-rewet press fabric for paper and board machines includes a barrier layer such that during compression in the press nip, the water is forced through the barrier layer, but is prevented from flowing back to the paper web during expansion. The barrier layer comprises a continuous material possessing, for example square, rectangular, tetrahedral, circular or oblong conical inclusions with a smaller opening on the bottom than on the top of the structure. Each of these “funnels” effectively constitutes a one-way valve and creates a vacuum to prevent re-absorption of water by the paper sheet. Under pressure, the structure of the barrier layer allows water to flow into the cones and out of the smaller opening in the bottom. Upon expansion, the smaller opening in the bottom of the structure restricts backward water flow and creates a vacuum on the other side. The vacuum increases water retention in the press fabric and prevents rewetting of the paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7124781
    Abstract: A multi-layer fabric which may be utilized in a papermaking process. Such fabric has a first layer of machine direction (MD) yarns, a second layer of MD yarns and a first system of cross-direction (CD) yarns having first binder yarns weaving a first contour pattern and second binder yarns weaving a second contour pattern different from the first contour pattern. The first binder yarns and the second binder yarns are each intrinsic to the first layer and each bind with the second layer. Moreover, the binder yarns each weave in sequence in the first layer more than once in a pattern repeat of the fabric. The binder yarns also weave plural contour patterns in the first layer in the weave pattern repeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Ernest Fahrer, Monique Fagon
  • Patent number: 7118651
    Abstract: A press felt comprises a base fabric, optionally with a batt of fibrous material needled thereto. The base fabric is woven endless, having upper and lower layers of weft yarns and first and second sets of warp yarns. The first set of warp yarns interweaves with at least the upper layer of wefts and the second set of warp yarns interweaves with at least the lower set of wefts. At least some of the first set of warps at least occasionally interweave with the lower wefts and at least some of the second set of warps at least occasionally interweaves with the upper wefts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics Heidenheim GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: William Daniel Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7108020
    Abstract: A forming fabric having a paper side layer and a machine side layer comprises a first set of paper side layer wefts, a second set of machine side layer wefts and a single set of warp yarn triplets. In the fabric weave pattern, each member of each triplet set of warp yarns interweaves with the paper side weft yarns to occupy in sequence segments of an unbroken warp path in the paper side surface, and each triplet in each set of warp yarns interlaces alone with at least one single machine side layer weft yarn. Each segment in the unbroken warp path is separated by at least one paper side layer weft yarn. The machine side layer interlacing points are regularly spaced. After heat setting, the fabrics typically have an air permeability typically from about 7,500 to about 10,500 m3/m2/hr. Paper products made using these fabrics have enhanced printability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Stone
  • Patent number: 7108019
    Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric comprises an upper layer fabric having upper surface side warps and upper surface side wefts and a lower layer fabric having lower surface side warps and lower surface side wefts. The upper layer fabric and the lower layer fabric are bound at least one spot in a repeating unit where an upper surface side warp weaves a lower surface side weft without weaving an upper surface side weft which should have been woven by the upper surface side warp based on the fabric structure, and where a lower surface side warp weaves the upper surface side weft which should have been woven by the upper surface side warp, without weaving the lower surface side weft which should have been woven by the lower surface side warp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagura, Ikuo Ueda, Shigenobu Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7105077
    Abstract: A press felt for papermaking comprises a base body, a fibrous assembly, and a three-dimensional knitted fabric within the interior of the felt. The base body and the knitted fabric may be in contact, or, for improved adhesion between the base body and the knitted fabric, a fibrous assembly may be disposed between the base body and the knitted fabric. Excellent compression recoverability and sustainability may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Onikubo, Hiroyuki Oda, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Masufumi Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 7101404
