CA2353217A1 - Papermaker's forming fabric - Google Patents
Papermaker's forming fabric Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2353217A1 CA2353217A1 CA002353217A CA2353217A CA2353217A1 CA 2353217 A1 CA2353217 A1 CA 2353217A1 CA 002353217 A CA002353217 A CA 002353217A CA 2353217 A CA2353217 A CA 2353217A CA 2353217 A1 CA2353217 A1 CA 2353217A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- machine direction
- yarns
- direction yarns
- yarn
- cross machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21F—PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
- D21F1/00—Wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper
- D21F1/0027—Screen-cloths
- D21F1/0036—Multi-layer screen-cloths
- D21F1/0045—Triple layer fabrics
Abstract
A multilayer papermaker's fabric includes: a first set of machine direction yarns; a top set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns. The first set of machine direction yarns, the top set of cross machine direction yarns, and the bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of the machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, in which each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by side bottom knuckles, and in which machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching the adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming the side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above the bottom cross machine direction yarn under which the bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on that top cross machine direction yarn.
Description
Attorney Docket 5689-245 PAPERMAKER'S FORMING FABRIC
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to woven fabrics, and relates more specifically to woven fabrics for papermakers.
Background of the Invention In the conventional fourdrinier papermaking process, a water slurry, or suspension, of cellulosic fibers (known as the paper "stock") is fed onto the top of the upper run of an endless belt (or between two endless belts) of woven wire and/or synthetic material that travels between two or more rollers. The belt, often referred to as a "forming fabric", provides a papermaking surface on the upper surface of its upper run which operates as a filter to separate the cellulosic fibers of the paper stock from the aqueous medium, thereby forming a wet paper web. The aqueous medium drains through mesh openings of the forming fabric, known as drainage holes, by gravity alone or with assistance from one or more suction boxes located on the lower surface (i.e., the "machine side") of the upper run of the fabric.
After leaving the forming section, the paper web is transferred to a press section of the paper machine, in which it is passed through the nips of one or more pairs of pressure rollers covered with another fabric, typically referred to as a "press felt." Pressure from the rollers removes additional moisture from the web;
the moisture removal is often enhanced by the presence of a "batt" layer on the press felt. The paper is then conveyed to a dryer section for further moisture removal. After drying, the paper is ready for secondary processing and packaging.
Typically, papermaker's fabrics are manufactured as endless belts by one of two basic weaving techniques. In the first of these techniques, fabrics are flat woven by a flat weaving process, with their ends being joined to form an endless belt by any one of a number of well-known joining methods, such as dismantling and reweaving the ends together (commonly known as splicing), or sewing a pin-seamable flap on each end or a special foldback, then reweaving these into pin-seamable loops. In a flat woven papermaker's' fabric, the warp yarns extend in the machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the cross machine direction. In the second technique, fabrics are woven directly in the form of a continuous belt with an endless weaving process. In the endless weaving process, the warp yarns extend in the cross machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the machine direction. As used herein, the terms "machine direction" (MD) and "cross machine direction" (CMD) refer, respectively, to a direction aligned with the direction of travel of the papermaker's' fabric on the papermaking machine, and a direction parallel to the fabric surface and traverse to the direction of travel. Both weaving methods described hereinabove are well known in the art, and the term "endless belt" as used herein refers to belts made by either method.
Effective sheet and fiber support and an absence of wire marking are important considerations in papermaking, especially for the forming section of the papermaking machine, where the wet web is initially formed. Wire marking is particularly problematic in the formation of fine paper grades, as it can affect a host of paper properties, such as sheet mark, porosity, "see-through" and pin holing.
Wire marking is typically the result of individual cellulosic fibers being oriented within the paper web such that their ends reside within gaps between the individual threads or yarns of the forming fabric. This problem is generally addressed by providing a permeable fabric structure with a coplanar surface that allows paper fibers to bridge adjacent yarns of the fabric rather than penetrate the gaps between yarns. As used herein, "coplanar" means that the upper extremities of the yarns defining the paper-forming surface are at substantially the same elevation, such that at that level there is presented a substantially "planar" surface.
Accordingly, fine paper grades intended for use in quality printing, carbonizing, cigarettes, electrical condensers, and like grades of fine paper have typically heretofore been formed on very finely woven or fine wire mesh forming fabrics.
Typically, such finely woven fabrics include at least some relatively small diameter machine direction or cross machine direction yarns.
Regrettably, however, such yarns tend to be delicate, leading to a short surface life for the fabric. Moreover, the use of smaller yarns can also adversely effect the mechanical stability of the fabric (especially in terms of skew resistance, narrowing propensity and stiffness), which may negatively impact both the service life and the performance of the fabric.
To combat these problems associated with fine weaves, multi-layer forming fabrics have been developed with fine-mesh yarns on the paper forming surface to facilitate paper formation and coarser-mesh yarns on the machine contact side to provide strength and durability. For example, fabrics have been constructed which employ one set of machine direction yarns which interweave with two sets of cross machine direction yarns to form a fabric having a fine paper forming surface and a more durable machine side surface. These fabrics form part of a class of fabrics which are generally referred to as "double layer" fabrics.
Similarly, fabrics have been constructed which include two sets of machine direction yarns and two sets of cross machine direction yarns that form a fine mesh paper side fabric layer and a separate, coarser machine side fabric layer. In these fabrics, which are part of a class of fabrics generally referred to as "triple layer"
fabrics, the two fabric layers are typically bound together by separate stitching yarns. As double and triple layer fabrics include additional sets of yarn as compared to single layer fabrics, these fabrics typically have a higher "caliper" (i.e., they are thicker than) comparable single layer fabrics. An illustrative double layer fabric is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,423,755 to Thompson, and illustrative triple layer fabrics are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,501,303 to Osterberg, U.S. Patent No. 5,152,326 to Vohringer, and U.S. Patent No. 5,437,315 to Ward.
Although these fabrics have performed successfully, they have some potential shortcomings. For example, the coarser CMD yarns used in the bottom layer of the fabric typically have long "floats" (segments that span multiple adjacent MD yarns in the weave pattern) that contact the papermaking machine.
This arrangement is desirable, as the MD yarns (which are subjected to most of the tensile load of the fabric during operation) are protected to a large degree from wear; however, the long CMD floats are susceptible to wear over time. In many weave patterns, the floats are somewhat asymmetric; i.e., the MD yarns that pass above the float apply forces of varying magnitudes at asymmetric points across the float. As a result, the floats can be somewhat asymmetric in shape, thereby protruding toward the papermaking machine in a non-uniform manner. The locations on the floats that protrude the most tend to receive the most wear during operation.
Another concern regarding multilayer fabrics, and in particular double layer fabrics, is their ability to provide additional fiber support, as described above. In many weaves, long cross machine direction yarn floats, either in the form of primary CMD yarns or additional "fiber support" yarns, provide much of the support and coplanarity on the papermaking surface for cellulosic fibers.
Conversely, in areas lacking a cross machine direction float (i.e., locations where 1 S an MD yarn forms a paper side knuckle or float), fibers typically receive less support and coplanarity of the papermaking surface may be reduced. These locations may be susceptible to negatively impact the performance parameters affected by a lack of fiber support.
Summary of the Invention In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a papermaker's fabric suitable for forming tissue paper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a papermaker's forming fabric that addresses the permeability and top CMD
spacing uniformity problems described above.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a double layer papermaker's fabric with reduced caliper, reduced void volume, low air permeability and increased life potential.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a triple layer papermaker's fabric with improved life potential.
These and other objects are satisfied by the present invention, which includes a papermaker's fabric that can improve fiber support, wear resistance, caliper, and other papermaking properties. The fabric includes: a first set of G
machine direction yarns; a top set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns. The first set of machine direction yarns, the top set o.f cross machine direction yarns, and the bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of the machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, in which each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by side bottom knuckles, and in which machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching the adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming the side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above the bottom cross machine direction yarn under which the bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on that top cross machine direction yarn. As described in detail below, such a configuration in a double layer fabric can enable the phantom float to participate more fully in the fiber support of the fabric and, as such, improve fiber support in locations between long CMD floats on the papermaking surface (i.e., the locations of the phantom floats). Also, this configuration can improve wear resistance by providing a more symmetric bottom side CMD float as a contact point with the papermaking machine.
As a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a triple layer papermaker's fabric that comprises: a set of top machine direction yarns; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the top machine direction yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer;
and a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with the top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect the top and bottom fabric layers. The bottom machine direction yarns and the bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of the bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom knuckles. In this configuration, the bottom layer may have improved wear resistance, higher air permeability, and other performance benefits compared to other triple layer fabrics with shorter bottom layer floats.
Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a top view of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 1 with the top CMD yarns removed.
Figures 3A-3H are section views taken along lines 3A-3A through 3H-3H of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section view of a top CMD yarn and a bottom CMD
yarn taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure SA is a greatly enlarged inset of Figure 4 showing the wear surface of a bottom CMD yarn.
Figure SB is a greatly enlarged section view of a prior art fabric showing the difference in wear surface provided by a bottom CMD yarn.
Figure 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 6 with the top CMD yarns and fiber support yarns removed.
Figures 8A-8H are section views taken along, respectively, lines 8A-8A through 8H-8H of Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 9 with the top CMD yarns and fiber support yarns removed.
Figure 11A-11G are section views taken along, respectively, lines 11A-11A through 11G-11G of Figure 9.
Figures 12A-12I are section views of consecutive machine direction yarns of a nine harness embodiment of a double layer papermaker's -, forming fabric of the present invention.
Figures 13A-13J are section views of consecutive machine direction yarns of a ten harness embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
S Figure 14 is a top view of a triple layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a top section view of the bottom layer of the fabric of Figure 14.
Figures 16A-16H are section views taken along, respectively, lines 16A-16A through 16H-16H of Figure 14.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described more particularly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which present embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like components throughout. The dimensions and thicknesses for some components and layers may be exaggerated for clarity.
Turning now to the figures, a double layer forming fabric, designated broadly at 100, is illustrated in Figures 1-4. The fabric 100 includes eight consecutive machine direction yarns 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116, which are interwoven with a set of eight top CMD yarns 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134 and with a set of eight bottom CMD yarns 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154. Notably, in this embodiment each bottom CMD yarn is located substantially directly below a corresponding top CMD yarn. The section of fabric illustrated in Figures 1-4 constitutes a single repeat unit of a larger fabric comprising multiple repeat units; of course, the repeat unit can begin at any point within this pattern so long as the pattern is maintained.
