Papermakers fabric of nonwoven layers in a laminated construction

Abstract

A papermakers fabric made up of a plurality of impervious nonwoven sheets joined together in a laminated arrangement to define the fabric or belt. Defined throughout the fabric are a series of drainage apertures which are created in the fabric by conventional techniques, such as laser drilling. The size and distribution of the apertures can be varied to provide a given permeability. Small surface apertures are provided to prevent loss of fiber through the fabric. Each of the layers of the papermakers fabric serves a particular purpose. For example, one or more of the layers may be made of an abrasion resistant material. Other layers may be made of materials exhibiting other desirable characteristics such as resistance to heat, acid, flame and static charge, to name a few. Yarns to provide added strength may be placed between the layers or incorporated into one or more of them. A fabric according to the invention may be made self-cleaning by the incorporation of a detergent or other material within or between the layers of the fabric. Operation of the fabric on the papermachine will cause the release of the detergent and will accomplish the cleaning. Materials such as traditional bolt fabric may be incorporated with the laminated fabric in order to obtain the advantages of each. Embossed surface layers can be provided to aid in the control of the belt on the papermachine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.