Abstract: A papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a framework. The reinforcing structure has air permeability not less than 800 cfm and a Fiber Support Index not less than 75. The framework is joined to the reinforcing structure and extends outwardly not more than about 6.5 mils from the reinforcing structure. The framework has deflection conduits dispersed throughout, encompassed by, and isolated one from another by the framework. A paper-contacting surface of the framework comprises a paper-side network which encompasses paper-side openings of the deflection conduits. A substantial portion of each paper-side opening is not less than about 45 mils in each of its dimensions measured in the X-Y plane. A paper web having two regions: an essentially continuous and macroscopically monoplanar network region, and a dome region comprising a plurality of discrete domes encompassed by the network region. The domes are distributed in a non-random, repeating pattern.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

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

Abstract: A industrial fabric of monofilament of polyphthalamide having recurring units including copolymerized hexamethylene diamine and mixtures of copolymerized terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and adipic acid. The monofilament has excellent hydrolysis, chemical, and abrasion resistance. It is particularly useful for the cloth in the forming and pressing sections of a papermaking machine.

Abstract: A multilayered press screen for wet presses of a paper machine exhibits a capillary and/or adhesive water reservoir that is integrated into the cloth at a distance from both the contact surface for the web to be dewatered and from the machine running side.

Abstract: This invention pertains to papermaking felts, methods of making such felts, methods of using the felts, and methods of making paper using such felts. A felt of the invention contains at least one substrate web having a fuse-bonded joint extending across the width of the felt. The joint is preferably formed by superposing, onto each other, end portions of a flat-woven substrate web element, with the end portions extending away from the ends in a common direction, and concurrently severing the ends from the end portions, and fuse bonding the end portions to each other, along a common cut line.

Abstract: A spiral fabric comprising a plurality of coils having loops meshed together to form channels at points of overlap between adjacent loops, locking pins positioned in the channels to join adjacent coils to form a mesh, and the improvement wherein a cable structure of at least two thermoplastic filaments is used as at least one component of the fabric.

Abstract: A spiral link belt has a plurality of plastic helices connected to one another which interlock in the manner of a slide fastener with neighboring helices. Overlapping widening arcs form a channel and pintle wires run through the channels and thereby connect the helices. Flat wires are inserted in the helices to reduce the air permeability of the spiral link belt. The flat wires are tilted relative to the plane of the spiral link belt. The flat wire running inside a helix can be wider than the smallest distance between the two helices connected to this helix. During production, the spiral link belt is thermoset only after the insertion of the flat wires.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A belt for through-air drying a cellulosic fibrous structure. The belt comprises two layers, a web contacting first layer and a machine facing second layer. The two layers are joined together by either adjunct tie yarns or integral tie yarns. The resulting belt has a backside texture caused by opaque yarns which shield actinic radiation. The opaque yarns are limited to the second layer, and do not tie the second layer to the first layer. The two layers may have vertically stacked machine direction yarns.

Abstract: A papermaker felt that is formed in a conventional manner and the ends thereof being interconnected at a seam to form an endless construction. Extruded monofilaments are secured in a machine direction to the underside of the felt in spaced parallel relation and overlie the area of the seam, wherein the seam area is protected from abrasion and the spaces between the monofilaments define channels for expressing water therethrough in the use of the felt in the endless form thereof in the press section of a paper making machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to sleeves or belts which are used in paper machines. Such structures of this type, generally, are reinforced through the use of reinforcing fibers which are oriented at an angle turned 45.degree. from the straight machine direction orientation. This arrangement aligns the individual reinforcing strands in the direction of the principal tensile stresses that exist within the sleeve or belt structure as the sleeve or belt is being rotated in the paper machine.

Abstract: Joints for industrial fabrics are made such that the end edge of each part of the fabric is formed with projecting loops (5), which are formed by bending the warp threads of each part backwards, the return parts of these threads being woven into the fabric for a given length. The loops of one part are inserted between the loops in the opposite part for being fixed in this position. It is desirable that all warp threads in the fabric can coact in the joint, even if their collective width is greater than 100% of the fabric width. The individual loops (5) along at least some portion of the end edges (3, 4) of the parts (1, 2) are therefore formed from at least two juxtaposed threads (7, 8; 11, 12) crossing each other at least once (at 9) before the point of return into the fabric.

Abstract: Papermachine clothing for use in the forming, pressing or drying sections of a papermachine including fibres of polyethylene naphthalate polymer which provides excellent hydrolysis and heat resistance as well as good mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tenacity, elongation and flexibility.