Refernng to Figures 1 and 3A-3H, each MD yarn interweaves with the top CMD yarns such that it passes over two adjacent top CMD yarns, then passes below six consecutive top CM:D yarns. For example, MD yarn 102 passes over top CMD yarns 120 and 122, then passes below top CMD yarns 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134. While passing below the top CMD yarns, each MD yarn passes below two bottom CMD yarns that sandwich two other bottom CMD yarns.
For example, MD yarn 102, after passing above top CMD yarns 120 and 122, passes above bottom CMD yarn 144, below bottom CMD yarn 146, above bottom CMD yarns 148 and 150, below bottom CMD yarn 152, and above bottom CMD
yarn 154. Thus, each MD yarn travels along the following path: above two top CMD yarns, between the next pair of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next two pair of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, and between the next pair of top and bottom CMD yarns.
Adjacent MD yarns following this interweaving pattern or sequence are offset from one another in the machine direction by three bottom CMD
yarns.
This can be illustrated by examination of MD yarns 106 and 108 (seen best in Figures 3C and 3D.). MD yarn 106 (Figure 3C) passes below bottom CMD yarns 142 and 148. Adjacent MD yarn 108 (Figure 3D) passes below bottom CMD
yarns 148 and 154. A similar three C:MD yarn offset is followed by all of the MD
yarns as they pass over top CMD yarns.
As a result of this pattern, adj acent MD yarns form a machine direction "knuckle" (i.e., a location where an MD yarn passes below one CMD
yarn only, while passing above the adjacent CMD yarns) below the same bottom CMD yarn (e~, both of MD yarns 106 and 108 form a knuckle below bottom CMD yarn 148, as described above). It should also be noted that, as adjacent MD
yarns form the bottom machine direction knuckles, the two MD yarns that sandwich these adjacent yarns are passing above respective a top CMD yarn that corresponds with (i.e., is located directly above) the bottom CMD yarn under which the adjacent MD yarns form the bottom knuckle. This is shown best in Figure 4, where it can be seen that adjacent MD yarns 112 and 114 form side-by-side bottom MD knuckles 112', 1 l4' below bottom CMD yarn 150. The MD yarns I 10, 116 sandwiching these adjacent MD yarns, 112, 114 are each passing over top CMD yarn 130 (which is located substantially directly above bottom CMD yarn n 150). Upwardly-directed forces are exerted by the adjacent MD yarns 112 and on bottom CMD yarn 150, which in turn exerts an upwardly-directed force on top CMD yarn 130, thereby urging it to bow slightly upwardly between MD yarns 110 and 116.
This slight bulging of the top CMD yarn 130 forms a "phantom float" 130' on the papermaking surface between the MD yarns 110 and 116 (see Figure 4). As used herein, "phantom float" means a short CMD float (i.e., a portion of a CMD yarn passing over more than one MD yarn) on the papermaking surface that is supported by an adjacent and corresponding bottom CMD yarn such that it is elevated to participate more fully in fiber support. This phantom float supplements the longer floats of top CMD yarn 130 located on either side of the phantom float which are largely responsible for support of fibers in paper stock during the formation of paper. In fact, the presence of the phantom knuckle can help to increase coplanarity of the papermaking surface in the locations between the long floats of the top CMD yarns, which can positively impact the surface of paper produced thereon.
In addition, this configuration can improve the wear characteristics of the fabric. Turning again to Figure 4, it can be seen that all four of the MD
yarns located between adjacent phantom knuckles pass below the same top CMD
yarn (thereby causing the formation of the long CMD paper side "float" on that top CMD yarn) and above the same bottom CMD yarn (causing the formation of a machine side float on that bottom CMD yarn). These four yarns interweave with the top and bottom CMD yarns in such a manner that they are reverse mirror images of one another about a vertical plane P that extends through the center of the aforementioned floats formed by the top and bottom CMD yarns. Because these MD yarns define reverse minor images, the vertical forces that these MD yarns exert on the top and bottom CMD yarns are relatively balanced about the plane P.
Thus, the bottom float formed on the bottom CMD yarn is relatively symmetric and flat (see Figures SA and SB for comparison of the present fabric 20 to a prior art fabric). The relative symmetry and flatness of the bottom side CMD float can induce more surface area of this float to be in contact with the paper machine than is true for prior art fabrics. Accordingly, there is more surface provided by each ~n bottom CMD yarn to endure wear on the fabric, which can result in higher wear resistance for the overall fabric.
Other benefits and characteristics that may be attributable to the weave pattern of the fabrics of the present invention include reduced caliper (thickness), reduced void volume, high stability (i.e., resistance to skewing in the plane of the fabric), and lower permeability.
The performance characteristics and advantages observed in the fabric illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be applied to other fabrics as well. For example, a repeat unit of a double layer fabric with additional fiber support yarns, designated broadly at 200, is illustrated in Figures 6-8. The fabric 200 includes eight MD yarns 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216, which are interwoven with eight top CMD yarns 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 and with eight bottom CMD yarns 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, and 254 in the same manner as the MD, top CMD and bottom CMD yarns of the fabric 100 described above. However, the fabric 200 also includes in its repeat unit eight fiber support "picks" 220a, 222a, 224a, 226x, 228a, 230a, 232a and 234a. Each pick is located between two adjacent top CMD yarns and is interwoven with the MD yarns such that it passes over seven adjacent MD yarns and below an eighth MD yarn. For example, pick 220a passes below MD yarn 202 and above MD yarns 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216. Adjacent picks are offset from one another in their weaving sequences by three MD yarns; thus, pick 220a passes below MD yarn 202, while pick 222a passes below M.D yarn 208. As can be seen in Figures 8A-8H, each MD yarn passes over only the pick located between the two CMD yarns that MD yarn also passes over; for example, MD yarn 202 passes over top CMD yarns 220 and 222, but also passes over pick 220a only and below all other picks.
The weave pattern of fabric 200 maintains the adjacent bottom surface MD knuckles illustrated in fabric 100. As a result, the "phantom float"
effect described for the fabric 100 is also present for the fabric 200, as is the relatively symmetric bottom CMD yarn for increased wear resistance. In addition, the potential for reduced caliper, reduced void volume, increased stability, and decreased permeability is also present.
The principles of this weave pattern can be extended to fabrics _m-having different numbers of MD and CMD yarns. Turning now to Figures 9-11, a repeat unit of a double layer fabric, designated broadly at 300, includes in its repeat unit seven MD yarns 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 interwoven with seven top CMD yarns 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332, seven bottom CMD yarns S 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, and 352, and seven fiber support picks 320a, 322x, 324a, 326a, 328a, 330a and 332a. In the repeat unit, each MD yarn passes above two top CMD yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween and passes below all other top CMD yarns and picks. Each MD yarn also passes below two bottom CMD yarns that are separated by one bottom CMD yarn. As an example, MD yarn 302 passes above top CMD yarns 320 and 322 as well as pick 320a, then passes below pick 322a, between top CMD yarn 324 and bottom CMD yarn 344, below bottom CMD yarn 346, between bottom CMD yarn 348 and top CMD yarn 328, below bottom CMD yarn 350, and between top CMD yarn 322 and bottom CMD
yarn 352. Adjacent MD yarns are offset from one another in weaving sequence by 1 S two top CMD yarns; thus, MD yarn 302 passes above top CMD yarn 320 and 322, which adjacent MD yarn 304 passes above top CMD yarns 324 and 326. As a result of this two top CMD yarn offset, adjacent MD yarns form the distinctive side-by-side single float bottom layer knuckles seen in the fabrics 100 and described above, and can provide the same performance advantages.
The same principles can also be applied to weave patterns having other numbers of MD yarns. Figures 12A-12I illustrate nine MD yarns 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418 of the repeat unit of a double layer fabric 400 as these MD yarns interv~-eave with nine top CMD yarns 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434 and 436, nine bottom CMD yarns 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452, 454 and 456, and nine fiber support picks 420a, 422a, 424a, 426a, 428a, 430a, 432a, 434a and 436a. In this pattern, each MD yarn passes over two top CMD
yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween, between the adjacent set of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next set of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the following bottom CMD yarn, and between the next three sets of top and bottom CMD yarns. For example, MD yarn 402 passes above top CMD yarns 420 and 422 as well as pick 420a, passes below pick 422a and between top and bottom CMD yarns 424, 444, passes below bottom CMD yarn 446, passes between top and bottom CMD yarns 428, 448, passes below bottom CMD yarn 450, and passes between top and bottom CMD yarn sets 432, 452, 434, 454, and 436, 456 (and under pick 436a). Adjacent MD yarns are offset in weaving sequence by two top CMD yarns, so while MD yarn 402 passes above top CMD yarns 420 and 422, adjacent MD yarn 404 passes above top CMD yarns 424 and 426 (see Figures 9A and 9B). As a result, the adjacent bottom layer MD
knuckles found in the previously described fabrics are present here.
The same is true of a repeat unit of a ten harness fabric 500, the MD
yarns of which are illustrated in Figures 13A-13J. As can be seen in Figures 13J, the double layer fabric 500 includes ten MD yarns 501, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 and 518 that interweave with ten top CMD yarns 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536 and 538, ten fiber support picks 520a, 522a, 524a, 526x, 528a, 530a, 532a, 534a, 536a and 538a, and ten bottom CMD yarns 540, 542, 544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556 and 558. In this fabric, each MD yarn passes over two top CMD yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween, between the next two sets of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next two sets of bottom and top CMD yarns, below the following bottom CMD yarn, and between the next two sets of top and bottom CMD yarns.
For example, MD yarn 501 passes above top CMD yarns 520 and 522 as well as pick 520a, below pick 522x, between sets of top and bottom CMD yarns 524, 544 and 526, 546, below bottom CMD yarn 548, between sets of top and bottom CMD
yarns 530, 550 and 532, 552, below bottom CMD yarn 554, and between sets of top and bottom CMD yarns 536, 556 and 538, 558. Adjacent MD yarns are offset by three top CMD yarns; thus, as MD yarn 501 passes above top CMD yarns 520 and 522, adjacent MD yarn 502 passes above top CMD yarns 526 and 528. As a result, the adjacent bottom layer MD knuckles found in the previously described fabrics are present here; accordingly, this fabric can also exhibit the performance advantages described above.
