Abstract: A calender arrangement for calendering a material web, in particular a paper web, having a shoe roll and a mating roll, between which an extended nip is formed, through which the material web can be guided. The shoe roll includes a revolving shell, which is fixed to two rotatably mounted terminating elements arranged at the ends and can be loaded in the direction of the mating roll via a press shoe matched to the outside of the mating roll. The shell includes a radially inner base layer and an adjacent, radially outer functional layer. The base layer includes a resilient matrix material reinforced by embedded fibers, and the functional layer includes a matrix material with a lower fiber content than the base layer.

Abstract: A transport belt, in particular for machines for the production of web material such as paper or paperboard, has, on a web material contact side, depressions of which the majority has a depression opening with a dimension smaller than 20 ?m in at least one direction.

Abstract: A shoe press belt comprises a shoe side layer, a base body on the external circumference of the shoe side layer, and a wet paper web side layer formed on the external surface of the base body. The shoe side layer is formed on mandrel having a polished surface, and the base body comprises a lattice material made by joining crossing points of warp and weft yarns, and a wound layer made by winding a thread in a helix. The lattice material, made by joining the crossing points of the warp and weft yarns as a component of the base body, has smaller undulations than those of a woven material.

Abstract: For profiling a fiber web (W) a shoe roll (10) defines a roll nip (4) with an opposite counter-roll (3). The shoe roll (10) has a static roll frame (5), a shoe element (2) located at the roll nip (4) and an endless belt (6) rotating about the shoe element (2) and the static roll frame (5). A lubricating cycle (71) is provided between the endless belt (6) and the shoe element (2) in the roll nip. The surface of the web (W) is profiled in the nip by loading the loading element (8). Before or after the shoe element (2), the shoe roll (10) has a longitudinally extending profiling strip (1) which can be pressurized to be able to perform thickness profiling of the surface of the fiber web (W). The static roll frame (5) and the shoe element (2) the endless belt (6) rotate about the profiling strip.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structures and belt structures designed for use on a long nip press on a papermaking machine and for other papermaking and paper processing applications, requires the application of a sacrificial material onto a base substrate in a predetermined pattern in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. Polymeric resin material is then deposited on the base substrate to cover all areas except those on which the sacrificial material has been previously applied. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and the sacrificial material removed. Optionally, the polymeric resin material may then be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structure and belt structure, designed for use on a long nip press on a papermaking machine and for other papermaking and paperprocessing applications, requires the application of a polymeric resin material onto a base substrate in a precise predetermined pattern in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and, optionally, may be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.

Abstract: A family of paper industry process belts (“PIPB's”) having a range of properties for different applications in the paper industry. The PIPB can be a laminate comprising a grooved press belt and a porous membrane embedded therein and used as a substitute dewatering structure heretofore provided by press fabric(s).

Abstract: A shoe press belt having formed on an outer surface a plurality of parallel machine direction grooves. Each groove has formed therein a plurality of conical rebates. The rebates are spaced along each groove with centers coincident with the groove center line. The positions of the rebates are stepped diagonally across adjacent parallel grooves.

Abstract: A belt for a papermaking machine has minute projections and recesses randomly formed in a shoe-contacting surface of the belt by a powdery material contained in a high molecular weight elastic section formed on a base body. The surface roughness RZ of the shoe-contacting surface is between 50 and 500 microns; the particle diameter of the powdery material is between 5 and 500 microns; and the content of the powdery material in the high molecular weight elastic section is between 5 and 50 percent by weight. A lubricant is held in the minute projections and recesses, and consequently more lubricant may be supplied between the belt and the shoe with which it cooperates. As a result, friction between the belt and the shoe is reduced, and less energy is required to drive the papermaking machine.

Abstract: In a wet paper web transfer belt, the wet paper web side layer is formed by a high molecular weight elastic section containing porous bodies which are exposed at, or protrude from the web-contacting surface. The porous bodies are anchored in the resin and wear at about the same rate way as the surrounding resin. Therefore, the distribution of the porous bodies does not vary significantly as a result of abrasion. This transfer belt can transport an attached wet paper web, and release the web smoothly to a next stage in the papermaking process, over a long period of use.

