Patent Publication Number: US-8539987-B2

Title: Papermaking fabric, in particular for use in the forming section of a papermaking machine

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a papermaking fabric, in particular a forming fabric for use in the forming section of a papermaking machine. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The traditional Fourdrinier papermaking process essentially consists of three steps, performed in succession in corresponding sections of the papermaking machine: the forming section, the press section, the dryer section. 
     In the forming section, an aqueous pulp of cellulose fibre (possibly also containing other components) is applied to a forming fabric in the form of an endless belt supported by rollers. The removal of water from the pulp through the forming fabric gradually leads to the formation of a strip of damp paper material, which still has a relatively high water content. More water is removed in the press section, where the paper material is pressed as it passes between one or more pairs of rollers. The paper material is then sent to the dryer section where it undergoes a final water-removal process. The paper thus formed is ready to undergo subsequent finishing and packaging processes. 
     As is common practice in the papermaking and papermaking fabric industry, in the following description the terms “machine direction” (abbreviated to “MD”) and “cross machine direction” (abbreviated to “CMD”) are used to indicate respectively a direction corresponding to the direction of the flow of the forming fabric in the papermaking machine, and a direction parallel to the surface of the fabric and crosswise (orthogonal) to the direction of the flow. The direction or orientation of the weft and warp yarns of the forming fabric are also indicated with reference to the machine direction and cross machine direction. 
     Again as is common practice in the sector, the surface of the forming fabric that comes into contact with the cellulose pulp (i.e. with the paper material being formed) is the top surface of the fabric; and the opposite surface facing the machine is the bottom surface. This reference is also used to describe the vertical spacing of the yarns in the forming fabric. 
     Although different types of fabrics suitable for use in the forming section are known in the prior art (such as those described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,853, U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,603 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,550), there still appears to be room for improvement in this sector, for example in terms of mechanical strength, stability, life, draining capacity and quality of the formed paper. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a papermaking fabric which exhibits these characteristics to a satisfactory level, and which is in particular entirely efficient, has a very good draining capacity, is resistant and stable in time, and guarantees the formation of high-quality paper. 
     The present invention thus relates to a papermaking fabric such as defined in its essential terms in claim  1  and, in its secondary features, in the dependent claims. 
     The present invention also relates to the use of said fabric in a papermaking machine, and specifically in the forming section of the machine, and a papermaking process in which said fabric is used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described in further detail in the following non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view from above of a top layer of a fabric repeat unit according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view from above of a central layer of the fabric of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view from above of a bottom layer of the fabric of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  are cross-sectional views respectively along the planes  4   a - 4   a ,  4   b - 4   b ,  4   c - 4   c ,  4   d - 4   d  marked out in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the accompanying drawings, designated as a whole with number  100  is a papermaking fabric, in particular a forming fabric for use in the forming section of a papermaking machine; in the example shown, the fabric  100  is a 36-heddle quadruple papermaking fabric. 
     The fabric  100  comprises a top layer  101 , a central layer  102  and a bottom layer  103  formed, in the usual way, by respective repeat units which together form a fabric repeat unit  104 ; in the figures only a single fabric repeat unit  104  is shown, but it is understood that in commercial and industrial applications the unit  104 , and the repeat units of the single layers  101 ,  102 ,  103  can be repeated several times, both in the machine direction and in the cross machine direction, to form a fabric  100  of a suitable size for use in a papermaking machine. 
     The fabric  100  is normally formed by longitudinal warp yarns arranged in the machine direction (MD) and crosswise weft yarns, substantially orthogonal to the warp yarns, arranged in the cross machine direction (CMD). In the following description (and as is common practice in the sector) the longitudinal warp yarns arranged in the machine direction are referred to, for the sake of conciseness, as “MD yarns”, and the crosswise weft yarns arranged in the cross machine direction are referred to as “CMD yarns”. 
