Multi-layer forming fabric with stitching yarn pairs integrated into papermaking surface

Abstract

A multi-layer papermaker's forming fabric has stitching yarns integrated into the papermaking surface. Each of a plurality of repeating units of the fabric comprises: a set of top machine direction yarns; a set of top cross-machine direction yarns interwoven with the top machine direction yarns; a set of bottom machine direction yarns; a set of bottom cross-machine direction yarns interwoven with the bottom machine direction yarns; and pairs of first and second stitching yarns. The stitching yarns pairs are positioned between pairs of top cross-machine direction yarns. The stitching yarns of each pair are interwoven with the top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of the first stitching yarn is interweaving with the top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of the second stitching yarn is positioned below the top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of the second stitching yarn is interweaving with the top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of the first stitching yarn is positioned below the top machine direction yarns. The first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a traditional top machine direction yarn. Also, each of the binding portions of the first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of the bottom machine direction yarns. In this configuration, the stitching yarns are completely integrated into the top, or papermaking, surface of the fabric, and therefore do not adversely impact the papermaking qualities of the fabric.

1. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding potion of said first stitching vam is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein each of said top cross machine direction yarns passes over a first group of alternate top machine direction yarns and under a second group of alternate top machine direction yarns, with each of said yarns of said first group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said second group, and with each of said yarns of said second group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said first group, and wherein said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns pass under said first set of alternate top machine direction yarns and over said second set of alternate top machine direction yarns, such that said top machine direction yarns, said top cross machine direction yarns, and said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarn form a plain weave pattern;  
 wherein said fiber support portions of said first stitching yarns pass over a first number of said machine direction yarns, said fiber support portions of said second stitching yarns pass over a second number of said machine direction yarns, and said first number differs from said second number.  
 
     
     
       2. The papermaker'a fabric defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first number is larger than said second number, and wherein said second stitching yarn has a higher modulus of elasticity than said first stitching yarn. 
     
     
       3. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first number is three, and second number is two. 
     
     
       4. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second stitching yarns are of a smaller diameter than said top machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       5. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, an such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portion of said first and second stitching yarns passes beneath only one of said bottom machine direction yarns.  
 
     
     
       6. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns,  
 wherein said repeat unit includes 10 top machine direction yarns and 10 bottom machine direction yarns.  
 
     
     
       7. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarn is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein said top machine direction yarns and said top cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeating pattern such that each of said top cross machine direction yarns passes over a first pair of adjacent top machine direction yarns, under a third top machine direction yarn adjacent to said first pair, and over a second pair of top machine direction yarns positioned adjacent said third top machine direction yarn, and wherein adjacent top cross machine direction yarns pass over top machine direction yarn pairs that are offset by two top machine direction yarns;  
 wherein said stitching yarns are interwoven with said top machine direction yarns in a repeating pattern such that said fiber support portion of each of said first and second stitching yarns passes over a third pair of adjacent top machine direction yarns, under an adjacent top machine direction yarn, and over a fourth pair of adjacent machine direction yarns, then passes under said transitional top machine direction yarn, said third and fourth pairs of top machine direction yarns being offset from said first and second pairs by one machine direction yarn, such that said top machine direction yarns, said cross machine direction yarns, and said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns form a 1×2 twill pattern.  
 
     
     
       8. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a traditional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein said stitching yarns are interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that adjacent pairs of stitching yarns cross beneath traditional top machine direction yarns that are offset by two top machine direction yarns.  
 
     
     
       9. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 8 , wherein between 25 and 50 percent of said first and second stitching yarns are interwoven with said top machine direction yarns as reversed picks. 
     
     
       10. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein pairs of first and second stitching yarns are positioned between pairs of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns, and wherein between 25 and 50 percent of adjacent pairs of first and second stitching yarns are interwoven as reversed picks;  
 wherein each of said top cross machine direction yarns passes over a first group of alternate top machine direction yarns and under a second group of alternate top machine direction yarns, with each of said yarns of said first group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said second group, and with each of said yarns of said second group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said first group, and wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each pair of top cross machine direction yarns, and wherein said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns pass under said first set of alternate top machine direction yarns and over said second set of alternate top machine direction yarns, such that said top machine direction yarns, said top cross machine direction yarns, and said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns form a plain weave pattern;  
 wherein said fiber support portions of said first stitching yarns pass over a first number of said machine direction yarns, said fiber support portions of said second stitching yarns pass over a second number of said machine direction yarns, and said first number differs from said second number.  
 
     
     
       11. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first number is larger than said second number, and wherein said second stitching yarn has a higher modulus of elasticity than said first stitching yarn. 
     
