Process and apparatus for making papermaking belt using fluid pressure differential
First Claim
1. A process for making a papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined thereto, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a reinforcing structure having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a thickness formed therebetween;
(b) providing a flowable resinous material;
(c) providing a molding member, the molding member being at least partially fluid-permeable;
(d) depositing the flowable resinous material onto or into the molding member;
(e) juxtaposing the reinforcing structure with the molding member;
(f) applying a fluid pressure differential to the flowable resinous material associated with the molding member thereby transferring the flowable resinous material from the molding member to the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and
(g) solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure, whereby the papermaking belt is formed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The apparatus comprises a molding member having a patterned molding surface preferably comprising a plurality of molding pockets to carry a flowable resinous material therein; a means for depositing the flowable resinous material into the molding pockets of the molding surface; a means for moving the reinforcing structure and the molding member in a predetermined direction; and a means for creating a fluid pressure differential sufficient to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding member to the reinforcing structure.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A process for making a papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined thereto, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a reinforcing structure having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a thickness formed therebetween;
(b) providing a flowable resinous material;
(c) providing a molding member, the molding member being at least partially fluid-permeable;
(d) depositing the flowable resinous material onto or into the molding member;
(e) juxtaposing the reinforcing structure with the molding member;
(f) applying a fluid pressure differential to the flowable resinous material associated with the molding member thereby transferring the flowable resinous material from the molding member to the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and
(g) solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure, whereby the papermaking belt is formed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A process for making a papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined thereto, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a fluid-permeable reinforcing structure having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a thickness formed therebetween;
(b) providing a flowable resinous material;
(c) providing a molding member comprising a pattern of fluid-permeable molding pockets therein, the molding pockets being structured to receive the flowable resinous material therein;
(d) depositing the flowable resinous material into the molding pockets of the molding member;
(e) juxtaposing the reinforcing structure with the molding member;
(f) applying a fluid pressure differential to the flowable resinous material disposed into the molding pockets of the molding member to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding member to the reinforcing structure such that the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure join together; and
(g) solidifying the flowable resinous material transferred to the reinforcing structure, thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure, whereby the papermaking belt is formed.
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17. An apparatus for making a papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined thereto, the apparatus comprising:
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a molding member having a pattern of fluid-permeable molding pockets structured to receive and carry a flowable resinous material therein, at least a portion of the molding member being juxtaposed with at least a portion of the reinforcing structure;
a means for depositing the flowable resinous material into the molding pockets of the molding member;
a means for creating a fluid pressure differential sufficient to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding pockets of the molding member to the reinforcing structure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification