Seam for a papermaking machine screen or felt

Abstract

A joinable paper machine felt assembly includes a plurality of spaced first and second cross-threads, the cross-threads being longitudinally spaced and each first cross-thread being laterally spaced from a second cross-thread for thereby defining a plurality of cross-thread pairs. An end two of the cross-thread pairs define first and second fabric ends. A plurality of first and second alternatingly disposed and directly adjacently positioned lengthwise threads bind the cross-threads into a fabric. Each first lengthwise thread forms a first loop extending over the threads of the cross-thread pair at one of the fabric ends and immediately thereafter each first lengthwise thread extends back into the fabric and alternatingly first crossing between and then passing over the associated cross-threads of the cross-thread pairs. Each second lengthwise thread forms a seam loop extending beyond one of the fabric ends and thereafter each second lengthwise thread extends back into the fabric and between but not being crossed between the cross-threads of the cross-thread pair at the associated end and immediately thereafter alternatingly first passing over and then crossing between the associated cross-threads of the cross-thread pairs. The seam loops are aligned in order to permit receipt of a slip-in joining means.