Patent Publication Number: US-9834887-B2

Title: Adjustable foil apparatus for paper making machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO REI.ATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/145,894 filed Apr. 10, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a foil apparatus for a paper making machine and method of use of a foil apparatus. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an adjustable foil apparatus having a forming element that is movable toward and away from a forming fabric of a paper making machine during a forming process, and method of use of the foil apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Paper mill slurry stock supplied to the forming fabric of a paper machine is made up of fibers and solids in an aqueous solution containing generally from about 99 to about 99.9 percent water. The aim of a paper maker is to mix the slurry stock thoroughly in the head box of a paper making machine so that the fibers will be uniformly dispersed. Despite this attempt, the fibers often tend to agglomerate in the head box and emerge from the slice in clumps or flocs and the slurry stock is deposited on the forming fabric in this condition. If these flocs or fibers remain undispersed, the finished paper will not be of uniform density. 
     The forming fabric, as used on typical paper making machines, is an open mesh belt of woven cloth. The warp and weft strands of the cloth may be a metal, for example bronze or stainless steel or a plastic material, for instance polyester in multifilament or monofilament form. 
     Several devices have been used to redistribute fibers in the slurry stock after it has been transferred to the forming fabric during a dewatering process. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,573 discloses the concept of forming surfaces positioned below the normal plane of a forming fabric. In the &#39;573 patent a crude method for vertical adjustment is suggested in  FIG. 6  however, this was never commercially produced, nor would it have been a practical method of adjustment while the machine was in operation as it would require a user to loosen one side of the of the adjustment mechanism, before movement of the forming surface would be possible from the opposite side of the machine. This suggested arrangement is not adaptable to existing support structures as the mechanism for vertical adjustment is part of the base of the forming element. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,689 teaches means for vertical adjustment of a forming element affixed above a vertically adjustable mount. This arrangement also includes a tilting feature not necessary to the objective, but requires structural components which add to the overall height of the assembly. Thus, the forming element disclosed in the &#39;689 patent is not adaptable for use with currently used forming structures having a standard height. 
     Pat. No. U.S. RE43,679 E discloses a method to lower a forming element surface away from the forming fabric of a paper making machine using a foraminous surface that is vertically adjustable. The illustrated embodiment describes the adjustment as a pivoting means which lowers the forming surface at angle relative to the forming plane thus it is not truly vertical movement of the forming element. The disclosed pivoting means for lowering the forming element surface are constructed within the structure of the forming element. Thus, the foraminous surface disclosed is not adaptable for use with existing forming structures, and mounts therefor. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,039 B2 a device utilizes a variety of small internal parts including wedge shaped parts disposed across a full width of a paper making machine to provide a height adjustment for a foil member. The internal parts are connected via a machine-width cross shaft. Overall height adjustability is limited to about 4 mm (0.1574″) making it impractical for use where absolute disconnection from the forming fabric is required. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,285 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,285 B2 teach devices that utilize air or hydraulic pressure to actuate and adjust the height of a forming element surface relative to a plane of the forming fabric in a paper making machine. These type of devices are not equipped for accurate positioning relative to the forming fabric, thus such devices are typically set to be either in contact with or completely out of contact with the forming fabric. 
     Each of the above-mentioned devices are used to reduce floccing in a paper making process however, none of the prior art devices are sufficiently adjustable to suit the changing variety of paper grades, weights and processing speeds currently delivered by a typical paper making machine. Accordingly, using the above-described foil blades, a paper maker is often tasked with continuously removing and replacing foil blades of varied specifications in an attempt to maintain high quality paper of various grades and made with differing processing speeds. 
     It is an object of the present teachings to provide an adjustable foil apparatus for a papermaking machine that overcomes the shortcomings of prior art foil devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and does provide a comprehensive description or include full scope or ail the features of the subject matter disclosed. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description, the appended claims and the following drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a foil apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an upper assembly of the foil apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an underside perspective view of the upper assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an adjustment block of the upper assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a base of the foil apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the upper assembly and base of the foil apparatus of  FIG. 1  with certain parts omitted for clarity. 
