US2202890A

US2202890A - Pressure and vacuum forming papermaking machine

Info

Publication number: US2202890A
Application number: US71109A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earl E Berry
Original assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Current assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Priority date: 1936-03-27
Filing date: 1936-03-27
Publication date: 1940-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 1957-06-04

Description

E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE ANb VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1936 E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 19156 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1936 7 SheetsSheet 5 MQ Q 3,

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MEUU zW/zwe y E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed larch 27, 1936 E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 19156 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ME 1417 faiz'fiei iy E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 27, 1956 ME U JZZrJZZEei K E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 27, 1936 Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPER- MAKING MACHINE Application March 27, 1936, Serial No."71',109

32 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for making paper under the influence of both suction and hydrostatic pressure.

More specifically this invention relates to papapermaking machines of the Fourdrinier type adopted to run at very high speeds to produce paper webs of uniform fibre texture, thickness and strength.

In the manufacture of paper on the machines of the Fourdrinier type, the Fourdrinier wire or forming wire must be replaced at rather frequent intervals thereby greatly increasing the maintenance cost of the machine.

Heretofore, it was necessary to use very long forming wires on high speed machines in order to effect a suitable sheet formation on the wire. The very length of the forming wire required on high speed machines limits the speed at which these machines could be run because of the weight of the wire and its tendency to sag and stretch. Attempts to effect the web formation on shorter lengths of wire by forcing the drainage of white water from the paper stock on the wire have not been entirely satisfactory because the suction boxes and draining devices placed beneath the forming wires have subjected the wire to high frictional wear as it passes over the devices.

I have now provided an improved papermaking machine of the Fourdrinier type in which paper stock is fed to a forming wire under such carefully controlled conditions that the fibres thereof can be immediately set into web form as soon as the stock contacts the wire. The web-forming or setting area of the forming wire is therefore greatly decreased making possible the use of shorter and cheaper forming wires. Furthermore, according to this invention, the forming wires are supported on improved table roll structure making possible a more continuous support for the wire without wearing out the bottom of the wire by friction. Forced drainage of white water through the wire is obtained by controlled suction from beneath the wire without causing a frictional drag on the under side of the wire as occurred heretofore.

According to this invention the paper stock is fed into the bottom of a feed or head box and flows upwardly therein to a predetermined level to form a pond from which excess amounts of stock are readily removed to prevent a storing and settling of fibres in the pond. A metering device then feeds stock from this pond into a feed nozzle extending the full width of the forming wire and having an opening of adjustable length directly over the wire. A slice is disposed in front of the nozzle opening and excess stock is drained from behind the slice. In this manner none of the stock'is allowed to settle out and a. constant uniform quality of stock is fed to the 5 wire.

The hydrostatic head of stock in the head box can be'controlled to a nicety by the adjustable overflow therefrom and all cross-directional flow of the stock through the head box is stopped 10 by the metering device for feeding the stock to the feed nozzle. The use of this metering device prevents the necessity for storing large quiescent ponds of stock behind theslice and permits the rapid flowing of stock into the feed box since any 15 objectional fiow otfibresis stopped by the metering device before the fibres contact the forming wire.

The forced drainage of. the white water through the forming wire is effected by gravity, hydrostatic force and /or vacuum pumps and is carefully controlled in varying degrees along the upper run of the wire as desired. The wire at the same time is supported on small diameter table rolls more fully described and claimed in my copending application entitled Table roll structure for paper machines, Serial No. 55,753, filed December 23, 1935, now U. S. Patent No. 2,111,- 833, dated March 22, 1938. These table rolls can be closely mounted together to prevent a sagging of the wire between the rolls and white water can freely flow or be forced through the wire at the open spaces between the rolls.

While the machines of this invention will be specifically described as using short forming wires it should be understood that the structures of this invention can also be used on long wire machines to improve their operation and increase their production. For example, the speed and ease of operation of any Fourdrinier machine can be increased with the installation of the table roll structure and vacuum devices of this invention while the quality of the paper produced can be further improved by the installation of stock feed devices according to this invention.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a papermaking machine adapted to produce paper webs at high speed by the aid of carefully controlled hydrostatic pressure and separately controlled vacuum.

A further object of this invention is to provid a Fourdrinier type papermaking machine adapted? to set the fibres of paper stock into a uniform web in less time than was heretofore required.

A further object of this invention is to provide a papermaking machine of the Fourdrinier type equipped with improved stock feed and white water draining devices to permit the use of shorter forming wires at higher speeds than was heretofore possible.

Another object of this invention is to'provide an improved stock feeding arrangement of variable size and capacity which is adapted to deliver paper stock to a forming surface at high speed and, at the same time, free from objectionable cross currents, foam and air.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved white water draining devices for papermaking machines that can be carefully regulated along the upper run of the forming wire of the machine to effect fibre formation on the wire as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a metering device for feeding paper stock onto the forming surfaces of paper machines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stock feed for Fourdrinier type papermaking machines adapted to receive a rapid flow of paper stock and deliver this stock at a desired rate to the forming wire of the machine without permitting a settling of fibres in the stock.

A further object of this invention is to provide a Fourdrinier type of paper machine with a forming area of variable size.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide papermaking machines adapted to form paper stock into fibrous webs with enhanced rapidity and equipped with devices for controlling the rapidity of web formation adapted to vary the pressure head of the stock on the forming wire, to vary the vacuum under the forming wire, to vary the white water drainage from the forming wire and to vary the length of the forming surface of the forming wire.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which disclose pre ferred embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a papermaking machine according to this invention having a short forming wire thereon adapted to run at very high speeds.

Figure 2 is a broken top plan view, with parts in horizontal cross section, of the stock head box and feeding device of a machine according to this invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line V--V of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged elevational view of the worm gear device shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line X-X of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view with parts in elevation of a modified form of the head box and stock feed nozzle according to this invention.

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view, with parts in elevation, of another modified form of the slice arrangement for the head box.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown on Figure 1, reference numeral I0- indicates the forming wire of the paper machine entrained between a breast roll II and a couch roll l2 and under a tensioning roll I3. The breast roll ll may be cleaned and have the white water removed from its periphery by a wiper lla scraping thereagainst for directing any water or fibres on the roll into a trough llb.