Abstract: A shoe press belt capable of preventing the occurrence and growth of cracks therein and is used in a paper-making press apparatus containing a press roll, a belt, and a pressure shoe for pressing a material web, wherein the shoe press belt includes a reinforcing layer, a first elastic material layer, and a second elastic material layer. A plurality of grooves are formed at an exterior peripheral surface region of the first elastic material layer. The bottom of the grooves at an axial end region of the belt corresponding to at least one of an end-proximate region in an axial direction of the pressure shoe and an end-proximate region in an axial direction of the press roll extends toward the reinforcing layer relative to the bottom of the grooves at a region other than the end region.

Abstract: A papermaking belt which prevents cracking and inhibits crack growth which includes a reinforcing substrate embedded in a thermosetting polyurethane layer so that the reinforcing substrate and the thermosetting polyurethane layer are integrated with each other and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the belt are formed by polyurethane layers, the polyurethane layer forming the outer peripheral surface being made of a composition containing a urethane prepolymer having isocyanate groups on its ends and a hardener containing dimethylthiotoluenediamine.

Abstract: Nip press belt of a wet press or a calender with elongated nip, in particular for a paper, cardboard or tissue machine, with a flexible elastomer layer that is impermeable to liquids and with a textile reinforcing layer, wherein the elastomer layer comprises soft rubber with a hardness in the range between 5 and 100 P+J.

Abstract: A method of producing an endless belt includes the steps of: securing axial fibers relative to a mandrel, the axial fibers being spaced apart from one another at desired intervals and extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mandrel; applying a polymeric base layer to the mandrel in a thickness sufficient to embed the axial fibers; wrapping circumferential fibers onto the polymeric base layer with sufficient tension to partially embed the circumferential fibers in the polymeric base layer; applying a polymeric top stock layer over the polymeric base layer and circumferential fibers; and curing the base layer and the top stock layer. This method can improve productivity and performance of endless belts, particularly if the wrapping and latter applying steps closely follow the first applying step.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a papermaking belt structure using tapes made of a solid thermoplastic resin surrounding a fibrous matrix. The method calls for applying a layer of CD oriented tapes to a mandrel surface, then applying a layer of MD oriented tapes over the CD layer, applying pressure and heat to the mandrel containing the CD and MD layers so to melt the resin and entirely bond/encapsulate the fibrous matrix. The belt structure thus obtained may thereafter be grooved, drilled or other processed as desired. Additionally, the above method can be reversed as to the MD/CD order of layering. Also, a layer entirely of resin can be applied, preferably prior to, but also after or in between the MD/CD layers. Also, rubber can comprise one or more layers.

Abstract: A method to produce a papermaker's shoe press belt or other industrial process belt and a belt made according to such method. The belt is produced by dispensing a mixture of polymer and staple fiber onto a cylindrical mandrel, by extrusion or by co-extrusion. Preferably, the variation of the concentration and/or orientation of the staple fiber within the polymer is controlled such that the finished belt has desired properties.

Abstract: Nip press belt (9) of a wet press (1) or a calender with elongated nip, in particular for a paper, cardboard or tissue machine, with a flexible carrier layer (9a) that is impermeable to liquids and is made of soft rubber having a hardness in the range between 20 and 50 P+J and an integrated textile reinforcement (9b), and with a covering layer (9c) that is fixedly connected to the carrier layer or formed together therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt calender, comprising a first roll (11), a second roll (13; 15), and a belt loop therebetween, comprising an incompressible metal belt (12) pressed by the second roll (13; 15) against the first roll (11) to establish a calendering zone between the first roll (11) and said belt (12). The second roll (13; 15) is provided with a compressible belt section (14; 18) to be pressed against the metal belt (12).

Abstract: A method and machine for the manufacture of a fiber web, in particular of a tissue web or of a hygienic web, in which the fiber web is formed on a soft clothing with fine pores and the clothing is guided over a surface subject to suction and in which the fiber web is transferred from a soft clothing with fine pores directly onto a TAD wire of a TAD drying apparatus. An optimum quality of the respective final product is achieved with an energy effort which is as low as possible, in particular, the energy effort required with vacuum generation in the dewatering of the fiber web is reduced.