     In this case, the fabric  100  comprises twelve top MD yarns  1 - 12 , six top CMD yarns  37 - 42 , twelve central MD yarns  13 - 24 , six central CMD yarns  43 - 48 , twelve bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 , six bottom CMD yarns  49 - 54 , twelve binder yarns  55 - 66  arranged in pairs and comprising respective support portions  115  and respective binding portions  116 . 
     As described more fully below, the top layer  101  ( FIG. 1 ) includes in particular the top MD yarns  1 - 12  and the top CMD yarns  37 - 42 , as well as the support portions  115  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 ; the central layer  102  ( FIG. 2 ) includes the central MD yarns  13 - 24  and the central CMD yarns  43 - 48 , as well as the binding portions  116  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 ; the bottom layer  103  ( FIG. 3 ) comprises the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36  and the bottom CMD yarns  49 - 54 , as well as stitching portions  117  of the central CMD yarns  43 - 48  which extend to bind the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 . 
     The way in which these yarns are interlaced or woven to form the fabric  100  is described in detail below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4   a , the top layer  101  comprises the top MD yarns  1 - 12 , the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  and the support portions  115  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 . The top MD yarns  1 - 12  and the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  are interwoven so that each top CMD yarn  37 - 42  passes alternately over and under the top MD yarns  1 - 12 : in particular each top CMD yarn  37 - 42  passes over the odd-numbered top MD yarns  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11  and under the even-numbered top MD yarns  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , the top CMD yarn  37  passes over the top MD yarn  1 , under the top MD yarn  2 , over the top MD yarn  3 , under the top MD yarn  4 , and so on until it passes under the top MD yarn  12 . The other top CMD yarns  38 - 42  are interwoven with the top MD yarns  1 - 12  following the same pattern. 
     As illustrated in the figures as a whole, the layers  101 ,  102 ,  103  are joined and bound together to form the fabric  100  by a first binding pattern  105  and a second binding pattern  106 ; the two binding patterns  105 ,  106  are independent, in that in the fabric repeat unit  104  the top layer  101  is only bound, by the binding pattern  105 , to the central layer  102 ; whereas the central layer  102  is only bound by the binding pattern  106  to the bottom layer  103 ; the binding patterns  105 ,  106  are formed by respective distinct sets of weft yarns, i.e. yarns arranged in the machine direction (so that these CMD yarns bind either the layer  101  to the layer  102 , or the layer  102  to the layer  103 ); there are thus no CMD yarns that bind all three layers  101 ,  102 ,  103  nor, in particular, that bind the layer  101  directly to the layer  103 . 
     The first binding pattern  105  is defined by the binder yarns  55 - 66  arranged in pairs which bind the top layer  101  and the central layer  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each pair of binder yarns  55 - 66  is arranged between two adjacent top CMD yarns  37 - 42 . For example, the pair of binder yarns  55 - 56  is arranged between the top CMD yarns  37 - 38 , the pair of binder yarns  57 - 58  is arranged between the top CMD yarns  38 ,  39 , and so on. 
     The second binding pattern  106  is defined by a second set of additional binder yarns or stitching yarns, which are separate from the binder yarns  55 - 66  and in this case are defined by respective central CMD yarns  43 - 48  which extend to bind the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36  by means of the respective stitching portions  117 , thus binding the central layer  102  and the bottom layer  103  in a plurality of binding points  125  (schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  by thick-edged boxes). 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4   d , the central CMD yarn  43  also defines a stitching yarn that is arranged under the central MD yarn  13 , is interwoven with the bottom MD yarn  25  to form a first binding point  125  between the central layer  102  and the bottom layer  103 , passes under the central MD yarn  14 , over the central MD yarn  15 , under the central MD yarn  16 , over the central MD yarn  17 , under the central MD yarn  18 , under the central MD yarn  19 , and is interwoven with the bottom MD yarn  31  to form a second binding point  131  between the layers  102 ,  103 , and so on until it passes under the central MD yarn  24 . 