         FIGS. 7-9  are various underside perspective views of one embodiment of an adjustment mechanism of the foil apparatus disclosed. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are partial perspective view of the foil apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the adjustment mechanism coupled to the upper assembly of the foil apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  is an underside perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment of the foil apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are topside perspective views of the assembled foil apparatus of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  show the foil apparatus of  FIG. 12  in each of a “full up” and “full down” position respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Detailed illustrative descriptions of example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The example embodiments may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” or “fixed” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of an adjustable foil apparatus  10  according to the present invention. The foil apparatus  10  includes an elongated foil member  12  having an upper assembly  14  and a base  16 . The upper assembly  14  includes a forming element  18  positionable below a forming fabric  20  of a paper making machine (not shown).  FIG. 1  includes only a partial view of the foil apparatus  10  as denoted by the jagged line  19  shown in the figure; thus, an extended portion of the elongated foil member  12  is omitted from  FIG. 1 . Also, the forming fabric  20  is not shown in its entirety in  FIG. 1 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the foil apparatus  10  includes an adjustment mechanism  24  coupled to the base  16  and configured to slidably move the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16  thereby adjusting a height h of the foil apparatus  10  for moving the forming element  18  toward and away from the forming fabric  20  as discussed further hereinafter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the upper assembly  14  includes an elongated upper rail  30  and a forming element  18  removably coupled to the upper rail. In the illustrated embodiment, the forming element  18  is coupled to the upper rail  30  between a leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  of the foil member  12  which are separately coupled to and removable from the upper rail  30 . In other embodiments, the forming element  18  may include the leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  formed integral with the forming element  18 . The forming element  18  including the leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  thereof typically have a width W in a range of about 2″ to about 6″ and are made of wear resistant materials such as ceramic. A length of the forming element  18  and leading and trailing edges  36 ,  38  thereof can range from about 48 inches to about 400 inches depending on the arrangement of the associated paper making machine. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the forming element  18  is removable relative to the upper rail  30  for replacing the forming element if worn or damaged and/or switching the forming element with a forming element defining a different working surface  40  (See  FIG. 1 ). Typically, the forming element  18  includes a working surface  40  that defines a cavity or sloped surface designed to create a turbulence in a slurry stock during a dewatering step of a paper making process. Various types of forming elements  18  may be used with a paper making machine depending in part on the features of the machine and/or features or quality of the paper being made. 
     The upper rail  30  of the present invention defines a cavity  34  for receiving the forming element  18  and removably coupling the forming element  18  to the base  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper rail  30  defines a pair of slots  35  extending the length of the upper rail  30  and disposed along each edge thereof for receiving an opposing edge of the forming element  18  in each of the slots  35 . Thus, in one embodiment, the forming element  18  may be coupled to the upper rail  30  by sliding the forming element onto the rail with the edges thereof inserted into the slots  35 . 
     Similarly, in the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  are formed separate from the upper rail  30  for removing and replacing these parts individually in the event the edges  36 ,  38  become worn or if a leading edge  36  or trailing edge  38  of a different design or dimension is desired for a particular paper making process. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper assembly  14  includes a plurality of adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B attached to a lower surface  36  of the upper rail  30  via bolts  44  which are affixed to the upper rail through bolt holes  41  defined by the adjustment blocks. In one embodiment, the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B may be disposed in a notch  46  defined by the lower surface  36  of the upper rail  30  and extending throughout a length L of the upper rail along each of the opposing edges  33 A,  33 B of upper rail. In another embodiment, the upper rail  30  does not have a slot  46 , thus the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B are coupled to the lower surface  36  of the upper rail. The adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B are arranged end to end and spaced apart in rows  43 A,  43 B along a length L of the upper rail  30 . Thus, the rows  43 A,  43 B of adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B extend along each edge  33 A,  33 B, respectively of the upper rail  30  throughout the length L of the upper rail. Each of the adjustment blocks  42 A in the row  43 A is aligned along the length L of the upper rail  30  with a corresponding adjustment block  42 B in the row  43 B. In one embodiment, the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B have a length in a range of about 2 inches to about 5 inches and are spaced apart in the rows  43 A,  43 B respectively. The spacing between the adjustment blocks  42 A and  42 B may be in a range from about 6 inches to about 12 inches. In one embodiment the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B are approximately 4 inches long and the space between the end of each successive block in the rows  43 A,  43 B is approximately 9 inches. The configuration of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B spaced apart and extending throughout the entire length L of the foil apparatus  10  provides for precise and accurate spacing of the forming element  18  relative to the forming fabric  20  throughout the length of the forming element. 
