Paper machine belt

Abstract

A paper machine belt that includes a cross-machine direction supporting layer providing strength in the cross-machine direction and at least two additional layers. The two additional layers include polymeric material and at least one of the additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer and at least another of the additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on an opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer. The cross-machine direction supporting layer substantially includes cross-machine direction yarns loosely bound together with very fine machine-direction yarns. A ratio of mass of the cross-machine direction yarns to the machine direction yarns being at least 160:1, and mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer on the one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer is substantially the same as a mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer that is provided on the opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer.

1 . A paper machine belt comprising: 
 a cross-machine direction supporting layer providing strength in the cross-machine direction; and    at least two additional layers that include polymeric material and at least one of said additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer and at least another of said additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on an opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer,    wherein the cross-machine direction supporting layer substantially comprises cross-machine direction yarns loosely bound together with very fine machine-direction yarns, a ratio of mass of the cross-machine direction yarns to the machine direction yarns being at least 160:1, and mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer on the one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer is substantially the same as a mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer that is provided on the opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer.    
   
   
       2 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said additional layers that include the polymeric material comprise different polymers.  
   
   
       3 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the additional layers that include the polymeric material is provided on a surface of the belt and is structured and arranged to support a paper web.  
   
   
       4 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 3  wherein the additional layer that includes the polymeric material, provided on the surface of the belt, is water-impermeable.  
   
   
       5 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the additional layers that includes the polymeric material has a Shore hardness of from 30A to 75D.  
   
   
       6 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein a thickness of the additional layer that includes the polymeric material is from 0.4 to 1.0 mm.  
   
   
       7 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the additional layers of polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       8 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 7 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyether-based polyurethane.  
   
   
       9 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-machine direction supporting layer exhibits different shrinkage to said additional layers of polymeric material.  
   
   
       10 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein at least two of the additional layers that include the polymeric material have different colors.  
   
   
       11 . The paper machine belt as claimed according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-machine direction supporting layer comprises a plurality of multi-strand cross-machine direction yarns.  
   
   
       12 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein the belt further comprises a machine direction supporting layer.  
   
   
       13 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 12 , wherein the machine direction supporting layer comprises an array of spirally wound machine direction yarns.  
   
   
       14 . The paper machine belt according to  claim 1  wherein the belt further comprises at least one layer of batt.  
   
   
       15 . A method of making a paper machine belt comprising: 
 providing a cross-machine direction supporting layer having strength in the cross-machine direction;    positioning one of at least two additional layers that include a polymeric material on one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer;    positioning at least another of said additional layers that include the polymeric material on an opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer; and    heating the at least two additional layers and the cross-machine direction supporting layer,    wherein a mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer on the one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer is substantially the same as a mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer that is provided on the opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising: 
 calendering the at least two additional layers and the cross-machine direction supporting layer.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein at least two of said additional layers that include the polymeric material comprise different polymers.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the additional layer that includes the polymeric material, provided on the surface of the belt, is water-impermeable.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the additional layers that includes the polymeric material has a Shore hardness in the range from 30A to 75D.  
   
   
       20 . A paper machine belt that is manufactured according to the method of  claim 15 .  
   
   
       21 . A paper machine belt comprising: 
 a cross-machine direction supporting layer; and    at least two additional layers that include a polymeric material and at least one of said additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer and at least another of said additional layers that includes the polymeric material is positioned on an opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer,    wherein the cross-machine direction supporting layer substantially comprises cross-machine direction yarns bound together with machine-direction yarns, the ratio of a mass of the cross-machine direction yarns to the machine direction yarns being at least 160:1, and a mass of the polymeric material of the additional layer on the one side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer is substantially the same as a mass of the polymeric material of the additional laver that is provided on the opposite side of the cross-machine direction supporting layer.