Manufacturing process for papermaking belts using 3D printing technology
AssigneeStructured I, LLC
InventorsJames E. Sealey, II, Byrd Tyler Miller, IV, Justin C. Pence, Taras Z. Andrukh, Shane Ervin Hayes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A papermaking belt including zones of material laid down successively using a 3D printing process. The zones include at least a pocket zone configured to form three dimensional structures in a paper web by applying vacuum to pull the paper web against the pocket zone. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the zone also include at least one vacuum breaking zone configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through the pocket zone by the applied vacuum.
Claims20
A three-dimensional papermaking belt configured for use in forming, pressing, drying or molding of fibrous web, comprising:
- zones of material laid down successively using a 3D printing process, the zones comprising:
- a plurality of vacuum breaking zones configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through open areas formed in the belt, wherein each vacuum breaking zone comprises at least two material elements that are overlapping and disposed within a respective one of the open areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.