CA2206087C - Seam for paper machine clothing - Google Patents

Seam for paper machine clothing Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2206087C
CA2206087C CA 2206087 CA2206087A CA2206087C CA 2206087 C CA2206087 C CA 2206087C CA 2206087 CA2206087 CA 2206087 CA 2206087 A CA2206087 A CA 2206087A CA 2206087 C CA2206087 C CA 2206087C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fabric
fabric strip
lateral
papermaker
strip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA 2206087
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2206087A1 (en
Inventor
A. Leon Collette
James G. Donovan
Henry M. Cooke
Bodil Jonasson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Albany International Corp
Original Assignee
Albany International Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Albany International Corp filed Critical Albany International Corp
Publication of CA2206087A1 publication Critical patent/CA2206087A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2206087C publication Critical patent/CA2206087C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21FPAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F7/00Other details of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F7/08Felts
    • D21F7/10Seams thereof
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06HMARKING, INSPECTING, SEAMING OR SEVERING TEXTILE MATERIALS
    • D06H5/00Seaming textile materials
    • D06H5/003Devices or apparatus for joining the longitudinal edges of fabrics
    • D06H5/005Devices or apparatus for joining the longitudinal edges of fabrics for making a tubular fabric
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B29C65/083Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil
    • B29C65/086Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil using a rotary anvil
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/128Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/1282Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one overlap joint-segment
    • B29C66/12821Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one overlap joint-segment comprising at least two overlap joint-segments
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/128Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/1284Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one butt joint-segment
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4329Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms the joint lines being transversal but non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of said tubular articles, i.e. being oblique
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/729Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81433General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins, or being patterned
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21FPAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F1/00Wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F1/0027Screen-cloths
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21FPAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F1/00Wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F1/0027Screen-cloths
    • D21F1/0054Seams thereof
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21FPAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F1/00Wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F1/0027Screen-cloths
    • D21F1/0081Screen-cloths with single endless strands travelling in generally parallel convolutions
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2077/00Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S162/00Paper making and fiber liberation
    • Y10S162/904Paper making and fiber liberation with specified seam structure of papermaking belt
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24777Edge feature
    • Y10T428/24785Edge feature including layer embodying mechanically interengaged strands, strand portions or strand-like strips [e.g., weave, knit, etc.]
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T442/00Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
    • Y10T442/30Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]
    • Y10T442/3033Including a strip or ribbon

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric by spirally winding a woven fabric strip, narrower than the intended width of the fabric, and the papermaker's fabric manufactured in accordance with the method, are disclosed. The fabric strip includes lengthwise and crosswise yarns, and has a lateral fringe along at least one lateral edge thereof, the lateral fringe being unbound ends of the crosswise yarns extending beyond the lateral edge. During the spiral winding of the fringed strip, the lateral fringe of a turn overlies or underlies an adjacent turn of the strip. The lateral edges of adjacent turns abut against one another. The spirally continuous seam so obtained is closed by ultrasonically welding or bonding the overlying or underlying lateral fringe to the fabric strip in an adjacent turn.

Description

SEAM FOR PAPER MACHINE CLOTHING
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the seaming of fabrics into endless loops for use as paper machine clothing or as a component in paper machine clothing, such as forming, press and dryer fabrics, or as a base for a polymer-coated paper industry process belt, such as a long nip press belt. More specifically, the invention concerns the use of ultrasonic energy to produce a spirally continuous seam in the production of wide paper machine clothing from a relatively narrow, spirally wound woven fabric strip.
2. Description of the Prior Art Until quite recently, the fabrics used as paper machine clothing have been either woven endless using a tubular weaving technique, or have been flat-woven and subsequently joined into endless form with a seam.
In either case, because paper machine clothing have widths, measured transversely across their endless-loop forms, of from about 60 to 450 inches (1.5 to 11.4 meters), and lengths, measured longitudinally around their endless-loop forms, of about 10 or more feet (3.1 or more meters), looms of varied sizes, including expensive, large weaving looms, are required for their production. Whether a fabric is woven endless or is flat-woven and seamed into endless form, the weaving process is a time-consuming and cumbersome operation.
In a recent advance, described in U.S. Patent No.