Those skilled in this art will recognize that the principles of the present invention may also be applied to other double layer fabrics, whether they include fiber support picks or not. Also, the fabrics may include different numbers of yarns in the repeat unit (for example, eleven or twelve MD yarns), and the MD
yarns may follow a different pattern as they pass over the top CMD yarns; as an example, the top layer have follow a pattern such as those illustrated in U.S.
Patent No. 5,937,914 and co-pending and co-assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
09/501,753, filed February 10, 2000, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The concept of the present invention can also be applied to triple layer fabrics. As an example, a 16 harness triple layer fabric, a repeat unit of which is designated broadly at 600, is illustrated in Figures 14-16. The fabric 600 includes a top fabric layer 601 and a bottom fabric layer 651. The top fabric layer 601 includes eight top MD yarns 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 interwoven with twelve top CMD yarns 620, 622, 624, 628, 630, 632, 636, 638, 640, 644, 646, 648 and four pairs of stitching yarn 626a, 626b, 634x, 634b, 642a, 642b, 650a, 650b. The top MD yarns and top CMD yarns are interwoven in a plain weave pattern, with the stitching yarns positioned between sets of three adj acent top CMD yarns and also interweaving with the top MD yarns in a plain weave pattern. The manner in which a plain weave surface is formed on the top layer via a combination of top MD yarns, top CMD yarns and stitching yarns is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,501,113 to Osterberg and U.S. Patent No.
5,967,195 to Ward, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The bottom fabric layer 651 comprises eight bottom MD yarns 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659 that are interwoven with eight bottom CMD
yarns 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667. The weaving pattern of the bottom fabric layer 651 is such that each bottom MD yarn passes above four adjacent bottom CMD yarns, below a bottom CMD yarn, above two adjacent bottom CMD
yarns, and below another bottom CMD yarn. Adjacent bottom MD yarns are offset from one another by three bottom CMD yarns. As a result, adj acent MD yarns pass below a common bottom CMD yarn to form adjacent bottom knuckles. For example, bottom MD yarn 652 passes below bottom CMD yarns 663 and 666, while adjacent bottom MD yarns 653 passes below bottom CMD yarns 661 and 666. As such, the performance advantages ascribed to this configuration for previously described fabrics may also present for the bottom fabric layer 651;
in particular, for triple layer fabrics life potential and air permeability may be markedly improved over prior art triple layer fabrics.
It should also be noted that each stitching yarn of each stitching yarn pair passes below one bottom MD yarn as part of the repeat unit. For example, stitching yarns 626a, 626b pass below, respectively, bottom MD yarns 655, 659.
The next stitching yarn pair passes below a bottom MD yarn that is offset by two bottom MD yarns, so, for example, stitching yarns 634a, 634b pass below, respectively, bottom MD yarns 653, 657. It should be noted that, in the illustrated and preferred configuration, there are twice as many top CMD yarns (assuming that each stitching yarn pair serves as one top CMD yarn for the purposes of this calculation) as bottom CMD yarns, and that each bottom CMD yarn is positioned below a corresponding top CMD yarn. As a result, there should generally be sufficient space between bottom CMD yarns for stitching yarns to interweave with the bottom MD yarns without interference.
Those skilled in this art will appreciate that triple layer fabrics of the present invention may be woven in different repeat patterns than those illustrated herein. For example, a triple layer fabric may be woven on 24 harnesses, wherein the bottom fabric layer includes 12 bottom MD yarns and twelve bottom CMD
yarns, with each bottom CMD yarn following an "over 6/under 1/over 4/under 1"
pattern relative to the bottom CMD yarns, and with adjacent MD yarns being offset from one another by five CMD yarns. As another example, a triple layer fabric of the present invention may be woven on 20 harnesses, wherein the bottom fabric layer includes ten bottom MD yarns and ten bottom CMD yarns, with each bottom CMD yarn following an "over 5/under 1/over 3/under 1" pattern relative to the bottom CMD yarns, and with adjacent MD yarns being offset from one another by four CMD yarns. Other triple layer fabrics can be contemplated that utilize 18, 28 or 30 harnesses.
Further, the top surface of the triple layer fabrics of the present invention may take other patterns on the top surface (such as other plain weave patterns, twills, broken twills, satins, and the like). Also, the stitching yarns may contribute to the weave pattern as illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 14 through 16, may contribute to a greater degree to the top surface (such as is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,195 to Ward), or may not contribute to the 7 G _ weave (as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,238,536 to Danby, U.S. Patent Nos.
4,987,929 and 5,518,042 to Wilson, 4,989,647 to Marchand, U.S. Patent No.
5,052,448 to Givin, U.S. Patent No. 5,437,315 to Ward, U.S. Patent No.
5,564,475 to Wright, U.S. Patent No. 5,152,326 to Vohringer, and U.S. Patent No.
4,501,303 to Osterberg).
The form of the yarns utilized in the fabrics of the present invention can vary, depending upon the desired properties of the final papernaker's' fabric.
For example, the yarns may be multifilament yarns, monofilament yarns, twisted multifilament or monofilament yarns, spun yarns, or any combination thereof.
Also, the materials comprising yarns employed in the fabric of the present invention may be those commonly used in papermaker's' fabric. For example, the yarns may be formed of polypropylene, polyester, polyester alloys and copolymers, nylon, nylon alloys and copolymers, or the like. The skilled artisan should select a yarn material according to the particular application of the final fabric. In particular, round monofilament yarns formed of polyester or nylon are preferred.
Yarn sizes should be selected according to the desired performance of the fabric. For example, for a double layer fabric, MD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.12mm to 0.40mm, top CMD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.1 Omm and 0.50mm, and bottom CMD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l6mm and 0.70mm. If fiber support picks are included, they should have a diameter of between about 0. l Omm and 0.30mm, as should top CMD yarns used with fiber support picks. For a triple layer fabric, top MD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l2mm to 0.30mm, top CMD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.12mm and 0.30mm, bottom MD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.20mm and 0.30mm, bottom CMD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.20mm and 0.70mm, and stitching yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l Omm and 0.30mm.
Specific examples of double layer fabric configurations suitable for use with the present invention are set forth in Table 1 below.
,r.
Table 1 HarnessesFiber MD Yarn Top CMD Bottom Pick Support Diameter Yarn CMD Yarn Diameter Picks (mm) Diameter Diameter (mm) (mm) (mm 7 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 8 no 0.17 0.18 0.18 none 8 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 9 es 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 5 Exemplary triple layer fabrics configurations suitable for use are set forth in Table 2 below.
Table 2 HarnessesTop MD Top CMD Bottom Bottom Stitching Yarn yarn MD yarn CMD Yarn Yarn Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) 16 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 24 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 10 The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting thereof. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to woven fabrics, and relates more specifically to woven fabrics for papermakers.
Background of the Invention In the conventional fourdrinier papermaking process, a water slurry, or suspension, of cellulosic fibers (known as the paper "stock") is fed onto the top of the upper run of an endless belt (or between two endless belts) of woven wire and/or synthetic material that travels between two or more rollers. The belt, often referred to as a "forming fabric", provides a papermaking surface on the upper surface of its upper run which operates as a filter to separate the cellulosic fibers of the paper stock from the aqueous medium, thereby forming a wet paper web. The aqueous medium drains through mesh openings of the forming fabric, known as drainage holes, by gravity alone or with assistance from one or more suction boxes located on the lower surface (i.e., the "machine side") of the upper run of the fabric.
After leaving the forming section, the paper web is transferred to a press section of the paper machine, in which it is passed through the nips of one or more pairs of pressure rollers covered with another fabric, typically referred to as a "press felt." Pressure from the rollers removes additional moisture from the web;
the moisture removal is often enhanced by the presence of a "batt" layer on the press felt. The paper is then conveyed to a dryer section for further moisture removal. After drying, the paper is ready for secondary processing and packaging.
Typically, papermaker's fabrics are manufactured as endless belts by one of two basic weaving techniques. In the first of these techniques, fabrics are flat woven by a flat weaving process, with their ends being joined to form an endless belt by any one of a number of well-known joining methods, such as dismantling and reweaving the ends together (commonly known as splicing), or sewing a pin-seamable flap on each end or a special foldback, then reweaving these into pin-seamable loops. In a flat woven papermaker's' fabric, the warp yarns extend in the machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the cross machine direction. In the second technique, fabrics are woven directly in the form of a continuous belt with an endless weaving process. In the endless weaving process, the warp yarns extend in the cross machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the machine direction. As used herein, the terms "machine direction" (MD) and "cross machine direction" (CMD) refer, respectively, to a direction aligned with the direction of travel of the papermaker's' fabric on the papermaking machine, and a direction parallel to the fabric surface and traverse to the direction of travel. Both weaving methods described hereinabove are well known in the art, and the term "endless belt" as used herein refers to belts made by either method.
Effective sheet and fiber support and an absence of wire marking are important considerations in papermaking, especially for the forming section of the papermaking machine, where the wet web is initially formed. Wire marking is particularly problematic in the formation of fine paper grades, as it can affect a host of paper properties, such as sheet mark, porosity, "see-through" and pin holing.
Wire marking is typically the result of individual cellulosic fibers being oriented within the paper web such that their ends reside within gaps between the individual threads or yarns of the forming fabric. This problem is generally addressed by providing a permeable fabric structure with a coplanar surface that allows paper fibers to bridge adjacent yarns of the fabric rather than penetrate the gaps between yarns. As used herein, "coplanar" means that the upper extremities of the yarns defining the paper-forming surface are at substantially the same elevation, such that at that level there is presented a substantially "planar" surface.
Accordingly, fine paper grades intended for use in quality printing, carbonizing, cigarettes, electrical condensers, and like grades of fine paper have typically heretofore been formed on very finely woven or fine wire mesh forming fabrics.
Typically, such finely woven fabrics include at least some relatively small diameter machine direction or cross machine direction yarns.
Regrettably, however, such yarns tend to be delicate, leading to a short surface life for the fabric. Moreover, the use of smaller yarns can also adversely effect the mechanical stability of the fabric (especially in terms of skew resistance, narrowing propensity and stiffness), which may negatively impact both the service life and the performance of the fabric.
