Patent Publication Number: US-7722743-B2

Title: Method for manufacturing a felt belt, and felt belt

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
   This application is related to application number 06 005 717.1 filed Mar. 21, 2006 in the European Patent Office the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference and to which priority is claimed. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a felt belt having a support, which latter is embedded in a fiber matrix and is made up of at least two yarn layers arranged one above another, of which at least one is embodied as a longitudinal yarn layer made up of longitudinal yarns extending in parallel fashion, and at least one as a transverse yarn layer made up of transverse yarns extending in parallel fashion, transverse yarns being present that are continuous over the width of the felt belt. The invention further relates to a felt belt of this kind, in particular as a paper machine felt. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the field of paper machine belts in particular, felt belts are known in which a support made up of textile plastic yarns is embedded in a fiber matrix of plastic fibers. Paper machine belts of this kind are used chiefly as press felts in the press section of a paper machine. The fiber matrix is manufactured in such a way that one or more nonwoven fabric layers are needle-felted onto the support on one or both sides. 
   In the felt belt of the species, the support is made up not of a woven fabric but of at least two yarn layers arranged one above another. A yarn layer has yarns that are arranged in parallel fashion at a distance from one another and that, unlike in woven and knitted fabrics, are not engaged into one another. The yarn layers are arranged so that the yarns of adjacent yarn layers intersect, generally in such a way that one yarn layer is embodied as a longitudinal yarn layer having longitudinal yarns extending in the longitudinal direction of the felt belt, and one yarn layer is embodied as a transverse yarn layer having transverse yarns proceeding in the transverse direction. 
   A felt belt of this kind in the form of an endless press felt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,967. For manufacture of the felt belt, firstly modules are formed that are made up either entirely of a fiber layer or of a combination of fiber layer and yarn layer. Regarding the manufacture of these modules, the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,258. The individual modules are then laid onto one another and joined to one another without the use of binding yarns, in part using extruded polymer material. The manner in which an endless felt belt results from the joining of the individual modules is not evident from U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,967. 
   Because hot-melt adhesive fibers or adhesive is used, the press felts according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,967 are relatively dense (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,985 B1, col. 1, lines 38 to 47) and stiff. This limits the usability of such felt belts in paper machines. 
   EP 1 359 251 A1 likewise discloses a support made up of at least two yarn layers arranged one above another, in which context the support can also be covered with a fiber layer. Manufacture of the support proceeds in such a way that the longitudinal yarns are stretched parallel to one another between two yarn beams, and the transverse yarns are then laid over the longitudinal yarns. The transverse yarns are then fused to the longitudinal yarns by being heated (in a manner confined to their intersection points) to melting temperature. Heating of the yarns can be accomplished by means of a laser beam when the yarns are equipped with an additive that promotes absorption of the laser beam. 
   Although a highly dimensionally stable support is obtained with this method, a prerequisite therefore is that the longitudinal and transverse yarns abut one another in planar fashion, which requires a specific yarn shape. This yarn shape in turn conflicts with embedding of the support into a fiber matrix by means of needle-felting of nonwoven fabric layers. Such supports are therefore of only limited suitability for the manufacture of press felts, and are intended chiefly for use in the dryer section of a paper machine, and in that case without a fiber layer or fiber matrix. 
   EP 0 464 258 A1 describes a method for manufacturing a felt belt, in particular as a press felt, in which the support is built up by the fact that a support web strip whose width is substantially less than the intended width of the support is wound in helical or screw-shaped fashion onto two spaced-apart rollers until the intended width of the support is reached. Simultaneously or subsequently, the support is covered in the same way with nonwoven fabric strips, and the nonwoven fabric web thus formed is needle-felted to the support. The oblique side edges of a felt belt constructed in this fashion are then trimmed so as to yield straight side edges that extend in the machine direction. 
