Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A papermakers fabric comprising: a plurality of formed elongated elements of generally rectangular cross section having a length commensurate with the width of the desired fabric, said elements being positioned with their longitudinal axes oriented in the cross-machine direction and having substantially parallel flat upper and lowe surfaces, a first slot formed in and extending completely along at least one longitudinal edge of each of said elements, a second slot formed in and extending completely along another longitudinal edge of each of said elements, said element being formed with equivalently dimensioned slots on two opposite sides thereof, a first aperture pattern formed in and extending through the upper and lower surfaces of said elements to provide a given permeability of the fabric, connecting means for linking said plurality of elements one next to the other by means of said slots to form either an endless or an open ended fabric as required, said connecting means including a pintle formed to fit into said slots and thereby join adjacent formed elements, wherein the linked elements form a smooth papermaking fabric with no protrusions on either the upper or lower surfaces thereof and with no substantial gaps between the elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A papermakers fabric comprising: a plurality of formed elongated elements of generally rectangular cross section having a length commensurate with the width of the desired fabric, said elements being positioned with their longitudinal axes oriented in the cross-machine direction and having substantially parallel flat upper and lowe surfaces, a first slot formed in and extending completely along at least one longitudinal edge of each of said elements, a second slot formed in and extending completely along another longitudinal edge of each of said elements, said element being formed with equivalently dimensioned slots on two opposite sides thereof, a first aperture pattern formed in and extending through the upper and lower surfaces of said elements to provide a given permeability of the fabric, connecting means for linking said plurality of elements one next to the other by means of said slots to form either an endless or an open ended fabric as required, said connecting means including a pintle formed to fit into said slots and thereby join adjacent formed elements, wherein the linked elements form a smooth papermaking fabric with no protrusions on either the upper or lower surfaces thereof and with no substantial gaps between the elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated elements have a uniform cross section along their longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elements are of laminated construction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first aperture pattern is formed in said elongated elements to provide a fabric having a given first permeability, and a second aperture pattern formed along the lateral edges of said elongated elements to provide a fabric having a permeability at the lateral edges thereof which is greater than said first permeability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein an aperture pattern of given permeability is provided in said fabric, the permeability of which may be increased or decreased by changing the tension on the fabric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated elements have a greater thickness at the ends forming the outer lateral edges of the fabric than at the center of the fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linking means are retained in position by deforming the ends thereof after said elements have been linked together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
193 words
A papermakers fabric for use on paper machines comprising: a plurality of extruded elongated elements of generally rectangular cross section having a length substantially equal to the desired cross machine width of the papermakers fabric, said elements being positioned with their longitudinal axes oriented in the cross-machine direction and having substantially parallel, flat upper and lower surfaces; at least one slot formed in and extending completely along a longitudinal edge of each of said elements; means for linking a plurality of said elements one next to the other by means of the slots formed in said elements, wherein the linked elements form a smooth papermaking fabric with no protrusions and having no substantial gaps between the elements; and said elements having a plurality of apertures extending through the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the cross-sectional areas of which apertures are different in the center of the fabric than at the edges thereof so that the permeability of the resulting papermakers fabric is different in the center of the fabric than it is at either edge, and wherein said permeability can be adjusted by changing the tension in the belt in the machine direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
193 words
A papermakers fabric for use on paper machines comprising: a plurality of extruded elongated elements of generally rectangular cross section having a length substantially equal to the desired cross machine width of the papermakers fabric, said elements being positioned with their longitudinal axes oriented in the cross-machine direction and having substantially parallel, flat upper and lower surfaces; at least one slot formed in and extending completely along a longitudinal edge of each of said elements; means for linking a plurality of said elements one next to the other by means of the slots formed in said elements, wherein the linked elements form a smooth papermaking fabric with no protrusions and having no substantial gaps between the elements; and said elements having a plurality of apertures extending through the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the cross-sectional areas of which apertures are different in the center of the fabric than at the edges thereof so that the permeability of the resulting papermakers fabric is different in the center of the fabric than it is at either edge, and wherein said permeability can be adjusted by changing the tension in the belt in the machine direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8 wherein said linking means comprises a tongue formed as integral part of each of said elongated elements; and wherein said elements include a slot formed on the side of the element opposite the side on which said tongue is formed; and wherein said linking occurs by insertion of said tongue of one element into said slot of an adjacent element repetitively to form said endless or open ended fabric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a second slot, said element being formed with equivalently dimensioned slots on two opposite sides, and wherein said linking means comprises a pintle formed to fit into said slots and thereby join adjacent formed elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8 wherein said elements are formed from laminated material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8, wherein the apertures at the lateral edges of said fabric have a greater cross-sectional area than the apertures in the center of the fabric to provide a fabric having a permeability greater at the lateral edges thereof than in the center thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8 wherein said elongated elements are formed with greater thickness at the ends forming the outer lateral edges of the fabric than at the center of the fabric.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A papermakers fabric as set forth in claim 8 wherein said linking means are retained in position by deforming the ends thereof.