US3043370A - Machinery and method for paper formation - Google Patents

Description

y 0, 1962 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR., ETAL $043,370

MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3, 1958 R 0 3w 4 gm A 1/ EE 4 w w mm m mmm g w 00 0 MM M vv Yw RR R RR R AA A HH H Y 8 mm On B ATTORNEY y 1962 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR, ETAL 3,943,370

MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION Filed March 3, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 N 0 m +iav dj E w & y? A//// //////A/A \SS DB A HARRY BY HARRY M. OSTERTAG x c2 8. //2Z 7 mm. mm lv 5. 1| 54 mm QM ON QM. 0N wN mm on 3 0+ y 1952 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR, ETAL 3,043,370

MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 3, 1958 FIG. 8.

INVENTORS HARRY M. OSTERTAG, DECEASED, BY HARRY M. OSTERTAG R EXECUTOR HARRY M. OSTERTAG, JR.

ATTORNEY y 1962 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR, ETAL 3,043,370

MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION Filed March 3, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 HARR M. OSTERTAG DECEASED BY HARRY M. OSTERTAG,JR, EXECU'fOR HARRY M. OSTERTAG, JR.

ATTOVRNEY y 1962 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR, ETAL 3,943,370

MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION 6 SheetsSheet 5 Filed March 3, 1958 MIVEIVTORS HARRY M. OSTERTAG, DECEASED BY HARRY M. OSTERTAG, JR, EXECUTbR HARRY M. OSTERTAG, JR.

rag/2.

ATTORNEY y 1952 H. M. OSTERTAG, JR, ETAL 3,043,370

7 MACHINERY AND METHOD FOR PAPER FORMATION Filed March 3, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG 9 FIG. IO.

llVVE/V TORS HAR M. OSTERTAG, CEASED BY HAR M. OSTERTAG, EXECUTOR HARRY M. OSTERTAG,JR.

BY a @Z/k ATTORNEY ,sion into a well formed sheet.

United States Patent @h ice 3,043,370 Patented July 10, 3962 The invention relates to the field of paper manufacturing machinery and methods and is more particularly concerned with the transformation of dilute stock suspen- Its primary objective is the achievement of a closer approach to production of the ideal sheet than has been possible heretofore.

The ideal sheet is considered to be one having a clear look-through, being absolutely uniform throughout, with no areas thereof being heavier or lighter than others, and which is free of clots and streaks in its formation. Its strength should be uniform across the sheet and as nearly equal as possible in both machine and crossmachine directions. There should be a minimum of two-sidedness in the sheet. The factors affecting sheet formation are many and interrelated, and the present invention affords means for their coordination, integration and control to an extent substantially surpassing the capability of heretofore known means, as will become increasingly apparent from a reading and study of this specification.

The making of a sheet of paper requires, fundamentally, the interweaving of fibrous material in aqueous suspension, the deliveryof this suspension to a forming surface, and the draining therethrough of the water carrier, leaving the fibers interwoven onsuch surface in the form of a that or web. The structure of the sheet is made during its formation and it cannot be more uniform than .the distribution of its fibers in the water before drainage starts. While formation can be influenced in some degree by the subsequent processing steps of pressing, drying, calendering, etc., the most critical phase of the forming extends from the delivery of the dilute stock suspension to the forming surface to the point where fiber positioning is fixed. It is during this phase that the structure is irrevocably established, and it is with this phase that the present invention is most concerned. During the long history of paper making many methods and devices for-sheet formation in production quantity have been contrived, achieving with a wide variety of refinements and with mixed success depending upon particular applications the delivery of the stock to a forming surface through which the water can drain and upon which the fibers can be deposited and built up to form a mat, and

the. formation of a sheet as indicated. These-methods and devices may be generally grouped into Fourdrinier wire systems and conventional or modified cylinder mold machine systems both of which have definite limitations and over which the present invention represents a substantial advance. It is to be notedthat the invention in effect places handsheet formation on a production basis without losing the favorable characteristics of such foroperational speed.

quirements and there is of course a practical limit to the length of such wire that can be handled, not discounting the simplification reflected in elimination of a; traveling wire of any length. The present invention also facilitates the use of lower stock consistencies, another factor favoring improved sheet formation and at the same time demanding higher flow speeds, and further contemplates means for the handling and disposal of the consequently greater quantities of water with improved efficiency and speed. v

Avoidance of another basic disadvantage of the Fourdrinier wire systems is also reflected in the present.in 'vcntion. One of its important objectives isthe provision of means and method for achieving setting of the sheet in an absolute minimum length of time, thereby reducing opportunity for flocculation to a minimum. The relatively long setting time involved in travel of the stock on the Fourdrinier wire renders the flocculation danger acute. It is noted in this connection that quantities of vacuums applicable through the conventional suction boxes of the Fourdrinier systems must be, strictly limited in order to prevent too rapid wire wear and to avoid excessive power requirements. The present invention contemplates use of substantially increased vacuum quantities which further favor quick setting time andhigher Cylinder machines of the wet-vat type are of course basically low speed machines since the undesirable. centrifugal effects of higher speeds must be avoided and. because of the low pressure differential available for forcing the water through the surface ofthe mold. 1 Another inherent deficiency of this type machine is theftende'nc'y of the fibers in the stock supply to assume orientation in the direction of rotation of the cylinder throu-ghthe stock, and efforts to combat this tendency as-xoflten as not create equally undesirable turbulence effects- Cylinder machines of the so-called dry vat type have not yet realized their potential, being seriously limited in the quantities of water that can be-handled and in their capabilities respecting forming area or zone adjustability,;delivery nozzle adjustments, pressure and vacuum application, etc. The present invention contemplates elimination of all of the foregoing disadvantages.