Abstract: A flexible press cover which has an additional strengthening element in at least one of its two end regions. As a result, in the end region, the tensile strength and the tensile rigidity in the circumferential direction are increased with respect to that hitherto known in such a way that it is no longer necessary to clamp the press cover end region in between two components. Instead, the press cover according to the present invention is suitable to be fixed to the outer circumferential surface of a rotatable supporting element belonging to the cover carrying disk without the aid of an outer ring, a clamping band, clamping filament or the like. In the most beneficial case, the arrangement for fixing the press cover to the aforementioned supporting element is completely free of any kind of fixing elements which would be associated with the cover outer surface.

Abstract: In a shoe press belt of a papermaking machine, the part of the paper web-facing layer in which water-holding grooves are formed is composed of a surface sublayer, having a relatively low hardness, and an underlying layer having a relatively high hardness. The higher hardness of the underlying layer prevents cracks from forming where the cross-sectional shape of the grooves tends to change as the belt is compressed. The lower hardness of the surface sublayer prevents the formation of cracks as a result of forces acting on the belt in the direction opposite to the machine direction at the nip location in a papermaking machine.

Abstract: A papermaking belt of improved durability capable of preventing a crack from progressing into the which includes a reinforcing substrate embedded in an elastic material, and the elastic material containing a surface layer, a back layer and an intermediate layer located between the surface layer and the back layer and having a thick part containing a thickness in the belt thickness direction along the belt traveling direction in the said intermediate layer. The thick part can also be exposed on the belt surface through the surface layer, the thick part is preferably made of a low-hardness elastic material and the surface layer is preferably made of a high-hardness elastic material.

Abstract: A press belt for the formation of a nip between the belt and an opposing surface during processing of a fibrous pulp web, that includes a matrix of an elastomer material, a first layer of reinforcing fibers having a thickness and spacings therebetween, and extending in a direction transverse to a belt run direction, and a second layer of reinforcing fibers having a thickness and spacings therebetween, and extending in the belt run direction, where the thicknesses of the reinforcing fibers of the first layer and the second layer is about 0.5 mm, where the spacings between the reinforcing fibers of the first layer are less than or equal to about 3.0 mm, where the spacings between the reinforcing fibers of the second layer being less than or equal to 2.5 mm, and where the reinforcing fibers of the first layer are separated in a belt thickness direction from the reinforcing fibers of the second layer one layer by a distance of up to about 4 mm.

Abstract: Higher-gloss paper grades, in particular paper grades with a Hunter gloss % above 40, are produced in an arrangement having pairs of calendering units (1, 3) disposed in the machine direction one after the other and apart from one another, which pairs are each formed of separate and different calendering units (1, 3) and in each of which the nip load in the latter calendering unit (3) is higher than the nip load in the preceding calendering unit (1). Advantageously, the calendering unit (1) placed first in the machine direction is an on-line long-nip calendering unit (1) and the calendering unit (3) placed after that in the machine direction is an on-line or off-line supercalender.

Abstract: Press section and process for dewatering a fibrous material web that includes a plurality of rolls arranged to form at least three nips and at least one endlessly circulating dewatering belt associated with each nip. Each at least one endlessly circulating dewatering belt is structured and arranged to guide the fibrous material web through its respective nip and to receive water squeezed out of the fibrous material web in the respective nip. The plurality of rolls include at least one press roll having a smooth surface arranged to contact a surface of the fibrous material web and an endlessly circulating, smooth transfer belt is structured and arranged to contact a surface of the fibrous material web opposite the surface contacting the smooth surface of the at least one press roll and to support the fibrous material web through at least one of the at least three nips.

