Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for papermaking fabrics (W) with a machine direction fiber batt (24) is disclosed. A carding machine (B, B') is arranged with its carding cylinder (39) parallel to the axis of rotation (22) of carriage rollers (20) about which a base fabric (16) travels in a machine direction. A carded batt (24) with fibers (36) oriented in the machine direction is fed directly in the machine direction onto base fabric (16). An auxiliary needling unit (A) including an auxiliary needling module (44) lightly tacks machine direction batt (24) to base fabric (16) across its width. For this purpose, carding machine (B) and base fabric (16) move relative to one another in a direction transverse to the machine direction. In one embodiment, card (B) moves transversely in synchronization with auxiliary needling unit (A) while carriage (18) carrying the base fabric is stationary. In an alternate embodiment, carding machine (B') and auxiliary needling unit (A') are stationary while carriage (18') moves transversely to deposit machine direction oriented batt (24) in strips across the base fabric. Upon completion of tacking the machine direction batt, the composite is passed beneath main needling modules (12) of a needling loom (10). Machine direction batt (24) is tucked fully into base fabric (16) by further needling on needle loom (10).

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First Claim