Abstract: A felt for use in a papermaking machine consists of a textile base fabric and a batt layer for supporting the paper web. A flow control layer is interposed between the base layer and the batt layer, to prevent rewetting of the paper web upon the paper web exiting the press nip of the paper making machine. The flow control layer is formed of a porous hydrophobic material. Pressure exerted by the press nip forces water from the paper through the upper batt layer and the flow control layer into the base layer. When such pressure is relieved, the hydrophobicity of the flow control layer prevents backflow of water to the upper batt layer and the paper web, to prevent rewetting of the web. The flow control layer is preferably formed of a spunbonded filamentary nylon material treated with a hydrophobic chemical composition, which maintains its integrity during the needling process in which the batt layer and the base layer are secured together.

Abstract: Hollow synthetic monofilament yarns are used in the construction of a base fabric for a papermakers wet felt. The synthetic hollow monofilament yarns have selected interior void, compressibility and resiliency characteristics and are interwoven with other yarns to form a woven base fabric with the hollow monofilament yarns predominating, on at least the paper carrying side of the base fabric. The weaving and finishing of the base fabric results in the hollow monofilament yarns retaining a substantially unflattened cross-section. Accordingly, substantially unflattened portions of the hollow monofilament yarns predominate the paper carrying side of the base fabric thereby providing a cushioning surface which is compressibly resilient to assist in the dewatering of the aqueous paper web as it is transported through a press nip during the manufacture of the paper.

Abstract: A press fabric for use on the press section of a paper machine has a multilayer structure, and is woven according to techniques normally applied in the weaving of forming fabrics. The press fabric is woven from at least one system of warp yarns and two or more layers of weft yarns, with the yarn sizes and weave patterns chosen with a view toward providing the resulting press fabric with a fine paper-contacting surface, and ample void volume. One of the two or more layers of weft yarns includes, or is entirely composed of, multicomponent yarns having a plurality of load-bearing members. The multicomponent yarns may be multifilament or multistrand yarns composed of fine filaments, or may be polyurethane-coated monofilament yarns, and provide the press fabrics with a compressible and resilient structure. The multifilament or multistrand yarns may also be polyurethane-coated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coating press fabrics to achieve a controlled void volume. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method of modifying a press fabric for a papermaking machine which comprises the steps of:(a) applying a thin layer of a polymeric foam to the surface of a press fabric;(b) drying said foam to form a coated press fabric; and(c) curing said coated press fabric.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of paper machine clothing for use in high temperature applications, which article comprises:a) a paper contacting surface layer adapted in use to contact a forming paper sheet;b) a base layer structure; andc) at least one intermediate layer disposed between said surface layer and said base layer structure, characterised in that said surface layer comprises a fibrous or continuous layer constituting a thermal barrier and providing properties of sheet release.

Abstract: An extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide monofilament which has an extension of 6% or more to a loading variation in the range of 1.25 g/d-1.75 g/d and a heat shrinkage factor of 7% or more on immersing said monofilament into boiling water. The recited polyamide monofilament is woven into a wear-resistant fabric such as a papermaking fabric.

Abstract: A base fabric for press felts and a press felt incorporating that base fabric which includes an assembly of three or more separately woven fabric layers. Each of the woven fabric layers making up the base fabric assembly is a single or multilayer fabric, and they may be of the same or different weave patterns. The three or more fabric layers are assembled, one above the other and needled together with at least one batt layer on the papermaking surface of the felt. Preferably, the yarns on the top surface of the top fabric will, by virtue of the weave of the fabric, have long floats in the machine and/or cross machine direction to provide good paper web support. The bottom and intermediate fabric layers may also have long cross machine direction floats on their top surfaces to support the fabric or fabrics above.

