Web patterning apparatus comprising a felt layer and a photosensitive resin layer
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsPaul Dennis Trokhan, Dean Van Phan
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Abstract
The invention comprises an apparatus for use in making a web of papermaking fibers. The apparatus comprising: a dewatering felt layer having a first web facing felt surface at a first elevation and a second oppositely facing felt surface, and a web patterning layer comprising a photosensitive resin. The patterning layer penetrates the first felt surface, and extends from the first felt surface to form a web contacting top surface at a second elevation different from the first elevation. The invention also comprises a method of forming a web support apparatus having a felt layer and a web patterning layer.
Claims14
A method of forming a dewatering felt having a web patterning layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a dewatering felt capable of receiving and containing water pressed from a web of papermaking fibers, the dewatering felt having a first surface and a second oppositely facing surface;
- providing a liquid photosensitive resin;
- providing a source of actinic radiation;
- applying a liquid photosensitive resin to the first surface of the dewatering felt;
- exposing at least some of the liquid photosensitive resin on the first surface of the dewatering felt to the actinic radiation;
- curing at least some of the photosensitive resin to provide a resin layer having a predetermined pattern and extending from the first surface of the dewatering felt;
- and
- removing uncured liquid resin from the felt.
A method of forming a dewatering felt having a web patterning layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a dewatering felt capable of receiving and containing water pressed from a web of papermaking fibers, the dewatering felt having a first surface and a second oppositely facing surface;
- providing a liquid photosensitive resin;
- providing a source of actinic radiation;
- providing a mask comprising regions opaque to the radiation and regions transparent to the radiation;
- applying a coating of liquid photosensitive resin to the first surface of the dewatering felt;
- positioning the mask between the source of radiation and the coating of liquid photosensitive resin;
- exposing the coating of liquid photosensitive resin to the actinic radiation through the mask to induce curing of the photosensitive resin in registration with the transparent regions in the mask;
- and
- removing uncured photosensitive resin from the dewatering felt.
A method of forming a dewatering felt having a web patterning layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a dewatering felt capable of receiving and containing water pressed from a web of papermaking fibers, the dewatering felt comprising a nonwoven batt of fibers joined to a support structure, and the dewatering felt having a first surface and a second oppositely facing surface;
- providing a liquid photosensitive resin;
- providing a source of actinic radiation;
- providing a mask comprising regions opaque to the radiation and regions transparent to the radiation;
- applying a coating of liquid photosensitive resin to the first surface of the dewatering felt;
- positioning the mask between the source of radiation and the coating of liquid photosensitive resin;
- curing at least some of the photosensitive resin in registration with the transparent regions in the mask to provide the web patterning layer;
- and
- removing uncured liquid resin from the felt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.