Other objectives of this invention closely allied in importance and in nature with that of its primary pbiective are the simplification and reduction in amount of machinery, equipment and apparatus required to successfully produce paper with not only acceptable but substantially improved sheet formation, and the provisiorr of. machinery capable of higher speeds and of handlingand disposing of greater quantities of water than any heretofore known. Simplification of the calendering problem is a very important by-product of the improvedsheet for mation resulting from practice of the invention.

Still another important objective of the invention is the provision of means having substantiallyincreased' flexibility and adjust'ability for'the successful handling-Lei varying kinds of paper stock and the production of-'.var'ying weights of paper, and under extremes of weather-and temperature conditions, featuring adjustability :of operational and stock delivery speeds, slice and nozzle-size and location, extent and location of forming area, "pres,- sure and vacuum quantities and areas of application;ietc.-,

.and emphasizing capability for critical adjustmentzof operating therewith, together with a process, for achieving delivery of the stock to the forming area with optimum uniform distribution and random orientation of the fibers and setting of the sheet thereafter in an absolute minimum length of time, thereby reducing opportunity for. flocculation to a minimum and assuring formation before the fibers can shift from their optimum state of distribution and orientation. The invention contemplates formation of the sheet and drainage of water on, the single forming roll and during the time of but a fraction of a single revolution thereof to the point where the sheet will have sufficient strength and will be sufficiently drained to permit transfer from the roll directly to the press section for further processing in conventional manner.

Another specific objective of the invention is the provision of a forming roll having a periphery of grilled construction with the greatest percentage of open area of any yet devised, with consequent facilitation of higher rotative speeds and rapid internal disposal of large volumes of water. Still another objective, associated therewith, is the provision of means internally of the roll for application of differential vacuums to selected portions of the roll periphery while in the forming area and thereafter and for cooperation with and application at the same time as or subsequent to initial velocity pressure formation, as may be desired.

The foregoing, together with further numerous and important'advantages, objectives and achievements of this invention will become more fully understood with a reading of the following detailed description and reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse elevational section of a por tion of the wet end of paper making machinery constructed in accordance with the invention, showing in their proper respective positional relationships stock flow passageway and adjustable delivery nozzle, forming roll with its grilled peripheral construction and associated interior structure for vacuum application and water disposal, and web or mat takeoff apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal elevational breakaway section of the forming roll and interior structure, taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing mounting and driving means for the roll, and showing further details of the water disposal means, the vacuum application means and adjustability features thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation of the interior structure showing further details of themechanisms for adjustment of vacuum application area locations and extents;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged rolled-out fragmentary plan view, showing further details of the grilled peripheral construction of the forming roll;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged rolled-out fragmentary perspective view, showing still further details of the grilled peripheral construction of the forming roll;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse ,elevational section, companion to FIGURE 1, but to a Somewhat smaller scale, showing the top delivery nozzle plate in a different posi tion, and emphasizing additional details of the construction and adjustability features of the top frame member, the top delivery nozzle plate and its supporting structure;

FIGURE 7 is a partial top plan view of the construction and adjustability features of the top-frame member, the top delivery nozzle plate and its supporting structure;

FIGURE 8 is a partial longitudinal multi-section elevational view of the construction and adjustability features of the top frame member, the top delivery nozzle plate and its supporting structure, and the break-up roll and drive;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary detail longitudinal elevational section of the interior structure, taken along line 9 9 of FIGURE 1, indicating connections thereto for air and water disposal, and for vacuum, application; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged transverse elevational section of the top portion of the forming roll periphery, indieating in relation thereto the ranges of positional adjustability of the delivery nozzle and the several interior areas for vacuum applications.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the apparatus 7 of the invention includes three major parts, a rotatable forming roll 2t), stock supply and delivery means 21, and stationary interior structure 22, best shown in their respective positional relationships in FIGURE 1.

Rotatable forming roll 20 of the invention has an open grilled periphery the basic structural elements of which include a series of longitudinal bars 23 spaced equally from each other about the circumference of the roll and extending lengthwise thereof, being afiixed at each end of the roll in an end ring 24, and a series of transverse supporting rings 25 spaced equally from each other between the end rings 24 longitudinally of the roll, thus forming intermittent intersections with the bars. Bars 23 and rings 24 are slotted as at- 26and 27, respectively, FIGURE 5, so as to intermesh with each other at their intersections, providing with each other a flush inwardly disposed grilled surface throughout the entire periphery of the roll. The joints formed at the intersections of such bars and rings are made fast by suitable means suchas welding, brazing or soldering. End rings 24 may be slotted about their periphery to receive the ends of bars 23 as at 28, FIGURE 2. Surface rings 29 may be shrunk fit about end rings 24 to secure bars 23 and provide a smooth continuous surface thereabout.

