Multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric with alternating paired and single top CMD yarns
View Patent ↗A papermaker's fabric comprises a series of repeat units. Each of the repeat units comprises: a set of top MD yarns; a set of top CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of CMD stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom CMD yarns to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together. The stitching yarns are arranged in pairs. The top CMD yarns are arranged in an alternating pattern in which first (a) a single top CMD yarn is positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns, then (b) two top CMD yarns are positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns.
1. A papermaker's fabric comprising a series of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising:
a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns;
a set of top cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom MD yarns;
a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and
a set of CMD stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom CMD yarns to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together;
wherein the stitching yarns are arranged in pairs; and
wherein the top CMD yarns are arranged in an alternating pattern in which first (a) a single top CMD yarn is positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns, then (b) two top CMD yarns are positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns.
2. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 1 , wherein the top MD yarns, the top CMD yarns, and portions of the stitching yarns interweave to form a plain weave papermaking surface on the top fabric layer.
3. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is the same as the first number.
4. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is greater than the first number.
5. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 1 , wherein the bottom CMD yarns form floats under the bottom MD yarns.
6. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 5 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns between portions of adjacent floats formed by adjacent bottom CMD yarns.
7. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 1 , wherein the bottom CMD yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns.
8. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 7 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles immediately adjacent to knuckles formed by bottom CMD yarns.
9. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 2 , wherein the ratio of top CMD yarns and stitching yarn pairs to bottom CMD yarns is 5:2.
10. A papermaker's fabric comprising a series of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising:
a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns;
a set of top cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom MD yarns;
a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and
a set of CMD stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom CMD yarns to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together;
wherein the stitching yarns are arranged in pairs; and
wherein the top CMD yarns are arranged in an alternating pattern in which first (a) a single top CMD yarn is positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns, then (b) two top CMD yarns are positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns;
wherein the top MD yarns, the top CMD yarns, and portions of the stitching yarns interweave to form a plain weave papermaking surface on the top fabric layer; and
wherein the bottom CMD yarns form floats under the bottom MD yarns.
11. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 10 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is the same as the first number.
12. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 10 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is greater than the first number.
13. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 10 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns between portions of adjacent floats formed by adjacent bottom CMD yarns.
14. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 10 , wherein the ratio of top CMD yarns and stitching yarn pairs to bottom CMD yarns is 5:2.
15. A papermaker's fabric comprising a series of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising:
a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns;
a set of top cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom MD yarns;
a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and
a set of CMD stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom CMD yarns to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together;
wherein the stitching yarns are arranged in pairs; and
wherein the top CMD yarns are arranged in an alternating pattern in which first (a) a single top CMD yarn is positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns, then (b) two top CMD yarns are positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns;
wherein the top MD yarns, the top CMD yarns, and portions of the stitching yarns interweave to form a plain weave papermaking surface on the top fabric layer; and
wherein the bottom CMD yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns.
16. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 15 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is the same as the first number.
17. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 15 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles immediately adjacent to knuckles formed by bottom CMD yarns.
18. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 15 , wherein the ratio of top CMD yarns and stitching yarn pairs to bottom CMD yarns is 5:2.
19. A papermaker's fabric comprising a series of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising:
a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns;
a set of top cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer;
a set of bottom MD yarns;
a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and
a set of CMD stitching yarns interwoven with the top and bottom CMD yarns to bind the top and bottom fabric layers together;
wherein the stitching yarns are arranged in pairs; and
wherein the top CMD yarns are arranged in an alternating pattern in which first (a) a single top CMD yarn is positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns, then (b) two top CMD yarns are positioned between adjacent pairs of stitching yarns;
wherein the ratio of top CMD yarns and stitching yarn pairs to bottom CMD yarns is 5:2.
20. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 19 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is the same as the first number.
21. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 19 , wherein one of the pair of stitching yarns forms a first number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the other of the pair of stitching yarns forms a second number of knuckles over the top MD yarns, and the second number is greater than the first number.
22. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 19 , wherein the bottom CMD yarns form floats under the bottom MD yarns.
23. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 22 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns between portions of adjacent floats formed by adjacent bottom CMD yarns.
24. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 19 , wherein the bottom CMD yarns form knuckles under the bottom MD yarns.
25. The papermaker's fabric defined in claim 24 , wherein the stitching yarns form knuckles immediately adjacent to knuckles formed by bottom CMD yarns.