Abstract: A felt for use in a papermaking machine consists of a textile base fabric and a batt layer for supporting the paper web. A flow control layer is interposed between the base layer and the batt layer, to prevent rewetting of the paper web upon the paper web exiting the press nip of the paper making machine. The flow control layer is formed of a porous hydrophobic material. Pressure exerted by the press nip forces water from the paper through the upper batt layer and the flow control layer into the base layer. When such pressure is relieved, the hydrophobicity of the flow control layer prevents backflow of water to the upper batt layer and the paper web, to prevent rewetting of the web. The flow control layer is preferably formed of a spunbonded filamentary nylon material treated with a hydrophobic chemical composition, which maintains its integrity during the needling process in which the batt layer and the base layer are secured together.

Abstract: A composite structure for extracting water from a wet paper web in a papermaking process. The structure includes a base or substrate and a layer of water permeable polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam, is secured to a surface of the substrate and an outer web supporting layer of water permeable polymeric material is bonded to the outer surface of the foam layer. The outer polymeric layer provides a smooth web supporting surface having toughness and abrasion resistance.