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 curable liquid resin, providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the substrate comprising fibers defining voids intermediate the first and second surfaces, and the substrate comprising a second material different from the curable liquid resin, the second material coating at least some of the fibers, wherein the voids adjacent the coated fibers provide fluid communication from the first surface of the substrate to the second surface of the substrate; removing at least some of the second material coating at least some of the fibers; applying the curable liquid resin to the substrate; and curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web. The first felt is positioned adjacent a first surface of the web. The imprinting member is positioned between the second surface of the web and the second felt. The second felt has an air permeability which can be greater than that of the first felt.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web, the imprinting member, and two felt layers, are then pressed in a compression nip with a foraminous backing member to mold and dewater the web.

Abstract: An impermeable papermaking belt. The papermaking belt has a back side and a sheet side. The sheet side of the papermaking belt is textured. The sheet side imparts structure, preferably differential density, to paper made on the impermeable belt. The papermaking belt may comprise photosensitive resin on the sheet side. The papermaking belt may be used in conjunction with an imprinting roll which densifies the regions of the paper coincident the knuckles of the papermaking belt. This belt is suitable for papermaking machines having or not having a Yankee drying drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web, the imprinting member, and two felt layers, are then pressed in a compression nip with a foraminous backing member to mold and dewater the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web. The compression nip has an extended length, and can comprise convex and concave opposed compression surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web. The first felt is positioned adjacent a first surface of the web. The imprinting member is positioned between the second surface of the web and the second felt. The second felt has an air permeability which can be greater than that of the first felt.

Abstract: An apparatus for making paper. The apparatus comprises a felt and a pattern layer joined to the felt. The felt has a relatively high UV absorbance. Such a high UV absorbance prevents the actinic radiation applied to cure the pattern layer from scattering when the radiation penetrates the surface of the pattern layer. By limiting the scattering of radiation beneath the surface of the pattern layer, extraneous cured pattern layer material is minimized in the regions of the felt where it is desired not to have pattern layer material.