Drain boxes l4 and I 5 are mounted under the upper run of the forming wire I and carry the table roll structure as will be more fully hereinafter described.

A deckle strap I6 is mounted along the upper run of the forming wire ID at each side thereof and is trained around pulleys l1 and II as is customary. Each deckle strap l6 rests, along its bottom run, partly on the edge of the forming wire and partly on the table rolls to thereby seal the evacuated chambers of the boxes I4 and I5 and to prevent leakage of stock over the sides of the forming wire. If desired a dandy roll or water marking roll I! can be rotatably mounted along the upper run of the wire between the boxes H and I5 to mark the web on the wire.

The head box 22 of the machine is mounted behind the breast roll H on pivots 2| held in supports 22. The head box comprises a vertical compartment 22 adapted to receive aqueous suspensions of stock from a plurality of pipes such as 24- entering into the compartment 23 near the bottom thereof. The stock is preferably distributed equally through a plurality of branch pipes such as 24 from' a manifold header pipe (not shown) extending across the full width of the compartment 23. The head box 20 also contains a horizontally disposed compartment 25 which extends over the top run of the forming wire III as shown.

The entire head box 20 can be swung backwards to the position shown in dotted lines as at Ma by merely tilting the box on the pivots 2|. Instead of pivotally mounting the box, it can be slidably mounted in a support for movement in a vertical direction above the wire In or in a horizontal direction back from the breast roll ll.

When it is desired to change the Fourdrinier wire ID the head box 20 is moved away from the wire as described above. The support 26 for the breast roll II is then removed and the breast roll is allowed to drop while supported on arms 21 which are pivoted at 28 to the box ll so as to place the breast roll closer to the couch roll I2.

The couch roll I2 is preferably of a cantilever construction wherein a supporting bracket thereof can be removed from one end of the roll and the wire slipped over the roll before the supporting bracket is replaced. Likewise the tensioning roller l3 can be raised by rotating the shaft 28 which carries arms such as 28a at each end iii thereof. The shaft 28 is rotatably carried. in supports 36 depending from the box l5. The arms 280 are pivoted to link members 29 which rotatably support the roll I3. Other link members such as 29a connect the ends of the supports 36 and the links 29 to guide the roll l3.

The new wire is then slipped over the couch roll, the tensioning roll and the breast roll. The breast and tensioning rolls are then placed into their operating positions by allowing the tensioning roll |3 to rest on the bottom run of the wire l6 and by replacing the support 26 for the breast roll.

It will be noted that the standards 3| and 32 for the box l4 and the

standards

33 and 34 for the box l are removable to permit the mounting of a new wire on the machine such as by stringing the new wire alongside the machine. The boxes l4 and I5 during the wire changing are supported on track structure as will be hereinafter described.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 the head box or stock feeding device 26 comprises the vertically disposed box 23 defining a chamber 46 adapted to receive the paper stock from the p pes 24. The stock flows upwardly in the chamber 46 around a curved vertically adjustable baffle plate 4| located on one side of the bottom portion of the box. The top portion of the box is provided with an opening 42 on each side thereof communicating with overflow boxes 43 and 44 respectively carried on each side of the box 23. These overflow boxes 43 and 44 are drained through pipes 45 communicat ng with the bottoms thereof and the thus removed stock can be recirculated to be mixed with the feed to the box 23.

Plates H6 and III are slidable in the chamber 46 in front of the openings 42 as will be mor fully hereinafter described. These plates It and III are provided with smaller openings such as 46. The openings 46 are adapted to be closed by gates 41 slidably mounted in tracks 48 formed on the plates 6 and Ill. The gates 41 have bosses 41a formed thereon in screw thread engagement with threaded rods 49 extending to the top of the box 23 and having manually operable wheels 56 thereon for permitting rotation of the rods to raise or lower the gates 41 relative to the openings 46.

In this manner a definitely controlled drainage of stock can be maintained under the to level of the stock in the box 23 as determined by the position of the plates 6 and II to maintain the fibres of the stock in a uniform suspension and prevent accumulations of white water and foam at the top level. The ates 41 can also be used for controlled overflow of stock when the level of stock is below the top edges of the plates 6 and III.

A metering wheel 5| is mounted above the bafiie 4| in the stock box 23 and is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The meterin wheel 5| is provided with a plurality of vanes 52 defining therebetween a plurality of pockets 53 adapted to receive stock as it flows upwardly over the baffle 4| and deliver this stock to a feed nozzle 54 located behind the baffle 4| and extending over the forming wire l6 as shown in Figure 3. The nozzle 54 extends across the full width of the wire l6 and is provided at its entrance, under the metering wheel 5|, with a plurality of parallel disposed ribs 55 in spaced relation from each other for directing a parallel flow of stock from the metering wheel into the nozzle.

The metering wheel therefore acts as an undershot wheel for tapping off a uniform predetermined amount of stock from the feed box 23 into the nozzle 54.

An apron .56 is secured on the lower lip of the nozzle 54 and is adapted to rest on the forming wire l6. The apron 5'6 can be composed of a flexible metal sheet, rubber, or a resin impregnated fabric material.

The top lip of the nozzle 54 receives a plate 51 which is slidable thereover and is secured at its end to a vertical plate 58 extending across the full width of the horizontal portion 25 of the box 26 between the side plates 59 and 66 thereof.

The plate 58 is carried in saddles 6| and 62 which are slidable along the tops of the plates 59 and 66 respectively. A sliding of the saddles 6| and 62 on the plates 59 and 66 is manually effected by threaded rods 63 and 64 respectively operated by hand wheels 65 and 66. The rods 68 and 64 are in screw thread engagement with the bosses formed on the saddles 6| and 62 and are rotatably mounted in bearings 61 and 68 carried at the ends of the plates 59 and 66 respectively as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The plate 59 is furthermore slidable vertically in the saddles 8| and 62 in a groove or track 69 provided in the saddles for receiving L-shaped flanges I6 formed on the ends of the plate as shown in Figure 2. Vertical movement of the plate 58 is effected by rotating lift screws 1| threaded through a flange 12 formed on top of the plate 58 as shown in Figure 3. The ends of the lift screws 1| rest on top of the saddles 6| and 62 respectively and the screws are rotated by manually turning handles 13 secured to the ends thereof. The screws are locked in adjusted position by second handles 14 threaded on the screws for abutting the flange 12 of the plate 58.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the side plates 59 and 66 of the compartment 25 of the box 26 are held in proper spaced relation by tubular tie rods such as 14 and 15.

