Methods of seaming
AssigneeAlbany International Corp.
InventorsJoseph G. O'Connor, Victor P. Laskorski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A papermaker's fabric and a method of forming a papermaker's fabric, for installation in a papermaking machine. The papermaker's fabric having a plurality of cross-machine, a plurality of machine directional yarns, and a plurality of heat shrunk joints connecting ends of either the machine directional yarns or the cross machine directional yarns to form and continuous loop of fabric. The papermaker's fabric is formed by providing a fixture for securing a plurality of heat shrink tubing sections. Two or more corresponding yarns of the papermaker's fabric are inserted into each of the heat shrink tubing sections and heat is applied to the heat shrink tubing. Upon application of the heat the heat shrink tubing reduces its size to form a tight joint between two yarns inserted therein.
Claims26
An endless papermaker's fabric for installation in a papermaking machine comprising:
- a plurality fabric strips formed of MD and CD yarns;
- and a plurality of heat shrunk joints connecting at least a percentage of said CD yarns to form a continuous loop of fabric, wherein said heat shrunk joints form an MD seam in said endless papermaker's fabric.
A papermaker's fabric for installation in a papermaking machine comprising:
- a plurality of CD yarns;
- a plurality of MD yarns;
- and a plurality of heat shrunk joints connecting adjacent ends of the MD yarns to form a continuous loop of fabric.
An apparatus for forming a papermaker's fabric comprising:
- a grooved fixture for supporting a plurality of heat shrink tubing sections and enabling the insertion of yarns of said papermaker's fabric;
- and a heating means for applying heat to the heat shrink tubing, wherein upon application of the heat the heat shrink tubing reduces its size to form a tight joint between two yarns inserted in each of the heat shrink tubing sections.
A method of seaming of a papermaker's fabric comprising the steps of:
- providing a fixture for securing a plurality of heat shrink tubing sections;
- inserting at least two corresponding yarns of the papermaker's fabric into each of the heat shrink tubing sections;
- and applying heat to the heat shrink tubing wherein upon application of the heat the heat shrink tubing reduces its size to form a tight joint between two yarns inserted therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.