     A lead adjustment block  421 A,  421 B is attached at a front end  31  of the upper rail  30  in each of the rows  43 A,  43 B, respectively. Each of the lead adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B defines a coupler block  45 A,  45 B respectively for attaching the upper assembly  14  to the adjustment mechanism  24 . The coupler blocks  45 A,  45 B of each of the lead adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B respectively, defines an elongated opening  47  for receiving a yoke pin  88  therein. The elongated openings  47  define a length M arranged generally perpendicular to the length L of the upper rail  30  for allowing movement of the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16  toward and away a forming fabric  20  of a paper making machine (not shown) and while the yoke pin  88  remains engaged with the coupler blocks  45 . In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the openings  47  extend through a width of the coupler blocks  45 , however, in other embodiments, the openings  47  may extend only partially through the coupler blocks and define blind end openings. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , an inside wall  45  of each of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B, and the lead adjustment blocks,  421 A,  421 B, defines an elongated slot  49 A,  49 B formed along a length thereof and disposed at an angle α relative to the length L of the upper rail  30 . The slots  49 A defined in each of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  421 A, in the row  43 A are lengthwise aligned with the slots  49 B in the corresponding adjustment blocks  42 B,  421 B in row  43 B. Thus, the adjustment blocks  42 A and  42 B are configured as mirror images relative to the other. Similarly, the lead adjustment block  421 A is configured as a mirror image of the lead adjustment block  421 B. 
     In one embodiment of the foil apparatus  10 , the angle α of the slots  49 A,  49 B is in a range of about two degrees to about twenty degrees. In another embodiment, the angle α of the slots  49 A,  49 B measures from about three degrees to about five degrees relative to the length L of the upper rail  30 . In one embodiment, a length S of the slots  49 A,  49 B is in a range of about 1 inches to about 3 inches. The angle α of the slots  49 A,  49 B relative to the base and the length thereof determines in part, a range of motion of the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16  as well as the range of motion of the forming element  18  toward and away from the forming fabric  20  of the paper making machine (not shown). Precise movement of the forming element  18  relative to the forming fabric  20  throughout a length of the forming element is provided by a plurality of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B disposed in the rows  43 A and  43 B throughout the length of the upper rail  30 . 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the angled slots  49 A,  49 B defined by the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B extend only partially through a width W 1  of the adjustment blocks forming closed slots. The slots  49 A,  49 B are machined as closed slots for reducing or inhibiting an inflow of the stock slurry of a paper making process from entering the slots and interfering with or clogging the adjustability of the upper assembly  14  relative to base  16  of the foil apparatus  10 . In other embodiments of the foil apparatus  10 , the slots  49  may extend throughout the width W 1  of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base  16  of the foil apparatus  10  includes an elongated base rail  50  having a length L 1  which is longer than the length L of the upper rail  30  and includes a front portion  53  and a rear portion  55 . The rear portion  55  of the base rail  50  defines a width W 2  and fits between the rows  43 A,  43 B of adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B, of the upper assembly  14  as shown in  FIG. 6 . A plurality of pins  57  extend through the width W 2  of the base rail  50  and extend outwardly from the base rail on each side thereof as shown in  FIG. 5 . The pins  57  are spaced apart along the length L 1  of the base rail  50  for alignment, one each, with the slots  49 A,  49 B of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B. Each of the pins  57  are also aligned one with the other, relative to a height hl of the base rail  50 . The pins  57  are fixed to the base rail  50  via press fit, adhesive or other suitable means. In another embodiment (not shown) each of the pins  57  is formed of two half-pins, one each, extending outwardly from the opposing sides  51  of base rail  50 . In one embodiment of the foil apparatus  10 , the pins  57  have a diameter of 3/16 inches. In other embodiments, the pins  57  can have a diameter in a range from about 3/16 inches to about one-quarter inch. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the front portion  53  of the base rail  50  defines a slide opening  56  extending along an entire length of the front portion of the base rail for receiving a slide block  65  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide opening  56  includes a rectangular-shaped recess defined by the base rail  50  and extending throughout a length of the front portion  53 . A width W 3  of the slide opening is centered about a central axis of X-X of the foil apparatus  10  and is less than the overall width W 2  of the base rail  50 . A plurality of holes  51  extend through the base rail  50  along the opposing edges of the front portion  53  of the base rail and outside of the slide opening  56 . A top of the T-slot  58  is identified with the reference letter t which is discussed herein following. 