    Abstract: Paper machine clothing, especially a press felt (1), has a support (2) which has at least one layer of a thread lap (3, 4, 5, 13). The lap threads (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 38, 43, 44, 45) run parallel to one another. Spacing threads are present which run between two lap threads (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 38, 43, 44, 45) and are soluble in a solvent in which the remaining part of the paper machine clothing (1) is not soluble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Stefan Korfer
  • Patent number: 7089968
    Abstract: Paper making machine fabric comprising weft yarns extending in the machine direction (MD) and forming seaming loops at each end of the fabric, cross machine direction (CD) warp yarns being interwoven with the weft yarns, wherein that at least one multifilament warp yarn is inserted so that there is at least one standard warp yarn between the multifilament yarn and the seaming loops on each side of the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: William D. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7073539
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fabric having superior surface property, fiber supporting property, wear resistance, water removing property, and rigidity. The fabric according to the present invention comprises an upper layer comprising an upper surface side warp, an upper surface side weft, an auxiliary weft binding yarn, and an auxiliary weft; and a running face layer disposed under the upper layer and comprising a running face side warp and running face side weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Takimoto, Shigenobu Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7059358
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an open-ended base fabric for a papermaking press felt wherein the shape of seam loops are retained to facilitate the mounting operation of the press felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., LTD
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 7059360
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, has first and second layers of cross-machine direction (CD) yarns interwoven with sets of machine-direction (MD) yarns. Each set has four pairs of MD yarns with each pair comprising a first MD yarn and a second MD yarn. The first and second MD yarns each cross between and weave with both the first and second layers of CD yarns. In the MD, each pair effectively produces a four-shed contour in the first layer and a two-shed contour in the second layer. Each pair is shifted in the CD, such that 4 pairs of MD yarns combine to effectively produce a four-shed contour in the CD in the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Majaury, Bill Martin
  • Patent number: 7059361
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric having first and second layers of machine direction (MD) yarns interwoven with alternating first and second systems of cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. The first system is comprised of first and second CD yarns while the second system is comprised of third, fourth, and fifth CD yarns. The first and second CD yarns form a binding pair of yarns which combine to weave each MD yarn in the first layer and cross between the first layer and the second layer. The fourth CD yarn weaves each MD yarn in the first layer. The fifth CD yarn weaves with at least one MD yarn in the second layer. The third CD yarn is positioned between the fourth and fifth CD yarns. The third, fourth, and fifth CD yarns are vertically-stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Rita Hansson
  • Patent number: 7036533
    Abstract: The woven fabric belt device includes a connecting device (7a?; 7b?) located at at least one end of the woven fabric belt (20?, 21?). The connecting device is connectable to another connecting device (7b?; 7a?) of the same belt or of another one through a detachable connecting means (9?). A number of certain longitudinal yarns (2?, 2?) are removed or extend from the fabric (20?) along a section (4?, 4?) assigned to the end of the woven fabric belt. According to the teachings of the invention, the removed or extending sections (4?, 4?) of the longitudinal yarns (2?, 2?) are arranged so as to rest on at least one side of the woven fabric belt (20?, 21?) in a region located in front of the connecting device (7a?; 7b?) so that a support (10?; 10?) for protecting the connecting devices (7a?; 7b?) Is provided when the woven fabric belt travels over a working area (AF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Huyck Austria GES.M.B.
