Threading belt for pulp floater dryers

A threading belt comprising:

• a main strength member extending longitudinally adjacent a first longitudinal edge of the belt;
• said main strength member comprising woven synthetic fibers having high tensile strength;
• a polymeric material encompassing the main strength member to form a hermetic seal therearound, the polymeric material defining a pair of gripping portions for gripping a web therebetween, the gripping portions being hingedly connected adjacent the main strength member;
• a pair of lip portions which matingly interengage, each lip portion being operatively connected with one of the gripping portions adjacent a second longitudinal edge of the belt;
• and,
• lip tensile members extending longitudinally through the lip portions, said lip tensile members disposed to lie generally coplanar with each other and with the main strength member when the grippng portions are disposed in gripping relation to each other and having high tensile strength and being stretchable longitudinally to provide strength to the belt while permitting longitudinal stretching thereof.

A web threading system comprising:

• a threading belt including hingedly connected gripping portions for receiving a web therebetween;
• said main strength member comprising woven synthetic fibers having high tensile strength and minimal elastic stretch;
• a pair of lip portions each connected adjacent a longitudinal edge of the gripping portions opposite the main strengthening member;
• each lip portion including longitudinally extending tensile members lying coplanar with each other and with said main strengthening member when said lip portions are in gripping relationship;
• a plurality of guide rollers for guiding the threading belt along a preselected workpath, the workpath including at least one linear run;
• a loading station disposed along the liner run for separating the gripping portions less than 90.degree. to facilitate receipt of the web therebetween;
• and,
• an unloading station for separating the gripping portions to discharge the web from therebetween.