Over the aforesaid basic periphehal construction is placed winding wire 30, which is spirally wound lengthwise of the roll 20 with a pitch generally sufiicient to provide suitable support for backing wire mesh 31, which is in turn wrapped about the roll over said winding wire. The winding wire is preferably of the ribbon type, having a rectangular cross section, and bars 23 are slotted as at '32, FIGURE 5, to receive the winding wire and provide therewith a flush outwardly disposed grilled surface. Rings 25 have their outer edges tapered as shown in FIG- URES 2 and 5 to minimize interference with the fiow of water into the interior of the roll, and extend outward The spacings between the longitudinal bars 23 are of significance, being selected to provide open surface areas large enough to receive all of the water in the stock flow stream adjacent thereto for passage into the interior of the roll, when the stock delivery nozzle is adjusted for maximum depth of flow stream in manner as will more clearly appear hereinafter. Spacings of the supporting rings 25 are dictated by structural strength requirements, as are the cross-sectional dimensions of the bars and rings which are kept to a minimum consistent with such requirements. Illustrativcly of the foregoing feature of this inventive forming roll construction, and referring to FIG- URE l, a maximum depth of delivery flow stream in a specific equipment, as defined by the spacing between top and bottom delivery nozzle plates 34 and 35, respectively, is assumed to be 0.75 inch. and the top plate 34 is assumed to be set at 0.035 inch above the top of the-forming roll 20. It is further assumed that the stock flow through the nozzle will be at the theoretical velocity head or at a speed equal to the speed of the forming wire 33 on the periphery of the roll 20 so as to obtain a sheet of equal strength in machine direction and cross direction. Out of the 0.75 inch cross-sectional depth of approach fiow then 0.715 inch or 95.3% of the water in the approach flow must be taken internally of the roll. within the forming area defined by the ends of the top and bottom plates 34 and 35 and the portion of forming surface 33 therethus assured.

between, requiring a spacing between adjacent bars 23 of 0.7l5 inch. 0.035 inch bars, set at 0.75 inch centers will satisfy such requirement, and adequate capacity for the maximum as well as any lesser depth of approach flow is As shown in FIGURE 2, end rings 24 of the roll are shaped to provide hollow journals 36 and the roll is thereby motmted on a suitable fixed frame 37 through bearings 38 so as to be rotatable with respect to said frame 37, and conventional drive means (not shown) therefor are provided to act through drive shaft 39 and pinion 40 affixed thereto and meshing with ring gear 41 affixed to the roll journal.

Stock supply and delivery means 21 of the invention include flow passageway 50, being defined in part by the lower surface of top frame member 51 and the upper surface of bottom frame member 52, connecting with a suitable supply source and contoured so as to provide, through control of flow velocity in conjunction with a suitable line pump, delivery of the desired volume of stock suspension at 21 pressure head best suited for proper web formation. this being achieved in general by equalizing the flow velocity with the speed of forming surface 33, as heretofore indicated. Passage way contour is also selected with a view to avoidance of dead spots, and facilitating effective scouring action as Well a uniform distribution and random orientation of the fibers in the stock suspension. Inserted into this flow passageway 50 is perforated roll 53 of conventional type, rotatably mounted to top frame member 51 through bearings 54, being provided with drive motor 55, which is affixed to top frame member 51, and connecting belt 56 for relatively slow speed rotation, further serving the purpose of breaking up any fiber accumulations and maintaining uniform dis tribution and random orientation of the fibers in the stock suspension, The delivery nozzle or slice is formed of top and bottom nozzle plates 34 and 35 respectively, extending lengthwise of the roll 20, .connecting with flow passageway 50 on the delivery side of perforated roll 53, and being so positioned with respect to the forming roll as 'todelivcr the stock thereto generally at the top of the roll. As shown in FIGURES l and 6, bottom plate 35, serving also as a flow apron and being afiixed to bottom frame member 52, is positioned at a slight downwardangle. with respect to the tangent to the top point of the roll 20 and so as to introduce the stock of forming wire 33 a selected distance before the top of the rolls path of travel. terminating as closely as possible to the roll at such point of introduction. The top nozzle plate 34 extends transversely of the roll 20 beyond the bottom plate to a point generally over the top point in the path of travel of the roll periphery, thereby providing in conjunction with bottom plate a forming area or zone between the ends of the two plates within which the stock comes into contact with the forming surface 33 and wherein web formation on, the surface and water drainage internally of the roll 20 are influenced and facilitated by the velocity pressure head of the supply fiow.

Top nozzle plate adjustability through a wide range of positions relative to the bottom plate and the roll, as "evidenced by a comparison of FIGURES 1, 6 and 10, is made-possible by the mounting thereof, shown partially in FIGURE 1, and in more detail in FIGURES 6, 7, and 8. Top frame member 51, forming the upper surface of passageway and carrying perforated roll 53 rotatably mounted thereto as already described, is mounted to slide on Tkeys 60 with respect to stationary end structures 61, so as to be positionally adjustable, in a direction transversely of the rotational axis of forming roll 20, with respect to bottom frame member 52 which forms the lower surface of passageway 50. This adjustment is accomplished by means of screws 62, the heads of which are rotatably mounted within recessed bosses 63 affixed to top framework member 51, the other ends being threadably engaged with brackets 64 affixed to lower framerection..

' channel strips 101 and 104.