     Similarly, every other central CMD yarn  44 - 48  which also defines a stitching yarn between the layers  102 ,  103  (and thus binds the bottom MD yarns  26 - 36  in at least two binding points  125 ) follows the same criteria as those described with reference to the central CMD yarn  43 . 
     Each central CMD yarn or stitching yarn  43 - 48  can form one or more binding points  125  with the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36  in each fabric repeat unit; preferably, the binding points  125  formed by each stitching yarn defined by a central CMD yarn  43 - 48  are staggered, for example by one position in the cross machine direction, with respect to the binding points formed by the adjacent stitching yarns; in any case it is understood that the binding points  125  can be arranged differently and distributed in positions other than those described and illustrated purely by way of example. The number of binding points formed in each fabric repeat unit  104  by each central CMD yarn or stitching yarn  43 - 48  can also differ from that described. Preferably, each central CMD yarn or stitching yarn  43 - 48  passes, in each fabric repeat unit  104 , under at least two non-adjacent (non-consecutive) bottom MD yarns  26 - 36 . 
     In the example that is illustrated, all the central CMD yarns  43 - 48  define respective stitching yarns that are interwoven with the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 ; it is understood that only some of the central CMD yarns  43 - 48  can be used as stitching yarns in the binding pattern  106 , the remainder only being interlaced with the central MD yarns  13 - 24  to form the layer  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4   b  and  4   c , the binder yarns  55 - 66  are interwoven with the top MD yarns  1 - 12  and with the central MD yarns  13 - 24 , to form the binding pattern  105 , as follows: 
     Each binder yarn  55 - 66  comprises, in a fabric repeat unit  104 :
         one or more support portions  115 , that are interwoven with the top MD yarns  1 - 12 , and   one or more binding portions  116 , that are interwoven with the central MD yarns  13 - 24  under the top MD yarns  1 - 12 .       

     The binder yarns  55 - 66  of each pair (though illustrated side by side, for the sake of clarity, in the schematic view in  FIG. 1 , which is not drawn to scale) are twisted together and vertically superimposed so that the support portions  115  of one binder yarn of the pair are superimposed to the binding portions  116  of the other binder yarn of the pair, and vice versa; the two binder yarns  55 - 66  of a pair intersect in correspondence with some of the top MD yarns  1 - 12  which define respective transition MD yarns, under which a binder yarn of each pair crosses the other binder yarn of the pair. 
     Each pair of binder yarns  55 - 66  can be interlaced in different ways with the top MD yarns  1 - 12  and the central MD yarns  13 - 24 . 
     For example, with reference to the pair of binder yarns  55 ,  56 , the support portion  115  of the odd-numbered binder yarn  55  is interlaced, in each fabric repeat unit  104 , alternately with two separate series of three top MD yarns  4 - 6  and  10 - 12 , in each series passing alternately over the two even-numbered top MD yarns ( 4 ,  6 ;  10 ,  12 ) and under the odd-numbered top MD yarn ( 5 ;  11 ); the support portion  115  of the even-numbered binder yarn  56  passes over the remaining two even-numbered top MD yarns ( 2 ,  8 ) and under the odd-numbered top MD yarns adjacent to these. Both the binder yarns  55 ,  56  of the pair pass under the top transition MD yarns ( 3 ,  7 ,  9 ). 