A second plate 16 is mounted behind the plate 58 between the side members 59 and 66 and is vertically slidable in track members 11 secured to the side members for receiving L-shaped flanges 18 formed on the ends of the plate 16. The bottom of the plate 16 is provided with a resilient strip 19 as shown in Figure 3 for resting against the plate 51 on top of the nozzle 54. The strip 19 is a seal for stock flowing through an opening 80 in the plate 58 as shown in Figure 3 and any stock flowing through this opening is thus directed to openings 8| formed in the side members 59 and 66 into overflow boxes 82 and 83 (Fig. 2) carried by the side members 59 and 66. The

boxes

82 and 83 communicate with pipes 84 and 85 which recirculate the stock to the supply for the inlet pipes 24 of the head box 26. The amount of flow into the pipes 84 and 85 is controlled by gates 86 vertically slidable in the

boxes

82 and 83 to regulate the size of the outlets therefrom. The gates 86 are operated through rods 81 having hand wheels 88 secured to the tops thereof.

The plate 16 can be raised or lowered in the tracks ll by means of lift screws 89 threaded through a flange 96 formed on top of the plate 16. The ends of the lift screws 69 rest on top of the side plates 59 and 66 of the compartment 25 and the screws are manually rotated by handies 9I and locked in position by additional handles 92 resting on top of the flange 90.

A third plate 93 is mounted in front of the plate 58 to act as a slice for stock flowing from the nozzle 54 onto the wire I0. The plate 93 has an angle strip 94 secured along the bottom thereof as shown in Figure 3 for acting as a further adjustable slice on the slice plate 93. The strip 94 is flexible and can be set at various positions in the slot 95 formed in the bottom of the plate 93.

'The plate 93 is carried insaddles 96 and 91 identical with the manner in which the plate 58 is carried. The saddles 98 and 91 slide along the tops of the side members 59 and 60 and are suspended therefrom. The plate 93 is vertically slidable in the saddles 96 and 91 in tracks 98 therein formed for receiving L-shaped flanges 99 on the ends of the plate 93 as shown in Figure 2.

The plate 93 is vertically adjusted relative to the saddles 96 and 91 by lift scrczvs I threaded through a flange IIII formed on top of the plate and resting at their ends on the tops of the saddles. The lift screws I00 are manually operated by handles I02 locked in adjusted position by second handles I03.

As pointed out above threaded rods 63 and 84 operated by hand wheels 65 and 86 are provided for sliding the saddles BI and 62 along the side members 59 and 60 of the compartment 25 to move the plate 58 back and forth in the compartment. The saddles 96 and 91 carrying the slice plate 93 are likewise moved with the saddles SI and 62 by a turning of the hand wheels 65 and 86 since these saddles are connected to the saddles 6| and 82 respectively by tie bolts I04 and I05, respectively threaded through bosses formed on each saddle. However, when it is desired to vary the distance between the plates 55 and 93, the tie bolts I04 and I05 can be rotated to move the plate 93 toward or away from the plate 58. This adjustment therefore permits a spacing of the slice any desired distance from the effective end of the nozzle 54 formed by the plate 58.

When the plate 58 is moved by rotating the hand wheels 65 and 68 the plate 51 resting on the top lip of the nozzle 54 is slided along the upper lip of the nozzle and it is therefore evident that a moving of the plate 58 varies the discharge end of the nozzle to control the forming area for the stock on the wire I0. This forming wire area is further controlled by a positioning of the slice 93 any desired distance from the plate 58. In

order to prevent any settling out of stock behind the slice plate 93 the stock is continuously flowed through the nozzle 54 in carefully regulated amounts as delivered from the metering 5| and any excess stock is drained through the openings 80 and 8I into a recirculating circuit. The amount of drainage can be carefully controlled by a manual setting of the gates 85.

As shown in Figures 2 and 8 the metering wheel 5I is journaled at its ends in the vertically slidable plates H0 and III in the compartment 23 of g the box 20. The plates H0 and III are raised and lowered by vertical rods I I2 threaded at their ends in bosses II3 secured on the plates. The

rods I I2 are driven through gears in housings H4 mounted on each side of the top of the box 20. A shaft II5 connects the gears in the two housings H4. The gears in one of the housings I I4 are driven by a suitable motor such as IIG (Fig. 1).

A rotation of the rods I I2 to raise and lower the plates H0 and III effects a change in size of the openings 42 leading from the box into the overflow boxes 43 and 44. Since the. gates 4'! described above are carried on the plates H0 and I II these gates move with the plates without changing their position with respect to the openings 45 which they control since the rods 49 controlling the operation of the gates 41 are freely slidable in the upper bearing 58a on top of the box 20.

This vertical adjustment of the plates H0 and III effects any desired change in the head of the stock maintained in the box 23, since as pointed out hereinafter the baflle 4| moves with the plates I I0 and I I I.

The metering wheel 5| is driven at both ends thereof by an electric motor I20 (Figs. 1 and 2) which drives a shaft I2I extending across the top of the box 23 and provided at both ends with worm gears I22 for driving worm wheels I23 mounted on the ends of vertical shafts I24 (Fig. 8) which have elongated worms I25 secured thereon near the bottom thereof. The shafts I24 are mounted in an extension I28 of the overflow boxes 43 and 44 formed on the sides of the box 23.

As best shown in Figure 9 the worm I25 drives worm gears I21 secured on the ends of a shaft I28 driving the metering wheel 5| through suitable bearing mechanism indicated generally at I29.

The worms I25 are purposely elongated so that the gears I21 will mesh therewith irrespective of the vertical position of the metering wheel 5| as raised or lowered by the shafts H2.

The above described mechanism therefore provides for the positive driving of the metering wheel irrespective of its vertical position in the box 23 which position is positively controlled as desired by mechanical driving means to raise and lower the plates H0 and III for varying the head of stock in the box 23. A further adjustment of the head of the stock providing for a return of this stock from any desired head is provided by the gates 41.