To combat these problems associated with fine weaves, multi-layer forming fabrics have been developed with fine-mesh yarns on the paper forming surface to facilitate paper formation and coarser-mesh yarns on the machine contact side to provide strength and durability. For example, fabrics have been constructed which employ one set of machine direction yarns which interweave with two sets of cross machine direction yarns to form a fabric having a fine paper forming surface and a more durable machine side surface. These fabrics form part of a class of fabrics which are generally referred to as "double layer" fabrics.
Similarly, fabrics have been constructed which include two sets of machine direction yarns and two sets of cross machine direction yarns that form a fine mesh paper side fabric layer and a separate, coarser machine side fabric layer. In these fabrics, which are part of a class of fabrics generally referred to as "triple layer"
fabrics, the two fabric layers are typically bound together by separate stitching yarns. As double and triple layer fabrics include additional sets of yarn as compared to single layer fabrics, these fabrics typically have a higher "caliper" (i.e., they are thicker than) comparable single layer fabrics. An illustrative double layer fabric is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,423,755 to Thompson, and illustrative triple layer fabrics are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,501,303 to Osterberg, U.S. Patent No. 5,152,326 to Vohringer, and U.S. Patent No. 5,437,315 to Ward.
Although these fabrics have performed successfully, they have some potential shortcomings. For example, the coarser CMD yarns used in the bottom layer of the fabric typically have long "floats" (segments that span multiple adjacent MD yarns in the weave pattern) that contact the papermaking machine.
This arrangement is desirable, as the MD yarns (which are subjected to most of the tensile load of the fabric during operation) are protected to a large degree from wear; however, the long CMD floats are susceptible to wear over time. In many weave patterns, the floats are somewhat asymmetric; i.e., the MD yarns that pass above the float apply forces of varying magnitudes at asymmetric points across the float. As a result, the floats can be somewhat asymmetric in shape, thereby protruding toward the papermaking machine in a non-uniform manner. The locations on the floats that protrude the most tend to receive the most wear during operation.
Another concern regarding multilayer fabrics, and in particular double layer fabrics, is their ability to provide additional fiber support, as described above. In many weaves, long cross machine direction yarn floats, either in the form of primary CMD yarns or additional "fiber support" yarns, provide much of the support and coplanarity on the papermaking surface for cellulosic fibers.
Conversely, in areas lacking a cross machine direction float (i.e., locations where 1 S an MD yarn forms a paper side knuckle or float), fibers typically receive less support and coplanarity of the papermaking surface may be reduced. These locations may be susceptible to negatively impact the performance parameters affected by a lack of fiber support.
Summary of the Invention In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a papermaker's fabric suitable for forming tissue paper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a papermaker's forming fabric that addresses the permeability and top CMD
spacing uniformity problems described above.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a double layer papermaker's fabric with reduced caliper, reduced void volume, low air permeability and increased life potential.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a triple layer papermaker's fabric with improved life potential.
These and other objects are satisfied by the present invention, which includes a papermaker's fabric that can improve fiber support, wear resistance, caliper, and other papermaking properties. The fabric includes: a first set of G
machine direction yarns; a top set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the first set of machine direction yarns. The first set of machine direction yarns, the top set o.f cross machine direction yarns, and the bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of the machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, in which each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by side bottom knuckles, and in which machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching the adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming the side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above the bottom cross machine direction yarn under which the bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on that top cross machine direction yarn. As described in detail below, such a configuration in a double layer fabric can enable the phantom float to participate more fully in the fiber support of the fabric and, as such, improve fiber support in locations between long CMD floats on the papermaking surface (i.e., the locations of the phantom floats). Also, this configuration can improve wear resistance by providing a more symmetric bottom side CMD float as a contact point with the papermaking machine.
As a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a triple layer papermaker's fabric that comprises: a set of top machine direction yarns; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the top machine direction yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer;
and a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with the top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect the top and bottom fabric layers. The bottom machine direction yarns and the bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of the bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom knuckles. In this configuration, the bottom layer may have improved wear resistance, higher air permeability, and other performance benefits compared to other triple layer fabrics with shorter bottom layer floats.
Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a top view of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 1 with the top CMD yarns removed.
Figures 3A-3H are section views taken along lines 3A-3A through 3H-3H of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section view of a top CMD yarn and a bottom CMD
yarn taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure SA is a greatly enlarged inset of Figure 4 showing the wear surface of a bottom CMD yarn.
Figure SB is a greatly enlarged section view of a prior art fabric showing the difference in wear surface provided by a bottom CMD yarn.
Figure 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 6 with the top CMD yarns and fiber support yarns removed.
Figures 8A-8H are section views taken along, respectively, lines 8A-8A through 8H-8H of Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a partial top view of the fabric of Figure 9 with the top CMD yarns and fiber support yarns removed.
Figure 11A-11G are section views taken along, respectively, lines 11A-11A through 11G-11G of Figure 9.
Figures 12A-12I are section views of consecutive machine direction yarns of a nine harness embodiment of a double layer papermaker's -, forming fabric of the present invention.
Figures 13A-13J are section views of consecutive machine direction yarns of a ten harness embodiment of a double layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
S Figure 14 is a top view of a triple layer papermaker's forming fabric of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a top section view of the bottom layer of the fabric of Figure 14.
Figures 16A-16H are section views taken along, respectively, lines 16A-16A through 16H-16H of Figure 14.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described more particularly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which present embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like components throughout. The dimensions and thicknesses for some components and layers may be exaggerated for clarity.
Turning now to the figures, a double layer forming fabric, designated broadly at 100, is illustrated in Figures 1-4. The fabric 100 includes eight consecutive machine direction yarns 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116, which are interwoven with a set of eight top CMD yarns 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134 and with a set of eight bottom CMD yarns 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154. Notably, in this embodiment each bottom CMD yarn is located substantially directly below a corresponding top CMD yarn. The section of fabric illustrated in Figures 1-4 constitutes a single repeat unit of a larger fabric comprising multiple repeat units; of course, the repeat unit can begin at any point within this pattern so long as the pattern is maintained.
Refernng to Figures 1 and 3A-3H, each MD yarn interweaves with the top CMD yarns such that it passes over two adjacent top CMD yarns, then passes below six consecutive top CM:D yarns. For example, MD yarn 102 passes over top CMD yarns 120 and 122, then passes below top CMD yarns 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134. While passing below the top CMD yarns, each MD yarn passes below two bottom CMD yarns that sandwich two other bottom CMD yarns.
For example, MD yarn 102, after passing above top CMD yarns 120 and 122, passes above bottom CMD yarn 144, below bottom CMD yarn 146, above bottom CMD yarns 148 and 150, below bottom CMD yarn 152, and above bottom CMD
yarn 154. Thus, each MD yarn travels along the following path: above two top CMD yarns, between the next pair of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next two pair of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, and between the next pair of top and bottom CMD yarns.
Adjacent MD yarns following this interweaving pattern or sequence are offset from one another in the machine direction by three bottom CMD
yarns.
This can be illustrated by examination of MD yarns 106 and 108 (seen best in Figures 3C and 3D.). MD yarn 106 (Figure 3C) passes below bottom CMD yarns 142 and 148. Adjacent MD yarn 108 (Figure 3D) passes below bottom CMD
yarns 148 and 154. A similar three C:MD yarn offset is followed by all of the MD
yarns as they pass over top CMD yarns.
As a result of this pattern, adj acent MD yarns form a machine direction "knuckle" (i.e., a location where an MD yarn passes below one CMD
yarn only, while passing above the adjacent CMD yarns) below the same bottom CMD yarn (e~, both of MD yarns 106 and 108 form a knuckle below bottom CMD yarn 148, as described above). It should also be noted that, as adjacent MD
yarns form the bottom machine direction knuckles, the two MD yarns that sandwich these adjacent yarns are passing above respective a top CMD yarn that corresponds with (i.e., is located directly above) the bottom CMD yarn under which the adjacent MD yarns form the bottom knuckle. This is shown best in Figure 4, where it can be seen that adjacent MD yarns 112 and 114 form side-by-side bottom MD knuckles 112', 1 l4' below bottom CMD yarn 150. The MD yarns I 10, 116 sandwiching these adjacent MD yarns, 112, 114 are each passing over top CMD yarn 130 (which is located substantially directly above bottom CMD yarn n 150). Upwardly-directed forces are exerted by the adjacent MD yarns 112 and on bottom CMD yarn 150, which in turn exerts an upwardly-directed force on top CMD yarn 130, thereby urging it to bow slightly upwardly between MD yarns 110 and 116.
This slight bulging of the top CMD yarn 130 forms a "phantom float" 130' on the papermaking surface between the MD yarns 110 and 116 (see Figure 4). As used herein, "phantom float" means a short CMD float (i.e., a portion of a CMD yarn passing over more than one MD yarn) on the papermaking surface that is supported by an adjacent and corresponding bottom CMD yarn such that it is elevated to participate more fully in fiber support. This phantom float supplements the longer floats of top CMD yarn 130 located on either side of the phantom float which are largely responsible for support of fibers in paper stock during the formation of paper. In fact, the presence of the phantom knuckle can help to increase coplanarity of the papermaking surface in the locations between the long floats of the top CMD yarns, which can positively impact the surface of paper produced thereon.
In addition, this configuration can improve the wear characteristics of the fabric. Turning again to Figure 4, it can be seen that all four of the MD
yarns located between adjacent phantom knuckles pass below the same top CMD
yarn (thereby causing the formation of the long CMD paper side "float" on that top CMD yarn) and above the same bottom CMD yarn (causing the formation of a machine side float on that bottom CMD yarn). These four yarns interweave with the top and bottom CMD yarns in such a manner that they are reverse mirror images of one another about a vertical plane P that extends through the center of the aforementioned floats formed by the top and bottom CMD yarns. Because these MD yarns define reverse minor images, the vertical forces that these MD yarns exert on the top and bottom CMD yarns are relatively balanced about the plane P.
Thus, the bottom float formed on the bottom CMD yarn is relatively symmetric and flat (see Figures SA and SB for comparison of the present fabric 20 to a prior art fabric). The relative symmetry and flatness of the bottom side CMD float can induce more surface area of this float to be in contact with the paper machine than is true for prior art fabrics. Accordingly, there is more surface provided by each ~n bottom CMD yarn to endure wear on the fabric, which can result in higher wear resistance for the overall fabric.
Other benefits and characteristics that may be attributable to the weave pattern of the fabrics of the present invention include reduced caliper (thickness), reduced void volume, high stability (i.e., resistance to skewing in the plane of the fabric), and lower permeability.