     A lower surface  60  of the base rail  50  defines a T-slot  58  extending throughout the length L 1  of the base rail for receiving a T-rail mounted to a paper making machine for mounting the foil apparatus  10  in a dewatering station of a paper making machine (not shown). Thus, the foil apparatus  10  is designed to mount to existing paper making machines configured to support a foil apparatus on a T-rail fixed to the paper making machine. Typically, the foil apparatus  10  is mounted to a paper making machine by fitting the T-slot  58  of the base rail  50 , at one end of the base rail over the T-rail mounted to the paper making machine, and sliding the foil apparatus  10  lengthwise along the T-rail so that the entire length of the foil apparatus  10  is engaged with and overlying the T-rail of the paper making machine. 
     In other embodiments, the base rail  50  may define a dove tail slot or other opening or coupler for mounting the foil apparatus  10  to a paper making machine. In another embodiment of the foil apparatus  10 , the base rail  50  may include a flange defining bolt holes for securing the foil apparatus  10  to a paper making machine via bolts or other fasteners. 
       FIG. 6  shows the upper assembly  14  mounted to the base rail  50  of the base  16 . The forming element  18  of the upper assembly  14  is omitted in  FIG. 6 . Also not visible in  FIG. 6 , each of the pins  57  extend through the width of the base rail  50  and into the closed slots  49 A,  49 B of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B for slidably coupling the upper assembly  14  to the base  16  and base rail  50  thereof. Note, as configured in  FIG. 6 , to mount the upper assembly  14  onto the base  16 , at least one of the rows  43 A,  43 B of the adjustment blocks  42 A,  421 A,  42 B,  421 B should be removed from the upper rail  30 . In assembly, the through pins  57  of the base  16  and closed slots  49  of the upper assembly  14  provide a durable and substantially sealed adjustable foil member  12  designed for accurate movement of the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16  and long term use in a paper making machine. 
       FIGS. 7-9  show a bottom side of embodiments of the adjustment mechanism  24  of the present invention. The adjustment mechanism  24  includes an elongated frame  60  defining a cavity  62  extending substantially through a length of the frame and centered relative to a width of the adjustment mechanism. The frame  60  defines an endpiece  61  at one end thereof. The endpiece  61  defines a surface  63  for abutting an end  54  of the base rail  50  when the adjustment mechanism  24  is mounted to the base  16 . (See  FIG. 1 ). The frame  60  defines a plurality of threaded holes  70  for receiving fasteners  71  for attaching the frame  60  to the base rail  50  via the plurality of corresponding holes  51  formed in the base rail  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the holes  71  are arranged in rows along the outside edges of the frame  60  and between the edge of the frame and the cavity  62 . A slide block  65  is positioned partially in the cavity  62  of the frame  60  and partially in the slide opening  56  of base rail  50  (between the frame  60  and base rail  50 ) for slideable movement therein relative to the frame  60  and the base rail  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , an adjustment rod  66  is coupled to the endpiece  61  via a bushing  73  for rotation relative to the endpiece. A first end (not visible in  FIG. 8 ) of the rod  66  extends through the endpiece  61  and is coupled to an adjustment knob  75 . One or more set screws (not shown) fix the adjustment knob  75  to the adjustment rod  66 . A second end of the rod  66  is threaded, and threadably engaged with the slide block  65  via a threaded hole  80  extending into a first end  67  of the slide block. A yoke  68  is attached to a second end  69  of the slide block  65 . The yoke  68  includes a yoke pin  88  fixed to the yoke and extending through the yoke and outwardly from each of opposing ends  93  of the yoke. The yoke pin  88  extends outwardly from the yoke  68  in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the rod  66  and movement of the slide block  65  relative to the cavity  62 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , each end of the yoke pin  88  extends into the openings  47  defined by the coupler blocks  45 A,  45 B. The openings  47  are elongated to allow movement of the yoke pin  88  relative to the coupler blocks  45 A,  45 B in a direction of the length M of the openings  47  (See  FIG. 3 ) while remaining engaged with the coupler blocks in a direction of the movement of the slide block  65  relative to the cavity  62 . In one embodiment, the yoke pin has a diameter of 3/16″, however other sizes of yoke pins may be used. 