   With this manner of manufacturing the support, the longitudinal yarns extend, because of the winding process, at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt, and continuous transverse yarns are not obtained, so that the transverse strength of the felt belt is not very high. In order to obtain better transverse strength, it has been proposed to join the edges of the support web strips to one another, for example by stitching (U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,656). In the context of supports manufactured from yarn layers, the edges of the support web strips are, according to EP 0 947 623 A1, joined to one another by the fact that the transverse yarns of the transverse yarn layer engage into one another at the edges, and a joining yarn is laid on there and is welded to the portions of the transverse yarns that interengage. This has the disadvantage, however, that in the region of the edges a strip is created that, because of the differing arrangement and density of the yarns, has properties that are different from those of the other surfaces of the felt belt, in particular lower permeability. This can result in marks on the paper. 
   To remedy this, it is proposed in EP 1 209 283 A1 to embody the edges of the support web strips in meander fashion with successive projections and indentations, and to abut the support web strips against one another in such a way that the projections and indentations interengage, such that the projections completely fill the indentations. The edges are then joined via joining means, for example stitched seams or adhesive strips. This too, however, results in changes in the properties of the completed felt belt in the region of the interengaging edges. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the object of the invention to make available a method for manufacturing a felt belt having a support, which latter is constructed from longitudinal and transverse yarn layers and embedded into a fiber matrix, with which a felt belt can be manufactured in simple and therefore economical fashion and with high transverse strength and properties that are consistent over its width. 
   This object is achieved, according to the present invention, by a method having at least the following method steps:
     a) for each longitudinal yarn layer, a first support module is manufactured as follows:
       aa) a first auxiliary support web is manufactured, at a width that is less than the width of the completed felt belt;   ab) the first auxiliary support web is brought together with yarns which have the property of absorbing laser energy and of being able to be brought by means of laser energy at least superficially and at least partially to melting temperature;   ac) the yarns are joined to the first auxiliary support web by the action of a laser beam;   ad) before, during, or after application of the yarns, the first auxiliary support web is wound in helical fashion to a width that, if applicable after trimming of the side edges, corresponds to the width necessary for manufacture of the completed felt belt;   
       b) for each transverse yarn layer, a second support module that completely covers the first one is manufactured as follows:
       ba) firstly, individual support module segments are manufactured, having an extension in one direction that corresponds to the width necessary for manufacture of the completed felt belt;   bb) the support module segments are each made up of a combination of a second auxiliary support web and yarns, attached thereon, that have the property of absorbing laser energy and of being able to be brought by means of laser energy at least superficially and at least partially to melting temperature;   bc) the join between the auxiliary support web and yarn layer has been produced by the action of a laser beam on the yarns;   bd) for manufacture of a support belt, the support module segments are placed onto and against one another onto the first support module, one behind another in the latter&#39;s longitudinal direction, so that a second support module is created having yarns that extend transversely to the yarns of the first support module;   
       c) for manufacture of the felt belt, at least one nonwoven fabric layer is needle-felted onto at least one side of the support modules, forming the fiber matrix.   

   The fundamental idea of the invention is thus to manufacture the support by the fact that for each longitudinal yarn layer, an endless support module is produced, in one or more plies, by helical winding of at least one auxiliary support web having longitudinal yarns lasered on previously, concurrently, or subsequently; and that onto this support module, support module segments likewise made up of an auxiliary support web and yarn layers lasered thereonto are laid on, in single- or multiple-ply fashion, in such a way that the yarns extend in the transverse direction; and that finally, a nonwoven fabric layer is needle-felted on in order to join the support modules and form the fiber matrix. It is not detrimental if the auxiliary support webs are thereby largely destroyed, since they serve merely to hold the yarns in the intended positions during the manufacturing operation. This is handled, after the nonwoven fabric layer(s) is/are needle-felted on, by the fiber matrix. 
   With the aid of this method, felt belts can be manufactured in simple and economical fashion utilizing the advantages of a winding process. Because they comprise continuous transverse yarns, their transverse strength is high. The felt belts are furthermore notable for the fact that their properties, in particular their permeability to water, which is important for use in a paper machine, are uniform over their surface. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, provision is made that yarns are used which contain an additive that makes the yarns absorptive for the laser beam. Examples of such additives are NIR-active substances (i.e. substances active in the near infrared) that absorb, for example, in the region of the wavelengths 808 nm, 940 nm, 980 nm, or 1064 nm. Suitable for this are, for example, carbons or colorless additives such as Clearweld® of Gentex or Lumogen® IR of BASF. The additive preferably extends over the entire length of the yarns. The additive can be incorporated into the yarns and/or applied onto the surface of the yarns. When the additive is incorporated, the weight proportions should be 0.10% to 2.5%. 