5,360,656 to Rexfelt et al., a press fabric comprises a base fabric which is made of a fabric of yarn material and is endless in the longitudinal (machine) direction thereof. One or more layers of fiber material are arranged on the base fabric, and needled thereinto. The base fabric of the press fabric comprises at least one layer composed of a spirally 5 wound strip of fabric of yarn material having a width which is smaller than the width of the ~ base f abric .
Lengthwise threads of the spirally wound fabric strip of yarn material make an angle with the longitudinal (machine) direction of the press fabric. The fabric 10 strip of yarn material may be flat-woven on a loom which is narrower than those typically used in the production of paper machine clothing.
The base fabric comprises a plurality of spirally wound and joined turns of the relatively narrow woven 15 fabric strip. The fabric strip is woven from lengthwise (warp) and crosswise (filling) yarns.
Adjacent turns of the spirally wound fabric strip may be abutted against one another, and the spirally continuous seam so produced may be closed by sewing, 20 stitching, melting or welding. Alternatively, adjacent longitudinal edge portions of adjoining spiral turns may be arranged overlappingly, so long as the edges have a reduced thickness so as not to give rise to an increased thickness in the area of the 25 overlap. Further, the spacing between lengthwise yarns may be increased at the edges of the strip, so that, when adjoining spiral turns are arranged overlappingly, there may be an unchanged spacing between lengthwise threads in the area of the overlap .
30 In any case, a woven base fabric, having an inner surface, an outer surface, a longitudinal (machine) direction and a transverse (cross-machine) direction, is the result. The lateral edges of the woven base fabric are then trimmed to render them parallel to its 35 longitudinal (machine) direction. The angle between the machine direction of the woven base fabric and the spirally continuous seam may be relatively small, that is, typically less than 10°.
In the method shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,360,656, the fabric strip is wound around two parallel rolls to assemble the woven base fabric. It will be recognized that endless fabrics in a variety of widths and lengths may be provided by spirally winding a relatively narrow piece of woven fabric strip around the two parallel rolls, the length of a particular endless base fabric being determined by the length of each spiral turn of the woven fabric strip, and the width being determined by the number of spiral turns of the woven fabric strip. The prior necessity of weaving complete base fabrics of specified lengths and widths to order may thereby be~avoided. Instead, a loom as narrow as 20 inches (0.5 meters) could be used to produce a woven fabric strip, but, for reasons of practicality, a conventional textile loom having a width of from 40 to 60 inches (1.0 to 1.5 meters) may be preferred.
The manufacturing techniques shown in U. S . Patent No. 5,360,656 have several inherent performance and cost advantages. The present invention, wherein ultrasonic energy is used to j oin adj acent turns of the woven fabric strip to one another, is submitted to be ~n improvement on earlier techniques.
Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention comprises both a method of manufacturing a papermaker's fabric, and the fabric made in accordance with the method, wherein adj acent turns of the woven fabric strip are j oined to one another by ultrasonic energy.
- The practice of the method comprises the first step of manufacturing a woven fabric strip from lengthwise and crosswise yarns. The woven fabric strip may be heat-set following weaving and stored on 5 a stock roll for subsequent use. In any event, the woven fabric strip has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a preselected width measured therebetween, the latter of which is typically much smaller than the width of the papermaker's fabric to 10 be manufactured therefrom.
Along at least one of the first and second lateral edges of the woven fabric strip and extending therebeyond is a lateral fringe. The lateral fringe is made up of the ends of the crosswise yarns 15 extending from the woven fabric strip body.
The fabric strip may be woven so as to be provided with a lateral fringe along at least one of the first and second lateral edges thereof.
The fabric strip also has an upper side and a 20 lower side, and may, as indicated above, be as narrow as 20 inches (0.5 meters) in width, but more practically may be from 40 to 60 inches (1.0 to 1.5 meters) in width, which, in any event, is much narrower than the width, measured transversely (in the 25 cross-machine direction), of a typical papermaker's fabric .
- The fabric strip is then spirally wound, perhaps about two parallel rolls, as noted above, in a plurality of turns. The winding is carried out such 30 that the lateral fringe of each turn overlies the upper side of the fabric strip in an immediately adjacent turn, or underlies the lower side of the fabric strip in an immediately adjacent turn. It follows, where the fabric strip has a lateral fringe 35 along both of its lateral edges, that one lateral edge of the fabric strip in each turn overlies a lateral fringe in an immediately adjacent turn, and the other lateral edge of the fabric strip in each turn underlies a lateral fringe in an immediately adjacent turn. In addition, the first lateral edge of each turn of the fabric strip body abuts against the second lateral edge of an immediately adjacent turn thereof.
A spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of the fabric strip is thereby formed. Along the' seam, in effect, one has a combination of a butt joint between the turns of the fabric strip body, and a lap joint formed by the overlying of the lateral fringe, or by the over- and underlying of lateral fringes, with respect to the fabric strip body.
An ultrasonic welding apparatus, and an anvil, are then provided to close the spirally continuous seam. A lengthwise portion of the seam is compressed between the horn of the ultrasonic welding apparatus and the anvil, and the horn is activated to deliver ultrasonic energy thereto to effect the weld. Each lengthwise portion of the spirally continuous seam is so treated to complete the operation.
Preferably, the anvil is a rotatable cylindrical or wheel-like member having a circumferential surface against which the horn compresses the seam for closure. In such a situation, the seam may be cor~tinuously run in the lengthwise direction between the horn and rotatable anvil to close the seam in a continuous process. In this process, the lateral fringe along each turn of the spirally wound fabric strip is bonded ultrasonically to the upper or lower side of the woven portion of an immediately adjacent turn thereof. Where a lateral fringe is provided along both lateral edges of the fabric strip, one lateral fringe in each turn of the spirally wound fabric strip is bonded ultrasonically to the uppe r side of the woven portion of an immediately adjacent turn thereof, and the other lateral fringe is bonded ultrasonically to the lower side of the woven portion 5 of an immediately adjacent turn thereof. When the spirally continuous seam is completely so closed, the result is an endless papermaker's fabric having a machine direction around the endless-loop form thereof, a cross-machine direction across the endless=
10 loop form thereof, an inner surface and an outer surface. The lengthwise yarns of the woven fabric strip make an angle with the machine direction of the endless papermaker's fabric. This angle, a measure of the pitch of the spiral winding, is typically less 15 than 10°.
Because the endless papermaker's fabric is assembled by spiral winding, it is necessary to trim its lateral edges to make them parallel to the machine direction of the endless papermaker's fabric.
20 The papermaker's fabric manufactured in accordance with the present method may find use as a forming or dryer fabric, as a component in a forming, press or dryer fabric, or as a base for a polymer-coated paper industry process belt; such as a long nip 25 press belt. The forming, press or dryer fabric, or the base for a polymer-coated paper industry process bel-t., may.include two or more layers comprised of the papermaker's fabric manufactured in accordance with the present method. Where this is the case, adjacent 30 layers may be spirally wound in opposite directions.
Particularly when used as a component of a press fabric, it may be needled with a non-woven batt of staple fiber material on at least one of its inner and outer surfaces.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric comprising the steps of:
a) manufacturing a woven fabric strip from lengthwise and crosswise yarns, said woven fabric strip having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a preselected width measured thereacross between said first and second lateral edges defining a woven fabric strip body, said woven fabric strip further having a first lateral fringe along and extending beyond said first lateral edge, said first lateral fringe being ends of said crosswise yarns;
b) spirally winding said fabric strip in a plurality of turns wherein said first lateral edge in a turn of said woven fabric strip body abuts against said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn of said woven fabric strip body, whereby said first lateral fringe in a turn of said woven fabric strip overlies or underlies said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said woven fabric strip;
c) providing an ultrasonic welding apparatus having a horn for delivering ultrasonic energy to said spirally continuous seam;
6a d) providing an anvil against which said horn may compress a portion of said spirally continuous seam;
e) compressing said portion of said spirally continuous seam between said horn and said anvil;
f) activating said horn to deliver ultrasonic energy to said portion of said spirally continuous seam; and g) moving said spirally continuous seam longitudinally relative to said horn and said anvil to close said spirally continuous seam by bonding said first lateral fringe to said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof.
Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a papermaker's fabric comprising a fabric strip woven from lengthwise yarns and crosswise yarns, said fabric strip having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge separated by a woven fabric strip body, said first lateral edge having a first lateral fringe, formed by ends of said crosswise yarns extending beyond said first lateral edge, said fabric strip being spirally wound in a plurality of contiguous turns wherein said first lateral edge in a turn of said fabric strip body abuts said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said fabric strip, said spirally continuous seam being closed by ultrasonically bonding said first lateral fringe to said fabric strip along said second lateral edge in an adjacent turn thereof, thereby providing an endless papermaker's fabric having 6b a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, an inner surface and an outer surface.
6c - The present invention will now be described in more complete detail with frequent reference being made to the figures which may be identified as follows.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating a method for manufacturing a papermaker' s fabric . ' Figure 2 is a top plan view of the finished papermaker's fabric.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 in Figure 1, and shows the seam before closure.
Figure 5 is a partially cross-sectional view showing schematically the manner in which the spirally continuous seam shown in Figure 4 is closed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 in Figure 1, and shows the seam following closure.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the several figures, Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating a method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric. The method may be practiced using an apparatus 10 comprising a first roll 12 and a second roll 14, which are parallel to one another and which may be rotated in the directions indicated bythe arrows. A woven fabric strip 16 is wound from a stock roll 18 around the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 in a continuous spiral. It will be recognized that it may be necessary to translate the stock roll 18 at a suitable rate along second roll 14 (to the right in Figure 1) as the fabric strip 16 is being wound around the rolls 12,14.
The first roll 12 and the second roll 14 are separated by a distance D, which is determined with reference to the total length, C, required for the papermaker's fabric being manufactured, the total length, C, being measured longitudinally (in.the machine direction) about the endless-loop form of the papermaker's fabric. woven fabric strip 16, having a width w, is spirally wound onto the first and second rolls 12,14 in a plurality of turns from stock roll 18, which may be translated along the second roll 14 in the course of the winding. Successive turns of the fabric strip 16 are disposed relative to one another in the manner to be illustrated below, and are bonded to one another along spirally continuous seam 20 to produce a papermaker's fabric 22 as shown in Figure 2.
When a sufficient number of turns of the fabric strip 16 have been made to produce a papermaker's fabric 22 of desired width W, that width being measured transversely (in the cross-machine direction) across the endless-loop form of the papermaker's fabric 22, the spiral winding is concluded. The papermaker's fabric 22 so obtained has an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine dir8ction. Initially, the lateral edges of the papermaker's fabric 22, it will be apparent, will not be parallel to the machine direction thereof, and must be trimmed along lines 24 to provide the papermaker's fabric 22 with the desired width W, and with two lateral edges parallel to the machine direction of its endless-loop form.
Fabric strip 16 may be woven from monofilament, plied monofilament or multifilament yarns of a synthetic polymeric resin, such as polyester or polyamide, in the same manner as other fabrics used in the papermaking industry are woven. After weaving, it may be heat-set in a conventional manner prior to 5 interim storage on stock roll 18. Fabric strip 16 includes lengthwise yarns and crosswise yarns, wherein, for example, the lengthwise yarns may be plied monofilament yarns while the crosswise yarns may be monofilament yarns. Further, fabric strip 16 may 10 be of a single- or multi-layer weave.
Alternatively, fabric strip 16 may be woven and heat-set in a conventional manner, and fed directly to apparatus 10 from a heat-set unit without interim storage on a stock roll 18. It may also be possible 15 to eliminate heat-setting with the proper material selection and product construction (weave, yarn sizes and counts). In such a situation, fabric strip 16 would be fed to the apparatus 10 from a weaving loom without interim storage on a stock roll 18.
20 Figure 3 is a cross section of fabric strip 16 taken as indicated by line 3-3 ~in Figure 1. It comprises lengthwise yarns 26 and crosswise yarns 28, both of which are represented as monofilaments, interwoven in a single-layer weave. More 25 specifically, a plain weave is shown, although, it should be understood, the fabric strip 16 may be woven according to any of the weave patterns commonly used to weave paper machine clothing. Because the fabric strip 16 is spirally wound to assemble papermaker's 30 fabric 22, lengthwise yarns 26 and crosswise yarns 28 do not align with the machine and cross-machine directions, respectively, of the papermaker's fabric 22. Rather, the lengthwise yarns 26 make a slight angle, 8, whose magnitude is a measure of the pitch of 35 the spiral windings of the fabric strip 16, with respect to the machine direction of the papermaker's fabric 22, as suggested by the top plan view thereof shown in Figure 2. This angle, as previously noted, is typically less than 10°.
