A DEVICE FOR MOUNTING FABRICS IN PAPERMAKING MACHINES

Abstract: A device for mounting fabrics in papermaking machines, which device consists of a supplementary strip (5) mounted along the lengthwise edge or edges of the fabric (1). Spaced apart apertures (6) are formed in the strip along the length of the fabric. The apertures (6) are shaped so as to be gripped manually or by means of special tools. Instead of a strip with apertures formed therein separate gripping means in the form of handle loops may be attached to the fabric in spaced-apart relationship along the edge or edges of the fabric.

Description: A DEVICE FOR MOUNTING FABRICS IN PAPERMAKING MACHINES. The subject invention rel ates to a device for mounting fabrics in papermaking machines. In the manufacture of paper the starting product is a fibre sl urry suspended in water. The slurry is deposited in an even layer onto an endless wire fabric for dewateri ng of the fibrous layer which then is formed into a wet paper web. For further dewatering the paper web formed on the fabric is carried through presses in which the paper web is supported by press fel ts. Generally, these felts consist of endless textile belts which when used in modern papermaking machines may have a width of 10 metres and a length of 10-30 metres. The fel t may have a wei ght of 1-2 kg/π.2, ich gives a total wei ght of several hundreds of kilos. The fel ts wear out rapidly and usually need repl acement after 5-30 days. To effect fel t replacement it is necessary to move the press rol lers apart and al so to di splace several other machine elements to allow removal of the worn fel t and apply a fresh one in its place. The felt i s ri gi d and hard, rather simi lar to wal l-to-wall carpets , and it is placed in position entirely manually, since it is important that the felt surface is not damaged in order to avoid that fractural impressions or marks are produced in the paper web being dewatered ' with the aid of the fel t. The above-described work invol ed in placing the fabric in position in the machine is a heavy and time-consuming one. To facil itate it, attempts have been made to provide the fabric edges with attachable clamping tools but the l atter easily mark the felt to a non-acceptable degree. Since clamping tool s of thi s kind may separate from the fel t they additionally constitute a non-acceptable safety hazard. The purpose of the subject invention is to provide a device of the ki nd referred to for use in papermaker' s fabrics to faci l itate and shorten the work of mounting new fel ts on papermaking machines. This purpose is obtained in accordance with the invention j by means of a device designed for mounting fabrics on papermaking machines, which device is characterized therein that along one of its longitudinal edges or along both longitudinal edges the fabric is provided with a supplementary strip having integral gripping means thereon or being equipped with separate gripping means which are adapted to be gripped by hand or by means of a tool. The strip may be made integral with the fabric itself or it may consist of a separate strip which is attached to the fabric during the manufacture of the latter, either by being sewn onto the fabric or secured thereto by means of an automatic coupling means, such as e.g. a zip fastener. Preferably, the strip is provided with apertures which are equally spaced apart along the length of the strip and form the gripping means proper. These apertures may be made by punching and may be comparatively large to allow insertion and engagement w th a hand or comparatively small to allow special tools to be secured therein. Alternatively, the separate gripping means may be in the form of handle loops which are sewn onto the fabric at intervals along the fabric edge or edges after the manufacture proper of the fabric. The gripping means with its associated strip, if any, may be designed to remain attached to the fabric without affecting the function of the latter during operation in the papermaking machine. Alternatively, the gripping means may be designed for removal once the fabric is in position in the machine. In order to facilitate removal some form of perforation may be provided between the strip or the separate gripping means respectively, and the fabrics. Likewise, it is possible, during the weaving of the fabric to provide the latter with a special weakening line or marker. Once the felt is in position in the papermaking machine the parts projecting beyond the fabric itself may easily be severed to provide a clear-cut fabric edge. O PI S >^ } It should be understood therefore that the subject invention provides not only for quicker and safer fabric exchanges but also for safer ones. The invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows schematically one preferred embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a possible arrangement of a fabric on a papermaking machine. Fig. 2 illustrates an endless fabric 1 which is carried around a plural ty of conducting rollers 2 and through the press nip between two press rollers 3. A paper web 4 to be dewatered, is likewise carried through this press nip. To replace a fabric of the kind shown in Fig. 2 between 20 and 40 manpower hours may be requi ed and a papermaking machine may comprise between three and five such fabrics. It is obvious, therefore, that considerable savings may be made by reducing the length of time required to mount the fabric in the machine. The part of the fabric 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 is provided along one lengthwise edge of the fabric with an extra strip 5 in which apertures 6 are formed. These apertures may be designed so as to make them suitable to be gripped by hand or alternatively, by a tool . The artisan in the field readily understands that several modifications are possible to the embodiment shown without departing from the scope of the invention as the latter is defined in the appended claims.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 04 March 1985 (04.03.85); original claims 1-7 replaced by amended claims 1-7 (1 page)] 1. A device for mounting felts/fabrics in papermaking machines, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the fabric is provided along one or both its longitudinally extending edges with a supplementary strip formed with gripping means or having separate gripping means attached thereto, which gripping means are adapted to be gripped by hand or by means of a tool. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c te i ¬ z e d therein that the supplementary strip is an integral part of the felt/fabric itself. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ! * - z e d therein that the supplementary strip is a separate strip which is attached to the felt/fabric during the manufacture of the latter. 4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d therein that the strip is formed with apertures spaced equally apart along the length of the felt/fabric, said apertures forming the gripping means. 5. A device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c te r i ¬ z e d therein that the separate gripping means are handle loops which are attached along the edge or edges of the felt/fabric in spaced-apart relationship. 6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 4, c h a r a c t e i z e d by a perforating line made between the strip and the felt/fabric. 7. A device as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i- z e d therein that the border between said strip and the felt/ fabric interiorly of said strip is in the form of a weakened zone made during the weaving of the felt/fabric. OMPI

Inventors: JOHANSSON GUNNAR, JOHANSSON, GUNNAR
Applicants: NORDISKAFILT AB
Application year: 1984
Main classification: D21F1
IPC codes: D21F1, D21F7