The present invention relates generally to papermaking, and relates more specifically to forming fabrics employed in papermaking.
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 rolls. 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 or vacuum located on the lower surface of the upper run (i.e., the “machine side”) of the fabric.
After leaving the forming section, the paper web is transferred to a press section of the paper machine, where 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 of the press felt. The paper is then transferred to a dryer section for further moisture removal. After drying, the paper is ready for secondary processing and packaging.
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 papermakers' fabric on the papermaking machine, and a direction parallel to the fabric surface and traverse to the direction of travel. Likewise, directional references to the vertical relationship of the yarns in the fabric (e.g., above, below, top, bottom, beneath, etc.) assume that the papermaking surface of the fabric is the top of the fabric and the machine side surface of the fabric is the bottom of the fabric.
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 on a pin-seamable flap or a special foldback on each end, then reweaving these into pin-seamable loops. A number of auto-joining machines are now commercially available, which for certain fabrics may be used to automate at least part of the joining process. 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 basic weaving 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. 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 are important considerations in papermaking, especially for the forming section of the papermaking machine, where the wet web is initially formed. Additionally, the forming fabrics should exhibit good stability when they are run at high speeds on the papermaking machines, and preferably are highly permeable to reduce the amount of water retained in the web when it is transferred to the press section of the paper machine. In both tissue and fine paper applications (i.e., paper for use in quality printing, carbonizing, cigarettes, electrical condensers, and like) the papermaking surface comprises a very finely woven or fine wire mesh structure.
Typically, finely woven fabrics such as those used in fine paper and tissue applications 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 affect 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 weave fabrics, 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 paperside 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. However, they may also be bound together using yarns from one or more of the sets of bottom and top cross machine direction and machine direction 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. Pat. No. 4,423,755 to Thompson, and illustrative triple layer fabrics are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,303 to Osterberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,326 to Vohringer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,315 to Ward and U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,195 to Ward.
The present invention relates to machine direction yarn stitched triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics which can exhibit relatively good drainage, permeability and machine direction yarn stacking characteristics.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics has a set of top MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of top CMD yarns to form at least part of a top fabric layer having a papermaking surface, and a set of bottom MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of bottom CMD yarns to form at least part of a bottom fabric layer having a machine side surface. These fabrics further include a set of stitching MD yarn pairs. The stitching MD yarns that comprise each such pair weave in both the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer such that at locations where the first yarn in the pair weaves in the top fabric layer the second yarn in the pair drops down into the bottom fabric layer. In this manner the two stitching MD yarns in each pair together complete the weave in the top fabric layer and bind the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer together. In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least one stitching MD yarn pair is provided adjacent each top MD yarn. Additionally, the top MD yarns, the top CMD yarns, and the stitching MD yarn pairs may be woven to form a top fabric layer having a plain weave pattern. Each stitching MD yarn may also be woven so as to pass below the same bottom CMD yarn as does the bottom MD yarn directly adjacent to it. In some embodiments, each stitching MD yarn is woven so that it couples with one of the bottom MD yarns at locations where the stitching MD yarn passes below the bottom CMD yarns so that the stitching MD yarn and the bottom MD yarn form side-by-side machine-side machine direction knuckles.
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, at least some of the top CMD yarns that the stitching MD yarns pass over immediately before dropping down into the bottom fabric layer have a larger diameter and/or a higher modulus than the remainder of the top CMD yarns. The fabrics may also be constructed so that all of the yarns in the set of top MD yarns weave over the same top CMD yarns and so that the top CMD yarns that the top MD yarns pass over have a smaller diameter and/or a lower modulus than the remainder of the top CMD yarns.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the triple layer forming fabrics may be woven so that in each repeat unit of the fabric the first stitching MD yarn in each stitching MD yarn pair passes below the same bottom CMD yarn as does the bottom MD yarn directly adjacent to the second stitching MD yarn in each stitching MD yarn pair. In this embodiment, each stitching MD yarn may also couple with a non-adjacent bottom MD yarn at locations where each stitching MD yarn passes below one of the bottom CMD yarns.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics has a set of top MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of top CMD yarns to form at least part of a top fabric layer having a papermaking surface, and a set of bottom MD yarns that are interwoven exclusively with a set of bottom CMD yarns to form at least part of a bottom fabric layer having a machine side surface. These fabrics further include a pair of additional MD yarns disposed on either side of each top MD yarn, where the first yarn of each pair weaves exclusively in the top fabric layer and the second yarn of each pair completes the weave of the first yarn on the papermaking surface and also weaves with the bottom fabric layer so as to bind the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layers together. In this embodiment, the fabric may be woven so that the second yarn of each pair additional of MD yarns passes over no more than two top CMD yarns in any repeat of the fabric and/or passes over no more than a single top CMD yarn at a time. Additionally, in these embodiments the machine side surface may be woven in a 1×3 twill pattern.