5 Woven fabric strip 16 has a f first lateral edge 3 0 and a second lateral edge 32. Along the first and second lateral edges 30,32 of the fabric strip 16 are a first lateral fringe 34 and a second lateral fringe 36, respectively. The first and second lateral 10 fringes 34,36 are the ends of crosswise yarns 28 which are not bound by lengthwise yarns 26 and extend beyond the first and second lateral edges 30,32.
Alternatively, only one of the first and second lateral edges 30,32 may have a lateral fringe. The 15 lateral fringe or fringes 34,36 may be provided by removing one or more lengthwise yarns 26 from the lateral edge or edges 30,32. Alternatively, the fabric strip 16 may be woven in a manner which provides it with first and/or second lateral fringes 20 34,36 without requiring the removal of lengthwise yarns 26 from the first and/or second lateral edges' 30,32 thereof. In any event, the first and second lateral edges 30, 32 define the width of the body of the woven fabric strip 16.
25 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 in Figure 1 and is provided to ill-t~strate the manner in which fabric strip 16 is wound onto first and second parallel rolls 12,14 to form spirally continuous seam 20. Once the first of 30 the plurality of spirally wound turns of fabric strip 16 is completed, successive turns are disposed such that the first lateral edges 30 of the body thereof abut against the second lateral edges 32 of previously wound turns of the body of fabric strip 16. As a 35 consequence, the second lateral fringe 36 of each turn is- disposed beneath the first lateral edge 30 of the immediately following turn. It follows also, as shown in Figure 4, that the first lateral fringe 34 of each turn after the first is disposed on top of the second lateral edge 32 of the immediately preceding turn.
In accordance with the present invention, the so-disposed first and second lateral fringes 34,36 are ultrasonically bonded to the second and first lateral edges 32,30, respectively, of the woven fabric strip 16 which they over- or underlie. Referring to Figure 5, the spirally continuous seam 20 illustrated in Figure 4 is shown schematically between the horn 40 of an ultrasonic welding apparatus and an anvil 42.
The anvil 42 is preferably a rotatable cylinder or wheel-like member whose outer, circumferential surface 44 functions as the surface against which the horn 40 presses the spirally continuous seam 20 for ultrasonic welding. To effect the welding or bonding, the ultrasonic welding apparatus is activated so that horn 40, while compressing the spirally continuous seam 20 against the surface 44 of the anvil, vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency to bond the first and/or second lateral fringes 34,36 to the second and/or first lateral edges 32, 30, respectively, of the fabric strip 16.
The outer, circumferential surface 44 of the anui1.42 is preferably knurled in a relatively deep pattern, so that spot welds, rather than a continuous weld, are produced. The knurling may be in a medium, female diamond-knurl pattern. This provides the spirally continuous seam 20 with an openness and porosity comparable to those of other regions of the fabric .
A rotatable anvil, such as anvil 42, facilitates the continuous welding or bonding of the spirally continuous seam 20 by permitting the seam 20 to be continuously drawn between the horn 40 and the rotatable anvil 42 in the manner suggested by the arrows in Figure 5. In such a situation, the horn 40 5 and anvil 42 may remain fixed, while the spirally continuous seam 20 is drawn between them for joining.
It may be more practical, however, to maintain the horn 40 and anvil 42 fixed relative to one another, and to translate them laterally together in a 10 direction parallel to the first and second parallel rolls, in the same manner as stock roll 18 is translated, while the spirally continuous seam 20 passes between the horn 40 and anvil 42 to close the seam 20. It may be even more practical to maintain 15 the horn 40 and anvil 42 fixed relative to one another as well as stationary, and to translate the papermaker's fabric 22 laterally as the spirally continuous seam 20 is being closed. In this case, stock roll 18 may remain in a fixed position relative 20 to the horn 40 and anvil 42. In any event, plates 46 are provided to support fabric strip 16 on both sides of the spirally continuous seam 20.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 in Figure 1, and shows the seam 25 following closure by ultrasonic welding. First lateral fringe 34 is bonded to the top of second lateral edge 32, while second lateral fringe 36 is bonded to the underside of first lateral edge 30, thereby closing the spirally continuous seam 20.