     The threaded engagement of the rod  66  with the slide block  65  provides for slideable movement of the slide block  65  and the yoke  68  relative to the frame  60  and toward or away from the endpiece  61  via rotation of the knob  75 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the rod  66  via knob  75 , pushes or pulls the slide block along the cavity  62  and relative to the frame  60  depending on the direction of rotation of the knob  75 . This causes the yoke  68  to move the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16  and the adjustment mechanism  24  in a direction of the axis X-X shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, turning the knob  75  causes the yoke  68  to push or pull the upper assembly  14  toward or away from the base  16 . Accordingly, the lead adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B coupled to the yoke  68 , as well as the other adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B being coupled to the upper rail  30  are thereby moved toward or away from the base  16 . This movement causes the slots  49 A,  49 B in the adjustment blocks ( 421 A,  421 B,  42 A,  42 B) to ride on the pins  57  of base  16  causing the overall height h of the foil assembly  10  to increase as the upper assembly  14  moves away from the adjustment mechanism  24  or decrease when the upper assembly is pulled toward the adjustment mechanism. In other embodiments, depending on the configuration of the rod  66  and slots  49 A,  49 B, moving the upper assembly  14  away from the adjustment mechanism may result in an increased overall height h of the foil assembly  10 . In the illustrated embodiment the overall height h of the foil apparatus  10  (as measured from a lower surface of the base rail  50  to an upper edge of the forming element  18 ) is adjustable in a range from about 1.5 inches to about 2 inches. In other embodiments the adjustment of the overall height h of the foil apparatus  10  can be in a range from about 0 inches to about one-half inch. In more precision embodiments of foil apparatus  10 , the height h of the foil apparatus is adjustable in a range of about 0 inches to about 0.375 inches. The yoke pin  88  is dimensioned to fit snugly within the opening  47  in a direction parallel to the movement of the slide block  65  so that there is no play between the yoke pin  88  and the opening  47  during movement of the slide block. 
     Due to the configuration of the slots  49 A,  49 B, wherein the length S of the slots is longer than a vertical displacement of the slot, shown as “A” on  FIG. 4 , we can determine the distance A using right angle trigonometry as: tan α=A/S. For example, if α=5 degrees, and S=6 inches, then A=0.52 inches. Thus, in this example, the adjustment blocks  42 A,  42 B,  421 A,  421 B, and upper assembly  16  move relative to the base  16  approximately 6 inches in the direction of the axis X-X of  FIG. 5  while moving approximately 0.52 inches in a perpendicular direction toward or away from a forming fabric  20  of a paper making machine as shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, depending on the configuration of the rod  66 , slide block  65 , and the slots  49 A,  49 B in the adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B,  42 A,  42 B, the adjustment of the overall height h of the foil apparatus  10  can be very precise and accurate. For example, in one preferred embodiment, one rotation (360 degrees) causes the overall height h of the foil apparatus  10  to change 0.1 inches. Thus, in one direction of rotation of the knob  75 , one full turn equals an increase in height h of the foil apparatus of 0.1 inches, whereas, one full turn in the opposite direction will reduce the overall height h of the foil apparatus by −0.1 inches. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the minimum height h of the foil apparatus  10  is substantially equal to a height of a conventional foil member used in a paper making machine so that one or more of the adjustable foil apparatus  10  of the present invention can be used with multiple other conventional foil members at the same time on a paper making machine. 