The performance characteristics and advantages observed in the fabric illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be applied to other fabrics as well. For example, a repeat unit of a double layer fabric with additional fiber support yarns, designated broadly at 200, is illustrated in Figures 6-8. The fabric 200 includes eight MD yarns 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216, which are interwoven with eight top CMD yarns 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 and with eight bottom CMD yarns 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, and 254 in the same manner as the MD, top CMD and bottom CMD yarns of the fabric 100 described above. However, the fabric 200 also includes in its repeat unit eight fiber support "picks" 220a, 222a, 224a, 226x, 228a, 230a, 232a and 234a. Each pick is located between two adjacent top CMD yarns and is interwoven with the MD yarns such that it passes over seven adjacent MD yarns and below an eighth MD yarn. For example, pick 220a passes below MD yarn 202 and above MD yarns 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216. Adjacent picks are offset from one another in their weaving sequences by three MD yarns; thus, pick 220a passes below MD yarn 202, while pick 222a passes below M.D yarn 208. As can be seen in Figures 8A-8H, each MD yarn passes over only the pick located between the two CMD yarns that MD yarn also passes over; for example, MD yarn 202 passes over top CMD yarns 220 and 222, but also passes over pick 220a only and below all other picks.
The weave pattern of fabric 200 maintains the adjacent bottom surface MD knuckles illustrated in fabric 100. As a result, the "phantom float"
effect described for the fabric 100 is also present for the fabric 200, as is the relatively symmetric bottom CMD yarn for increased wear resistance. In addition, the potential for reduced caliper, reduced void volume, increased stability, and decreased permeability is also present.
The principles of this weave pattern can be extended to fabrics _m-having different numbers of MD and CMD yarns. Turning now to Figures 9-11, a repeat unit of a double layer fabric, designated broadly at 300, includes in its repeat unit seven MD yarns 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 interwoven with seven top CMD yarns 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332, seven bottom CMD yarns S 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, and 352, and seven fiber support picks 320a, 322x, 324a, 326a, 328a, 330a and 332a. In the repeat unit, each MD yarn passes above two top CMD yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween and passes below all other top CMD yarns and picks. Each MD yarn also passes below two bottom CMD yarns that are separated by one bottom CMD yarn. As an example, MD yarn 302 passes above top CMD yarns 320 and 322 as well as pick 320a, then passes below pick 322a, between top CMD yarn 324 and bottom CMD yarn 344, below bottom CMD yarn 346, between bottom CMD yarn 348 and top CMD yarn 328, below bottom CMD yarn 350, and between top CMD yarn 322 and bottom CMD
yarn 352. Adjacent MD yarns are offset from one another in weaving sequence by 1 S two top CMD yarns; thus, MD yarn 302 passes above top CMD yarn 320 and 322, which adjacent MD yarn 304 passes above top CMD yarns 324 and 326. As a result of this two top CMD yarn offset, adjacent MD yarns form the distinctive side-by-side single float bottom layer knuckles seen in the fabrics 100 and described above, and can provide the same performance advantages.
The same principles can also be applied to weave patterns having other numbers of MD yarns. Figures 12A-12I illustrate nine MD yarns 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418 of the repeat unit of a double layer fabric 400 as these MD yarns interv~-eave with nine top CMD yarns 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434 and 436, nine bottom CMD yarns 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452, 454 and 456, and nine fiber support picks 420a, 422a, 424a, 426a, 428a, 430a, 432a, 434a and 436a. In this pattern, each MD yarn passes over two top CMD
yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween, between the adjacent set of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next set of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the following bottom CMD yarn, and between the next three sets of top and bottom CMD yarns. For example, MD yarn 402 passes above top CMD yarns 420 and 422 as well as pick 420a, passes below pick 422a and between top and bottom CMD yarns 424, 444, passes below bottom CMD yarn 446, passes between top and bottom CMD yarns 428, 448, passes below bottom CMD yarn 450, and passes between top and bottom CMD yarn sets 432, 452, 434, 454, and 436, 456 (and under pick 436a). Adjacent MD yarns are offset in weaving sequence by two top CMD yarns, so while MD yarn 402 passes above top CMD yarns 420 and 422, adjacent MD yarn 404 passes above top CMD yarns 424 and 426 (see Figures 9A and 9B). As a result, the adjacent bottom layer MD
knuckles found in the previously described fabrics are present here.
The same is true of a repeat unit of a ten harness fabric 500, the MD
yarns of which are illustrated in Figures 13A-13J. As can be seen in Figures 13J, the double layer fabric 500 includes ten MD yarns 501, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 and 518 that interweave with ten top CMD yarns 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536 and 538, ten fiber support picks 520a, 522a, 524a, 526x, 528a, 530a, 532a, 534a, 536a and 538a, and ten bottom CMD yarns 540, 542, 544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556 and 558. In this fabric, each MD yarn passes over two top CMD yarns and the pick sandwiched therebetween, between the next two sets of top and bottom CMD yarns, below the next bottom CMD yarn, between the next two sets of bottom and top CMD yarns, below the following bottom CMD yarn, and between the next two sets of top and bottom CMD yarns.
For example, MD yarn 501 passes above top CMD yarns 520 and 522 as well as pick 520a, below pick 522x, between sets of top and bottom CMD yarns 524, 544 and 526, 546, below bottom CMD yarn 548, between sets of top and bottom CMD
yarns 530, 550 and 532, 552, below bottom CMD yarn 554, and between sets of top and bottom CMD yarns 536, 556 and 538, 558. Adjacent MD yarns are offset by three top CMD yarns; thus, as MD yarn 501 passes above top CMD yarns 520 and 522, adjacent MD yarn 502 passes above top CMD yarns 526 and 528. As a result, the adjacent bottom layer MD knuckles found in the previously described fabrics are present here; accordingly, this fabric can also exhibit the performance advantages described above.
Those skilled in this art will recognize that the principles of the present invention may also be applied to other double layer fabrics, whether they include fiber support picks or not. Also, the fabrics may include different numbers of yarns in the repeat unit (for example, eleven or twelve MD yarns), and the MD
yarns may follow a different pattern as they pass over the top CMD yarns; as an example, the top layer have follow a pattern such as those illustrated in U.S.
Patent No. 5,937,914 and co-pending and co-assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
09/501,753, filed February 10, 2000, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The concept of the present invention can also be applied to triple layer fabrics. As an example, a 16 harness triple layer fabric, a repeat unit of which is designated broadly at 600, is illustrated in Figures 14-16. The fabric 600 includes a top fabric layer 601 and a bottom fabric layer 651. The top fabric layer 601 includes eight top MD yarns 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 interwoven with twelve top CMD yarns 620, 622, 624, 628, 630, 632, 636, 638, 640, 644, 646, 648 and four pairs of stitching yarn 626a, 626b, 634x, 634b, 642a, 642b, 650a, 650b. The top MD yarns and top CMD yarns are interwoven in a plain weave pattern, with the stitching yarns positioned between sets of three adj acent top CMD yarns and also interweaving with the top MD yarns in a plain weave pattern. The manner in which a plain weave surface is formed on the top layer via a combination of top MD yarns, top CMD yarns and stitching yarns is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,501,113 to Osterberg and U.S. Patent No.
5,967,195 to Ward, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The bottom fabric layer 651 comprises eight bottom MD yarns 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659 that are interwoven with eight bottom CMD
yarns 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667. The weaving pattern of the bottom fabric layer 651 is such that each bottom MD yarn passes above four adjacent bottom CMD yarns, below a bottom CMD yarn, above two adjacent bottom CMD
yarns, and below another bottom CMD yarn. Adjacent bottom MD yarns are offset from one another by three bottom CMD yarns. As a result, adj acent MD yarns pass below a common bottom CMD yarn to form adjacent bottom knuckles. For example, bottom MD yarn 652 passes below bottom CMD yarns 663 and 666, while adjacent bottom MD yarns 653 passes below bottom CMD yarns 661 and 666. As such, the performance advantages ascribed to this configuration for previously described fabrics may also present for the bottom fabric layer 651;
in particular, for triple layer fabrics life potential and air permeability may be markedly improved over prior art triple layer fabrics.
It should also be noted that each stitching yarn of each stitching yarn pair passes below one bottom MD yarn as part of the repeat unit. For example, stitching yarns 626a, 626b pass below, respectively, bottom MD yarns 655, 659.
The next stitching yarn pair passes below a bottom MD yarn that is offset by two bottom MD yarns, so, for example, stitching yarns 634a, 634b pass below, respectively, bottom MD yarns 653, 657. It should be noted that, in the illustrated and preferred configuration, there are twice as many top CMD yarns (assuming that each stitching yarn pair serves as one top CMD yarn for the purposes of this calculation) as bottom CMD yarns, and that each bottom CMD yarn is positioned below a corresponding top CMD yarn. As a result, there should generally be sufficient space between bottom CMD yarns for stitching yarns to interweave with the bottom MD yarns without interference.
Those skilled in this art will appreciate that triple layer fabrics of the present invention may be woven in different repeat patterns than those illustrated herein. For example, a triple layer fabric may be woven on 24 harnesses, wherein the bottom fabric layer includes 12 bottom MD yarns and twelve bottom CMD
yarns, with each bottom CMD yarn following an "over 6/under 1/over 4/under 1"
pattern relative to the bottom CMD yarns, and with adjacent MD yarns being offset from one another by five CMD yarns. As another example, a triple layer fabric of the present invention may be woven on 20 harnesses, wherein the bottom fabric layer includes ten bottom MD yarns and ten bottom CMD yarns, with each bottom CMD yarn following an "over 5/under 1/over 3/under 1" pattern relative to the bottom CMD yarns, and with adjacent MD yarns being offset from one another by four CMD yarns. Other triple layer fabrics can be contemplated that utilize 18, 28 or 30 harnesses.
Further, the top surface of the triple layer fabrics of the present invention may take other patterns on the top surface (such as other plain weave patterns, twills, broken twills, satins, and the like). Also, the stitching yarns may contribute to the weave pattern as illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 14 through 16, may contribute to a greater degree to the top surface (such as is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,195 to Ward), or may not contribute to the 7 G _ weave (as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,238,536 to Danby, U.S. Patent Nos.
4,987,929 and 5,518,042 to Wilson, 4,989,647 to Marchand, U.S. Patent No.