   The auxiliary support webs can be made of a nonwoven fabric and/or a plastic network such as the one known, for example, from EP 0 285 376 B, EP 0 307 182 A, WO 91/02642, or WO 92/17643, and/or a film made preferably of plastic. When a nonwoven fabric is used, it should have a weight per unit area from 20 to 150 g/m 2 , a weight per unit area from 30 to 60 g/m 2  being sufficient for application of the method according to the present invention. The nonwoven fabric can also contain hot-melt adhesive fibers. 
   The auxiliary support web should in principle be made of a material that absorbs laser energy substantially less than the yarns, or that absorbs no laser energy. These are, as a general rule, the usual thermoplastic materials such as polyamide 4.6, 6, 6.6, 6.10, 6.12, 11, 12, as well as polyester, polypropylene, etc. The yarns themselves can also, except for the additive, be manufactured from the aforesaid materials, usefully from the same ones as used for the auxiliary support webs. The same is analogously true for the nonwoven fabric layer(s) to be needle-felted on in conclusion; in the case of multiple layers, different fiber deniers can be provided, preferably in such a way that the finest fiber deniers end up on the paper-side surface of the felt belt. 
   Provision is furthermore made according to the invention that the yarns are arranged parallel to the side edges of the auxiliary support webs, preferably at equal distances. As a result of the helical winding process of the first auxiliary support web, once the felt belt has been completed, the longitudinal yarns extend not exactly its longitudinal direction but slightly obliquely with respect thereto. 
   Because the first support module is manufactured by means of a helical winding process, it is sufficient if the auxiliary support web used for winding is manufactured at a width from 0.2 to 1.5 m. The second auxiliary support web usefully has an extension, transversely to the yarns that have been or are to be applied, from 0.5 to 6 m, preferably 3 to 6 m. The support module segments can be manufactured in such a way that firstly an auxiliary support web of a greater length is manufactured and the yarns are lasered on, and the belt thus constituted is then divided at intervals that correspond to the felt belt width necessary for manufacture of the completed felt belt. Manufacture of the second support web can be carried out by means of methods known in the existing art. 
   The felt belt is manufactured in endless fashion, since the first support module is also already endless, and the respective second support module is assembled from the support module segments to yield a module that is likewise endless. 
   To ensure that a dislocation of yarns does not occur during the manufacturing process, the first auxiliary support web or the support module segments, preferably both, should be joined to one another at their mutually abutting edges. This can be done in various ways. 
   On the one hand, the edges can be caused to overlap and then joined to one another in the overlap region. In practice, this is done in such a way that one of the two edges is not covered with yarns over a width from 10 to 50 mm, and this edge is then caused to overlap with the edge located next to it, which is equipped with yarns. The two edges can then be joined by welding via ultrasound, or by adhesive bonding. It is also possible to employ the yarns themselves for this, by once again impinging upon them in the edge region with a laser beam. The edges can, however, also be stitched to one another. The thickening in the overlap region is insignificant because the auxiliary support web is not very thick, especially since the thickening is largely destroyed upon later needle-felting of the nonwoven fabric layer. 
   A thickening does not occur when the edges are butted against one another. In this case, the edges can be joined by the fact that the edges are equipped with successive, complementary projections and indentations; and the edges can then be placed against one another so that they interengage with their projections and indentations; and lastly, projections of the abutting edges are joined to one another. Joining of the projections can be accomplished by the fact that at least one yarn extends over the projections, preferably parallel to the other yarns, and this at least one yarn (which can also be multiple yarns extending in parallel fashion) is joined to some or all of the projections. 
