Process belt with improved on-machine seam

Abstract

A process belt having a woven base fabric, a barrier on an upper surface of the base fabric, a fibrous batt layer on the barrier and needled through the barrier and into the base fabric forms a composite structure. When an additional material is applied, the barrier protects a predetermined seam loop area from significant contamination by the additional material, resulting in a seam loop area that is substantially clear of obstruction so that a pintle can be installed faster and easier with less damage to the loop yams.

1 . A process belt with on-machine seaming comprising: 
 a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer protects a predetermined seam loop area from contamination.    
   
   
       2 . The process belt of  claim 1:   wherein the barrier layer prevents significant contamination of batt fibers into the seam loop area.    
   
   
       3 . The process belt of  claim 1:   wherein when an additional material is applied to the press fabric, the barrier layer prevents the additional material from contaminating the seam loop area.    
   
   
       4 . The process belt of  claim 1:   wherein the barrier layer is at least one of a thermoplastic resin, a solid film polyester plastic, solid plastic film, fibrous batt, and a tape.    
   
   
       5 . The process belt of  claim 1:   wherein the barrier layer has greater density than a surrounding batt structure.    
   
   
       6 . A process belt comprising: 
 a woven base fabric;    a barrier on an upper surface of the base fabric;    a fibrous batt layer on the barrier and needled through the barrier and into the base fabric forming a composite structure; and    an additional material;    wherein the barrier protects a predetermined seam loop area from significant contamination by at least one of fibrous batt material in the fibrous batt layer and the additional material.    
   
   
       7 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the barrier layer is at least one of a thermoplastic resin, a solid film polyester plastic, solid plastic film, fibrous batt, and a tape.    
   
   
       8 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the barrier layer has greater density than the surrounding batt structure.    
   
   
       9 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the process belt is an on-machine seamable fabric.    
   
   
       10 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the additional material is a thermoplastic resin.    
   
   
       11 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the barrier layer is at least one of a spunbond and a carded nonwoven.    
   
   
       12 . The process belt of  claim 11:   wherein the barrier layer further comprises a hydrophobic treatment.    
   
   
       13 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of approximately 1-5 mils.    
   
   
       14 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of approximately 2-4 mils.    
   
   
       15 . The process belt of  claim 6:   wherein the process belt is a press fabric.