Improved seam integrity for multi-layer / multi-seam press fabrics

摘要

An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric includes a first and a second base fabric, each of which is joinable into endless form with a seam. The first and second base fabrics are attached to one another by at least one layer of staple fiber batt entangled therethrough such that they are offset with respect to one another in a lengthwise direction when joined. As a consequence, seaming loops at one widthwise edge of the first base fabric coincide with a non-seam region of the second base fabric, and seaming loops at one widthwise edge of the second base fabric coincide with a non-seam region of the first base fabric. When joined into endless form, the first base fabric is an outer base fabric, and the second base fabric is an inner base fabric. At least one extra cross-machine-direction (CD) yarn is woven with at least two of the following: (a) the outer side of the seaming loops of at least one widthwise edge of the outer base fabric; (b) the inner side of the seaming loops of at least one widthwise edge of the outer base fabric; (c) the outer side of the seaming loops of at least one widthwise edge of the inner base fabric; and (d) the inner side of the seaming loops of at least one widthwise edge of the inner base fabric.