Abstract: A method of manufacturing a press belt includes the following steps: laying a plurality of crosswise reinforcing yarns inside a cylindrical casting cylinder; casting a surface layer of an elastomeric material over the crosswise yarns; laying a plurality of lengthwise yarns onto the still wet surface layer of the elastomeric material; and casting an inner layer of elastomeric material over the lengthwise yarns. The inner and outer layers of elastomeric material merge together to form an integral elastomeric entity which encases both the crosswise and lengthwise yarns.

Abstract: The grooves of a grooved press belt are formed with an improved configuration which reduces groove closure under pressure and which reduces cracking and tearing of the belt. The improved groove configuration consists of a curved bottom and two upwardly diverging side walls. In a first embodiment the bottom wall is semi-circular and has a diameter which is equal to about one half of the width of the groove opening. The upwardly diverging side walls preferably include radiused upper edges. The side walls preferably have an angle of divergence between about five degrees and about fifteen degrees from a vertical plane. In a second embodiment, the bottom of the groove is substantially flat, and the bottom corners are radiused to provide a smooth transition between the flat bottom and the upwardly diverging side walls.

Abstract: A press belt in the form of an endless loop includes crosswise and lengthwise reinforcing fibers. The crosswise reinforcing fibers are positioned adjacent to the outside surface of the belt and the lengthwise reinforcing fibers are positioned adjacent to the inside surface of the belt. The fibers are laid inside a casting cylinder and an elastomeric material is cast onto the fibers while the casting cylinder is rotating. The crosswise fibers are laid into the casting cylinder first so that they are adjacent to the outer surface of the belt and then the lengthwise fibers are laid over the crosswise fibers.