Method of manufacturing a press fabric by spirally attaching a top laminate layer with a heat-activated adhesive

A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine, said method comprising:

• providing a base fabric for said press fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop, said endless loop having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first and a second lateral edge, and a fabric width measured transversely between said lateral edges;
• providing a multi-component strip for covering said outer surface of said base fabric in a closed helix, said strip having a beginning, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, a strip width measured transversely thereacross, said strip width being less than said fabric width, said strip having at least a strip of top laminate layer material and a heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one side of said strip of top laminate layer material;
• attaching said side of said strip of top laminate layer material having said heat-activated adhesive film at said beginning of said multi-component strip to said outer surface of said base fabric at a point on said first lateral edge of said base fabric using heat and pressure;
• continuing from said beginning of said multi-component strip, attaching said side of said strip of top laminate layer material having said heat-activated adhesive film to said outer surface of said base fabric in a closed helix having a plurality of turns using heat and pressure, wherein said first lateral edge of a turn of said multi-component strip being attached to said outer surface abuts against said second lateral edge of a turn of said multi-component strip previously attached to said outer surface, until said outer surface of said base fabric is completely covered by said multi-component strip in a closed helix;
• and
• cutting said multi-component strip at a point on said second lateral edge of said base fabric, whereby said multi-component strip forms a top laminate layer on said base fabric.