5,052,448 to Givin, U.S. Patent No. 5,437,315 to Ward, U.S. Patent No.
5,564,475 to Wright, U.S. Patent No. 5,152,326 to Vohringer, and U.S. Patent No.
4,501,303 to Osterberg).
The form of the yarns utilized in the fabrics of the present invention can vary, depending upon the desired properties of the final papernaker's' fabric.
For example, the yarns may be multifilament yarns, monofilament yarns, twisted multifilament or monofilament yarns, spun yarns, or any combination thereof.
Also, the materials comprising yarns employed in the fabric of the present invention may be those commonly used in papermaker's' fabric. For example, the yarns may be formed of polypropylene, polyester, polyester alloys and copolymers, nylon, nylon alloys and copolymers, or the like. The skilled artisan should select a yarn material according to the particular application of the final fabric. In particular, round monofilament yarns formed of polyester or nylon are preferred.
Yarn sizes should be selected according to the desired performance of the fabric. For example, for a double layer fabric, MD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.12mm to 0.40mm, top CMD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.1 Omm and 0.50mm, and bottom CMD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l6mm and 0.70mm. If fiber support picks are included, they should have a diameter of between about 0. l Omm and 0.30mm, as should top CMD yarns used with fiber support picks. For a triple layer fabric, top MD yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l2mm to 0.30mm, top CMD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.12mm and 0.30mm, bottom MD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.20mm and 0.30mm, bottom CMD
yarns should have a diameter of between about 0.20mm and 0.70mm, and stitching yarns should have a diameter of between about 0. l Omm and 0.30mm.
Specific examples of double layer fabric configurations suitable for use with the present invention are set forth in Table 1 below.
,r.
Table 1 HarnessesFiber MD Yarn Top CMD Bottom Pick Support Diameter Yarn CMD Yarn Diameter Picks (mm) Diameter Diameter (mm) (mm) (mm 7 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 8 no 0.17 0.18 0.18 none 8 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 9 es 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 yes 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.13 5 Exemplary triple layer fabrics configurations suitable for use are set forth in Table 2 below.
Table 2 HarnessesTop MD Top CMD Bottom Bottom Stitching Yarn yarn MD yarn CMD Yarn Yarn Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) 16 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 24 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.50 0.20 10 The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting thereof. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
Claims (22)
1. A papermaker's fabric, comprising:
a set of machine direction yarns;
a top set of cross machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns;
wherein said set of machine direction yarns, said top set of cross machine direction yarns, and said bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles, and wherein machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching said adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming said side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above said bottom cross machine direction yarn under which said bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on said top cross machine direction yarn.
a set of machine direction yarns;
a top set of cross machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns;
wherein said set of machine direction yarns, said top set of cross machine direction yarns, and said bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles, and wherein machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching said adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming said side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above said bottom cross machine direction yarn under which said bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on said top cross machine direction yarn.
2. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes above at least two top cross machine direction yarns.
3. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, further comprising a set of fiber support picks interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns.
4. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 3, wherein said set of fiber support picks is interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns such that a fiber support pick is located between each pair of adjacent top cross machine direction yarns.
5. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 3, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes above two adjacent top cross machine direction yarns and at least one fiber support pick positioned between said two top cross machine direction yarns.
6. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein said set of machine direction yarns in said repeat unit comprises between 7 and 10 machine direction yarns.
7. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein said repeat unit comprises equal numbers of top and bottom cross machine direction yarns.
8. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein within said repeat unit, the interweaving sequence of each machine direction yarn is offset from the interweaving sequence of an adjacent machine direction yarn by two top cross machine direction yarns.
9. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein within the repeat unit, the interweaving sequence of each machine direction yarn is offset from the interweaving sequence of an adjacent machine direction yarn by three top cross machine direction yarns.
10. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes over one bottom cross machine direction yarn between said two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns.
11. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 1, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes over two bottom cross machine direction yarns between said two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns.
12. A triple layer papermaker's fabric, comprising:
a set of top machine direction yarns;
a set of top cross direction yarns interwoven with said top machine direction yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom machine direction yarns;
a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with said top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect said top and bottom fabric layers;
wherein said bottom machine direction yarns and said bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles.
a set of top machine direction yarns;
a set of top cross direction yarns interwoven with said top machine direction yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom machine direction yarns;
a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with said top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect said top and bottom fabric layers;
wherein said bottom machine direction yarns and said bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles.
13. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 12, wherein said stitching yarns are interwoven with said top machine direction yarns such that a pair of stitching yarns is located between each pair of adjacent top cross machine direction yarns.
14. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 13, wherein said stitching yarns, said top machine direction yarns, and said top cross machine direction yarns interweave to form a plain weave pattern on an upper surface of said top fabric layer.
15. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 12, wherein said set of top machine direction yarns comprises between 8 and 12 top machine direction yarns.
16. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 12, wherein each of wherein said bottom machine direction yarns passes over two adjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns between said two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, such that each bottom machine direction yarn forms said bottom side machine direction knuckles separated by said two adjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns.
17. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 16, wherein each stitching yarn passes between a respective set of said adjacent two bottom cross machine direction yarns as said stitching yarn passes below said bottom machine direction yarn forming said bottom side machine direction knuckles.
18. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 12, wherein within the repeat unit, the interweaving sequence of each bottom machine direction yarn is offset from the interweaving sequence of an adjacent bottom machine direction yarn by three top cross machine direction yarns.
19. A double-layer papermaker's fabric, comprising:
a set of machine direction yarns;
a top set of cross machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns;
wherein said set of machine direction yarns, said top set of cross machine direction yarns, and said bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching said adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming said side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above said bottom cross machine direction yarn under which said bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on said top cross machine direction yarn, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes above at least two adjacent top cross machine direction yarns, and wherein said repeat unit includes equal numbers of top and bottom cross machine direction yarns.
a set of machine direction yarns;
a top set of cross machine direction yarns; and a bottom set of cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns;
wherein said set of machine direction yarns, said top set of cross machine direction yarns, and said bottom set of cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles, wherein machine direction yarns adjacent to and sandwiching said adjacent pair of machine direction yarns forming said side-by-side bottom knuckles pass over a top cross machine direction yarn positioned substantially directly above said bottom cross machine direction yarn under which said bottom knuckles are formed such that a phantom float is formed on said top cross machine direction yarn, wherein each of said machine direction yarns passes above at least two adjacent top cross machine direction yarns, and wherein said repeat unit includes equal numbers of top and bottom cross machine direction yarns.
20. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 19, further comprising a set of fiber support picks interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns.
21. The papermaker's fabric defined in Claim 20, wherein said set of fiber support picks is interwoven with said set of machine direction yarns such that a fiber support pick is located between each pair of adjacent top cross machine direction yarns.
22. A triple layer papermaker's fabric, comprising a series of repeat units, each of which comprises:
a set of eight top machine direction yarns;
a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said top machine direction yarns in a plain weave pattern to form a top fabric layer;
a set of eight bottom machine direction yarns;
a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer;
a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with said top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect said top and bottom fabric layers;
wherein said top machine direction yarns and said bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles.
a set of eight top machine direction yarns;
a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said top machine direction yarns in a plain weave pattern to form a top fabric layer;
a set of eight bottom machine direction yarns;
a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom fabric layer;
