| CPC D21F 7/083 (2013.01) [B32B 3/266 (2013.01); B32B 5/024 (2013.01); B32B 5/028 (2013.01); B32B 5/10 (2013.01); B32B 5/12 (2013.01); B32B 5/26 (2013.01); B32B 7/05 (2019.01); B32B 7/12 (2013.01); B32B 27/12 (2013.01); B32B 27/40 (2013.01); D21F 1/0036 (2013.01); D21F 11/006 (2013.01); D21H 27/005 (2013.01); B32B 2250/02 (2013.01); B32B 2250/03 (2013.01); B32B 2250/20 (2013.01); B32B 2250/24 (2013.01); B32B 2262/02 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0284 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0292 (2013.01); B32B 2307/514 (2013.01); B32B 2307/724 (2013.01); B32B 2307/726 (2013.01); B32B 2307/732 (2013.01); B32B 2413/00 (2013.01); B32B 2432/00 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |

|
1. A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine comprising:
a first layer that defines a web contacting surface, the first layer being made of extruded polymer and comprising:
a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction;
a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements; and
a second layer made of woven or nonwoven fabric needled with synthetic batt fibers that supports the first layer, wherein the first layer is bonded to the second layer so as to form an interface between the first and second layers that comprises bonded and unbonded portions creating channels for water or air that extend in both a machine direction and cross direction within a plane parallel to the first and second layers, and wherein the fabric or belt is a structuring fabric configured for use on a papermaking machine.
|