Abstract: A felt, especially for the press part of a papermaking machine, includes at least one support belt and at least one fiber belt deposited on and affixed to it. In order to impart to such a felt improved operational properties while retaining adequate transverse stability and in order to manufacture it at substantially lower cost, the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 each are composed of at least one support-belt strip 46, 51, 52, 59, 60, 65, 66, 73, 74, 75 with a width less than that of the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 , said strip(s) being continuously wound essentially in the direction of advance of the felt 42, 47, 53, 61, 67 and also spirally transverse to it.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric and method therefor is disclosed which may be used as a support fabric or a carrier fabric for paper material on a papermaking machine. The fabric, designated generally as (A) includes a first layer (B) of warp yarns (32, 34, 36, and 38) extending in a machine direction. A second layer (C) of warp yarns (42, 44, 46 and 48) is included in the fabric vertically spaced from the first layer. The warp yarns of the first and second layer form stacked pairs (52, 54, 56, and 58) which reinforce the fabric in a machine direction to enhance its stability. At the same time, the stacked pairs may be spaced apart in a cross-machine direction sufficiently to provide a desired degree of openness and fabric permeability. Fabric openness in the range of thirty percent or more of the total fabric area can be had in accordance with the fabric of the present invention without sacrificing the structural stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt filter press fabric for supporting pressing and draining moisture from a moisture laden web in a press having an inlet end, an outlet end and at least one high pressure nip. The fabric includes machine direction monofilament yarns having selected load bearing, dimensional stability and compressible characteristics. Means for protecting the machine direction yarns from compressive deterioration, such as fibrillation, are provided by interweaving the machine direction yarns with cross machine direction yarns the majority of which have a compressibility characteristic which is greater than the characteristic of the machine direction yarns.

Abstract: A dewatering wet press fabric to be used on papermaking machines includes at least one top layer made from staple fibers and the like and facing the paper web to be dewatered, and a second layer. The second layer constitutes a barrier layer of such a nature that during the compression phase in the press nip in the press section of the papermaking machine the water is forced through the second layer, but is prevented from flowing back to the top layer and the paper web during the expansion phase after the press nip.

Abstract: A needled press felt for dewatering of cellulose pulp in a paper making machine consists of a multi layer base fabric having longitudinal and transversal threads. In order to improve the dewatering capability of the press felt and making it easy to assemble, the dewatering side of the press felt consists of layer of coarse yarn (3), which has a weight per unit of length, which is at least twice as great as the one of the remaining parallel yarns (1, 2) of the base fabric. Further a seam which can be opened is arranged transversally to the running direction of the felt in the paper making machine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a press felt for the pressing region of a papermaking machine and comprises a belt of support material made of one or more fabrics or knits and one layer of fibers deposited at least on the paper side and connected to the belt of support material, the surface of this layer of fibers forming the paper contact-side and a permeable layer being mounted in said layer of fibers between the paper contact-side and the belt of support material. To improve dehydration, the permeable layer is designed to be a blocking layer 7 with a surface covering of 45 to 85%, the blocking layer 7 comprising transverse, elongated passages 9.

Abstract: A paper machine felt comprising a base fabric of a predetermined width and length, a plurality of fiber batts having a predetermined length and width with fibers forming the fiber batts extending in the width direction, the fiber batts being arranged to extend along their length in juxtaposed manner across the width of the base fabric and to be intertangled therewith by needling so that the fibers extend in the length direction of the base fabric.

Abstract: A papermaking press fabric for use with impulse drying machinery having a base fabric formed of nylon filament machine direction and cross-machine direction yarns. A fiber batt formed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) fibers secured to at least a support surface in such a manner as to encapsulate and insulate the base fabric. The resulting press fabric is capable of operating in temperatures of up to 700.degree. F. while exhibiting superior resistance to compacting and wear.

Abstract: An industrial fabric, preferably for use as a papermakers fabric, having a system of flat monofilament machine direction yarns hereinafter MD yarns, which are woven in stacked, vertical alignment throughout the body of the fabric. Preferably, each upper MD yarn defines floats on the upper surface of the fabric and is vertically stacked with respect to the lower MD yarns. In the preferred embodiment, the same type and size yarns are used throughout the machine direction yarn system.

Abstract: A needled felt for papermaking use of the present invention comprises fibers (having a specific fineness or diameter) formed of a polyamide block copolymer, particularly, polyamide block copolymer having hard segments composed of polyamide components such as nylon 12 and soft segments composed of polyether components, the felt of the present invention is excellent in elasticity, recovery and durability compared with other fibers exhibiting rubber-like elasticity such as polyurethane elastic fibers, in addition, the felt of the present invention facilitate needling which has been difficult with prior art rubbery elastic fibers.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric for use in a papermaking machine having a base fabric formed of synthetic filament machine direction and cross-machine direction yarns. A fiber batt formed of synthetic fibers secured to at least a support surface of the base fabric. Both the fibers and the filaments are formed of polypropylene terephthalate so that a papermaking press fabric having chemical resistance characteristics of polyester fabrics and physical properties of nylon fabrics is produced.