     In one embodiment a minimum height of the foil apparatus  10 , as measured between the top of the T-slot  58  (identified by reference letter “t” in  FIG. 5 ) and an upper surface of the forming element  18  is about 1.2 inches, which is the same as the height of a conventional two-inch foil apparatus. The maximum height is about 1.6 inches (measured between an upper surface of the forming element  18  and the top, t of the T-slot  58 ) when the height of the foil apparatus is adjusted to its full height as discussed hereinabove. Thus, in one embodiment, the foil apparatus  10  of the present invention can be used alongside of conventional foil apparatus and match the height of the conventional foil apparatus when the present invention foil apparatus  10  is retracted to a minimum height, or near a minimum height. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 8 , a stop screw  82  is threadably coupled to the endpiece  61  and extends outwardly therefrom towards the slide block  65  for engagement with the slide block  65 . The stop screw  82  is configured to restrict the slideable movement of the slide block  65  near the endpiece  61  and establish an end of the range of movement of the slide block  65  towards the endpiece. Rotation of the stop screw  82  relative to the endpiece  61  allows for adjusting an end of the range of motion of the slide block  65  relative to the endpiece. Thus, the stop screw  82  also fixes an end point of the movement of the upper assembly  14  relative to the base  16 , and in the illustrated embodiment can be used to define a minimum overall height h of the foil apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a cover plate  85  attached to the frame  60  via the fasteners  71  for enclosing an area of the coupling of the rod  66  to the slide block  65  and the bushing  73 . The cover plate  85  acts to prevent the slurry stock and/or other materials from contacting the adjustable joint between the rod  66  and the slide block  65  as well as the bushing  73  and interfering with the movement of these parts. Removing the fasteners  71  allows the cover plate  85  to be removed for servicing the underlying parts including the rod  66 , slide block  65  and bushing  73 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show the adjustment mechanism  24  mounted to the base rail  50  and coupled to the upper assembly  14  via the yoke  68  and the coupler blocks  45 A,  45 B of the lead adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B respectively. As shown, the slide block  65  is disposed in the slide opening  56  of the base rail  50 . A threaded hole  89  extending through an upper surface of the yoke  68  is configured to receive a fastener for securing a cover plate  90  (see  FIG. 15 ) over the yoke  68  and a portion of the slide block  65 . As discussed above, the cover plate(s)  90  act to prevent slurry stock from interfering with the movement of the component parts of the foil apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 12  shows an underside of one embodiment of a fully assembled foil apparatus  10  of the present invention. Typically, the overall length of the foil apparatus  10  is in a range of about 4 feet to about 40 feet depending on the size and configuration of the paper machine. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the foil apparatus  10  further includes cover plates  90  attached to the frame  60  and/or yoke  68  for covering the couplers and component parts of the adjustment mechanism  24 . A scale  91 A and  91 B are provided on the cover plate  90  and slide bar  65  for identifying the position of the slide bar  65  relative to frame  60 . The scale  91 A,  91 B is used to determine the overall height of the foil apparatus  10  and thereby the position of the forming element  18  relative to a forming fabric of a paper making machine as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 15  shows the foil apparatus  10  in a full up position wherein the overall height of the foil apparatus including the base  16  and upper assembly  16  is fully extended and at a maximum overall height (h max ) as measured between the lower surface  60  of the base  16  and an uppermost surface of the forming element  18  and/or leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  thereof. 
       FIG. 16  shows the foil apparatus  10  in a full down position wherein the overall height of the foil apparatus including the base  16  and upper assembly  16  is fully retracted and at a minimum overall height (h min ) as measured between the lower surface  60  of the base  16  and an uppermost surface of the forming element  18  and/or leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  thereof. 
     As used in a paper making machine (not shown) the foil apparatus  10  is mounted on the paper making machine in a dewatering area of the paper making machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  16  defines a T-slot for mounting the foil apparatus  10  on the paper making machine by sliding the foil apparatus onto a corresponding T-rail secured to the machine. 
     The forming element  18  of the foil apparatus  10  is positionable relative to the forming fabric  20  of the paper machine, typically below the forming fabric  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     To enhance and improve the dewatering process and the quality or finish of the paper produced, an overall height h of the foil apparatus is adjustable for moving the forming element  18  toward and away from the forming fabric  20  for adjusting the engagement of the forming element  18  with the forming fabric  20 . As set forth above, a height h of the foil apparatus is adjustable between a full down position and a full up positions as shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 15  respectively for moving the forming element  18  toward and away from the forming fabric  20 . 
     As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the configuration of the adjustment blocks  421 A,  421 B,  42 A,  42 B, and the slots  49 A,  49 B defined thereby, provides for the raising and lowering of each of the leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  of the foil member  12  uniformly relative to the forming fabric  20 . Thus, the foil apparatus  10  is configured to raise and/or lower the entire foil member  12 , vertically towards and away from a side of the forming fabric  20 , in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the forming fabric over/under the foil apparatus  10 . Thus, both the leading edge  36  and trailing edge  38  of the foil member  12  are raised or lowered together relative to the forming fabric  20  in a precise and uniform manner via rotation of the adjustment knob  75  via an operator (not shown). 
     In other embodiments (not shown), a step motor or other type of actuator can be coupled to the rod  66  and controlled by a processor to automatically adjust the overall height h of the foil apparatus  10 , as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     Example embodiments and methods thus being described, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments and example methods may be varied through routine experimentation and without further inventive activity. For example, while the disclosure describes foil apparatus useable with a paper making machine, internal spacing elements or other intermediate elements and/or variations of the disclosed embodiments may be used in connection with the foil apparatus described herein and achieve the same functions as disclosed herein. Variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.