   In terms of method, two alternatives are available for this. In the first alternative, at least one yarn is laid over the projections after interengagement of the projections and indentations, and then attached to them. As an alternative thereto, however, provision can also be made that even before interengagement of the projections and indentations (preferably concurrently with the placement and attachment of the other yarns), at least one yarn is laid over the projections and indentations of at least one edge of the first auxiliary support web and/or second auxiliary support web, and attached to the projections; and after interengagement of the projections and indentations, the at least one yarn is also attached to projections of the butt-adjoining edge. The attachment of the at least one yarn prior to interengagement can be confined to one of the two edges of the first and/or second auxiliary support web, but can also be accomplished on both edges, preferably symmetrically in such a way that the yarn or yarns extend(s) at most to half the width (transversely to the longitudinal direction) of the projections. 
   The conformation of the projections and indentations is relatively unrestricted. Examples thereof are evident from EP 1 209 283 A1. The projections should preferably fill up the entire area of the indentations. Attachment of the at least one yarn can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but preferably so that for this purpose as well, a yarn capable of absorbing laser energy is used, and it is then attached by means of a laser beam to, preferably, all the projections. 
   Usefully, the yarns extending over the edges should correspond to the other yarns, i.e. should be identical to them. The yarns should furthermore be applied onto the edges in a quantity and at a distance such that after interengagement of the projections and indentations, the yarn density in the region of the edges does not deviate from the yarn density elsewhere. Both actions serve to achieve uniform properties over the surface of the felt belt. 
   The subject matter of the invention is furthermore a felt belt that has been manufactured with the aid of the method according to the present invention and accordingly comprises a support that is embedded in a fiber matrix and is made up of at least two yarn layers arranged one above another, transverse yarns being present that are continuous over the width of the felt belt, and the yarns having the property of absorbing laser energy so that they can be brought by means of laser energy at least superficially and at least partially to melting temperature. According to the present invention, the longitudinal yarns extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt. This embodiment allows the felt belt to be manufactured with the aid of a winding process, and consequently in simple and economical fashion, without sacrificing the advantage of continuous transverse yarns and therefore high transverse strength. Because the support is embedded into a fiber matrix, it is not necessary to join the longitudinal and transverse yarns to one another. It is sufficient merely to lay them onto one another. 
   The oblique position of the longitudinal yarns is achieved by the helical winding process upon manufacture of the first longitudinal yarn module and, if applicable, further first longitudinal yarn modules. The possibility also exists, in this context, of winding on the first auxiliary support web in multiple plies, preferably in such a way that the longitudinal yarns intersect at a very acute angle, usefully so that the angles with respect to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt are of equal magnitude, i.e. the profile of the longitudinal yarns is reflected. 
   The property of being able to absorb laser energy can be obtained with the aid of the additives described above. The yarns can be embodied as monofilaments, bicomponent yarns in which only one of the two components contain the additive also being a possibility. The bicomponent yarns should preferably comprise a core and a sheath surrounding it, the additive then being contained only in the sheath. 
   As an alternative to or in combination with monofilaments, the yarns of at least one yarn layer can also be embodied as multifilaments made up of individual filaments. In this case only some of the individual filaments need to be equipped with the additive, a proportion of at most 50% being sufficient. Upon impingement with the laser beam, the multifilaments stiffen as a result of the welding of even some of the individual filaments to one another. 
   Monofilament twisted yarns made up of, for example, two to twelve monofilaments are, however, also a possibility; here again, not all the monofilaments need to be equipped with additives. It is sufficient if a maximum of 50% thereof have such additives. Here as well, the welding of the individual monofilaments to one another causes a stiffening of the twisted yarns. 
   Provision is further made, according to the invention, that different yarns are used alternately, for example alternately monofilaments and multifilaments, monofilaments and twisted yarns, or multifilaments and twisted yarns. The material, however, can also be used alternately, for example by using yarns made alternately of polyamide 6 and 6.10, or alternately of polyamide 6 and 6.12, or alternately of polyamide 6.6 and polyester. 