The battle 4I is also secured at its ends to the plates H0 and III and therefore is maintained always in fixed relation to the metering wheel. Thus when the wheel is raised or lowered the bailie 4I follows the wheel.

The head box arrangement permits a free circulation of stock therethrough in any desired amount to insure against a settling of fibres in the head of stock maintained behind the metering wheel. The meteringwheel delivers stock at any desired rate depending upon the speed at which it is operated to the nozzle which distributes this metered stock to the forming wire. In order to prevent a settling of stock in the nozzle a certainexcess can be delivered therethrough which is recirculated back through the chambers provided behind the slice. The arrangement therefore insures a positive circulation of stock and at the same time prevents undesired concentration of. bundles of fibres and cross-current arrangements of fibres since the metering wheel deadens all flow of the fibres.

In some cases the metering wheel 5I can be dispensed with but the vertical adjustment of the battle 4I will always permit the maintenance of any desired head of stock in the box. The battle is raised or lowered to meet the requirements of different machine speeds since each speed requires a different hydraulic head.

In Figures 11 and 12 there is illustrated a modified form of the head box. In these figures parts of the head box similar to the parts illustrated and described in Figure 3 have been identified to of the sheet is formed within the confined with identical reference numerals.

In this modified arrangement of. the head box the upper lip 54a of the nozzle 54 is pivoted at 54b to a front plate I30 of the head box 23 at the lower end thereof. The plate I30 is provided with elongated slots I3I and I32 receiving bolts I33 and I34 to secure the plate to the head box. The plate I30 can be raised and lowered relative to the head box 23 by means of vertical lift screws I35 secured on top of the plate I30 at both ends thereof. The lift screws I35 are rotatably mounted in supporting brackets I38 mounted on top of the head box 23 and are manually operated by hand wheels I31. When the plate I30 is set in its adjusted positions the bolts I33 and I34 are tightened in the slots I3I and I32 to secure the plate in fixed position to the head box. This vertical adjustment of. the plate I30 effects a variation in size of the intake opening of the nozzle 54. It will be noted that in this modification the ribs 55 described in Figure 3 are dispensed with.

The plate I6, in the modified form of the nozzle arrangement, carries brackets I38 at each end thereof on its inner face. The brackets I38 receive rods I39 therethrough which are threaded into handles or bosses I40 resting on top of the brackets I38.

The rods I39 are offset as at I39a to extend toward the side plates 59 and 60' of the compartment 25 and are secured to elongated straps I4I slidably mounted in channels I42 formed in the inner faces of. the plates 59 and 60. The straps I 4I are secured at their ends as at I43 to upper lip 54a of the nozzle 54. In this manner the upper lip 54a of the nozzle 54 can be tilted about its pivot point 54b by raising or lowering the plate 16 or by an adjustment of the rods I39. This permits an adjustment of the size of the lower end of the nozzle.

The modified nozzle construction therefore provides for the adjustment in size of both the entrance end and delivery ends of. the nozzle in addition to the other adjustments provided in the modification disclosed in Figure 3.

In Figure 13 there is shown a modified slice construction that can be used on either of the head boxes shown in Figures 3 or 11. In this construction the front slice plate 93 is omitted and the second plate 58 is replaced with a solid plate 58a carrying the adjustable lip 94a in a groove a. therein. The forming wire I0a passes under the lip 94a in an identical manner to that shown in Figures 3 and 11. The plate 58a has the plate 51a. secured thereon which plate 50a and plate 51a slides over the top lip of the nozzle 54. A vertical plate 16a, identical with the plate I6, is mounted behind the slice plate 58a and carries a strip 19a at the bottom thereof for urging the plate 5111 against the upper lip of the nozzle. The plates 58a and 16a are carried in the same manner as the plates 58 and I6 of Figures 3 and 11.

This modified slice construction does not provide for the overflow of stock from behind the slice but does include the adjustable forming area feature of the previously described head boxes. One of the important functions of the head boxes of this invention is to provide a confined forming area which is adjustable in length to suit different speeds, stock conditions and weights of paper, I The larger part of the formation takes placefwithin this confined area before passing through the slice. Thus in operation from 50 area behind the slice.

Obviously, some of the stock flows under the slice to complete the sheet formation beyond the slice. Thus, if. from 50 to 90% of the sheet is formed behind the slice, from 10 to 50% of the sheet must be formed beyond the slice to com-' plete the formation.

As is customary on Fourdrinier type papermaking machines equipped with pressure inlets, stock for completing the web formation is flowed or spouted under the slice at the velocity of the wire.

The aqueous suspensions of stock fed to the machine are the usual dilute suspensions used on high-speed Fourdrinier machines.

In Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 there are illustrated the details of the table roll structure and suction boxes such as are mounted in the boxes I4 and I5 shown in Figure 1.

For purpose of convenience the box I4 will only be described it being understood that the box I5 is of similar construction.

The box I4 as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 comprises frame members I50 defining a rectangular chamber closed at the bottom thereof by a sloping pan I5I secured thereto by means of bolts or the like securing means. The lower end of the pan I5I is enlarged as at I52 (Fig. 6) to provide a sump or white water collecting trough as will be hereinafter described.

Vertically elongated tracks or beams I53 are seated in the ends of the frame I50 as shown in Figure 6. These beams I53 extend for a considerable distance into the aisle along side of the papermaking machine and serve as supporting means for the boxes when the pedestals 3|, 32, 33, and 34 thereunder are removed as when placing a new wire on the machine. If desired the frame structure I50 may be slided along the beams I53 to permit a withdrawing of the boxes into the aisle alongside of the machine for inspection and cleaning.

Within the frame structure I50 are provided a plurality of partition walls I54 dividing the box into a plurality of chambers I55.

The ends of some of the partitions I54 are slotted as at I58 for receiving slides I51 therein to regulate the size of the space under the partition walls thereby controlling the amount of white water flowing into the sump I52 from each chamber I55. The slides I51 are raised and lowered any desired degree in the slots I56 by means of screws I58 having heads I580 seated in recesses formed in the bottoms of the slides. The screws I58 extend through the pan I5I where they can be readily reached for manual setting.

