Resin-impregnated belt for application on papermaking machines and in similar industrial application

Abstract

A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender of the shoe type, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, has a base fabric in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction. The base fabric has machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements in an open structure wherein at least some of the MD structural elements and CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another. The MD structural elements cross the CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, where they are joined to one another by mechanical, chemical or thermo-bonding means. A coating of a first polymeric resin is on the inner surface of the base fabric. The first polymeric resin impregnates and renders the base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forms a layer on the inner surface thereof. The coating is smooth and provides the belt with a uniform thickness. A method for manufacturing the belt, using a smooth and polished cylindrical mandrel with a spacer ring slidably disposed thereon, is also shown.

1. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a plain weave, and  
 wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment on said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       2. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a plain weave, and wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material applied to said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       3. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a plain weave, and wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       4. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       5. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a plain weave, and wherein said CD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       6. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       7. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a single-layer weave wherein a plurality of at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns weave side-by-side one another, and wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment on said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       8. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a single-layer weave wherein a plurality of at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns weave side-by-side one another, and wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material applied to said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       9. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a single-layer weave wherein a plurality of at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns weave side-by-side one another, and wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       10. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are woven with said CD yarns in a single-layer weave wherein a plurality of at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns weave side-by-side one another, and wherein said CD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       11. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said CD yarns comprise first and second paired CD yarns, said first and second paired CD yarns being interwoven with said MD yarns in an endless leno weave, said MD yarns and said CD yarns thereby being mechanically locked to one another at said crossing points, and wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment on said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       12. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said CD yarns comprise first and second paired CD yarns, said first and second paired CD yarns being interwoven with said MD yarns in an endless leno weave, said MD yarns and said CD yarns thereby being mechanically locked to one another at said crossing points, and wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material applied to said base fabric after weaving.  
 
     
     
       13. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said CD yarns comprise first and second paired CD yarns, said first and second paired CD yarns being interwoven with said MD yarns in an endless leno weave, said MD yarns and said CD yarns thereby being mechanically locked to one another at said crossing points, and wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       14. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       15. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being woven with said CD yarns to form said woven structure,  
 wherein said CD yarns comprise first and second paired CD yarns, said first and second paired CD yarns being interwoven with said MD yarns in an endless leno weave, said MD yarns and said CD yarns thereby being mechanically locked to one another at said crossing points, and wherein said first and second paired CD yarns are both polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       16. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said first and second paired CD yarns have a combined denier of 3000. 
     
     
       17. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a non-woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non-woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are bonded to said CD yarns at said crossing points, and wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment.  
 
     
     
       18. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a non-woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non-woven structure,  
 wherein said MD yarns are bonded to said CD yarns at said crossing points, and wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material.  
 
     
     
       19. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a non-woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non-woven structure, and wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       20. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       21. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a non-woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non-woven structure, and wherein said CD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.  
 
     
     
       22. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       23. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,  
 wherein said base fabric is a non-woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non-woven structure, and wherein said base fabric further comprises a knitted structure, said MD yarns and said CD yarns interweaving with said knitted structure but not with each other, said knitted structure thereby mechanically joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points.  
 
     
     
       24. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness, wherein said base fabric is an endless Raschel-knitted structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being Raschel-knitted CD yarns, said MD yarns being laid into said Raschel-knitted CD yarns during production of said endless Raschel-knitted structure, said MD yarns thereby being mechanically interlocked with said Raschel-knitted CD yarns.  
 
     
     
       25. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 24  wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material further joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment on said base fabric after Raschel-knitting. 
     
     
       26. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are further joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material applied to said base fabric after Raschel knitting. 
     
     
       27. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns. 
     
     
       28. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       29. A resin-impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper-processing applications, said resin-impregnated endless belt comprising:
 a base fabric, said base fabric being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, said base fabric having machine-direction (MD) structural elements and cross-machine-direction (CD) structural elements wherein at least some of said MD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), and wherein at least some of said CD structural elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance in the range from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch (0.16 cm to 1.27 cm), said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and  
 a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base fabric, said coating impregnating and rendering said base fabric impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness, wherein said base fabric is an endless knitted structure, said endless knitted structure, being knitted from a yarn and stretched in both the machine and cross-machine directions so that sections of said yarn align with said directions and become said MD and CD structural elements, said endless knitted structure being bonded in such a stretched condition to maintain the alignment of said sections of said yarn in the machine and cross-machine directions.  
 
     
     
       30. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said yarn is coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material bonding said endless knitted structure in said stretched condition upon application of a heat treatment on said base fabric while so stretched. 
     
     
       31. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said endless knitted structure is bonded in said stretched condition by a chemical material applied thereto while so stretched. 
     
     
       32. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said yarn is a polyester multifilament yarn. 
     
     
       33. A resin-impregnated endless belt as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said polyester multifilament yarn has a denier of 3000. 
     
     
       34. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine - direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,        wherein said base is a non - woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non - woven structure,        wherein said MD yarns are bonded to said CD yarns at said crossing points, and wherein at least one of said MD yarns and said CD yarns are coated with a thermoplastic resin material, said thermoplastic resin material joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points upon application of a heat treatment.      
     
     
       35. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine - direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,        wherein said base is a non - woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non - woven structure,        wherein said MD yarns are bonded to said CD yarns at said crossing points, and wherein said MD yarns and said CD yarns are joined to one another at said crossing points by a chemical material.      
     
     
       36. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,        wherein said base is a non - woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non - woven structure, and wherein said MD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.      
     
     
       37. A resin- impregnated endless belt as claimed in    claim 36    wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of  3000 .    
     
     
       38. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine - direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,        wherein said base is a non - woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non - woven structure, and wherein said CD yarns are polyester multifilament yarns.      
     
     
       39. A resin- impregnated endless belt as claimed in    claim 38    wherein said polyester multifilament yarns have a denier of  3000 .    
     
     
       40. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine - direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness,        wherein said base is a non - woven structure, said MD structural elements being MD yarns and said CD structural elements being CD yarns, said MD yarns being joined to said CD yarns at said crossing points to form said non - woven structure, and wherein said base further comprises a knitted structure, said MD yarns and said CD yarns interweaving with said knitted structure but not with each other, said knitted structure thereby mechanically joining said MD yarns to said CD yarns at said crossing points.      
     
     
       41. A resin- impregnated endless belt for a long nip press or calender, or for other papermaking and paper - processing applications, said resin - impregnated endless belt comprising:      a base, said base being in the form of an endless loop with an inner surface, an outer surface, a machine direction and a cross - machine direction, said base having machine - direction  ( MD )  structural elements and cross - machine - direction  ( CD )  structural elements, said MD structural elements crossing said CD structural elements at a plurality of crossing points, said MD structural elements being joined to said CD structural elements at said crossing points; and        a coating of a first polymeric resin on said inner surface of said base, said coating impregnating and rendering said base impermeable to liquids, and forming a layer on the inner surface thereof, said coating being smooth and providing said belt with a uniform thickness, wherein said base is an endless knitted structure, said endless knitted structure, being knitted from a yarn and stretched in both the machine and cross - machine directions so that sections of said yarn align with said directions and become said MD and CD structural elements, said endless knitted structure being bonded in such a stretched condition to maintain the alignment of said sections of said yarn in the machine and cross - machine directions.