   A usable felt belt is produced even when only one longitudinal yarn layer and one transverse yarn layer are present. Higher strength is achieved when the support is made up of at least two longitudinal yarn layers and at least one transverse yarn layer. Also possible, however, is a converse structure made up of one longitudinal yarn layer and two transverse yarn layers. For stringent structural requirements, at least two longitudinal yarn layers and at least two transverse yarn layers can be combined with one another. In all cases, it is useful if a longitudinal yarn layer and a transverse yarn layer respectively alternate. 
   The transverse yarns need not extend at exactly a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt. The possibility also exists for the transverse yarns to extend at an angle from 75° to 125°, preferably 80 to 100°, to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt. If the support comprises at least two transverse yarn layers, the possibility exists of arranging the transverse yarns in such a way that the transverse yarns of the one transverse yarn layer and the transverse yarns of the other transverse yarn layer intersect, preferably symmetrically, so that the transverse yarns of the one transverse yarn layer deviate from the perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the felt belt by the same angle as the transverse yarns of the other transverse yarn layer, but with the opposite sign. 
   In order to achieve uniform properties over the surface, the longitudinal yarns and/or the transverse yarns should be at equal distances from one another. It is useful in this context if the distance of the longitudinal yarns and the distance of the transverse yarns is the same. It can, however, also be different. It is likewise possible to use different yarns for the longitudinal yarns than for the transverse yarns, but also identical yarns. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is illustrated in further detail, with reference to exemplifying embodiments, in the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an apparatus for manufacturing a first support module for the felt belt according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view, in an enlarged depiction, of a portion of the auxiliary support web for manufacturing the first support module; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a portion of the first support module, with support module segments placed thereonto for manufacturing the second support module; 
       FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section through the felt belt according to the present invention having the first and second support modules according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a modification of the support of the felt belt according to  FIG. 4 , without a fiber matrix; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view, in an enlarged depiction, of a portion of the auxiliary support web for manufacturing the first support module. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
   Apparatus  1  depicted in  FIG. 1  comprises two spaced-apart rollers  2 ,  3  that have parallel rotation axes and are driven in the same direction. Located at a distance from lower roller  2  is a supply spool  4  on which a nonwoven fabric strip  5  having a low weight per unit area is wound. Nonwoven fabric strip  5  is pulled off from supply spool  4  when rollers  2 ,  3  are driven, and becomes wound onto the two rollers  2 ,  3 . In this context, supply spool  4  is moved in the direction of arrow A, i.e. parallel to the rotation axes of rollers  2 ,  3 . As a result, nonwoven fabric strip  5  is progressively wound helically to the right onto rollers  2 ,  3 . The advance of supply spool  4  in the direction of arrow A is dimensioned so that nonwoven fabric strips  5  end up butted against one another. To ensure that jamming does not occur, supply spool  4  is set correspondingly obliquely. The winding process is continued until by means of nonwoven fabric strip  5 , a nonwoven fabric belt has been manufactured whose width corresponds approximately to the width of the felt belt (prior to heat-setting) that is to be manufactured by means of the nonwoven fabric belt. 
   In the enlargement shown in  FIG. 2 , three partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  of nonwoven fabric strip  5  are depicted. It is apparent that nonwoven fabric strip  5 —and therefore partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8 —have complementary undulating profiles on both longitudinal edges  9 ,  10 , thus creating alternately projections (labeled  11  by way of example) and complementary indentations (labeled  12  by way of example). In the case of partial webs  6 ,  7 , projections  11  and indentations  12  interengage in the manner of a tooth set, with projections  11  filling up the entire area of indentations  12 . Partial web  8  is depicted at a distance from partial web  7 . In fact, it runs into apparatus  1  in such a way that projections  11  fit into indentations  12  in the same way as is the case for the adjacent edges  9 ,  10  of partial webs  6 ,  7 . In addition, the partial web adjoining partial web  6  to the left is omitted. 