In each of the above described embodiments, the papermaking surface of the fabric may be woven in a variety of different weave patterns, specifically including 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 2×2 and 2×3 twill patterns and a 1×1 plain weave pattern.
Another aspect of the present invention includes methods of using a triple layer papermaker's forming fabric as described above for making paper.
FIGS. 12A—12D are machine direction section views taken along the lines 12A—12A through 12D—12D in FIGS. 10 and 11.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments or other embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the figures, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to machine direction yarn stitched triple layer papermaker's forming fabrics that include both a top fabric layer and a bottom fabric layer. These fabrics are “true” triple layer fabrics in that they include sets of machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns that only weave in the top fabric layer, as well as sets of machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns that only weave in the bottom fabric layer. The fabrics also include pairs of adjacent machine direction yarns that together replace the equivalent of a single machine direction yarn in the weave pattern on the papermaking surface. These yarns are woven such that when one yarn in the pair is weaving in the top fabric layer so as to complete the weave pattern on the papermaking surface, the second yarn in the pair weaves below the papermaking surface. Throughout the fabric, these yarns trade these positions. At least one of the yarns in the pair also drops down to the bottom fabric layer at one or more points so as to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together. Herein, these yarn pairs are referred to as “stitching MD yarn pairs” (even in those embodiments in which only one yarn of the pair actually “stitches” with the bottom fabric layer). Individual yarns from these yarn pairs are typically referred to as a “stitching MD yarn.”
An embodiment of the machine direction yarn stitched triple layer fabrics of the present invention is illustrated in
As seen in
As shown in
Referring now to
As shown best in
As noted above, in the fabric depicted in
As can be seen from
As can also be seen in
The coupling arrangement that occurs between the bottom MD yarns 150-153 and the stitching MD yarns 120-127 may have several beneficial effects in certain applications. First, by coupling at these locations each individual yarn may come into less contact with the papermaking machine since the yarns tend to act to protect each other. This may advantageously extend the life of the fabric, as a potential failure point for the fabric is wear of the MD yarns that come in contact with the papermaking machine. Additionally, having two MD yarns coupled at the locations where the MD yarns float below the CMD yarns potentially acts to increase the upward force on the bottom CMD yarn at that location. This increased upward force helps to “bury” the machine side MD yarn floats up into the bottom fabric layer 104, which further may help to reduce the machine-induced wear on the bottom MD yarns 150-153 and the stitching MD yarns 120-127. Third, as best seen in
In the embodiment of
Another fabric 200 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in
As seen in
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, it will be realized that the position of the stitching MD yarns in the fabric may have a significant impact on fabric performance. For example, in the fabric 100 of
The fabric 300 depicted in
As shown best in
Note that in fabric 300, the stitching MD yarns in each stitching MD yarn pair are pulled toward each other by the forces that cause those yarns to couple with the bottom MD yarns. As a result, the stitching MD yarns tend to align themselves approximately halfway between the bottom MD yarns (except at the locations where they couple with a bottom MD yarn), which provides for improved straight through drainage in the fabric. In contrast, in the fabric 100 of
The principles of the present invention can be extended to fabrics woven with different repeat patterns. For instance, a triple layer fabric 400 according to the present invention woven on 20 harnesses is depicted in
As seen in
423, 428; 424, 429 in a plain weave pattern, meaning that each of the top CMD yarns 430-439 alternatively pass below one, and then above the next, of the machine direction yarns that at that point are weaving in the papermaking surface.
Referring now to
As shown in
The present invention is directed to “true” triple layer fabrics—meaning triple layer fabrics that include (1) a set of MD yarns and a set of CMD yarns that each weave exclusively in a top fabric layer and (2) a set of MD yarns and a set of CMD yarns that each weave exclusively in a bottom fabric layer—that are stitched together by machine direction yarns. Such machine direction yarn stitched true triple layer fabrics may typically be manufactured less expensively than most high-performance cross machine direction yarn triple layer fabrics while providing improved fiber support (with the plain weave top surface) compared to conventional double layer fabrics. Pursuant to the teachings of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the machine direction yarn stitched true triple layer fabrics may have improved stacking of the machine direction yarns, increased permeability and higher void volumes as compared to double layer fabrics. Additionally, by using yarn pairs that complete the weave in the papermaking surface as the stitching yarns it is possible to bind the fabric together at numerous locations, thereby providing a very stable fabric that is not particularly susceptible to interlayer wear.