work member 52. Top nozzle plate 34 is mounted to top framework member 51 so as to be positionally adjustable with respect thereto by means of a parallelogram linkage assembly located near each side of member 51 as it extends longitudinally of the roll 20. One such parallelogram linkage assembly is shown in transverse section in FIGURES l and 6, and top and longitudinal elevation views thereof are shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, respectively. In this assembly slider head 70, extending across member 51 from side to side, longitudinally of roll 20, is slidably mounted on a series of T-keys 1 to top frame member 51 immediately adjacent to per orated roll Y53 and so as to be positionally adjustable w ithrespect'to member 51 in a direction angularly of the stock fiow di- This adjustment is accomplished similarly to that of the top frame 'member heretofore described by means of screws 72, the heads of which are rotatably mounted within recessed bosses 73 affixed to slider head 70, the other ends being threadably engaged with brackets 74 afiixed to top frame member'Sl. Top nozzle-plate 34 has affixed along its inner or supply edge a circularly shaped pivot rod 75 through which itis pivotally assem- 'bICdtIO the lower end of slider head 70 by means of a clamp comprising mating strips 76 and 77, recessed to engage rod 75, and screws 78 fastening said strips together and to the slider head. Atfixed to the upper portion of slider head 70 is bracket 80 with circularly shaped projecting web 81. A cross-head comprising two arms 82containing slots 83 and mounted in spaced parallel relationship with each other on brackets 84 is aflixed in-line'with projecting web 81 at the delivery end of top frame member 51. One end of a connecting link having two arms 85 in spaced parallel relationship with each other is pivotally assembled to projecting web 81, which is inserted between arms 85, by means of pivot pin 86. vThe'other end of this composite connecting link is inserted between cross-head arms 82 and pivotally and slidably assembled with respect thereto by means of pivot shaft 87 extending through both arms 85 of the connecting link and. into slots 83 of crosshead arms 82. Top nozzle plate 34 'has affixed along its outer or delivery edge an additional circularly shaped pivot rod 90 and has similar pivot rods 91 and 92 afiixed along its length intermediate of its'i-nner and outer edges, as shown in FIGURES l and 6. Mating channel strips 93 and 94, recessed to engage pivot rod 90, are pivotally clamped thereto by means of screws 95. Similarly, mating channel strips and 101-, recessed to engage pivot rod 91, are pivotally clamped theretolby means of screws 102, and mating channel strips 103 and 104, recessed to engage pivot rod 92, are pivotally clamped thereto by means of screws 105. Bosses are afiixed to channel strip 94 at spaced interval longitudinally of roll 20, as best shown in FIGURE 8, and bosses 111 and 112 are similarly affixed at the same spaced intervalsalong Threaded rods 113 are locked in bosses 110, and similar rods are locked in bosses 111 and 112. Adjustment nuts 114 are assembled to rods 113 and dual channel strip 115 is assembled tor'ods 1'13 and fastened thereto with adjustment nuts 116, as shown in FIGURE 8. Similarly, pairs of adjustment nuts 1141: (not shown) and 1160, and 11411 and 116b, and dual channel strips 115a and llSb are assembled to the'rods 113a and 1131) locked in bosses 111 and 112, respectively. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 8, dual channel" strip 115 is connected to connecting link pivot shaft by adjustment rod 120, the lower end of which has "an em larged head 121 rotatably embedded in recessed b0ss1122 affixed to dual channel strip 115. Pivot shaft 87 is transversely drilled and tapped centrally between connecting link arms 85, and the upper end of adjustment rod 1120, being suitably threaded, is threadably assembled therethrough. Dual channel strips 115a and 1151) are similarly connected to the connecting link by adjustment rodsa and 12% through pivot shafts 123 and 124 which do'not tour longitudinally of the roll 20.

of plate 34 with respect to bottom plate 35, while maintaining the height of the outer edge of plate 34 constant,

, dueto the slidable relationship thereof with the crosshead. Adjustment of rods 120, 120a and 12% is seen to alter the depth of the delivery flow stream and to selectively contourplate 34 as may be desired, Selective adjustment of rods 113, 113a and 113b, through their adjustment nuts 114 and 116, 114a and 11611, and 114b and 116b, is seen to provide practically any desired plate con- Thus is provided, through such adjustments, either in appropriate combinations or severally, a top nozzle plate assembly mounting permitting ready change in forming area, supply stream depth, and shape, direction of stock flow relative to the roll, top nozzle plate extent relative to the roll, top nozzle plate surface contour with use of a flexible plate, etc., enabling critical adjustment for best formation, all while the machine is in operation, depending upon roll speed, type of stock, weight and type of paper, atmospheric conditions, etc., and while maintaining desired structural rigidity in any adjusted position. An additional feature of the arrangement, worthy of note, is the manner in which it enables continuing location of the perforated roll very near the delivery nozzle with consequent maintenance of the desired degree of turbulence in the forming area.

Stationary interior structure 22 of the invention in-v eludes cylindrical enclosure 130, located internally of and concentrically with the forming roll 20, and extending axially the length of the roll and beyond, as best shown in FIGURE 2. being divided internally by compartment walls into three longitudinally disposed compartrhents or interior suction boxes 131, 132, and 133, in the preferred embodiment, although another selected number of such suction boxes may be similarly formed as desired. Preferably the crosssectional areas of these interior suction boxes are progressively decreased toward the drainage end thereof, providing a uniform taper longitudinally, in order to maintain adequate scouring velocity of the water therethrough. Cylindrical enclosure 130 has upwardly disposed openings 134, 135 and 136, extending axially the length of the roll, and respectively providing passageways to the interior suction boxes 131. 132 and 133, from exterior suction boxes 137, 138 and 139, the definition of which exterior boxes is completed by arms 140, 141, 142 and 143, and seals 144, 145, 146 and 147, comprising Micarta strips, held in the outer extremities of arms 140, 141, 142 and 143, respectively, which are slotted to receive said seals, and bearing against the fiush inwardly disposed grilled surface of the periphery of roll 20, thereby connecting successive portions of the grilled periphery of the roll with the separate interior suction boxes successively as the roll rotates. Each of the interior suction boxes may be independently connected to a separator tank and vacuum pump and water disposal means of conventional type, connections thereto being indicated in part at 147, 148 and 149, for boxes 131, 132 and 133, respectively, FIGURE 9. Separately controllable quantities of vacuum are thereby applied to the separate suction boxes, which are in turnadjustable as hereinafter described. Turning vanes 150 are preferably placed in openings 134, 135 and 136, and as close together as feasible, in order to guide the air and water axially of cylindrical enclosure 130 to the vacuum and water disposal connections at the end thereof and to prevent water from piling up in the interior Cir boxes. Arms 140, 141, 142 and 143 are mounted to rest upon the external surface of cylindrical enclosure and to slide circumferentially with respect thereto on T-key 151, best shown in FIGURE 2. The arms are respectively connected to longitudinally disposed and rotatably adjustable shafts 152, 153, 154 and 155, through toggle assemblies 156, 157, 158 and 159 which extend through suitably positioned slots in the wall of cylindrical enclosure 130, located to avoid obstructing openings 134, and 136. Such mechanism thus provides adjustability of circumferential extent of the several areas of the forming roll periphery, and location thereof with respect to the delivery nozzle, which may be exposed to the respective suction boxes at any instant of time, particular adjustments thereof being dependent upon extent and location of the forming zone, operational speed,,stock freeness, etc. Increasing resistance of the paper mat as it builds up on the forming surface can thus be met with correspondingly increasing quantities of vacuum and consequent efiiciency in completion of Water drainage therefrom. A particular feature of this adjustability mechanism, best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, is its ready operability while the machinery including the roll is in full operation, movement of shafts 152, 153, 154 and 155, with corresponding shifts in positions of arms 140,

