Inventors:
Thomas G. Gulya - Appleton WI
Gary V. Schultz - Kimberely WI
Kenneth G. Staiger - Raleigh NC
Assignee:
Appleton Mills - Appleton WI
International Classification:
B32B 502
Abstract:
A papermaker's felt having improved water extraction characteristics. The felt is composed of a base fabric, and a layer of a closed cell polymeric foam is disposed on a face of the base fabric. A batt of fibrous material is needled to the base fabric and foam layer. The needling operation penetrates the fibers of the batt into the foam layer, intersecting the cells. The resiliency of the foam tends to close the cell walls against the penetrated fibers so that under uncompressed conditions, the felt is substantially impervious. Under compressive forces, as occurs in the nip between press rolls, the interfaces between the penetrated fibers and the cell walls will open to enable water to be extracted through the felt.