     The binder yarns  55 - 66  of each pair pass, with the respective support portions  115 , over the top MD yarns under which the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  pass; in other words, the support portions  115  of the binder yarns  55 - 66  pass over the even-numbered top MD yarns  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12  (for each pair of binder yarns  55 - 66 , one or the other of the binder yarns passes over each even-numbered top MD yarn). The support portions  115  of the binder yarns  55 - 66  pass instead under the top MD yarns over which the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  pass, i.e. under the odd-numbered top MD yarns  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 . For example, the binder yarn  55  passes, with its support portions  115 , over the top MD yarns  4 ,  6 , and  10 ,  12  while it passes under the top MD yarns  5 ,  11 ; and the binder yarn  56  passes, with its support portions  115 , over the top MD yarns  2 ,  8 . Both binder yarns  55 ,  56  pass under the top transition MD yarns  3 ,  7 ,  9 . The other pairs of binder yarns  57 - 66  are interwoven in a similar fashion, but are preferably staggered with respect to the adjacent pairs of binder yarns by one or more top MD yarns. In this way, the binder yarns  55 - 66  and the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  form a plain weave (fabric) with the top MD yarns  1 - 12 . It is understood that different types of weave or other weaving patterns can be used. The use of other patterns for interweaving the binder yarns  55 - 66  and the top MD yarns  1 - 12  is of course possible and the pairs of binder yarns  55 - 66  can also follow different weave patterns. In  FIG. 1  for instance, the pairs of binder yarns  63 ,  64  and  65 ,  66  follow a different pattern; in any case, these pairs, like all the others, also bind the even-numbered top MD yarns and pass under the odd-numbered top MD yarns. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4   d , the central layer  102  includes: the central MD yarns  13 - 24 , the central CMD yarns  43 - 48 , the binding portions  116  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 . The central CMD yarns  43 - 48  are interwoven with the central MD yarns  13 - 24 . The central MD yarns  13 - 24  and the central CMD yarns  43 - 48  are interwoven such as each central CMD yarn  43 - 48  passes alternately over and under the central MD yarns  13 - 24 . The central CMD yarns  43 - 48  are interwoven with an over1/under1/over1/under3 sequence. For example ( FIG. 4   d ), the central CMD yarn  43  passes under the central MD yarns  13 ,  14  and under the bottom MD yarn  25  (forming a first binding point  125  with the bottom layer  103 ), over the central MD yarn  15 , under the central MD yarn  16 , over the central MD yarn  17 , under the central MD yarns  18 ,  19 ,  20  and under the bottom MD yarn  31  (forming a second binding point  125  with the bottom layer  103 ), over the central MD yarn  21 , under the central MD yarn  22 , over the central MD yarn  23 , under the central ND yarn  24 . The other central CMD yarns  44 - 48  follow a similar weaving pattern, but each central CMD yarn is staggered with respect to the adjacent central CMD yarns so as to form a continuous fabric. Clearly, a different weaving pattern or weave can be used. 
     The central layer  102  also includes ( FIG. 2 ) the binding portions  116  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 . Each binder yarn  55 - 66 , in its binding portion  116 , passes under at least one central MD yarn  13 - 24 , and preferably under at least two non-consecutive central MD yarns  13 - 24 , in each fabric repeat unit  104 ; in particular, the two binder yarns  55 - 66  of each pair follow, as a whole, an over1/under1/over1/under3 sequence on the surface of the central layer  102  ( FIGS. 2 ,  4   b ,  4   c ). 
     For example, the binder yarn  55  passes under the central MD yarns  14 ,  20 , and the binder yarn  56  passes under the central MD yarns  18 ,  24 ; each of these binder yarns passes over all the other central MD yarns. Thus, the binder yarns  55 ,  56  as a whole follow the over1/under1/over1/under3 sequence with respect to the central MD yarns  13 - 24 . 
     The binder yarns of the other pairs follow the same sequence, but can be staggered with respect to the adjacent pair by one or more central MD yarns. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the bottom layer  103  includes: the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 , the bottom CMD yarns  49 - 54 , and the stitching portions  117  of the central CMD yarns  43 - 48  which define respective stitching yarns of the binding pattern  106  (between the central layer  102  and the bottom layer  103 ). The bottom CMD yarns  49 - 54  are interwoven with the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36  following the over1/under5 sequence. For example ( FIG. 4   a ) the bottom CMD yarn  49  passes over the bottom MD yarn  26 , under the bottom MD yarns  27 - 31 , over the bottom MD yarn  32  and under the bottom MD yarns  33 - 36  and  25 . The other bottom CMD yarns  50 - 54  follow a similar over1/under5 weaving pattern with respect to the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 , so as to form a diagonal six-heddle weave. Again this is clearly an example of a type of weave and other weaving patterns can be used. 