Each of the fabrics 100, 200, 300, 400 depicted in the figures includes MD stitching yarn pairs in which the yarns that comprise the pair interlace with the top fabric layer an unequal number of times in each repeat of the fabric. For example, as shown best in
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications can be made to the above described fabrics. By way of example, the stitching MD yarn pairs can have a wide variety of weave patterns in terms which they complete the weave of the top fabric layer. Thus, the number of top MD yarns that each stitching MD yarn passes over to complete the plain weave pattern on the papermaking surface may vary, as may the frequency with which the yarns pass in and out of the top fabric layer. Additionally, a variety of different weave patterns may be employed in the top fabric layer, specifically including 1×2 twill, 2×2 twill, 1×3 twill and 1×4 twill papermaking surfaces, as well as various derivatives of the above-mentioned weave patterns, specifically including broken twill patterns such as those embodied in 4 or 5 harness satin single layer fabrics, which are known in the art as providing a good papermaking surface. Likewise, the frequency of the stitch points and/or the ratio of top-to-bottom machine direction and/or cross machine direction yarns may be varied. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be construed based on the claims appended hereto, as opposed to the illustrative examples of the claimed fabrics which are provided herein to fully enable those of skill in the art to practice the claimed invention.
Another exemplary modification would be to alternate for each adjacent stitching MD yarn pair the warp beam from which the stitching MD yarns are woven. For example, the fabric of
Those of skill in the art will likewise appreciate that the stitching MD yarn pairs need not be included between every adjacent pair of top MD yarns. Instead, a stitching MD yarn pair may be provided after every second, third, fourth or fifth top MD yarn. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the frequency of interlacing can be varied from that shown in the fabrics pictured herein. However, the stitching MD yarns should sufficiently bind the upper and lower fabric layers together to prevent excessive movement between the fabric layers, as such excessive movement could result in severe inter-layer wear problems.
Yet another exemplary modification would be to shift the positions of the top fabric layer and the bottom fabric layer of the depicted embodiments (or other embodiments) relative to each other. For example, in the fabric 100 of
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, the size and or stiffness of selected of the top CMD yarns may be varied to improve fabric performance. As illustrated best in
The use of larger diameter and/or higher modulus top CMD yarns may also improve uniformity of the papermaking surface at the transition points themselves. If such yarns are not used, the papermaking surface knuckle formed by the top CMD yarn directly over the transition point may be lower than the remainder of the knuckles formed by the top CMD yarns because the stitching MD yarns at that location dive down at a steeper angle and hence provide less support to the top CMD yarn. By using larger diameter or higher modulus yarns on the top CMD yarn positions that straddle the transition point it is possible to raise the height of the top CMD yarn that passes over the transition point at the transition point location.
Notably, in the bottom fabric layers 104, 204, 304, 404 of fabrics 100, 200, 300, 400, respectively, the set of bottom MD yarns and the set of bottom CMD yarns form a machine-side surface having only “single float” machine direction knuckles. By a “single float” machine-side machine direction knuckle it is meant that when the bottom fabric layer is viewed from the top, no machine direction yarn passes under more than one consecutive cross machine direction yarn (such that the MD yarn is on the machine-side surface) before passing back to the top surface of the bottom fabric layer. In a preferred embodiment of the triple layer forming fabrics of the present invention, the bottom fabric layer is woven so as to have a machine side surface composed exclusively of machine side “single float” machine direction knuckles.
The fabrics pictured and otherwise described and claimed herein may be employed in a variety of applications, including forming fine paper grades, tissue paper, brown paper and newsprint, but is especially beneficial of fine paper, newsprint and brown paper applications.
The configurations of the individual yarns utilized in the fabrics of the present invention can vary, depending upon the desired properties of the final papermakers' 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 papermakers' fabric. For example, the yarns may be formed of polypropylene, polyester, nylon, or the like. The skilled artisan should select a yarn material according to the particular application of the final fabric.
Regarding yarn dimensions, the particular size of the yarns is typically governed by the mesh of the papermaking surface. In a typical embodiment of the triple layer fabrics disclosed herein, preferably the diameter of the top CMD yarns, and all of the MD yarns is between about 0.10 and 0.20 mm, and the diameter of the bottom CMD yarns is between about 0.22 and 0.50 mm. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that yarns having diameters outside the above ranges may be used in certain applications. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top CMD yarns and all of the MD yarns have diameters between about 0.15 and 0.17 mm, and the diameter of the bottom CMD yarns is between about 0.25 and 0.40 mm to provide fabrics with a target top mesh of 75×75 yarns per inch. Fabrics employing these yarn sizes may be implemented with polyester yarns or a combination of polyester and nylon yarns.
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, methods of making paper are provided. Pursuant to these methods, one of the exemplary papermaker's forming fabrics described herein is provided, and paper is then made by applying paper stock to the forming fabric and by then removing moisture from the paper stock. As the details of how the paper stock is applied to the forming fabric and how moisture is removed from the paperstock is well understood by those of skill in the art, additional details regarding this aspect of the present invention will not be provided herein.
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.
This application claims priority to and is a continuation of parent application number 10/391,827, filed Mar. 19, 2003 U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if set forth fully herein.
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Child | 11042719 | US |