Patent ID: 6139687
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: D21F

Abstract:
A method of making a multi-layered paper comprising the acts of:(a) forming an aqueous solution of papennaking fibers;(b) pumping the aqueous solution to a papermaking headbox having a reinforced flexible extended divider therein;(c) the divider having an upstream end a middle section and a downstream end, the cross-machine stiffness of the downstream end being greater than or equal to the cross-machine stiffness of the middle section and upstream end sections, and, the cross-machine stiffness of the downstream end increasing from the point adjacent the middle section to the downstream end;(d) while in the headbox, flowing the aqueous solution over the divider from its upstream end to its downstream end;(e) the aqueous solution exiting the headbox while still maintaining contact with the divider;(f) the aqueous solution leaving contact with the divider at its downstream end and issuing from the divider as a free jet;(g) the free jet impinging a forming zone of a papermaking machine, where water is removed from the aqueous solution to form a wet web and further dewatering the wet web to form a paper sheet; and,(h) the divider while in contact with the aqueous solution after the aqueous solution exited the headbox resisting buckling and binding in the cross-machine direction thereby reducing cross-machine direction variations in the profile of the free jet and variations in cross-machine direction basis weight.