     The bottom layer  103  also includes ( FIG. 3 ) the stitching portions  117  of the stitching yarns defined by the central CMD yarns  43 - 48 . The stitching portions  117  pass under respective bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 . In particular, each central CMD yarn or stitching yarn  43 - 48  passes, with its relative stitching portions  117 , under the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36  so as to define an over5/under1 pattern on the bottom surface of the fabric ( FIGS. 3 and 4   d ). For example, the stitching yarn  43  passes under the bottom MD yarns  25  and  31  defining respective binding points  125 , and over all the other bottom MD yarns  26 - 30 ,  32 - 36  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4   d ). The other central CMD yarns or stitching yarns  44 - 48  also follow the same over5/under1 sequence with respect to the bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 , and are preferably staggered with respect to the adjacent central CND yarns by one or more bottom MD yarns. 
     As is apparent in particular from  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  taken as a whole, the fabric repeat unit  104  is formed by three sets of superimposed warp yarns (top MD yarns  1 - 12 , central MD yarns  13 - 24  and bottom MD yarns  25 - 36 ), and by five sets of weft yarns (top CMD yarns  37 - 42 , central CMD yarns  43 - 48 , bottom CMD yarns  49 - 54 , pairs of binder yarns  55 - 66 ). 
     The fabric  100  is thus formed by three superimposed warp yarns (MD yarns) (i.e. a top MD yarn  1 - 12 , a central MD yarn  13 - 24  and a bottom MD yarn  25 - 36 ) defining a warp unit that recurs in the cross machine direction (CMD) and by five weft yarns (CMD yarns: specifically a top CMD yarn  37 - 42 , a central CMD yarn  43 - 48 , a bottom CMD yarn  49 - 54 , two binder yarns  55 - 66 ) defining a weft unit that recurs in the machine direction (MD); the ratio between weft yarns and warp yarns recurring respectively in the machine direction and in the cross machine direction (i.e. the ratio between the weft yarns and warp yarns that form, respectively, the weft unit and the warp unit) being hence 5:3. 
     In other words, the warp yarns recur in sets of three (each set of three being formed by a top MD yarn, a central MD yarn and a bottom MD yarn), so that warp units formed by three superimposed warp yarns recur in the cross machine direction; the weft yarns recur and follow on in the machine direction in sets of five (each set defining a weft unit formed by a top CMD yarn, a central CMD yarn, a pair of binder yarns, a bottom CMD yarn). 
     The ratio of 5:3 between weft yarns and warp yarns reflects the method used to weave the fabric  100 : with each stroke (or insertion) of the fabric forming loom, for every three superimposed warp yarns five consecutive weft yarns are inserted onto the warp yarns. 
     For example, the top MD yarn  1 , the central MD yarn  13  and the bottom MD yarn  25  superimposed one with respect to the other (as are all successive sets of three superimposed MD yarns) are associated, at each insertion or stroke of the loom, with a top CMD yarn (e.g.  37 ;  FIG. 4   a ), a bottom CMD yarn (e.g.  49 ;  FIG. 4   a ), a pair of binder yarns (e.g.  55 ,  56 ;  FIG. 4   c ), a central CMD yarn (e.g.  43 ;  FIG. 4   d ). In other words, in correspondence with each set of three superimposed MD yarns (each set of three being defined by a top MD yarn, a central MD yarn and a bottom MD yarn vertically superimposed) there are five CMD yarns. Each set of three warp yarns is associated with five weft yarns; the ratio between weft yarns and warp yarns is thus 5:3. 