The top of each partition wall I54 together with the top of the end frame members of the box I4 are channeled as at I59 for defining a slot extending across the full width of the box. The walls defining the slot may be reinforced by core members I60 cast integrally into the well.

Between each of the partition walls there are mounted bars I6I extending parallel with the walls and likewise provided with slots I59 therein.

The bars I6I are held in proper spaced relation between the partition walls and frame member I50 by bushings I62 having fingers I63 extending between the bars I 6| as best shown in Figure 4. These bushings I62 receive a tie rod I64 therethrough for supporting the bushings. The tie rod is secured at its ends in the frame I50 of the box. Several such tie rods I64 and sets of bushings I62 may be provided across the width of the box for rigidly supporting the bars I6I.

The rods I64 also extend through the partition walls I54 and serve as bracing means for these walls.

Each bar I6I, each top of a partition wall I54 and each top of the end frame members I50 of the box I4, as pointed out above, are provided with slots I59 extending across the full length thereof. Bearing sleeves I65 are securely seated over the tops of each of these members as by welding, brazing, or soldering the sleeve as at I66 (Fig. 7) to the bar, partition wall, or frame. The sleeve I65 is provided with a slot or openings I61 in communication with the slots I59 of these members. A table roll I68 of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material is rotatably mounted within the bearing sleeve I65. The table rolls I68 extend across the full width of the box I4 for supporting the forming wire I0 and are preferably of a small diameter so as to permit the mounting of a plurality of these rolls in close proximity without interfering with the drainage of white water through the forming wire. The rolls being of smaller diameter and supported in the bearing sleeves I65 for their full length are capable of being rotated at higher speeds than was ever possible in driving the conventional table roll,

The table rolls I68, as shown in Figure 4, can I be coupled by means of flexible couplings I10 to drive shafts I1I extending from a gear box I12 containing a gear train driven from a single drive shaft I13 by means of a motor or any suitable prime mover. The gear box I12 can be mounted on frame structure I14 formed integral with the box frame structure I50. It should be understood that alternate rolls I68 can be driven from opposite ends by providing a second gear box on the other side of the machine.

In Figure 1 there are shown two electric motors I15 for driving the gear train in a gear box I12. Obviously one of the motors I15 and one of the gear boxes I12 could be mounted on the other side of the box I4 if desired. Furthermore the table rolls can be driven at synchronous speeds by any suitable belt or chain drive actuated by any moving part of the paper machine such as, for example, the couch roll. Furthermore if desired the table rolls can be driven by the forming wire I0 alone by contact therewith.

The supporting structure I14 for the gear box defines an elongated manifold chamber I16 extending across the full length of the box I4 and a small manifold chamber I11 located thereabove. The chamber I 16 has at least one passageway or opening I18 communicating with each chamber I55 of the box I4.

The chamber I16 can be evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown) to draw air from the chambers I55 through the openings I18. The chambers I55 are thus suction boxes on the underside of the forming wire I0 since air pulled through the manifold I16 to evacuate the chambers I55 must be drawn through the forming wire I0 between the table rolls I68 along the spaces provided between the bars I 6|.

The amount of air evacuated from each chamber I55 can be positively controlled by a stopper I19 provided for each passageway or opening I18 into the manifold I16. The stopper I19 is threaded into a boss plug I which plug in turn is threaded into the box forming the manifold I16. The stopper I13 can be manually set at any desired distance from a seat I 8| provided at the end of the passageway I 18 by a manual turning of the head I82 which head extends from the box I4 in a freely accessible position.

The slots I59 formed in each of the bars I 6I the partition walls I54 and the end frame members I50 communicate through individual passageways I83 formed in the side frame member I50 of the box I4 as shown in Figure 4. The passageways I83 lead into the manifold chamber I11,

The chamber I11 is supplied with water under sufficient pressure to flow up through the passageways I83 into the slots I59 and through the openings I61 of the bearing sleeves I65 for forming a lubricating film between the table rolls I68 and the bearing sleeves I65. It will be noted from Figure 5 that each slot I 59 has a separate passageway I83 communicating with the manifold chamber I11 and in this manner water is equally distributed to each of the slots I59 for lubricating each of the table rolls I 68.

The flow of water into the bearing sleeves I65 and the table rolls I68 can be controlled by hydraulic pressure of the water into the manifold chamber I 11 to overbalance the weight of the table rolls and flow out of the bearing sleeves into the chambers I55 with the whit water drained through the forming wire or the water pressure can be adjusted to merely supply a film of water into the bearing sleeves I65 without overflowing the water out of the sleeves.

In this manner the table rolls are hydraulically lubricated and balanced as desired in their bearing sleeves I65.

The deckle strap I6, as shown in Figure 4, rests partly on the forming wire I0 and partly on the table rolls I68. The deckle strap I6 is guided between a plate I secured on the side of the box I4 and an inner plate I9I which may extend along the full length of the upper run of the forming wire. The deckle strap thereby seals the edge of the forming wire. The deckle strap thereby seals the edge of the forming wire and the aqueous dispension of stock deposited on the wire can only be drained through the wire under the controlled drainage effected by the amount of vacuum in each compartment I55 of the box I4.

The white water drained into the box I4 is collected in the sump I52 and pumped therefrom by means of the usual white water pump (not shown). A hydrostatic head of white water, however, can be maintained in each compartment I55 of the box I4 by regulating the drainage from the compartment. controlled by the spacing of the slides I51 from the bottom I5I of the box. In this manner each compartment I55 can be sealed and the amount of suction under the forming wire definitely controlled by the suction pump operating through the chamber I16 and by the position of the plug I19 in respect to each passageway I18.

As shown in Figure 6 some of the partition walls I54 are not equipped with slides I51. These walls are spaced away from the forming area of the wire where it is desired to remove any white water from the sheets formed on the wire. As a result it is desired to have an increased vacuum at these points created by the white water pump and the vacuum pump.

If desired mechanism may be provided for oscillating the table rolls longitudinally to prevent a grooving of the rolls by any dirt which might enter into the bearing sleeves. However, this dirt can be readily removed by an over- This drainage is aaoaeeo balanced hydraulic pressure flowing the lubricating water out of the bearing sleeves to carry the dirt therealong.