    Inventor: Gerhard Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 7022208
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and a papermaker's or industrial fabric, which includes the application of a polymeric resin material onto preselected discrete locations on a base substrate in a controlled manner in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) to point bond yarns, bond spiral wound strips together or to bond layers of a fabric together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Francis L. Davenport, Charles E. Kramer, Joseph G. O'Connor, Maurice Paquin
  • Patent number: 7008512
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, has three layers of cross-machine-direction (CD) wefts. The forming layer wefts are grouped into pairs. This twinning of the top-layer wefts results in non-equal spacing in the forming layer. This spacing imparts a desired non-uniformity in the web-supporting surface, thereby reducing the fabric diagonal problem. One of the top-layer wefts in each pair is vertically stacked with the middle and wear side layer wefts. The other top-layer wefts in each pair are unstacked. This alignment increases the drainage properties of the fabric. The middle layer wefts provide extra stability in the CD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: David S. Rougvie, Jeffrey Joseph Collegnon, John LaFond
  • Patent number: 7005041
    Abstract: The invention concerns a paper machine belt (1) having end edges (6, 7) extending transversely to the running direction, and having longitudinal yarns (3) that go as far as the end edges (6, 7), the end edges (6, 7) being connected to one another by way of a coupling device (8; 31; 41) that has complementary coupling elements (9, 10; 32, 33; 42, 43) which are connected to longitudinal yarns (3) and to which are attached coupling members (26; 35, 36; 45, 46) that are connected to one another in hinge-like fashion. The paper machine belt is characterized in that on at least one of the end edges (6, 7), the coupling element(s) (9, 10; 32, 33; 42, 43) is/are connected to the longitudinal yarns (3) via insertion connections. The invention furthermore refers to a method for creating a connection of the end edges (6, 7) of such a paper machine belt (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Walter Best
  • Patent number: 6998023
    Abstract: Papermachine clothing comprising a woven or non-woven support layer, a non-woven layer comprising ultra-coarse non-continuous fibers orientated close to the intended running directions of the clothing and two further layers of batt each comprising conventional somewhat finer staple fibers predominantly aligned close to the cross-machine direction. The ultra-coarse non-continuous fiber layer may comprise two such layers, one of which is biassed at an angle A to the running direction X of the clothing, the other of which is biased at an opposite angle B to the running direction X to provide a layer whose fibers while being substantially orientated in the machine direction also have a bi-axial construction with a cross-orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics Heidenheim GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert L. Crook
  • Patent number: 6998024
    Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Cristina Asensio Muilally, Andrew Peter Bakken
  • Patent number: 6959737
    Abstract: Triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics having a set of top MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of top CMD yarns to form at least part of a top fabric layer and a set of bottom MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of bottom CMD yarns to form at least part of a bottom fabric layer are provided. These fabrics further include a set of stitching MD yarn pairs. The stitching MD yarns that comprise each such pair weave in both the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer such that at locations where the first yarn in the pair weaves in the top fabric layer the second yarn in the pair drops down into the bottom fabric layer. In embodiments of the present invention, each stitching MD yarn may also be woven so as to form side-by-side machine direction knuckles on the bottom surface of the bottom fabric layer with a bottom MD yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin John Ward
  • Patent number: 6932888
    Abstract: A flexible press cover which has an additional strengthening element in at least one of its two end regions. As a result, in the end region, the tensile strength and the tensile rigidity in the circumferential direction are increased with respect to that hitherto known in such a way that it is no longer necessary to clamp the press cover end region in between two components. Instead, the press cover according to the present invention is suitable to be fixed to the outer circumferential surface of a rotatable supporting element belonging to the cover carrying disk without the aid of an outer ring, a clamping band, clamping filament or the like. In the most beneficial case, the arrangement for fixing the press cover to the aforementioned supporting element is completely free of any kind of fixing elements which would be associated with the cover outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Matuschczyk, Andreas Meschenmoser, Joachim Grabscheid, Andreas Schütte
  • Patent number: 6926043
    Abstract: A forming fabric has a paperside warp layer and a machine side warp layer. The fabric comprises at least one set of machine side wefts and at least one set of weft triplets, the weft triplets together forming two continuous weft paths on the paperside. All of the weft triplets interweave with at least some paperside warps and at least some machine side warps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Voith Fabrics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Scott David Quigley, James Michael Kramer, James Loy Brewster
  • Patent number: 6926804
