Press fabric seam area

Abstract

A pinseam press fabric is smoothed in the area of the seam by depositing polyurethane particles having a size of about 1 to 500 micrometers across the seam of the felt defined by the ends of the fabric. The polyurethane particles are drawn into the seam end by the application of a vacuum. Once the particles are deposited, the fabric is heated so that the polyurethane particles melt to form a polymeric matrix.

1 . A pinseam press fabric comprising:
 an elongated press fabric joined at its ends of so that the fabric forms an endless belt capable of resisting tension, and
 polyurethane particles having a size of about 1 μ to 500 μ deposited across the seam of the belt defined by the ends of the fabric to a width of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, said polyurethane particles being pulled into the fabric across the seam by a vacuum and heated to adhere to the fabric forming a polymeric matrix. 
   
     
     
         2 . A pinseam press fabric as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the amount of polyurethane deposited is about 10 grams per square meter (gsm) to about 200 gsm. 
     
     
         3 . A pinseam press fabric as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the particle size of said polyurethane is about 1 μm to about 100 μm. 
     
     
         4 . A pinseam press fabric as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the amount of polyurethane particle deposited is about 90 grams per square meter (gsm) to about 150 gsm. 
     
     
         5 . A pinseam press fabric as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said polyurethane particles are a mixture of polyurethane particles having different melting temperatures.