Abstract: The invention concerns an equipment and a method in the transfer of a paper/board web in a paper or board machine. In an embodiment of the invention, the dryer section comprises at least one group of drying cylinders in which, instead of a conventional wire draw, a transfer belt (H100) is employed, to which the web (W) is affixed by effect of adhesion and which transfer belt is passed over drying cylinders (K1, K2, . . . ) and reversing rolls (E1, E2, . . . ) and further in said group (RI) of drying cylinders in the dryer section. The invention also concerns a method in the transfer of the web (W) in the dryer section (K) of a paper/board machine.

Abstract: A press roll belt is arranged to be used in connection with a roll (10) forming a press nip. The belt (12) of the press roll (10) is provided with a groove pattern formed of intersecting grooves (11A, 11B). A press concept has at least one press nip formed between two rolls (30, 32) to remove water from a web. At least one press nip (NA) of the press concept is formed such that the cover (22) or the belt (12) of at least one roll (30A, 32A) forming the press nip is provided with groove patterning formed of intersecting grooves (11A, 11B; 21A, 21B).

Abstract: A supercalender for calendering a paper web and a calendering arrangement for producing matte-quality paper web has a multiple-nip calender in which at least one of the calendering nips of the multiple-nip calender is an extended nip (N9) formed between a polymer roll (18) and either a shoe roll (30) or a calendering belt.

Abstract: A process for forming a belt for a press, such as a shoe press belt, includes the steps of: providing an elongate cylindrical core having a longitudinal axis; rotating the core about the longitudinal axis; providing a nozzle movable along a nozzle path that is substantially parallel to and above the core longitudinal axis, the nozzle having at least an upstream outlet and a downstream outlet, the nozzle outlets being longitudinally offset a distance from each other; and applying multiple strips of polymeric material to the core through the nozzle outlets as the nozzle moves along the nozzle path such that the downstream strip forms an overlapping spiral inner layer and the upstream strip forms an overlapping spiral outer layer that overlies the inner layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calendering paper or board in the manufacture of coated grades of paper or board. At least one of the surfaces of an uncoated base material web is calendered, at least one layer of coating mix being applied onto said surface, and at least the coated surface of the base web is calendered again. The uncoated surface of the base web is calendered by means of a shoe calender having a nip length of at least 50 mm, and the coated surface of the base web is calendered by means of a calender having a nip length of 50 mm at the most.

Abstract: A relatively low-cost calendering belt having excellent heat resistance and durability comprises a central portion 30, and left and right side portions 20 located at the sides of the central portion. The right and left portions 20 comprise high molecular weight elastic material having greater heat resistance than that of the central portion 30. The central portion 30 is composed of high-molecular elastic material, the durability of which is higher than that of the right and left portions 20. The heat of the calender roll CR is intercepted by a paper W, and consequently is not transmitted to the central portion 30 of the calender belt. The right and left portions 20 of the calender belt, which are not protected by paper W do not deteriorate readily as a result of the heat of the calender roll CR because of their heat resisting property.

Abstract: A shoe press includes: a first member; a second member; a substantially cylindrical belt; and a processing unit. The first member has a convex pressing surface. The second member includes a shoe with a concave pressing surface substantially complimentary to the convex pressing surface. The second member further includes a pair of substantially circular head plates rotatably mounted on axially opposed ends thereof. The belt is fixed to, extends between, and is rotatable with the head plates such that a portion of the belt passes between the convex pressing surface and the concave pressing surface. The belt includes embedded therein a communications cable having a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals responsive to an operating parameter of the shoe press. The processing unit is in communication with the communications cable and processes signals generated by the sensors.

Abstract: In a shoe press belt, in which the nip zone is narrower than the shoe width, the shearing force which normally acts on the belt at the outer boundary of the nip zone is made either weak or non-existent by forming the outer portions of the belt of less hardness than the inner, or central, portion of the belt, so that the less hard portions can be positioned directly opposite the outer boundaries of the nip zone. Alternatively, the outer portions of the belt can be made thinner than the central portion of the belt and the thinner portions positioned directly opposite to the nip zone boundaries. The shearing force applied to the belt at the nip ends of the roll is reduced or eliminated, cracking resulting from the shear force is reduced or avoided, and a belt having improved durability results.