    Abstract: A multi-tier fabric loading harness for installing a fabric onto a papermaking machine. The loading harness has a first portion with a supporting rigid member that attaches to an end of the fabric in the cross-machine direction and a plurality of apertures spaced across its width. The first tier is formed by a rope sequentially laced through the apertures to form self-aligning loops. A second rope is sequentially laced through the loops of the first tier to form self-aligning loops for a second tier. A pull ring gathers the loops of the second tier and is used to pull the fabric onto the papermaking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Gardner, Alan L. Billings
  • Patent number: 6920902
    Abstract: A fabric having top and bottom layers, with each layer having machine direction (MD) yarns and cross-direction (CD) yarns interwoven together. The fabric includes pairs of binder yarns that bind together the top and bottom layers. The binder pairs are interwoven so as to be an integral part of the first layer and contribute to a structure thereof. The binder pairs are a non-integral part of the second layer and do not contribute to a structure thereof. During a repeat pattern, at least one of the two binder yarns of a binder pair is integrally woven with the yarns of the first layer and passes over outer surfaces of two non-consecutive yarns in the second layer. As a result, a “double knuckle” binding structure may be formed which improves integrity of the resulting composite fabric by reducing the length of the binder yarn path through the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Brian G. Majaury, Ernest Fahrer, Monique Fagon, Rita Hansson
  • Patent number: 6918998
    Abstract: An on-machine-seamable industrial fabric comprising rings connected by pintles. In one principal embodiment, the rings are oriented in the machine direction and the pintles extend at an angle, connecting the rings. Such configuration improves the strength of the fabric and provides resistance to needling damage. In another principal embodiment, the rings are oriented in the cross-machine direction and the pintles extend in the machine direction, joining the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6905574
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, has a top layer and a bottom layer of machine-direction (MD) warps and cross-machine direction (CD) wefts and a triplet of CD binder yarns interwoven with the top and bottom fabric layers. The triplet of binder yarns combine to weave a plain pattern in the top layer, thereby reducing sheet marking and providing a high level of web support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Bernard Festor
  • Patent number: 6899143
    Abstract: A papermaker's fabric, usable in the forming section of a paper machine, has three layers of cross-machine-direction (CD) wefts. The forming layer wefts are grouped into pairs. This twinning of the top-layer wefts results in non-equal spacing in the forming (top) layer. This spacing imparts a desired non-uniformity in the web-supporting surface, thereby reducing diagonal fabric pattern. The forming layer wefts are vertically offset from the middle and wear side layer wefts, which are vertically stacked. This unstacked alignment reduces the caliper of the fabric and lowers the void volume. The middle layer wefts provide extra stability in the CD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: David S. Rougvie, Jeffrey Joseph Collegnon, John LaFond
  • Patent number: 6896009
    Abstract: Triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics having a set of top MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of top CMD yarns to form at least part of a top fabric layer and a set of bottom MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of bottom CMD yarns to form at least part of a bottom fabric layer are provided. These fabrics further include a set of stitching MD yarn pairs. The stitching MD yarns that comprise each such pair weave in both the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer such that at locations where the first yarn in the pair weaves in the top fabric layer the second yarn in the pair drops down into the bottom fabric layer. In embodiments of the present invention, each stitching MD yarn may also be woven so as to form side-by-side machine direction knuckles on the bottom surface of the bottom fabric layer with a bottom MD yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Weavexx Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin John Ward
  • Patent number: 6896771
    Abstract: This invention relates to porous paper machine clothing (1, 11, 21) for de-watering a paper web in a paper machine, comprising a filament lay-up made of at least one layer (2, 12, 22) of longitudinal filaments (3, 13, 23) and at least one layer (4, 14, 24) of transverse filaments (5, 6, 7; 15; 25) which cross the longitudinal filaments (3, 13, 23), wherein the longitudinal and transverse filaments (3, 13, 23; 5, 6, 7; 15; 25) are single-component filaments, which is characterised in that the longitudinal and transverse filaments (3, 13, 23; 5, 6, 7; 15; 25) are fused at crossing points (8, 16, 27) to each other and/or to parts (17, 18, 19) joining them as a result of heating to the melting temperature which is restricted to said crossing points (8, 16, 27). The invention further relates to a method of producing porous paper machine clothing such as this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Best, Christian Molls
  • Patent number: RE39709
    Abstract: A multilayer papermaker's press felt fabric comprising in combination a woven first fabric layer, typically a double layer fabric, has a cross machine direction pin seam. A second fabric layer is located on the paper side face of the first fabric layer, and a layer of needled batt is applied to the paper side face of the second layer binding the layers together. A flap comprising a short length of the second fabric layer with attached batt overlays the pin seam area in the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of relatively narrow strips, which are located with a lateral edge at a first cant angle of from more than 1° to less than 20° to the machine direction. A third layer, similar to the second layer, can be included on the machine side of the first layer; the strip widths, the cant angles, and the direction of the cant angle relative to the machine direction for each of the two strips need not be the same. The fabric is assembled using a spiral winding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Z. Fekete, Edwin R. Perry, Robert P. Burke