142 and 143, respectively, being effected externally of one end of cylindrical enclosure 130, through which said shafts extend, by means of screw adjustment pairs 160 and 161, 162 and 163, 164 and 165, 166 and 167, and respectively associated toggles 170, 171, 172 and 173. Sealing ring segments and Micarta strip seals 181 contained therein are positioned between roll end rings 24 and cylindrical enclosure 130 to prevent leakage of air and water axially between the roll and cylindrical enclosure.

FIGURE 1 illustrates in block outline a conventional type of web or mat pickup felt in proper relative positions with respect to forming roll 20 of the invention, being adjustable in position to correspond with positional adjustments of arm 143, so as to effect the removal of the mat just after it passes beyond the last suction area on the forming roll, and transfer thereof directly to the press section for further processing. Take-off of the paper web in the manner illustrated is much facilitated by the roll periphery construction, minimizing as it does the land areas to which the web would tend to cling, and providing as it does a relationship of backing wire mesh 31 to covering wire forming surface mesh 33 such that the covering wire contacts the backing wire only at its knuckles. Heretofore removal of the web from the suction couch roll of the conventional Fourdrinier wire 'systerns has met with such resistance as to result in stretching with undesirable deterioration in paper strength, and the present inventive roll construction substantially alleviates this problem by offering much less resistance to web take-off.

In summary of the foregoing, the dilute stock suspension is delivered through flow passageway 50 and through the rotating perforated roll 53 to the delivery nozzle at the top of the forming roll 20 and with a velocity at the delivery nozzle generally equal to the rotative velocity of the forming roll periphery. Introduction of the stock suspension to the forming wire surface 33 of the roll occurs at the end of bottom nozzle plate 35, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Position of top nozzle plate 34 with respect to bottom nozzle plate 35 and forming roll 20 is adjusted and fixed by means of appropriate adjustments to top frame member 51, slider head 70, rods 120, 120a and 120b, and rods 113, 113a and 113b, to provide a fiow stream at the nozzle having desired directional, positional, volume, depth and cross-sectional shape characteristics (including compensation for cross direction defiections in wide machines), dependent upon selected operational speed, type'of stock and weight of paper desired, and to provide a forming area of selected extent .of shafts 152, 153, 154 and 155 as heretofore described,

and finally selected differential vacuum quantities are applied to such areas of the forming roll surface as so adjusted. Overall adjustments in manner aforesaid may be made while the machinery is in full operation, thereby permitting through rapid trial and error and examination of resulting sheet formation critical and optimum adjustment. The inventive process contemplates such adjustment that velocity pressure alone is active initially after introduction of the stock to the forming wire and until resistance due to build-up of the mat reaches such minimum amount that subsequent application of vacuum will not result in a -pinny" and two-sided sheet. This initial drainage by pressure from the top avoids damage to the under side of the mat, and permits use of a finer mesh forming wire, consequently leading to more uniform formation. Vacuum areas and quantities of vacuum ap plied thereafter are selected so that vacuum aid to water drainage will increase with increase in mat resistance and reach a maximum in suction box 139 in order to complete the desired amount of water drainage through the increasing resistance of the mat preliminary to removal of the mat from the roll. The quantity of vacuum that can be applied for this purpose has no such limitation as in the case of the usual suction boxes associated with the traveling wire of Fourdrinier systems wherein excessive power demand, excessive wire Wear, and ridging result from vacuums above a relatively low maximum. This feature of the present invention cooperates in making possible suchrapid formation and drainage that the sheet acquires sufficient strength for removal from the forming roll surface after fractional rotation of the roll.

Great advantage is reflected in the uniform end substantial support to the forming wire afforded by the roll structure throughout the forming process, both in and out of the forming area, facilitating weight and formation uniformity. At no point in the process is the wire unsupported or does the support vary in degree. Consequent uniformity in drainage is made possible, and sag and varying weight resulting therefrom as passage from forming area occurs is avoided. i

The optimum enclosed forming area of the inventive machinery within which velocity pressure is effective first alone and then with the aid of increasing amounts of vacuum. for a given type of stock and weight of paper to be produced, will necessarily decrease as operational speed increases. Since the velocity pressure increases as the square of the fiow speed the substantially greater amount of pressure being effective for a shorter period of time. resulting from both higher rotative speed and less extensive forming area, will achieve the desired result.

Utilization of velocity pressure and vacuums of variable'amounts and in variable areas as aforesaid accomplishes drainage of substantially all the free water through the first two boxes 137 and 138. A residual quantity passing under the top nozzle plate will be quickly drained through the increased mat resistance into box 139 with the aid of any necessary amount of vacuum.