30 The following Example is submitted to illustrate the present invention:
Examr~le A Branson Model FS-90 ultrasonic welding station 35 was used to form seams of the above-disclosed type.
The fabric strip used was a 9 oz/yd2 (300 g/m2) nylon fabric, woven from monofilament weft yarns and plied monofilament warp yarns in a single-layer plain weave pattern, of the type commonly employed as a press 5 fabric base. The ultrasonically welded, spirally continuous seam was prepared as follows:
1. Warp yarns were raveled (removed) from the selvedges of the fabric strip to be joined so that a 5/32-inch (4 mm) fringe of filling yarn was exposed:
10 This fringe, in a production application, could be woven into the selvedge as desired;
2. The two edges of fabric strip to be joined were engaged so that the fringe of a first fabric strip overlapped the top side of a second fabric 15 strip, and the fringe of the second fabric strip was under the bottom side of the first fabric strip. The fully woven, non-fringed portions of the edges of the opposing fabric strips butted together closely in a common plane. In effect, the fringed portions of the 20 edges formed a lap joint and the fully woven portions formed a butt joint;
3. A 2.5-inch (64 mm) diameter, 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) wide, rotating wheel was used as the anvil for the ultrasonic welding station. The 0.25-inch wide 25 surface of the wheel had been knurled to obtain a medium, female, diamond-knurl pattern. With the fabric strip edges held in the engagement specified above, they were passed between the rotating anvil and a flat-faced, ultrasonically vibrating horn at a feed 30 rate of 10 ft/min (3 m/min), although faster feed rates may be used. This ultrasonic welding step yielded a seam well-suited for its intended purpose.
Tensile tests made across the seam yielded an average seam strength of 34.0 lb/in (5.95 kN/m). By 35 comparison, the filling-direction strength of the fabric strip was measured to be approximately 171 lb/in (30 kN/m), making the average seam strength about 20% of the filling-direction strength. This was found to .be more than adequate for the subject application.
Measurements were made of the difference in thickness between the seam and the remainder of the fabric strip, which itself was approximately 0.032 inch (0.81 mm) thick. Seam thicknesses of from 0.001 to 0.002 inch (0.025 to 0.050 mm) greater or less than the thickness of the fabric strip itself were typically found. In one extreme instance, the seam was 0.007 inch (0.18 mm) thicker than the fabric strip.
Visual inspection of the seam indicated that a large amount of the openness of the fabric was retained in the seam.
Modifications to the above would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, but would not bring the invention so modified beyond the scope of the appended claims.
For example, as discussed above, the invention may be practiced by providing only one of the two lateral edges of the woven fabric strip 16 with a lateral fringe, either by removing one or more lengthwise yarns 26 from only one of the two lateral edges. or by weaving the fabric strip 16 in a manner which provides it with a lateral fringe along one of its two lateral edges. A woven fabric strip 16 having a lateral fringe only along one of its two lateral edges is spirally wound so that the lateral fringe overlies or underlies the lateral edge of an adjacent turn of the fabric strip. In other words, the invention is practiced as described above, except that the second lateral fringe 36 is omitted. The spirally continuous seam 20 may then be characterized as the combination of a butt joint between the first and second lateral edges 30, 32 of fabric strip 16 and a lap joint formed by the overlying or underlying of a lateral fringe on one turn of the fabric strip 16 over or under the adjacent turn of the fabric strip 16.
It should finally be understood that while, in the method illustrated above, the lateral fringe 34 of subsequent turns of the fabric strip 16 overlies the' second lateral edge 32 of those previously wound, those of ordinary skill in the art might take a different approach without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, a subsequently wound turn of fabric strip 16 may be brought up under the second lateral edge of the previously wound turn with the result that lateral fringe 34 underlies the second lateral edge 32 of the previous turn. If the fabric strip 16, in this scenario, includes both a first and a second lateral fringe 34,36, a second lateral fringe 36 will be disposed, as a consequence, over the first lateral edge 30 of the next turn.

