Seamed papermaker's press felt with reinforced batt layer

Abstract

A papermaker's felt includes: a base fabric having a seam; and at least one batt layer overlying the base fabric, wherein the batt layer includes a flap that overlies the seam. The batt layer comprises multiple batt sublayers and at least one scrim layer, the scrim layer comprising a polyamide elastomer or a polyolefin elastomer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 984,596, filed Apr. 25, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to papermaking, and more particularly to fabrics used in papermaking.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]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 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 formi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a papermakers felt used in the process of making paper. The felt has a base fabric with a seam and at least one layer of bast (batt) overlying it. The batt layer includes a flap that overlies the seam. The battle layer has multiple sublayers and at least one scrim layer made of a special polymer. The technical effects of the invention are improved flexibility, durability, and better control over the paper making process.

Problems solved by technology

When the single layer fabric is cut, its yarns, particularly its cross machine direction yarns, tend to fray somewhat at the cut.

Thus, when the felt is installed and operated on the paper machine, the frayed ends of the finer mesh single layer fabric can interfere with the manner in which the cut portion of the batt layer (which is often a flap of batt layer material) overlays the base fabric.

As such, paper formed with such a felt can have an inconsistent appearance and be more susceptible to breaking on the paper machine due to the presence of the seam of the felt.

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