a plurality of cross machine direction stitching yarns interweaving with said top and bottom machine direction yarns to interconnect said top and bottom fabric layers;
wherein said top machine direction yarns and said bottom cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeat pattern in which each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes below at least two nonadjacent bottom cross machine direction yarns, thereby forming bottom side machine direction knuckles, and wherein each adjacent pair of machine direction yarns passes below a common bottom cross machine direction yarn to form side-by-side bottom machine direction knuckles.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/628,668 | 2000-07-28 | ||
| US09/628,668 US6253796B1 (en) | 2000-07-28 | 2000-07-28 | Papermaker's forming fabric |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2353217A1 true CA2353217A1 (en) | 2002-01-28 |
Family
ID=24519829
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002353217A Abandoned CA2353217A1 (en) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-07-18 | Papermaker's forming fabric |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6253796B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1176249A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002088674A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR030070A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5769601A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0103061A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2353217A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA01007724A (en) |
Families Citing this family (35)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6413377B1 (en) * | 1999-11-09 | 2002-07-02 | Astenjohnson, Inc. | Double layer papermaking forming fabric |
| GB0005344D0 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2000-04-26 | Stone Richard | Forming fabric with machine side layer weft binder yarns |
| DE10039736A1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-03-07 | Kufferath Andreas Gmbh | composite fabric |
| US6745797B2 (en) | 2001-06-21 | 2004-06-08 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric |
| US7048012B2 (en) * | 2002-10-24 | 2006-05-23 | Albany International Corp. | Paired warp triple layer forming fabrics with optimum sheet building characteristics |
| US6834684B2 (en) * | 2002-10-24 | 2004-12-28 | Albany International Corp. | Paired warp triple layer forming fabrics with optimum sheet building characteristics |
| US6837277B2 (en) | 2003-01-30 | 2005-01-04 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric |
| US6860969B2 (en) | 2003-01-30 | 2005-03-01 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric |
| US7059357B2 (en) | 2003-03-19 | 2006-06-13 | Weavexx Corporation | Warp-stitched multilayer papermaker's fabrics |
| US6896009B2 (en) * | 2003-03-19 | 2005-05-24 | Weavexx Corporation | Machine direction yarn stitched triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics |
| US20080105323A1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2008-05-08 | Stewart Lister Hay | Fabrics Employing Binder/Top Interchanging Yarn Pairs |
| US7300554B2 (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2007-11-27 | Albany International Corp. | Textured surface of a tissue forming fabric to generate bulk, cross directional tensile, absorbency, and softness in a sheet of paper |
| US7243687B2 (en) * | 2004-06-07 | 2007-07-17 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with twice as many bottom MD yarns as top MD yarns |
| US7198067B2 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2007-04-03 | Albany International Corp. | Warp-runner triple layer fabric with paired intrinsic warp binders |
| US7195040B2 (en) * | 2005-02-18 | 2007-03-27 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with machine direction stitching yarns that form machine side knuckles |
| US7484538B2 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2009-02-03 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's triple layer forming fabric with non-uniform top CMD floats |
| US7219701B2 (en) * | 2005-09-27 | 2007-05-22 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with machine direction stitching yarns that form machine side knuckles |
| KR100830573B1 (en) | 2005-09-27 | 2008-05-21 | 웨벡스 코포레이션 | Papermaker's forming fabric with machine direction stitching yarns that form machine side knuckles |
| US7275566B2 (en) | 2006-02-27 | 2007-10-02 | Weavexx Corporation | Warped stitched papermaker's forming fabric with fewer effective top MD yarns than bottom MD yarns |
| DE102006016660C5 (en) * | 2006-04-08 | 2009-09-03 | Andreas Kufferath Gmbh & Co Kg | Upper side, in particular paper side, and paper machine screen |
| US7581567B2 (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2009-09-01 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with cross-direction yarn stitching and ratio of top machine direction yarns to bottom machine direction yarns of 2:3 |
| US7487805B2 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2009-02-10 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with cross-direction yarn stitching and ratio of top machined direction yarns to bottom machine direction yarns of less than 1 |
| US20080196784A1 (en) * | 2007-02-15 | 2008-08-21 | Scott Quigley | Wear side weave pattern of a composite forming fabric |
| US7624766B2 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2009-12-01 | Weavexx Corporation | Warped stitched papermaker's forming fabric |
| DE102007020071A1 (en) * | 2007-04-28 | 2008-10-30 | Voith Patent Gmbh | forming fabric |
| US7959764B2 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2011-06-14 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Forming fabrics for fiber webs |
| WO2009018274A1 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2009-02-05 | Astenjohnson, Inc. | Warp-tied forming fabric with selective warp pair ordering |
| US20090183795A1 (en) * | 2008-01-23 | 2009-07-23 | Kevin John Ward | Multi-Layer Papermaker's Forming Fabric With Long Machine Side MD Floats |
| US7766053B2 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2010-08-03 | Weavexx Corporation | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with alternating paired and single top CMD yarns |
| US8251103B2 (en) * | 2009-11-04 | 2012-08-28 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's forming fabric with engineered drainage channels |
| DE102010017055A1 (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2011-11-24 | Andritz Technology And Asset Management Gmbh | forming wire |
| US8267125B2 (en) * | 2010-12-13 | 2012-09-18 | Huyck Licensco Inc. | Papermaking forming fabric with long bottom CMD yarn floats |
| DE102013108399B3 (en) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-11-27 | ANDRITZ KUFFERATH GmbH | PAPER MACHINERY, WHICH HAS TREAD PANELS WITH DIFFERENT FLOATING LENGTH |
| EP3752671B1 (en) * | 2018-02-12 | 2024-04-03 | Huyck Licensco Inc. | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with auxiliary bottom md yarns |
| IT202000000637A1 (en) * | 2020-01-15 | 2021-07-15 | Feltri Marone S P A | PAPER MANUFACTURING TRIPLE FABRIC |
Family Cites Families (102)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE454092C (en) | 1927-12-29 | H G Waldhelm Filztuchfabrik | Woven dewatering felt for paper machines | |
| US2172430A (en) | 1937-10-14 | 1939-09-12 | Lawrence Duck Company | Single ply drier felt with asbestos facing |
| US2554034A (en) | 1948-08-18 | 1951-05-22 | Orr Felt & Blanket Company | Papermaker's felt |
| US3094149A (en) | 1960-11-14 | 1963-06-18 | Orr Felt & Blanket Company | Paper makers felt |
| US3325909A (en) | 1966-01-27 | 1967-06-20 | Huyck Corp | Fabric for pumping fluids |
| US4093512A (en) | 1975-04-23 | 1978-06-06 | Huyck Corporation | Papermakers belts having ultra-high modulus load bearing yarns |
| US4289173A (en) | 1975-10-30 | 1981-09-15 | Scapa-Porritt Limited | Papermakers fabrics |
| US4529013A (en) | 1975-10-30 | 1985-07-16 | Scapa-Porritt Limited | Papermakers fabrics |
| GB1572905A (en) | 1976-08-10 | 1980-08-06 | Scapa Porritt Ltd | Papermakers fabrics |
| DE2736796C3 (en) | 1977-08-16 | 1981-08-27 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Papermaker's screen and process for its manufacture |
| US4290209A (en) | 1978-05-17 | 1981-09-22 | Jwi Ltd. | Dryer fabric |
| SE420852B (en) | 1978-06-12 | 1981-11-02 | Nordiskafilt Ab | The forming fabric |
| USRE33195E (en) | 1978-08-04 | 1990-04-10 | Asten Group, Inc. | Fabrics for papermaking machines |
| US4244543A (en) | 1979-01-08 | 1981-01-13 | Exxon Research & Engineering Co. | Support roller or rocker for hot expanding pipe lines |
| US4453573A (en) | 1980-02-11 | 1984-06-12 | Huyck Corporation | Papermakers forming fabric |
| DE3036409C2 (en) | 1980-09-26 | 1983-01-20 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Double-layer screen for the screen part of a paper machine |
| US4394673A (en) | 1980-09-29 | 1983-07-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Rare earth silicide Schottky barriers |
| US4438788A (en) | 1980-09-30 | 1984-03-27 | Scapa Inc. | Papermakers belt formed from warp yarns of non-circular cross section |
| SE430425C (en) | 1981-06-23 | 1986-09-19 | Nordiskafilt Ab | PREPARATION WIRES FOR PAPER, CELLULOSA OR SIMILAR MACHINES |
| US4633596A (en) | 1981-09-01 | 1987-01-06 | Albany International Corp. | Paper machine clothing |
| DE3146385C2 (en) | 1981-11-23 | 1985-10-31 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Double-layer fabric as a covering for paper machines |
| SE441016B (en) | 1982-04-26 | 1985-09-02 | Nordiskafilt Ab | PREPARATION WIRES FOR PAPER, CELLULOSA OR SIMILAR MACHINES |
| US4414263A (en) | 1982-07-09 | 1983-11-08 | Atlanta Felt Company, Inc. | Press felt |
| DE3301810C2 (en) | 1983-01-20 | 1986-01-09 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Composite fabric as a covering for the sheet forming part of a paper machine |
| SE435739B (en) | 1983-02-23 | 1984-10-15 | Nordiskafilt Ab | DOUBLE TEXTILE TYPE FORMATION WIRES |
| DE3307144A1 (en) | 1983-03-01 | 1984-09-13 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | PAPER MACHINE COVERING IN A FABRIC BINDING THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SYMMETRY AXIS LONGITUDE |
| DE3329740C2 (en) | 1983-08-17 | 1986-07-03 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Two- or multi-layer fabric as a covering for the sheet forming part of a paper machine |
| DE3329739C1 (en) | 1983-08-17 | 1985-01-10 | Hermann Wangner Gmbh & Co Kg, 7410 Reutlingen | Multi-layer covering for paper machines |
| FR2560242B1 (en) | 1984-02-29 | 1986-07-04 | Asten Fabriques Feutres Papete | CANVAS, PARTICULARLY FOR PAPER MACHINES, AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME |
| FI844125L (en) | 1984-03-26 | 1985-09-27 | Huyck Corp | PAPPERSMASKINTYG SOM BESTAOR AV SLITSTARKA TRAODAR. |
| GB2157328A (en) | 1984-04-12 | 1985-10-23 | Jwi Ltd | Improved multilayer forming fabric |
| US4755420A (en) | 1984-05-01 | 1988-07-05 | Jwi Ltd. | Dryer fabric having warp strands made of melt-extrudable polyphenylene sulphide |
| US4731281A (en) | 1984-10-29 | 1988-03-15 | Huyck Corporation | Papermakers fabric with encapsulated monofilament yarns |
| DE3445367C1 (en) | 1984-12-12 | 1986-08-14 | F. Oberdorfer, 7920 Heidenheim | Composite fabric as a paper machine screen |
| US4642261A (en) | 1984-12-21 | 1987-02-10 | Unaform Inc. | Papermakers fabric having a tight bottom weft geometry |
| US4636426A (en) | 1985-01-04 | 1987-01-13 | Huyck Corporation | Papermaker's fabric with yarns having multiple parallel monofilament strands |
| FR2597123B1 (en) | 1986-04-10 | 1988-12-02 | Thuasne & Cie | ELASTIC CONTAINER FABRIC |
| DE3615304A1 (en) | 1986-05-06 | 1987-11-12 | Wangner Gmbh Co Kg Hermann | COVER FOR THE SHEET FORMING PART OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| EP0224276B1 (en) | 1986-05-06 | 1990-03-28 | Hermann Wangner GmbH & Co. KG | Screen cloth for the wet end of a paper-making machine |
