Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A belt for through-air drying a cellulosic fibrous structure. The belt comprises two layers, a web contacting first layer and a machine facing second layer. The yarns of the first layer are substantially transparent to actinic radiation, and the yarns of the second layer are substantially opaque to actinic radiation. The two layers are joined together by either adjunct tie yarns or integral tie yarns. The tie yarns are substantially transparent to actinic radiation. The resulting belt has a backside texture caused by opaque yarns which shield actinic radiation. The opaque yarns are limited to the second layer, and do not tie the second layer to the first layer.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A belt for through-air drying a cellulosic fibrous structure. The belt comprises two layers, a web contacting first layer and a machine facing second layer. The two layers are joined together by either adjunct tie yarns or integral tie yarns. The resulting belt has a backside texture caused by opaque yarns which shield actinic radiation. The opaque yarns are limited to the second layer, and do not tie the second layer to the first layer. The two layers may have vertically stacked machine direction yarns.

Abstract: A papermaking belt, comprising either a forming wire or a through-air-drying belt. The papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing structure having two layers tied together and a resinous framework. The yarns of the first layer are interwoven so that, except for the tie yarns, each yarn remains within 1.5 yarn diameters of the top plane defined by the knuckles of the first layer. The belt has a thickness of at least 2.5 times the yarn diameter for rigidity.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.