     
       12. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first number is three, and second number is two. 
     
     
       13. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein pairs of first and second stitching yarns are positioned between pairs of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns, and wherein between 25 and 50 percent of adjacent pairs of first and second stitching yarns are interwoven as reversed picks;  
 wherein said repeat unit includes 12 top machine direction yarns and 12 bottom machine direction yarns.  
 
     
     
       14. A method of making paper, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a papermaker's fabric comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising: 
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein each of said top cross machine direction yarns passes over a first group of alternate top machine direction yarns and under a second group of alternate top machine direction yarns, with each of said yarns of said first group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said second group, and with each of said yarns of said second group being positioned between a pair of yarns of said first group, and wherein said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns pass under said first set of alternate top machine direction yarns and over said second set of alternate top machine direction yarns, such that said top machine direction yarns, said top cross machine direction yarns, and said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns form a plain weave pattern;  
 wherein said fiber support portions of said first stitching yarns pass over a first number of said machine direction yarns, said fiber support portions of said second stitching yarns pass over a second number of said machine direction yarns, and said first number differs from said second number;  
 
 (b) applying paper stock to said papermaker's fabric; and  
 (c) removing moisture from said paper stock.  
 
     
     
       15. A method of making paper, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a papermaker's fabric comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising: 
 a set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;  
 wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of aid binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;  
 
 wherein said top machine direction yarns and said top cross machine direction yarns are interwoven in a repeating pattern such that each of said top cross machine direction yarns passes over a first pair of adjacent top machine direction yarns, under a third top machine direction yarn adjacent to said first pair, and over a second pair of top machine direction yarns positioned adjacent said third top machine direction yarn, and wherein adjacent top cross machine direction yarns pass over top machine direction yarn pairs that are offset by two top machine direction yarns,  
 and wherein said stitching yarns are interwoven with said top machine direction yarns in a repeating pattern such that said fiber support portion of each of said first and second stitching yarns passes over a third pair of adjacent top machine direction yarns, under an adjacent top machine direction yarn, and over a fourth pair of adjacent machine direction yarns, then passes under said transitional top machine direction yarn, said third and fourth pairs of top machine direction yarns being offset from said first and second pairs by one machine direction yarn, such that said top machine direction yarns, said cross machine direction yarns, and said fiber support portions of said first and second stitching yarns form a 1×2 twill pattern;  
 (b) applying paper stock to said papermaker's fabric; and  
 (c) removing moisture from said paper stock.  
 
     
     
       16. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
   a set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns; and        wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom side stitching yarn knuckle; and        wherein each of said bottom machine direction yarns form bottom side machine direction knuckles as they interweave with said bottom cross machine direction yarns, and said bottom side stitching yarn knuckles are positioned below one of said bottom side machine direction yarns to be substantially centered between adjacent bottom side machine direction knuckles on that bottom machine direction yarn.     
     
     
       17. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 16 , wherein said repeat unit of said fabric includes  10  bottom machine direction yarns and  10  bottom cross machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       18. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 17 , wherein each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes, in order, above four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns, below a bottom cross machine direction yarn to form a first bottom side machine direction knuckle, above four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns, and below a bottom cross machine direction yarn to form a second side machine direction knuckle, and wherein a stitching yarn forms a bottom side stitching yarn knuckle below said machine direction yarn between the second and third of each of said four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       19. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 18 , wherein each bottom machine direction yarn is offset from each adjacent bottom machine direction yarn by three bottom cross machine direction yarns, with the result that bottom side machine direction yarn knuckles are formed below the bottom cross machine direction yarns that sandwich the stitching yarn pair forming a stitching yarn knuckle below the bottom machine direction yarn. 
     
     
       20. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
   a set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;        wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each adjacent pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns to form a bottom side stitching yarn knuckle;        wherein each of said bottom machine direction yarns form bottom side machine direction knuckles as they interweave with said bottom cross machine direction yarns, and wherein each bottom machine direction yarn is offset from each adjacent bottom machine direction yarn such that, for each bottom machine direction yarn, bottom side machine direction yarn knuckles are formed by adjacent bottom machine direction yarns below the bottom cross machine direction yarns that sandwich each stitching yarn pair that forms a stitching yarn knuckle below the bottom machine direction yarn.     
     
     
       21. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 20 , wherein said repeat unit of said fabric includes  10  bottom machine direction yarns and  10  bottom cross machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       22. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 21 , wherein said bottom cross machine direction yarns are offset from one another by three machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       23. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of said bottom machine direction yarns passes, in order, above four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns, below a bottom cross machine direction yarn to form a first bottom side machine direction knuckle, above four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns,  and below a bottom cross machine direction yarn to form a second side machine direction knuckle, and wherein a stitching yarn forms a bottom side stitching yarn knuckle below said machine direction yarn between the second and third of each of said four consecutive bottom cross machine direction yarns.   
     
     
       24. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
   a set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;        wherein pairs of first and second stitching yarns are positioned between each pair of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;        and wherein each of said first stitching yarns passes over a first number of top machine direction yarns, and each of said second stitching yarns passes over a second number of top machine direction yarns, said first number being different than said second number; and        and wherein at least some of the top cross machine direction yarns are immediately adjacent to either two first stitching yarns or two second stitching yarns.     
     
     
       25. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 24 , wherein, beginning with a selected top cross machine direction yarn and moving in one direction parallel to the machine direction for the length of the full repeat unit, between  25  and  50  percent of the first stitching yarns are nearer to said selected top cross machine direction yarn that the second stitching yarns of their respective pairs. 
     
     
       26. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 25 , wherein between  40  and  50  percent of the first stitching yarns are nearer to said selected top machine direction yarn than the second stitching yarns of their respective pairs. 
     
     
       27. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 25 , wherein all of the top cross machine direction yarns are immediately adjacent to either two first stitching yarns or two second stitching yarns. 
     
     
       28. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 25 , wherein said repeat unit includes  10  top machine direction yarns and  10  bottom machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       29. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
   a set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;        wherein pairs of first and second stitching yarns are positioned between pairs of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns;        wherein, as stitching yarn pairs pass below transitional yarns, they form top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles, and in that, for at least some adjacent top side stitching yarn knuckles, first stitching yarns extending in one direction parallel to the cross machine direction from the transitional stitching yarn knuckles are woven nearer to one another than are the second stitching yarns of those pairs extending in the opposite direction parallel to the cross machine direction from the transitional stitching yarn knuckles.     
     
     
       30. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 29 , wherein said first stitching yarns are woven nearer to one another as they extend from adjacent top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles for at least  50  percent of said top side stitching yarn knuckles. 
     
     
       31. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 29 , wherein said first stitching yarns are woven nearer to one another as they extend from adjacent top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles for  100  percent of said top side stitching yarn knuckles. 
     
     
       32. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 29 , wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each pair of adjacent top cross  machine direction yarns.   
     
     
       33. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 29 , wherein said repeat unit includes  10  top machine direction yarns and  10  bottom machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       34. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 29 , wherein said repeat unit includes  12  top machine direction yarns and  12  bottom machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       35. A papermaker's fabric, comprising top machine direction yarns, top cross machine direction yarns, bottom machine direction yarns, bottom cross machine direction yarns, and sets of first and second stitching yarns, said fabric being formed in a plurality of repeating units, each of said repeating units comprising:
   a set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of top cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of top machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom machine direction yarns;        a set of bottom cross machine direction yarns interwoven with said set of bottom machine direction yarns;        wherein pairs of first and second stitching yarns are positioned between pairs of top cross machine direction yarns, said first and second stitching yarns of each pair being interwoven with said top and bottom machine direction yarns such that, as a fiber support portion of said first stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said second stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that as a fiber support portion of said second stitching yarn is interweaving with said top machine direction yarns, a binding portion of said first stitching yarn is positioned below said top machine direction yarns, and such that said first and second stitching yarns cross each other as they pass below a transitional top machine direction yarn, and such that each of said binding portions of said first and second stitching yarns passes below at least one of said bottom machine direction yarns, said first stitching yarns passing above a first number of top machine direction yarns, and    said second stitching yarns passing above a second number of top machine direction yarns, said second number being different from said first number;        wherein, as stitching yarn pairs pass below transitional yarns, they form top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles, and in that, for at least some adjacent top side stitching yarn knuckles, first stitching yarns extending in one direction parallel to the cross machine direction from the transitional stitching yarn knuckles are woven nearer to one another than are the second stitching yarns of those pairs extending in the opposite direction parallel to the cross machine direction from the transitional stitching yarn knuckles.     
     
     
       36. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 35 , wherein said first stitching yarns are woven nearer to one another as they extend from adjacent top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles for at least  50  percent of said top side stitching yarn knuckles. 
     
     
       37. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 35 , wherein said first stitching yarns are woven nearer to one another as they extend from adjacent top side transitional stitching yarn knuckles for  100  percent of said top side stitching yarn knuckles. 
     
     
       38. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 35 , wherein a pair of first and second stitching yarns is positioned between each pair of adjacent top cross machine direction yarns. 
     
     
       39. The papermaker's fabric defined in  claim 35 , wherein said repeat unit includes  10  top machine direction yarns and  10  bottom machine direction yarns.