The rapid drainage of water through the forming roll periphery as enabled by its great percentage of open area and consequent capacity for receiving all water in the adjacent flow stream permits substantially increased operational speeds which in turn further increase the rapidity with which drainage can be accomplished due to the beneficial effect of the substantially increased pressure available. Roll rotational speed is not unduly limited by undesirable centrifugal effects since these are minimized by rapidity of passage of water into the stationary suction boxes as facilitated by the rolls open peripheral construction, the velocity pressure, and selective vacuum applications. Optimum sheet formation is in turn also facilitated by the higher operational speeds with judicious adjustment of forming area, etc., due in part to the utilization of more dilute stock suspension which enhances uniformity of the final product, and due further to the more rapid setting of the sheet which occurs almost instantaneously after introduction of the stock suspension tothe forming surface and while the stock is in a stat-e of optimum turbulence and consequent uniformity of fiber distribution and random orientation. Complete elimination of top water and its shifting around during travel of the wire in Fourdrinier practice is another benefit realized by this snap-setting feature of the invention.

Thus it is seen that this invention provides a stock delivery system and a forming roll so constructed, arranged and related to each other that the drainage capacity of the roll is equal to the delivery capacity of the stock fiow means. The combination is such that the roll takes all the volume of water in the approach flow while in a turbulent state, the delivery means adding desired turbulence as the stock reaches the forming area and putting the stock out on the forming wire in optimum turbulence state to assure most favorable random and uniform fiber distribution. Adjustable delivery at the top of the roll is combined with drainage throughv the interior of the roll, and together with interior stationary and adjustable structure, permits utilization of velocity pressure alone initially to give all Water drainage required, with resort to vacuums for completion of drainage only as mat resistance builds up, all in selected and variable combinations readily chosen to provide optimum op erability and sheet formation for a wide variety of stocks, papers, and weights thereof, and under a wide variety of operating conditions. With the provision of the machinery and process of the invention the benefits of hand sheet formation are substantially realizable in 'rapid' quantity production of continuou sheet, with the accom panying advantages of higher speeds and greater flexibility and adaptability than heretofore known. 4

While the invention has now been describedand illustrated in considerable detail, it is not intended to be confined to the particular embodiments and arrangements thereof so shown. Many modifications and variations in such embodiments and arrangements as well as other embodiments thereof will readily occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of this specification, all of which must be understood to be fully within the scope and coverage of this invention and the appended claims."

Having so described and illustrated the invention, whatis claimed is:

1. In paper making machinery, a substantially hollow rotatably mounted forming roll with an open grilled periphery including pluralities of intersecting longitudinalbars and transverse supporting n'ngs defining therebe tween a network of open areas about the periphery, a covering wire mesh forming surface, and means for delivering a continuous flow of dilute stock suspension'to' the forming surface at variable speed and invariable volume including a delivery nozzle having top-and bot? tom nozzle plates, said nozzle plates being so arranged with respect to each other and the roll as-to define there-'- between a substantially enclosed forming zone, saidb'ot-'- torn nozzle plate being positioned at a slight downward angle with respect to the tangent at the top point'ofthe" roll and so as to introduce the stock to the forming '-sur'-' face a selected distance before the top of the rolls path of travel and terminating in close proximity with the mu at such point of introduction, said top nozzle plate ex= tending transversely of the roll beyond the bottom plate to a point generally over the top point in the path of travel of the roll periphery, said longitudinal bars being uniformly spaced about the periphery of the forming roll so that the spacing between adjacent ones of said bars is no less than the difference between the maximum spacing between the top and bottom nozzle plates at the point of introduction of the stock to the forming surface and the minimum spacing of the top nozzle plate above the top point in the path of' travel of the forming surface.

2. Means for the delivery of a continuous flow of dilute stock suspension to a forming surface in paper manufacturing machinery having top and bottom frame members and a delivery nozzle including a bottom nozzle plate mounted on the bottom frame member, a parallelogram linkage and a top nozzle plate adjustably assembled to the top frame member thereby, said parallelogram linkage including a slider head mounted to said top frame member so as to be slidable with respect thereto in a direction angularly of the stock flow direction with said top nozzle plate being pivotally clamped to the lower edge thereof along its supply edge, a cross-head fixed to the top frame member, a connecting link one end of which is pivotally assembled to the slider head and the other end of which is pivotally and slidably assembled to the cross-head, a clamping assembly pivoted to the top nozzle plate along its delivery edge, and an adjustment rod connecting said clamping assembly to the end of the connecting link pivotally and slidably assembled to the cross-head.

3. In paper making machinery, a rotatable forming roll having an open grilled peripheral structure and a covering wire mesh forming surface, and stationary structure positioned interiorly thereof for the application of vacuum and the drainage of water including a cylindrical enclosure extending longitudinally of the roll and divided into a plurality of longitudinally disposed interior suction boxes, a plurality of arms mounted on said enclosure and extending outwardly to the forming roll peripheral structure to define a number of exterior suction boxes equal to the number of interior suction boxes, openings in the wall of the enclosure to connect each of the interior boxes with a separate one of the exterior boxes, said arms being adjustable circumferentially of the enclosure and an adjustment shaft for each arm extending longitudinally through one end of the enclosure and toggle assemblies connecting such adjustment shaft to its respective arm.

