Importance

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Abstract

A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; transferring the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure; causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The apparatus comprises a molding member having a patterned molding surface comprising a plurality of molding pockets to carry a flowable resinous material therein; a means for depositing the flowable resinous material into the molding pockets of the molding surface; a means for moving the reinforcing structure in a predetermined direction; a means for moving the molding member in a predetermined direction such that the flowable resinous material is transferred from the molding pockets onto the reinforcing structure.

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First Claim