Patent ID: 7524401

Claim:
A two fabric hybrid type forming section for a paper making machine having a first forming fabric and at least one second forming fabric, such that: (i) each of the forming fabrics has a paper side and a machine side; (ii) the first forming fabric receives a layer of stock at an impingement point in a first open surface region, and thereafter passes in sequence through the first open surface region, a central forming zone and a second open surface region; (iii) the second forming fabric passes through the central forming zone such that the paper side of the second forming fabric faces the paper side of the first forming fabric, and the two forming fabrics move together in the machine direction with a layer of stock sandwiched in between; (iv) the forming fabrics are supported by a series of fabric support elements, chosen from the group consisting of rolls, static fabric support elements and both rolls and static fabric support elements, over which the machine sides of each of the forming fabrics pass in sliding contact, the fabric support elements being supported on a sequence of dewatering boxes, the dewatering boxes having a curved fabric support element supporting surface; and (v) the dewatering boxes provide separate drainage zones and at least some of the dewatering boxes are connected to a source of vacuum to provide separate vacuum zones, wherein: (a) the dewatering boxes provide at least four separate and distinct vacuum zones within the central forming zone; (b) the radii of curvature of the curved surfaces supporting the fabric support elements decrease progressively in the machine direction; (c) a pitch of the fabric support elements decreases progressively in the machine direction; and (d) the dewatering boxes supporting the fabric support elements are selectively located on the machine sides of the first forming fabric and the second forming fabric in opposed and at least partially offset sequence in the machine direction.