4. Means for the delivery of a continuous flow of dilute stock suspension to a forming surface in paper manufacturing machinery including a bottom frame member the upper surface of which partially defines the lower surface contour of a stock flow passageway, a bottom nozzle plate mounted on said bottom frame member and having a del' 'ery edge terminating in close proximity to the form ing surface, a top frame member the lower surface of which partially defines the upper surface contour of the stock flow passageway, said top frame member being mounted so as to be positionally adjustable with respect to the bottom frame member in a direction longitudinally of the stock fiow passageway, a slider head extending transversely of the top frame member, a plurality of T- l-teys slidably mounting said slider head to the top frame member so as to be slidable with respect thereto in a direction angularly of the stock fiow direction, a plurality of brackets spaced transversely of the top frame member and affixed thereto, a plurality of corresponding recessed bosses atfixed to the slider head, a screw having a head at one end rotatably mounted within each of said recessed bosses and having its opposite end threadably engaged with a corresponding one of said brackets so as to permit positional adjustment of said slider head with respect to said top frame member by selectable adjustment of said screws, said top nozzle plate being pivotally clamped to the lower edge of said slider head along its supply edge, a plurality of brackets each with a projecting web spaced transversely of and affixed to the upper portion of saidslider head, a plurality of cross-heads correspondingly spaced transversely of and affixed to the top frame member, a connecting link joining each cross-head to the slider head, one end of said connecting linkbeing pivotally and slidably assembled to the cross-head and the other end thereof being pivotally assembled to the corresponding bracket projecting'web, a clamping assembly pivoted to the top nozzle plate along its delivery edge, and an adjustment rod pivotally connecting said clamping assembly to the end of each said connecting link pivotally and slidably assembled to each cross-head.

5. In the means of claim 4 for the delivery of 'a continuous flow of dilute stock suspension to a forming surface in paper manufacturing machinery, an additional clamping assembly pivoted to the top nozzle plate along the breadth thereof intermediate of its supply and delivery edges, and an adjustment rod pivotally connecting said clamping assembly to each said connecting link intermediate of its ends.

6. Means for the delivery of a continuous flow of dilute stock suspension to a moving forming surface in paper manufacturing machinery including a bottom frame member the upper surface of which partially defines the lower surface contour of a stock flow passageway, a bottom nozzle plate mounted on said bottom frame member and having a delivery edge terminating in close proximity to the forming surface, a top frame member the lower surface of which partially defines the upper surface contour of the stock flow passageway, said top frame member being mounted so as to be positionally adjustable with respect to the bottom frame member in a direction longitudinally of the stock fiow passageway, a slider head extending transversely across the top frame member, a plurality of T-keys slidably mounting said slider head to the top frame member so as to be slidable with respect thereto in a direction angularly of the stock flow direction, a plurality of brackets spaced transversely of the top frame member and affixed thereto, a plurality of recessed bosses spaced transversely of the slider head in respective correspondcnce with the spacing of said brackets and affixed to the slider head, a screw having a head at one end rotatably mounted within each of said recessed bosses and having its opposite end threadably engaged with a corresponding one of said brackets so as to permit positional adjustment of said slider head with respect to said top frame member and the stock flow passageway by adjustment of said screws, a top nozzle plate pivotally clamped to the lower edge of said slider head along its supply edge, a plurality of brackets each with a projecting web spaced transversely of and affixed to the upper portion of said slider head, a plurality of cross-heads spaced transversely of the top frame member at the delivery end thereof in respective correspondence with the spacing of said brackets with projecting webs, each cross-head comprising two arms. each arm containing a slot, and brackets affixed to the top frame member and mounting said arms in spaced parallel relationship with each other in line with a corresponding projecting web, a connecting link for each crosshead and its corresponding slider head bracket projecting web, said connecting link having two arms in spaced parallel relationship with each other, said projecting web being inserted between and pivotally assembled to said connecting link arms at one end thereof, the other end of said connecting link being inserted between the crosshead arms, and a pivot shaft extending through both arms of the connecting link and into the slots of the crosshead arms pivotally and slidably assembling said connecting link end with respect to said cross-head, a pair of mating channel strips pivotally clamped to said top nozzle plate along its delivery edge, a plurality of bosses spaced along and affixed to one of said mating channel strips, a threaded rod locked into each of said bosses, a dual channel strip extending along said top nozzle plate assembled and fastened to said threaded rods, and an adjustment rod connecting said dual channel strip to each cross-head connecting link pivot shaft.

7. In the means of claim 6, an adjustment nut threadtive boss and said dual channel strip, each threaded rod extending through said dual channel strip, and a second adjustment nut threadably engaged with such threaded rod fastening said dual channel strip thereto.

8. In the means of claim 7, at least one additional pair of mating channel strips pivot-ally clamped to said top nozzle plate along its length intermediate of its supply and delivery edges, a plurality of bosses spaced along and affixed toione. of said additional pair of mating channel strips,.a threaded rod locked into each of said bosses, an additional dual channel strip extending along said top nozzle plate and assembled to said threaded rods, an adjustment nut threadably engaged with each threaded rod betweenits respective boss and said dual channel strip, each threaded rod-extending through said dual channel strip, a second adjustment nut threadably engaged with each threaded rod fastening said dual channel strip thereto, an additional pivot shaft extending between the arms of each cross-head connecting link intermediate of its ends and terminating short of the cross-head arms, and an adjustment rod connecting said additional dual channel strip to each said additional pivot shaft,

9. In the means of claim 8, each-adjustment rod connecting its respective dualchannel strip to its respective cross-head connecting link pivot shaft having an enlarged head at its lower end, .an associated recessed boss afi'ixed to its respective -dual channel strip, with said enlarged head rotata'bly. embedded in said boss, its respective pivot shaft being transversely drilled and tapped centrally between saidconnecting link arms, and the upper end of the adjustment rod being suitably threaded and threadably assembled through such pivot shaft centrally between said connecting link arms.