Abstract: Printing paper or paperboard of 30-200 g/m2 grammage is made in a machine with a wet section, press section and drying section. The web passes through a roll press with a double-felted roll-press nip, then in a shoe press with an extended single or double-felted shoe-press nip, and pressed in a deflection-compensating roll press, having a double-felted roll-press nip and open press rolls. The web travels at at least 1,200 m/min.; is subjected in the roll-press nip to a linear load from 100 to 300 kN-m and a specific pressure from 5 to 15 MPa; and is subjected in the shoe-press nip to a linear load from 500 to 1,500 kN/m and a specific high pressure from 4 to 13 MPa, to obtain a dewatered web with a dry-solids content of at least 38 percent after the roll-press nip and at least 45 percent after the shoe-press nip.

Abstract: A papermachine belt particularly for use in a press and/or dryer section comprises a support fabric, a minimal nonwoven layer on the support fabric, a fusible thermoplastic layer, and a thicker batt over the thermoplastic layer. The whole structure is needled together, and the thermoplastic layer melted so that it is expressed through the overlying batt. The layer may be substituted by a nonwoven fabric containing composite yarns with thermoplastic sheaths or such yarns wound spirally around the belt. The support fabric may be substituted by a perforated composite membrane.

Abstract: In a one-surface coated papermaking belt composed of a base layer and a thick resin layer, or a covered, one-surface coated papermaking belt composed of thin and thick resin layers on opposite sides of a base layer, curling of the edges of the belt due to the shrinkage of the thick resin layer is reduced by forming the opposite side edge parts of the thick resin layer thinner than the middle part. The reduction in curling results in improved oil removal especially in a shoe-press belt. It also stabilizes turning of the belt and facilitates belt installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press roll (1) comprising a flexible rotating endless-loop blanket (3) of a liquid-impervious material, two disc-shaped roll heads (4, 5), and a clamp element (14) filled with a pressurized medium for clamping the lateral rims (21) of the blanket (3) to the respective ones (4, 5) of the roll heads. The invention is implemented by adapting between the pressurized-medium-filled clamp element (14) and the blanket (3) an annular ring (18) serving to press the rim of the blanket (3) during the pressurization of said clamp element against the inner rim surface (15) of a sector plate (7) and, respectively, serving to contract the clamp element (14) when the pressure of the clamp element (14) is removed or lowered.

Abstract: To improve the water squeezing function of a shoe press belt for papermaking, the wet web side layer of a main body of the belt is composed of a high molecular weight elastic material, and the wet web facing surface of the wet web side layer is made hydrophobic. Water, squeezed from the wet web under compression in a shoe press, and transferred to the surface of the wet web side layer of the belt through a felt, may be shaken off reliably before the belt is again subjected to compression.

Abstract: The invention refers to a shoe press belt (1) for use in shoe presses of a paper machine, having a support (2) and a liquid-impermeable belt layer (3, 5) which has an inner layer (3) and an outer layer (5), the outer layer (5) having a porous structure and the porous structure being formed exclusively from cavities (8, 12, 14) open toward the outer side; and is characterized in that the outer layer (5) is made of an unfoamed material.

Abstract: A method of imparting bulk and/or visual aesthetics to a tissue basesheet involves pressing the basesheet with a felt having a raised pattern on it so that the pattern becomes inherent in the sheet. A pattern is stitched into a carrier layer which is joined to a substrate to form the felt. As the basesheet is pressed into the felt, the raised pattern displaces fibers in the sheet, effectively inducing the pattern in the basesheet. The novel felt with a raised patterned layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a press fabric having an anti-rewet scrim or “barrier” within the internal structure of a press fabric, and a method for making same. External materials are not necessary in creating the barrier. In other words, the existing material is modified to create a natural barrier to prevent water migration back to the press fabric surface.

Abstract: A shoe press head indexing system wherein axial tension is applied to a blanket in a shoe press of a papermaking machine by means of respective fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies which are mounted inside the blanket and apply axial pressure to the first and second heads between which the blanket is mounted. Neither head is fixed or limited in position at any time. The respective fluid assemblies include respective displacement sensors whereby the positions of the heads, and thereby of the blanket, relative to the press can be determined and monitored. Automatic adjustments can then be made to the pressure in the assemblies and hence to the positions of the heads to maintain the blanket in substantially central position on the press.

Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing textured soft paper comprises a press section with a press nip, through which an impermeable belt and a felt run with the fibrous web between them, a drying cylinder and a transfer roll forming a nip for transfer of the web to the drying cylinder. According to the invention the belt is a texturing belt having a back layer and a web-contacting layer having depressions with surface portions situated between them to form a relief pattern in the web upon passage through the press nip, the texturing belt running from the press to the drying cylinder in order to carry the textured web to the transfer nip. The felt runs away from the texturing belt before a water film formed in the press nip on the texturing belt breaks up. A device is provided before the transfer nip to apply adhesive on the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A papermaking press felt having excellent rewetting suppression without impaired water-squeezing capability. comprises a base body, batt layers, and a rewetting prevention layer, integrated with one another by needle punching. The rewetting prevention layer has three dimensional passages comprising a verge opening, a wet paper web side opening and a roll side opening. The wet paper web side opening is larger than the roll side opening. Under nip pressure, water from the wet paper web moves into the roll surface side of the felt, passing through the passages in the rewetting prevention layer. Although a rewetting phenomenon tends to occur when the press felt is released from the nip pressure, movement of water through the passages back to the wet paper web side of the felt is suppressed since the roll side openings are narrower than the wet paper web side opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an extended nip between a heated mating roll and a shoe roll for treating a product web, especially a paper web, the shoe roll having a stationary support and a flexible belt which can rotate about the support and, in the area of the extended nip, is supported on a shoe which is guided on the support, forms a press section and has an effective shoe width, and the belt having end sections which are fixed to end walls that are rotatably mounted on the support, in each case at the ends and axially adjacent to but at a distance from a mating face located opposite the effective shoe width of the shoe, the mating roll having a radially protruding support ring, which forms an opposing bearing for the direct support of an outer belt section on the mating roll and consists of a thermally insulating material.

Abstract: An extended-nip press is disclosed comprising a press roll (2) and a backing roll (1), wherein the press roll (2) comprises a rotating endless-loop blanket (3) of a flexible, liquid-impervious material, a rigid and advantageously stationary roll support beam (4) that extends axially through the interior of the endless blanket (3), at least one shoe element (8) resting on the roll support beam (4) and having a concave top face, and loading means (6) for loading the shoe element (8) by way of pressing the concave top face thereof against the flexible endless-loop blanket (3) so as to make the blanket (3) form a press nip zone (N) in cooperation with the backing roll (1), said loading means (6) comprising a linear array of loading units (6′) aligned along the axial direction of the press roll (2), each one of the loading units comprising a functionally cooperating piston-cylinder unit.

Abstract: A coated press or transfer belt and method for coating a press or transfer belt is disclosed, wherein a coating of one or more polymers and possible blend components and additives is formed on the surface of the belt. Coating is carried out by rotational molding, which is, as such known, onto the belt rotating on one or more rolls from at least two rapidly reacting liquid components. The set coating layer is then ground to an even thickness.

Abstract: A shoe press includes: a first member; a second member; a substantially cylindrical belt; and a processing unit. The first member has a convex pressing surface. The second member includes a shoe with a concave pressing surface substantially complimentary to the convex pressing surface. The second member further includes a pair of substantially circular head plates rotatably mounted on axially opposed ends thereof. The belt is fixed to, extends between, and is rotatable with the head plates such that a portion of the belt passes between the convex pressing surface and the concave pressing surface. The belt includes embedded therein a communications cable having a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals responsive to an operating parameter of the shoe press. The processing unit is in communication with the communications cable and processes signals generated by the sensors.

Abstract: A textile machine felt, which can be used, for example, as a compacting felt on machines for rendering textiles shrinkproof, consists of a ground textile (1) and a felt layer (2) which is stitched thereon and comprises at least in its surface region an elastic knit fabric (3), for example, a continuous warp knitted sleeve.

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.