Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of (a) applying less than about 0.1 grams per square meter (gsm) of a release agent to a transfer surface, wherein the release agent is selected such that a test sample of the release agent having a concentration at or above its critical surface tension concentration, has a surface tension of less than about 50 dyne/cm or forms a contact angle with the material of the transfer surface of less than about 120°; (b) applying an adhesive to the transfer surface; and (c) transferring the adhesive from the transfer surface to a material web. Preferred embodiments are provided where the transfer surface is metals, polymers, elastomers, ceramics, wood, or combinations thereof and the release agent has the formula: X—CF2O—(C2F4O)p—(CF2O)q—CF2—X. Additional embodiments are provided to continuous and intermittent processes.

Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of (a) applying less than about 0.1 grams per square meter (gsm) of a release agent to a transfer surface, wherein the release agent is selected such that a test sample of the release agent having a concentration at or above its critical surface tension concentration, has a surface tension of less than about 50 dyne/cm or forms a contact angle with the material of the transfer surface of less than about 120°; (b) applying an adhesive to the transfer surface; and (c) transferring the adhesive from the transfer surface to a material web.

Abstract: The present invention is a papermaking belt comprising two primary elements: a reinforcing structure and pattern layer. The reinforcing structure comprises a web facing first surface of interwoven first machine direction yarns and cross-machine direction yarns, the first surface having an FSI of at least about 68. The reinforcing structure has a machine facing second surface which comprises second machine direction yarns binding only with the cross-machine direction yarns in a N-shed pattern, where N is greater than four, wherein the second machine direction yarns bind only one of the cross-machine direction yarns per repeat. The pattern layer extends outwardly from the first surface, wherein the pattern layer provides a web contacting surface facing outwardly from the first surface, the pattern layer extending at least partially to the second surface.

Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on a working surface and having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The preferred collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the machine direction between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance. This allows to provide a greater collimation of the curing radiation in the cross-machine direction relative to the machine direction.

Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation and a working surface, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on the working surface having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction and disposed between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance.

Abstract: A papermaking belt including two primary elements: a reinforcing structure and pattern layer. The reinforcing structure includes a web facing first surface of interwoven first machine direction yarns and cross-machine direction yarns, the first surface having an FSI of at least about 68. The reinforcing structure has a machine facing second surface which includes second machine direction yarns binding only with the cross-machine direction yarns in a N-shed pattern, where N is greater than four, wherein the second machine direction yarns bind only one of the cross-machine direction yarns per repeat. The pattern layer extends outwardly from the first surface, wherein the pattern layer provides a web contacting surface facing outwardly from the first surface, the pattern layer extending at least partially to the second surface.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprised of a resinous polymer with improved elongation. The papermaking belt of this invention is comprised of a reinforcing element and a resinous polymer wherein the resinous polymer exhibits improved elongation both at room temperature and elevated temperatures while maintaining creep resistance and without any undue loss of tensile strength. In addition to papermaking belts, the resinous polymer of this invention may also be used for other applications.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprising a top (web facing) layer of interwoven top layer yarns, a bottom (machine facing) layer of interwoven bottom layer yarns, and a plurality of tie yarns. The top layer yarns comprise a plurality of top layer carrier yarns interwoven in a weave with a plurality of top layer cross-carrier yarns, the top layer carrier yarns being perpendicular to the top layer cross-carrier yarns. The bottom layer yarns comprise a plurality of bottom layer carrier yarns interwoven in a weave with a plurality of bottom layer cross-carrier yarns, the bottom layer carrier yarns being perpendicular to the bottom layer cross-carrier yarns. The top layer and the bottom layer are tied together in a parallel and interfacing relationship by a plurality of tie yarns having a general direction of the top layer carrier yarns and passing over the top layer cross-carrier yarns and under the bottom layer cross-carrier yarns in a repeating pattern.

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: 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 papermaking belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a framework. The reinforcing structure has air permeability not less than 800 cfm and a Fiber Support Index not less than 75. The framework is joined to the reinforcing structure and extends outwardly not more than about 6.5 mils from the reinforcing structure. The framework has deflection conduits dispersed throughout, encompassed by, and isolated one from another by the framework. A paper-contacting surface of the framework comprises a paper-side network which encompasses paper-side openings of the deflection conduits. A substantial portion of each paper-side opening is not less than about 45 mils in each of its dimensions measured in the X-Y plane. A paper web having two regions: an essentially continuous and macroscopically monoplanar network region, and a dome region comprising a plurality of discrete domes encompassed by the network region. The domes are distributed in a non-random, repeating pattern.

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.