| US4709732A (en) | 1986-05-13 | 1987-12-01 | Huyck Corporation | Fourteen harness dual layer weave |
| US4676278A (en) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-06-30 | Albany International Corp. | Forming fabric |
| DE3634649A1 (en) | 1986-10-10 | 1988-04-14 | Wangner Gmbh Co Kg Hermann | COVERING FOR THE SHEET FORMING PART OF A PAPER MACHINE WITH ADDITIONAL, FLOATING CROSSFEDS LARGER RAPPORT LENGTH |
| DE3635000A1 (en) | 1986-10-14 | 1988-04-21 | Oberdorfer Fa F | DOUBLE-LAYER PAPER MACHINE SCREEN WITH COARSE-TEXTURED RUNNING SIDE AND FINE-STRUCTURED PAPER SIDE |
| DE3635632A1 (en) | 1986-10-20 | 1988-04-21 | Wangner Gmbh Co Kg Hermann | COVER FOR THE SHEET FORMING PART OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| US4759975A (en) | 1986-11-06 | 1988-07-26 | Asten Group, Inc. | Papermaker's wet press felt having multi-layered base fabric |
| CA1277209C (en) | 1986-11-28 | 1990-12-04 | Dale B. Johnson | Composite forming fabric |
| US4705601A (en) | 1987-02-05 | 1987-11-10 | B.I. Industries, Inc. | Multi-ply paper forming fabric with ovate warp yarns in lowermost ply |
| FI78329B (en) | 1987-02-10 | 1989-03-31 | Tamfelt Oy Ab | PAPPERSMASKINDUK. |
| DE3705345A1 (en) | 1987-02-19 | 1988-09-01 | Oberdorfer Fa F | COMPOSITE FABRIC AS A COVER FOR THE SHEET FORMING PART OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| GB8706552D0 (en) | 1987-03-19 | 1987-04-23 | Scapa Porrtitt Ltd | Papermachine &c clothing |
| SE460125B (en) | 1987-03-24 | 1989-09-11 | Nordiskafilt Ab | MULTIPLE STORED DRAINAGE BAND FOR PAPER SHEET STRENGTH |
| DE3713510A1 (en) | 1987-04-22 | 1988-11-10 | Oberdorfer Fa F | PAPER MACHINE SCREEN FROM A DOUBLE-LAYER FABRIC |
| AT395441B (en) * | 1987-08-12 | 1992-12-28 | Hutter & Schrantz Ag | Double-layer fabric for a stretch covering for paper machines |
| DE3801051A1 (en) | 1988-01-15 | 1989-07-27 | Wangner Gmbh Co Kg Hermann | DOUBLE-DAY LOADING FOR THE SHEETING AREA OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| US4989647A (en) | 1988-04-08 | 1991-02-05 | Huyck Corporaiton | Dual warp forming fabric with a diagonal knuckle pattern |
| CA1320410C (en) | 1988-06-27 | 1993-07-20 | Takuo Tate | Papermakers' double layer type fabrics |
| JP2558153B2 (en) | 1988-08-30 | 1996-11-27 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Woven paper woven fabric with improved wire mark |
| JP2558155B2 (en) | 1988-08-31 | 1996-11-27 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Single woven fabric for papermaking with horizontal surface of auxiliary weft on the papermaking surface |
| US4909284A (en) | 1988-09-23 | 1990-03-20 | Albany International Corp. | Double layered papermaker's fabric |
| US5052448A (en) | 1989-02-10 | 1991-10-01 | Huyck Corporation | Self stitching multilayer papermaking fabric |
| DE3909534A1 (en) | 1989-03-22 | 1990-09-27 | Oberdorfer Fa F | FORMING SCREEN FOR THE WET SECTION OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| JP2799729B2 (en) | 1989-04-18 | 1998-09-21 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Endless fabrics and endless papermaking fabrics |
| US4942077A (en) | 1989-05-23 | 1990-07-17 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Tissue webs having a regular pattern of densified areas |
| US4967805A (en) | 1989-05-23 | 1990-11-06 | B.I. Industries, Inc. | Multi-ply forming fabric providing varying widths of machine direction drainage channels |
| DE3923938A1 (en) | 1989-07-19 | 1991-01-31 | Oberdorfer Fa F | FORMING FABRICS FOR THE WET SECTION OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| US4987929A (en) | 1989-08-25 | 1991-01-29 | Huyck Corporation | Forming fabric with interposing cross machine direction yarns |
| DE3938159A1 (en) | 1989-11-16 | 1991-05-23 | Oberdorfer Fa F | COMPOSITE FABRICS FOR PAPER MACHINE BENCH |
| JP2558169B2 (en) | 1990-03-27 | 1996-11-27 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Single woven fabric for papermaking with horizontal surface of auxiliary weft on the papermaking surface |
| US5025839A (en) | 1990-03-29 | 1991-06-25 | Asten Group, Inc. | Two-ply papermakers forming fabric with zig-zagging MD yarns |
| AT393521B (en) | 1990-05-08 | 1991-11-11 | Hutter & Schrantz Ag | PLASTIC MONOFILAMENT FABRICS FOR USE AS A DRAINAGE SCREEN OF A PAPER MACHINE |
| US5199467A (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1993-04-06 | Asten Group, Inc. | Papermakers fabric with stacked machine direction yarns |
| FI85605C (en) | 1990-06-15 | 1994-06-28 | Tamfelt Oy Ab | Tvaoskiktad pappersmaskinsduk |
| US5116478A (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1992-05-26 | Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd. | Extendable and heat shrinkable polyester mono-filament for endless fabric |
| US5101866A (en) | 1991-01-15 | 1992-04-07 | Niagara Lockport Industries Inc. | Double layer papermakers fabric having extra support yarns |
| DE69226285T2 (en) * | 1991-11-21 | 1999-03-18 | Weavexx Corp | MULTILAYER FELT |
| US5360518A (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1994-11-01 | Albany International Corp. | Press fabrics for paper machines |
| US5219004A (en) | 1992-02-06 | 1993-06-15 | Lindsay Wire, Inc. | Multi-ply papermaking fabric with binder warps |
| US5228482A (en) | 1992-07-06 | 1993-07-20 | Wangner Systems Corporation | Papermaking fabric with diagonally arranged pockets |
| DE4302031C1 (en) | 1993-01-26 | 1993-12-16 | Heimbach Gmbh Thomas Josef | Fourdrinier for paper mfg. machine for large contact surface area - comprises oven plastics filaments with gp. in sub-gps. shrunk for longitudinal filaments side by side, for flexibility |
| JP3076703B2 (en) | 1993-09-06 | 2000-08-14 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Warp single weft double woven fabric for papermaking |
| US5421374A (en) | 1993-10-08 | 1995-06-06 | Asten Group, Inc. | Two-ply forming fabric with three or more times as many CMD yarns in the top ply than in the bottom ply |
| US5421375A (en) | 1994-02-28 | 1995-06-06 | Wangner Systems Corporation | Eight harness double layer forming fabric with uniform drainage |
| JP3444373B2 (en) | 1994-03-18 | 2003-09-08 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Warp double weft double papermaking fabric with auxiliary wefts arranged on the papermaking side fabric |
| US5429686A (en) | 1994-04-12 | 1995-07-04 | Lindsay Wire, Inc. | Apparatus for making soft tissue products |
| US5454405A (en) | 1994-06-02 | 1995-10-03 | Albany International Corp. | Triple layer papermaking fabric including top and bottom weft yarns interwoven with a warp yarn system |
| US5456293A (en) | 1994-08-01 | 1995-10-10 | Wangner Systems Corporation | Woven papermaking fabric with diagonally arranged pockets and troughs |
| US5542455A (en) | 1994-08-01 | 1996-08-06 | Wangner Systems Corp. | Papermaking fabric having diagonal rows of pockets separated by diagonal rows of strips having a co-planar surface |
| US5709250A (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1998-01-20 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermakers' forming fabric having additional fiber support yarns |
| US5518042A (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1996-05-21 | Huyck Licensco, Inc. | Papermaker's forming fabric with additional cross machine direction locator and fiber supporting yarns |
| US5482567A (en) | 1994-12-06 | 1996-01-09 | Huyck Licensco, Inc. | Multilayer forming fabric |
| US5520225A (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-05-28 | Wangner Systems Corp. | Pocket arrangement in the support surface of a woven papermaking fabric |
| US5746257A (en) | 1995-07-06 | 1998-05-05 | Asten, Inc. | Corrugator belt seam |
| US5555917A (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-09-17 | Wangner Systems Corporation | Sixteen harness multi-layer forming fabric |
| US5641001A (en) | 1995-08-16 | 1997-06-24 | Huyck Licensco, Inc. | Papermaker's fabric with additional cross machine direction yarns positioned in saddles |
| JP3474042B2 (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 2003-12-08 | 日本フイルコン株式会社 | Two-layer papermaking fabric with auxiliary wefts arranged on the papermaking side fabric |
| US5651394A (en) | 1996-02-02 | 1997-07-29 | Huyck Licensco, Inc. | Papermakers fabric having cabled monofilament oval-shaped yarns |
| GB9604602D0 (en) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-05-01 | Jwi Ltd | Composite papermaking fabric with paired weft binder yarns |
| CN2277848Y (en) | 1996-06-18 | 1998-04-08 | 刘青林 | Bidirectioj swing automatic spot welding forceps |
| US5937914A (en) | 1997-02-20 | 1999-08-17 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's fabric with auxiliary yarns |
| US5857498A (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 1999-01-12 | Weavexx Corporation | Papermaker's double layer forming fabric |
| US5881764A (en) | 1997-08-01 | 1999-03-16 | Weavexx Corporation | Multi-layer forming fabric with stitching yarn pairs integrated into papermaking surface |
| US6148869A (en) * | 1998-12-17 | 2000-11-21 | Wangner Systems Corporation | Dual layer papermaking fabric formed in a balanced weave |
-
2000
- 2000-07-28 US US09/628,668 patent/US6253796B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-07-18 CA CA002353217A patent/CA2353217A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-07-26 EP EP01118176A patent/EP1176249A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-07-27 AU AU57696/01A patent/AU5769601A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-07-27 MX MXPA01007724A patent/MXPA01007724A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-07-27 AR ARP010103611A patent/AR030070A1/en unknown
- 2001-07-27 BR BR0103061-2A patent/BR0103061A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-07-30 JP JP2001229959A patent/JP2002088674A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2002088674A (en) | 2002-03-27 |
| EP1176249A2 (en) | 2002-01-30 |
| AR030070A1 (en) | 2003-08-13 |
| EP1176249A3 (en) | 2002-12-04 |
| US6253796B1 (en) | 2001-07-03 |
| AU5769601A (en) | 2002-01-31 |
| BR0103061A (en) | 2004-08-17 |
| MXPA01007724A (en) | 2004-07-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6253796B1 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric | |
| US7243687B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric with twice as many bottom MD yarns as top MD yarns | |
| US7484538B2 (en) | Papermaker's triple layer forming fabric with non-uniform top CMD floats | |
| US6244306B1 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric | |
| US7219701B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric with machine direction stitching yarns that form machine side knuckles | |
| US6179013B1 (en) | Low caliper multi-layer forming fabrics with machine side cross machine direction yarns having a flattened cross section | |
| US8196613B2 (en) | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with paired MD binding yarns | |
| US7275566B2 (en) | Warped stitched papermaker's forming fabric with fewer effective top MD yarns than bottom MD yarns | |
| US7931051B2 (en) | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with long machine side MD floats | |
| US7766053B2 (en) | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with alternating paired and single top CMD yarns | |
| US7195040B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric with machine direction stitching yarns that form machine side knuckles | |
| EP1849912B1 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric with cross-direction yarn stitching and ratio of top machined direction yarns to bottom machine direction yarns of 2:3 | |
| US6837277B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric | |
| US11220784B2 (en) | Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with auxiliary bottom MD yarns | |
| US6860969B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric | |
| US7487805B2 (en) | Papermaker's forming fabric with cross-direction yarn stitching and ratio of top machined direction yarns to bottom machine direction yarns of less than 1 |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |