# US 12,006,630 B2 · Belt or fabric including polymeric layer for papermaking machine

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- Number: US 12,006,630 B2
- Document ID: US12006630B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/988,266
- Filed: 2022-11-16
- Published: 2023-03-09
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-11
- Assignees: Structured I, LLC
- Applicants: Structured I, LLC
- Inventors: James E. Sealey; Byrd Tyler Miller, IV; Phillip MacDonald; Taras Z. Andrukh; Justin S. Pence
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006630B2

## CPC

- D21F 7/083: {Multi-layer felts}
- B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12}
- B32B 5/024: {Woven fabric}
- B32B 5/028: {Net structure, e.g. spaced apart filaments bonded at the crossing points}
- B32B 5/10: characterised by a fibrous {or filamentary} layer reinforced with filaments
- B32B 5/12: characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of {different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other}
- B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)}
- B32B 7/05: the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection (using interposed adhesives or bonding materials applied in spaced arrangements B32B7/14)
- B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
- B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 27/40: comprising polyurethanes
- D21F 1/0036: {Multi-layer screen-cloths}
- D21F 11/006: {Making patterned paper}
- D21H 27/005: {relating to physical or mechanical properties, e.g. tensile strength, stretch, softness}
- B32B 2250/02: 2 layers
- B32B 2250/03: 3 layers
- B32B 2250/20: All layers being fibrous or filamentary
- B32B 2250/24: All layers being polymeric
- B32B 2262/02: Synthetic macromolecular fibres
- B32B 2262/0284: Polyethylene terephthalate [PET] or polybutylene terephthalate [PBT]
- B32B 2262/0292: Polyurethane fibres
- B32B 2307/514: Oriented
- B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption
- B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption
- B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties
- B32B 2413/00: Belts
- B32B 2432/00: Cleaning articles, e.g. mops or wipes
- D21F: PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- D21H: PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine comprising:
at least one layer that defines a web contacting surface, the at least one layer comprising:
a plurality of first elements substantially aligned in a cross direction, the plurality of first elements having a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm and a width of 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm;
a plurality of second elements substantially aligned in a machine direction and extending over the plurality of first elements by an amount of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm and having a width of 0.25 mm to 0.3 mm; and
a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements and that repeat across the at least one nonwoven layer in both the machine and cross directions at regular intervals, the plurality of open portions being substantially rectangular shaped and defined by sides with a length of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm; and
a woven fabric layer that supports the at least one layer,
wherein the fabric or belt is a structuring fabric configured for use on a papermaking machine.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 10 to 30 frames/cm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 15 to 25 frames/cm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 17 to 22 frames/cm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 5 to 30 frames/cm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 10 to 20 frames/cm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 15 to 20 frames/cm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer by thermal, ultrasonic, ultraviolet or infrared welding.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 20% to 50% contact area.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 20% to 30% contact area.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The fabric or belt of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 25% to 30% contact area.

### Claim 15

A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine comprising:
at least one layer that defines a web contacting surface, the at least one layer comprising:
a plurality of first elements substantially aligned in a cross direction and spaced from one another in a machine direction, the plurality of first elements having a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm and a width of 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm;
a plurality of second elements substantially aligned in a machine direction and extending over the plurality of first elements by an amount of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm and having a width of 0.25 mm to 0.3 mm; and
a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements and that repeat across the at least one layer in both the machine and cross directions at regular intervals, the plurality of open portions being substantially circular shaped with a diameter of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm; and
a woven fabric layer that supports the at least one layer,
wherein the fabric or belt is a structuring fabric configured for use on a papermaking machine.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 10 to 30 frames/cm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 15 to 25 frames/cm.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a mesh of 17 to 22 frames/cm.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 5 to 30 frames/cm.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 10 to 20 frames/cm.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a count of 15 to 20 frames/cm.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

### Claim 24 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer has a caliper of 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm.

### Claim 25 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer by thermal, ultrasonic, ultraviolet or infrared welding.

### Claim 26 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 20% to 50% contact area.

### Claim 27 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 20% to 30% contact area.

### Claim 28 (depends on 15)

The fabric or belt of claim 15, wherein the woven fabric layer is bonded to the at least one layer with a 25% to 30% contact area.