10. In paper making machinery, a rotatable forming roll having an open grilled peripheral structure and a covering wire mesh forming surface, and stationary interior structure for the application of vacuum and the drain-. age of water including a cylindrical enclosure positioned internally of and concentrically with the forming roll and extending axially throughout'and beyond the roll, compartment walls. dividing said cylindrical enclosure into a plurality of interiorv suction boxes, each interior suction box having a separate connection at one end of the cylindrical enclosure for independent connection to a separator tank and vacuum pump and water disposal means, the cross-sectional areas of said boxes progressively decreasing toward such end to provide a uniform taper longitudinally thereof, a plurality of arms extending lengthwise of the roll and being superposed over and assembled to the cylindrical enclosure to define a plurality of exterior suction boxes so that ,one such exterior suction box is associated with each interior suction box, said cylindrical enclosure having an upwardly disposed opening for each interior suction box extending axially the length of the roll to provide apassageway to such interior suction box from its corresponding exterior suction box, a plurality of turning vanes positioned in each said opening to guide air and water axially of the cylindrical enclosure, a seal beingassembled into the outer extremity of each arm and bearing against the inwardly disposed grilled surface of the forming roll so as to connect successive portions of thegrilled peripheral structure of the roll with the separate interior suction boxes successively as the roll rotates, each of said arms being shaped and mounted to rest upon the external surface of the cylindrical enclosure and having a plurality of T-keys assembling it to such enclosure so that it is slidable circumferentially thereof, a longitudinally disposed and rotatably adjustable shaft for each arm, a plurality of slots in the wall of the cylindrical enclosure and a plurality of toggle assemblies for'each arm connecting such arm to its respective shaft through said slots, each shaft extending longitudinally of the cylindrical enclosure through one end thereof, a screw adjustment pair for each shaft externally of said enclosure end and-an associated toggle fastened to said shaft and ex--' tending between said screw adjustment pair, an end ring assembled to each end of the forming roll and formed into a hollow journal for the rotatable mounting of said roll,

a sealing ring segment and strip seal positioned between said roll end ring and the cylindrical enclosure at each end of the roll to prevent leakageofrair and water axially between the roll and cylindrical enclosure.

11. In paper making machinery, a substantially hollow rotatably mounted forming rollwith an open grilled peripheral structure including a plurality of bars each extending longitudinally of the roll and uniformly spaced apart from each other about the periphery thereof and a plurality of supporting rings each extending circumfer entially of the roll and spaced apart from each other along the length thereof and'intersecting said-bars to define therewith a network of open areas about the roll periphery openly presenting as so defined to the hollow'interior thereof, a covering wire mesh forming surface completely enveloping and drawn tight and fastened about the periphery of the roll, means for delivering a continu ous flow of dilute stock suspension to the forming surface including a delivery nozzle having a top nozzle'plate and a bottom nozzle plate, said bottom nozzle plate being fixedly positioned so as to introduce the dilute stock suspension to the forming surface a selected distance before the top point of the forming surfaces path of travel and 1 terminating in close proximity with th forming surface at such point of' introduction, said'top nozzle platebeing positionally adjustable with respect to the bottom nozzle plate and the forming surface and extending transversely of the roll beyond the bottom plate to a point generally over the top point of the forming surfaces path of travel,

the spacing between adjacent ones of said bars about the periphery of the roll being at least equal to the maximum spacing between the top and bottom nozzle plates at the point of introduction of the dilute stock suspension to the forming surface less the minimum spacing of the top nozzle plate above the top point of the forming surfacespath of travel, means for rotatably driving the forming roll and for equalizing the speeds of travel of the forming-surface and of the approach flow of dilute stock suspension, a bottom frame member to which the bottom nozzle plate is affixed, a top frame member and a parallelogram linkage adjustably assembling the top nozzle plate to the top frame member, said parallelogram linkage' including a slider head mounted to said top frame mem-' her so as to be slidable with respect thereto in a direction angularly of the stock fiow direction with said top nozzle plate being pivotally clamped to the lower edgether'eof along its supply edge, a cross-head fixed to the topv frame member, a connecting link one end of which ispivotallyassembled to the slider head and the other end of which is pivotally and slidably assembled to the cross-head, a" clamping assembly pivoted to the top nozzle plate along its delivery edge, and an adjustment rod connecting "said. clamping assembly to the end of the connecting link' piv: otally and slidably assembled to the cross-head, an addi= tional clamping assembly pivoted to the top nozzleplate along the breadth thereof intermediate of its supply+-and delivery edges, and an adjustment rod connecting said additional clamping assembly to said connecting link: in-.

termediate of its ends, a stationary interior structuretforthe application of vacuum and the drainage of water including a cylindrical enclosure positioned internally 'of and concentrically with the forming roll, compartment. walls dividing said cylindrical enclosure into a plurality:

of interior suction boxes, each interior suctionbox having a separate connection at one end of the cylindrical enclosure for independent connection to a separator tank and vacuum pump and Water disposal means, a plurality of arms mounted on said enclosure and extending outa wardly to the forming roll to define a number of exterior suction boxes equal to the number of interior suction boxes and so as to connect successive portions of the grilled peripheral structure of the roll with the separate exterior suction boxes successively as the roll rotates, openings in the wall of the enclosure to connect each interior suction box with a separate one of the exterior suction boxes, a plurality of T-keys assembling each arm to the enclosure so as to be slidable circumferentially thereof and an adjustment shaft for each arm extending longitudinally through one end of the enclosure and toggle assemblies connecting such adjustment shaft to its respective arm, and mat pickup means positioned proximately of the forming roll so as to contact the mat on the forming roll after the last suction area and receive said mat directly from said roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 902,505 Parker Oct. 27, 1908 118 Parker Sept.'17, Wenzel Oct. 16, Ellis May 30, Berry Apr. 18, Street Ian. 4, Ostertag et a1. Apr. 8, Brown Aug. 2, Beachler Aug. 2, Lee July 31, Lee July 31, Boronow et a1 Feb. 26, Trotman Aug. 20,

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