From the above description of the machines of this invention it should be understood that the paper stock is fed onto the forming wire in a novel manner preferably with the use of a metering wheel which makes possible a rapid flow of stock into the head box without creating cross currents in the stock fed to the forming wire. The metering wheel provides an even, uniform flow of stock onto the forming wire, breaks up any foam of the stock in the head box, and prevents a settling out of stock.

The adjusting features of the head box provide for the maintenance of any desired head of stock therein and for the overflow of excessive amounts of stock to prevent a settling out of fibre.

The nozzle arrangement of feeding the stock under the forming wire makes possible the flowing of the stock onto the wire in a flat condition that contributes to the formation of good sheet with a minimum number of fibres lying endwise to the wire. By manipulating the hydraulic head within the flow box and the volume of flow through the nozzle and back through the secondary overflow behind the slice it is possible to secure any relative velocity desired between the stock and the forming wire thereby controlling the grain formation of the sheet. The feature of overflowing stock behind the secondary slice prevents a possibility of air entrapped in the nozzle from effecting the formation of the sheet since any trapped air will be dissipated at this overflow. In some installations, as pointed out above, this overflow is dispensed with.

Most of the forming of the sheet occurs in a confined area behind the slice on machines of this invention. This is highly desirable in high speed production of uniform paper. While the stock is in this confined area the fibres deposited on the wire are held thereon by hydrostatic pressure and/or vacuum from the time the matrix starts to form until the stock is sufliciently dewatered into sheet form. When this is done, the arrangement of the fibres on the wire is not disturbed by subsequent action of other parts of the machine. the fibers in their initially deposited position until the sheet is formed.

The machines of this invention avoid the necessity of installing suction boxes since the table roll structure includes suction drain features and at the same time supports the forming wire without frictional drag on the underside of the wire.

The provision of partition chambers within the white water drain boxes can also be used to separate the lean and rich white water solutions since separate collecting chambers can be provided if desired. However for purposes of simplicity only a single collecting chamber or sump I52 has been shown.

The machine design is readily adapted to the changing of Fourdrinier wires wherein the new wire is strung in the aisle alongside of the machine and pulled onto the machine. All of the under supporting structure for the machine can be removed during the wire changing operation since the table roll structure and white water drain boxes are supported on beams I53 extending into the aisle where the new ,Fourdrinier wire is placed.

It will be understood, of course, that the various details of construction may be varied through Thus continuous forces hold.

a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is therefore not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A papermaking machine comprising a looped forming wire, a head box, mounted adjacent one end of said looped wire, said head box having a chamber therein for containing a pond of paper stock, an open ended closed perimeter nozzle extending from said chamber on top of said forming wire for conveying stock from the pond to the wire, a slice plate in front of the discharge end of said nozzle, means for raising and lowering said slice plate with respect to said wire, an open topped box beneath the upper run of said forming wire extending from the discharge orifice of said nozzle beyond said slice plate, closely spaced small diameter table rolls rotatably mounted across the top of said box for supporting the forming wire as it travels thereover and means for regulating drainage from said box whereby stock may be delivered to the wire under a desired pressure head and rate of flow and drainage of white water through the wire on both sides of the slice may be carefully controlled without sagging the wire.

2. In combination with a papermaking machine oi the Fourdrinier type including a looped forming wire trained around breast and couch rolls, a head box pivotally mounted behind the breast roll and adapted to be tilted backward away from the breast roll, a fluid pressure confining nozzle extending from said head box on top of the upper run of said forming wire for conveying paper stock from the box for deposition onto the forming Wire, a slice plate mounted in front of the discharge end of said nozzle for controlling the amount of stock flowing thereunder, means for removing excess stock from behind said slice plate, an open topped drain box mounted within the loop of said forming wire adjacent to the breast roll for receiving white water drained through the wire, means for evacuating said box, and table rollers rotatably mounted upon the top of said box for supporting said forming wire as it passes thereover whereby a flowing pond of stock under a regulated head may be maintained on the wire behind the slice and drainage of white water from this pond through the wire may be separately controlled and is unimpeded by the usual substantial con tact areas of the table rolls with the wire.

3. A papermaking machine comprising a looped forming wire having a relatively short upper run, an L-shaped stock feed device pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said forming wire and having a portion thereof extending over the upper run of the forming wire, a slice plate carried near the end of said portion over the forming wire, means for conveyingpaper stock to a forming area behind said slice plate, means defining a discharge port above said wire for removing excess stock from said area, a drain box mounted within the loop of the forming wire for receiving White water drained therethrough and small diameter table rolls mounted in closely spaced relation 4. In a' paper machine of the Fourdrinier type including a looped forming wire trained around breast and couch rolls, a stock feed device having a vertical leg mounted behind the vertical leg to the forming wire, a slice platecarried by said horizontal leg of the device in front of the discharge orifice of the nozzle, and a metering wheel having pockets for tapping of! stock from the vertical leg into said nozzle, said pockets extending transversely across the vertical leg of the feed device.

5. A papermaking machine including a breast roll, a couch roll, a forming wire trained around said rolls and a tensioning roll mounted within the loop of the wire for holding the wire in a taut condition, a fluid pressure confining nozzle disposed over the upper run of said wire for depositing paper stock on the wire, a slice in front of the discharge orifice of said nozzle, overflow means for removing excess stock from behind said slice, and a metering wheel having paddles for feeding stock into the nozzle, said paddles extending transversely across the mouth of the nozzle.

6. A paper stock feed device for papermaking machines having a forming wire comprising means defining a chamber for a pond of stock, a nozzle extending on top of the forming wire for conveying stock from the pond to the forming wire and a vaned metering wheel having spaced longitudinal vanes defining pockets therebetween for tapping of! stock from the pond into the nozzle, said paddles extending transversely across the mouth of the nozzle.

'7. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle for receiving a pond of paper stock therein, stock overflow boxes on the sides of said receptacle in communication with the upper portion of the receptacle, plates slidable along the sides of said receptacle in front of the overflow boxes to regulate the head of stock in the receptacle, said plates having openings therein below the tops thereof and gates for controlling the eflective size of said openings.

8. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle for receiving a pond of stock therein, stock overflow boxes on the sides of said receptacle in communication with the upper portion of the receptacle, plates slidable along the sides of said receptacle in front of the boxes to regulate the head of stock in the receptacle, a metering wheel rotatably mounted at its ends on said plates, means for driving said wheel and means for raising and lowering said plates.

9. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle, means for introducing paper stock into the bottom portion of the receptacle for flowing upwardly therein, a vertical battle in the receptacle for directing the upward flow of stock, a nozzle extending laterally from said receptacle from a point adjacent the top of the baflie, a vaned wheel having longitudinal vanes rotatably mounted in the receptacle above the bafiie for tapping off stock into the nozzle and overflow boxes on the sides of the receptacle for receiving stock flowing past the wheel.

10. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a tank adapted to be mounted adjacent to the breast roll of the paper machine, a pivotal support for said tank permitting the tank to be tilted away from the breast roll, means for introducing paper stock into the bottom of said tank for flowing upwardly therein, overflow boxes carried on the sides of said tank for receiving excess stock therefrom, means for controlling the overflow of stock into said boxes, a nozzle extending laterally from a point intermediate the top and bottorn' of said tank for receiving stock from the-tank, and a plate slidable along the upper lip of said nozzle beyond the discharge end of the nozzle for directing the stock flowing therefrom onto the'forming wire of the paper machine.

11. A head box for papermaking machines of the Fourdrinier typev comprising an L-shaped device including a vertical portion forming a chamber for a pond of stock and a horizontal portion for disposal over the top of the forming wire of the machine, a nozzle extending from the vertical portion into the horizontal portion for conveying stock from the pond onto the forming wire, said horizontal portion having stock overflow chambers along the sides thereof, a plate slidably mounted along the upper lip of said nozzle including an apertured vertical portion mounted on the horizontal portion of the box, a slice plate carried on said horizontal portion in front of said apertured plate, means for sliding saidslice plate along the horizontal portion, and means for directing excess stock flowing through the, apertures of said apertured plate into the overflow chambers of the horizontal portion.

12. In combination with a head box for paper machines having a forming wire, a pair of side frames extending laterally from the head box over the forming wire, a nozzle extending from the head box for conveying stock to the forming wire, a pair of saddle members slidable along said side frames having depending track portions on the inner faces of the frames, a plate slidable on said track portions of the saddles and extending transversely between the frames, and a metal sheet secured to the bottom of said plate and extending over the upper lip of the nozzle adapted to slide along said lip by a movement of the saddles for defining variable web-forming areas along the forming wire.

13. In combination with a head box for paper machines having a forming wire, a pair of side frames extending laterally from the head box over the forming-wire, a nozzle extending from the head box between said side frames for conveying stock to the forming wire, two pairs of saddle members slidable along said side frames having depending track portions on the inner faces of the frames, a plate slidable in said track portions of the inner pair of saddles, said plate extending transversely between the frames, a metal sheet secured to the bottom of said plate and extending over the upper leg of the nozzle adapted to be slided along said nozzle by a movement of the inner pair of saddles, said plate being apertured, a slice slidably carried in the outer pair of saddles for directing excess stock through the apertures of the plate and chambers carried by the side frames in communication with the space therebetween for receiving the excess stock.

14. A head box for papermaking machines having forming wires comprising an elongated receptacle for mounting ahead of the forming wire, a nozzle of substantially the same width as the forming wire extending laterally from the receptacle over on top of the forming wire, side frames carried by the receptacle extending over the forming wire on each side thereof, saddles slidable along the top of said frames and having depending portions forming tracks along the inner sides of the frames, inner and outer plates extending transversely across the space between the frames and slidably engaged at their ends on the tracks of said saddles, means for raising and lowering said plates relative to the saddles and means for sliding said saddles along the frames, said outer plate acting as a slice and said inner plate carrying a metal sheet slidable on the upper lip of the nozzle for regulating the discharge orifice of the nozzle.

15. A head box for papermaking machineshaving forming wires comprising an elongated receptacle for mounting ahead of the forming wire adapted to receive a pond of stock therein, a nozzle of substantially the same width as the forming wire extending laterally from the receptacle over the top of the forming wire, side frame members carried by the receptacle extending over the forming wire on each side thereof, an apertured plate slidably carried on said frame members and.

extending laterally across the space between the frame members, a flexible metal sheet carried by the bottom portion of said apertured plate and extending over the upper lip of the nozzle, a second plate behind said apertured plate carried by said frame members for holding the flexible sheet on the nozzle lip and for acting as a wall, chambers carried on the outside of said frame members for receiving stock from in front of said second plate and gates for controlling the fiow of stock into said chambers.

16. A head box for papermaking machines comprising walls defining a chamber for a pond of stock, said walls having stock inlet openings at the bottom thereof and stock overflow openings at the top thereof, means for flowing stock through said chamber from the inlet to the overfiow openings therein, a nozzle projecting laterally from said chamber between the inlet and overflow openings, means for tapping off controlled amounts of stock from the chamber for discharge through the nozzle, a plate disposed over the upper lip of the nozzle, and means for sliding the plate along the lip beyond the end thereof for defining a variable stock forming area at the discharge end of the nozzle.

17. In combination with a web forming machine including a forming wire, a head box having a nozzle for disposal over the upper run of the forming wire to convey stock to the forming wire, a slice in front of said nozzle, stock overfiow chambers behind said slice and in front of said nozzle for receiving excess stock accumulated behind the slice and means for controlling the level of the stock behind the slice.

18. A head box for papermaking machines comprising walls defining a chamber for a pond of stock, boxes formed on the side walls of the chamber near the top thereof, said side walls of the chamber having openings therethrough joining the chamber with the boxes, plates slidable along the sides of the chamber to control the effective size of the openings, said plates having chamber near the top thereof, said side walls having openings therethrough joining the chamber with the boxes, plate slidable along the sides of the chamber to control the size of the openings, a vaned wheel rotatably mounted at its ends in said plates, means for driving said wheel and means for raising and lowering said plates without interfering with the driving of the wheel.