     To the person skilled in the art it will be clear that the fabrics according to the present invention can differ in form. For example, with respect to the above description, the number and/or position of the pairs of binder yarns could differ with respect to the number and/or position of the top CMD yarns (for example there could be a pair of binder yarns for every two or three or more top CMD yarns, or there could be two or three or more pairs of binder yarns for each top CMD yarn). 
     The binder yarns of a pair could also be interwoven with different numbers of top and/or central CMD yarns, or one binder yarn of the pair could only be interwoven with the top or central CMD yarns. 
     The number of top, central and bottom CMD yarns in the fabric repeat unit  104  could also differ from that described and illustrated purely by way of example. 
     Moreover, all the weaving patterns or weaves described for the layers  101 ,  102 ,  103  could differ from those illustrated and described; for example, the top and central surfaces of the fabric  100  need not necessarily be defined by a plain or diagonal weave as illustrated, but could be a satin or twill weave etc.; and the bottom surface of the fabric need not necessarily have a diagonal weave, but could have any other form, such as a plain weave, broken twill, a rep weave, etc. Other alternative weave patterns can also be used in the fabric according to the present invention. 
     Different kinds of yarns can also be used in the fabric according to the invention, also depending on the characteristics of the finished product. For example, the yarns may be monofilament yarns, flat monofilament yarns, multifilament yarns, twisted multifilament or monofilament yarns, threads of any kind or any combination thereof. The materials used to produce the yarns can be those normally used in the sector. For example yarns made of polyester, polyamide, polyamide/polyester, or similar materials can be used. The person skilled in the art will be able to select the yarn material most suitable for the specific application in which the finished fabric is to be used. 
     Yarns of different forms and dimensions may be used. For example, the top MD yarns, the top CMD yarns and the binder yarns can have a diameter of between approx. 0.09 and 0.20 mm; the central MD yarns and the central CMD yarns can have a diameter of between approx. 0.09 and 0.18 mm; the bottom MD yarns can have a diameter of between approx. 0.18 and 0.25 mm; and the bottom CMD yarns can have a diameter of between approx. 0.20 and 0.35 mm. 
     The mesh (i.e. fabric density) of the fabric can also vary. For example, the mesh of the top surface can range from approx. 25×75 to 33×105 (warp yarns per cm×weft insertions per cm) and overall mesh can vary from between approx. 75×125 and 99×175. Since the top surface is formed, as described above, by the top ND yarns  1 - 12 , the top CND yarns  37 - 42  and the support portions  115  of the binder yarns  55 - 66 , the mesh values shown here refer, for the warp yarns, to the top MD yarns  1 - 12 , and for the weft insertions to the top CMD yarns  37 - 42  and binder yarns  55 - 66  as a whole. The overall mesh values clearly refer to all the weft and warp yarns present. 
     A fabric with a six-heddle bottom layer produced according to the invention, for example, will have the characteristics shown in table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 YARN 
                 Dimensions 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Top MD 
                 0.10 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Central MD 
                 0.10 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom MD 
                 0.20 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Binder CMD 
                 0.10 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Top CMD 
                 0.10 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Central CMD 
                 0.10 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom CMD 
                 0.22 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Mesh (top surface) 
                 33 × 60* 
               
               
                   
                 Mesh (overall) 
                  99 × 150* 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *warp yarns per cm × weft insertions per cm 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the fabric  100  described above is used in a papermaking process, in particular in the forming section of a papermaking machine. The method comprises the steps of: 
     (a) providing a papermaking fabric as described above; 
     (b) applying an aqueous cellulose pulp and/or a paper material to be formed to the top surface of the fabric; and 
     (c) removing water from the pulp and/or the paper material being formed. 
     The person skilled in the art will be familiar with the remainder of said method and therefore no further details are necessary. 
     It is understood that further modifications and variations can be implemented to the embodiment described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.