Claims (24)

1. A method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric comprising the steps of:
a) manufacturing a woven fabric strip from lengthwise and crosswise yarns of ultrasonic weld fusible material, said woven fabric strip having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a preselected width measured thereacross between said first and second lateral edges defining a woven fabric strip body, said woven fabric strip further having a first lateral fringe along and extending beyond said first lateral edge, said first lateral fringe being ends of said crosswise yarns;
b) spirally winding said fabric strip in a plurality of turns wherein said first lateral edge in a turn of said woven fabric strip body abuts against said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn of said woven fabric strip body, whereby said first lateral fringe in a turn of said woven fabric strip overlies or underlies said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said woven fabric strip;

c) providing an ultrasonic welding apparatus having a horn for delivering ultrasonic energy to said spirally continuous seam;
d) providing an anvil against which said horn may compress a portion of said spirally continuous seam;
e) compressing said portion of said spirally continuous seam between said horn and said anvil;
f) activating said horn to deliver ultrasonic energy to said portion of said spirally continuous seam; and g) moving said spirally continuous seam longitudinally relative to said horn and said anvil to close said spirally continuous seam by bonding said first lateral fringe to said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of manufacturing a woven fabric strip comprises the step of removing at least one lengthwise yarn from an edge thereof to provide said first lateral fringe along said first lateral edge.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said woven fabric strip further has a second lateral fringe along and extending beyond said second lateral edge, said second lateral fringe also being ends of said crosswise yarns.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said step of manufacturing a woven fabric strip comprises the step of removing at least one lengthwise yarn from an edge thereof to provide said second lateral fringe along said second lateral edge.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said woven fabric strip is of a single-layer weave.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said woven fabric strip is of a multi-layer weave.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lengthwise and said crosswise yarns are of a synthetic polymeric resin.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of spirally winding said fabric strip is performed by spirally winding said fabric strip about at least two parallel rolls.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of heat-setting said woven fabric strip following the step of manufacturing said fabric strip.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of trimming said papermaker's fabric to provide said papermaker's fabric with lateral edges parallel to each other and to a machine direction thereof, and defining a width of said fabric.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anvil is a circumferential surface of a rotatable cylindrical member.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said circumferential surface is knurled.
13. A papermaker's fabric comprising a fabric strip woven from lengthwise yarns and crosswise yarns of ultrasonic weld fusible material, said fabric strip having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge separated by a woven fabric strip body, said first lateral edge having a first lateral fringe, formed by ends of said crosswise yarns extending beyond said first lateral edge, said fabric strip being spirally wound in a plurality of contiguous turns wherein said first lateral edge in a turn of said fabric strip body abuts said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said fabric strip, said first lateral fringe being ultrasonically bonded to said fabric strip along said second lateral edge in an adjacent turn thereof, thereby closing said seam and providing an endless papermaker's fabric having a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, an inner surface and an outer surface.
14. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in claim 13 wherein said second lateral edge of said fabric strip has a second lateral fringe formed by ends of said crosswise yarns extending beyond said second lateral edge, and wherein said second lateral fringe is ultrasonically bonded to said fabric strip along said first lateral edge in an adjacent turn thereof.
15. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said fabric strip is of a single-layer weave.
16. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said fabric strip is of a multi-layer weave.
17. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said lengthwise yarns and said crosswise yarns are of a synthetic polymeric resin.
18. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 having lateral edges trimmed in a direction parallel to said machine direction thereof.
19 . A papermaker' s fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said papermaker's fabric is a component of a forming fabric.
20. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said papermaker's fabric is a component of a press fabric.
21. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 20 further comprising a non-woven batt of staple fiber material needled into at least one of said inner and outer surfaces thereof.
22. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said papermaker's fabric is a component of a dryer fabric.
23. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said papermaker's fabric is a component of a base for a polymeric-resin-coated paper industry process belt.
24. A papermaker's fabric as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said lengthwise yarns of said fabric strip make an angle of less than 10° with respect to a machine direction of said papermaker's fabric.
CA 2206087 1997-02-07 1997-05-23 Seam for paper machine clothing Expired - Fee Related CA2206087C (en)

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US08/797,560 US5713399A (en) 1997-02-07 1997-02-07 Ultrasonic seaming of abutting strips for paper machine clothing

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US5713399A (en) 1998-02-03

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