Patent ID: 6117274
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: D21F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
An on-machine-seamable multi-axial press fabric for the press section of a paper machine, said press fabric comprising:a first base fabric, said first base fabric having a first fabric ply and a second fabric ply fashioned from an endless base fabric layer, said endless base fabric layer comprising a fabric strip having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a plurality of lengthwise yarns and a plurality of crosswise yarns, said fabric strip being spirally wound in a plurality of contiguous turns wherein said first lateral edge in a given turn of said first fabric strip abuts said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a helically continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said fabric strip, said helically continuous seam being closed by attaching abutting first and second lateral edges of said fabric strip to one another, thereby providing said base fabric layer in the form of an endless loop having a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, an inner surface and an outer surface, said endless base fabric layer being flattened to produce said first fabric ply and said second fabric ply having two widthwise edges, said first fabric ply and said second fabric ply being connected to one another at folds along said two widthwise edges, at least one crosswise yarn in each of said turns of said fabric strip being removed at each of said folds at said two widthwise edges to provide unbound sections of lengthwise yarns of said fabric strip at said folds;a second base fabric, said second base fabric being an on-machine-seamable base fabric comprising lengthwise and crosswise yarns, said lengthwise yarns forming seaming loops along two widthwise edges of said second base fabric, said second base fabric having a length, exclusive of said seaming loops, equal to that of said first fabric ply and said second fabric ply of said first base fabric, said second base fabric being disposed between said first fabric ply and said second fabric ply, said seaming loops of said second base fabric extending outwardly between said unbound sections of lengthwise yarns from between said first fabric ply and said second fabric ply; andat least one layer of staple fiber batt material needled into one of said first and second fabric plies and through said second base fabric to the other of said first and second fabric plies to laminate said first fabric ply, said second base fabric and said second fabric ply to one another.