20. A head box for papermaking machines of the Fourdrinier type including a looped forming wire, comprising walls defining a chamber for receiving a pond of stock therein, spaced vertical plates extending from said chamber walls for disposal over the upper run of the forming wire at the sides of the wire, a nozzle extending from said chamber having substantially the same width as the forming wire, said nozzle being disposed between said spaced plates, the upper lip of said nozzle being pivoted to the front wall of the chamber, and means carried by said spaced cluding a front wall movable along the upper run of the forming wire toward and away from the breast roll end thereof to regulate the length of the forming area, a fluid pressure confining nozzle having a stock delivery mouth opening in said chamber, a plate slidable beyond the top lip of the nozzle to confine stock delivered from the nozzle mouth against the wire and a drain behind the said front wall to remove excess stock from the forming area.

22. In combination with a Fourdrinier papermaking machine including a forming wire trained over a breast roll, a fluid pressure confining nozzle having a delivery mouth above the upper run of the forming wire at a point spaced from the breast roll for delivering stock to the forming wire, a slice plate above said forming wire in front of the nozzle mouth to define a forming area on the wire for stock delivered from the nozzle, means for moving the slice plate horizontally along the wire to regulate the size of the forming area on the wire and a drain behind said slice plate to remove stock from the forming area for maintaining a fiowing pond of stock in said area to prevent uneven stock settlement on the wire.

23. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a stock receptacle having front, back and side walls, said side walls having openings therethrough, plates slidaby mounted along the side walls of the receptacle to control the sizes of the openings, means for raising and lowering the plates, a metering wheel in said receptacle extending tranversely thereacross and rotatably mounted at its ends on said plates, a vertical drive shaft having an elongated worm gear secured thereon and a gear connected to the metering wheel meshed with said worm gear whereby said plates may be raised and lowered to carry the metering wheel and gear therewith without interfering with the driving of the metering wheel.

24. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a stock receptacle having front, back and side walls, said side walls having openings therethrough, plates slidaby mounted along the side walls of the receptacle to control the sizes of the openings, means for raising and lowering the plates, a nozzle extending from the front wall of the receptacle having an inlet communicating therewith and a battle in said receptacle at said inlet mouth, said baifle being secured at its ends to said plates for movement therewith, a metering wheel in said receptacle extending transversely thereacross in front of the mouth of the nozzle above the baifle and means rotatably mounting said wheel on said plates for vertical adjustment therewith and with said bame.

25. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier machine which comprises flowing stock under a hydraulic head along a fluid pressure confining passageway onto the upper run of the traveling wire of the 'machine, confining the top of the stock delivered on the wire to maintaln a hydraulic head pressure oi stock on the wire at the confined area, flowing some of the stock on the wire beyond the confined area to form an open topped pond thereon, and removing stock from said pond to maintain a flow oi stock on the wire and thereby prevent uneven stock settlement.

26. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier type papermaking machine which comprises flowing paper stock under a hydraulic head along a fluid pressure confining passageway onto the upper run of a traveling forming wire, confining the stock delivered on the wire to form a pond of stock thereon, removing stock from above said wire to maintain the pond in a flowing condition for preventing uneven stock settlement on the wire, and regulating the length of the pond on the wire to effect from 50% to 90% of the fiber sheet formation on the forming wire within the pond area.

27. The method of forming a web of paper on a Fourdrinier papermaking machine which comprises continually flowing stock upwardly along a passage in back of the breast roll end of the machine, directing stock from said passage into a confined passage extending over the upper run of the forming wire, creating a pond of stock on said wire in front of the confined passage, and flowing stock from said pond off of said-wire at a level above the wire whereby the stock is maintained'in a constantly flowing condition on the wire.

28. The method of forming papergon a Four,- drinier papermaking machine whichcomprises flowing stock onto the upper run of the Four drinier forming wire, confining the stock flowed onto the wire to form a pond of stock on the wire, flowingsome of the stock -from said pond off of said wire at a level above the wire to maintain the pond in a flowing condition for preventing uneven settlement of fibers in the pond. and regulating the length of said pond on the wire in accordance with the consistency of the stock in the pond.

29. The method of making paperoii a i 'ouig drinier papermaking machine which comprises flowing stock under a hydraulic head along I, fluid pressure confining passageway onto the up-;

per run of the F ourdrinier forming wire, confining the top or the stock delivered on the wire to maintain a hydraulic head pressure of the stock on the wire at the confined area, flowing some of the stock on the wire beyond the con :flned area to form an open topped pond of stock on the wire, and regulating the length of the pond on the wire in accordance with the consistency ofthe stock to eiiect from 50 to 90% of the flber sheetformation on the forming wire before the wire moves beyond the pond area.

30. A stock inlet for a Fourdrinier type papermaking machine comprising a fluid confining.

nozzle having a delivery mouth adapted to be disposed over a Fourdrinier forming wire, a top wall member movable beyond the upper lip of the nozzle to define a variable confined web forming area on the wire for stock supplied from the nozzle without changing the volume oi. the no'z zle behind the upper lip thereof, and means engaging. the forward end of the wall member to raise and lower the same relative to the forming wire.

31. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier wire which comprises confining a body of paper stock under hydraulic pressure over an exposed zone on the upper surface of the traveling Fourdrinier wire behind the slice, supporting the underside of the wire at closely spaced intervals under said zone to eliminate sagging of the wire by the head of stock on the wire, draining liquid through the wire from the stock in said zone to form a web on the wire within the zone behind the slice, predetermining the length of said zone on the wire to efl'ect from 50 to 90 per cent of the web formation therein, and

' flowing stock under the slice from said zone on top of the web formed therein to complete the .web formation.

32. The method of making paper on a traveling forming wire which comprises confining a body pf paper stock under hydraulic pressure over a zone on the upper surface of a traveling forming wire behind a slice, evacuating a chamber beneath the wire under said zone, forcing liquid from the stock in said zone through the wire .by the combined action of the hydraulic pressure above the wire and the suctionin the chamber beneath the wire to form a web on the wire within said zone behind theslice, predetermining the length of said zone to efiect from 50 to 90 percent of the web formation therein, and flowing stock under the slice from said; zone on top of the web formed thereinto complete the web formation.

EARL E. BERRY.