TWIN FABRIC FORMING SECTION WITH MULTIPLE DRAINAGE SHOES

A forming section for a twin fabric papermaking machine, wherein after stock impingement, the two fabrics carry and sandwich the stock. A plurality of spaced apart drainage shoes, selectively provided to either or both of the fabrics, provides continuous support in the machine direction for the respective fabric in sliding contact, and each drainage shoe deflects the fabrics by a selected angle of wrap comprising an angular displacement between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the drainage shoe. At least one of the drainage shoes is secured to a drainage box and is provided with a plurality of drainage openings extending from the fabric contacting surface through to the machine side surface of the shoe. The arrangements of the invention provide improved drainage and formation of the paper web.