   As is also evident from  FIG. 2  (and not depicted in  FIG. 1 ), longitudinal yarns (labeled  13  by way of example) extending in the longitudinal direction of nonwoven fabric strip  5  are applied thereonto in parallel fashion and at equal distances from one another, although longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  are left yarn-free. Longitudinal yarns  13  are made of a thermoplastic and are equipped with an additive that makes them absorptive for laser energy. Longitudinal yarns  13  are welded in point fashion to nonwoven fabric strip  5  by the action of a laser beam moving transversely back and forth. The join can be created even before nonwoven fabric strip  5  is wound onto supply spool  4 , in a corresponding apparatus. In this case what is present on supply spool  4  is not merely a nonwoven fabric strip  5 , but a nonwoven fabric strip  5  equipped with longitudinal yarns  13 . 
   As is evident from  FIG. 2 , three further longitudinal yarns (labeled  14  by way of example) are applied onto longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  and onto projections  11 . They are identical to longitudinal yarns  13 , and therefore also capable of absorbing laser energy. Like longitudinal yarns  13 , they are heated in point fashion to melting temperature with a laser beam, and thereby become joined to projections  11 . Edges  9 ,  10 , and thus partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8 , are thereby joined to one another. Longitudinal yarns  14  on longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  are at equal distances from one another and from the adjacent longitudinal yarns  13 , so that the yarn density in the region of longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  corresponds to that in the remaining area. 
   In the example according to  FIG. 2 , the application of longitudinal yarns  14  onto longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  takes place after the application of longitudinal yarns  13  between longitudinal edges  9 ,  10 . It is not precluded, however, for a reverse sequence to be selected, i.e. firstly the joining of partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  is effected by means of longitudinal yarns  14 , and then the remaining longitudinal yarns  13  are applied. This can take place respectively in separate apparatuses that bring about placement of longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  on the one hand and attachment by means of a laser on the other hand. The possibility also exists, however, of carrying this out in one working step, if this apparatus is arranged between rollers  2 ,  3 , and longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  are simultaneously laid next to one another and set. In this case, however, it is necessary for the two rollers  2 ,  3  to be moved opposite to the direction of arrow A, and for supply spool  4  to be held in stationary fashion. 
     FIG. 3  shows, at approximately the scale of  FIG. 1  but substantially smaller as compared with  FIG. 2 , a portion of a first support module  16  that was manufactured by continuing the helical winding process evident from  FIG. 1  up to the intended width of the felt belt prior to heat-setting. Support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  are then placed onto support module  16  that is still on apparatus  1 . These support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  are constructed in just the same fashion as nonwoven fabric strips  5  from which first support module  16  was manufactured. They are each made up of a nonwoven fabric web  20 ,  21 ,  22  onto which transverse yarns (labeled respectively  23 ,  24 ,  25  by way of example) are applied. Transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25  are identical to longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  of support module  16  (omitted in  FIG. 3 ) and are therefore also attached to nonwoven fabric webs  20 ,  21 ,  22  in the same fashion by means of a laser beam. They are each at the same distance from one another. Support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  are laid onto first support module  16  with transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25  bottommost, so that transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25  are in contact with longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14 . 
   Support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  comprise transverse edges  26  to  31  that are left unoccupied by transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25 . They are equipped, in the same fashion as longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  of nonwoven fabric strip  5 , with successive projections (labeled  32  by way of example) and complementary indentations (labeled  33  by way of example). Lower transverse edge  28  of center support module segment  18  is placed against upper transverse edge  27  of lower support module segment  17  in such a way that its projections  32  and indentations  33  interengage in the manner of a tooth set. Three transverse yarns (labeled  34  by way of example) are laid over projections  32  and attached to them. The two support module segments  17 ,  18  are joined to one another via these transverse yarns  34 . Here again, attachment can be accomplished by means of a laser beam. 
   Upper support module segment  19  is placed onto first support module  16 . In order to be joined to center support module segment  18 , upper support module segment  19  must still be displaced toward center support module segment  18  sufficiently far that projections  32  on lower transverse edge  30  fit into indentations  33  on upper transverse edge  29  of center support module segment  18  in the same way as between support module segments  17 ,  18 . Here as well, a further three transverse yarns can be put in place and joined to projections  32 . In this fashion, further support module segments are successively laid against the respective previous support module segment and respectively joined to it, until first support module  16  is completely covered with support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19 . Support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  then together form a second support module  35 . In principle, any number of further first and second support modules can thereby be constructed. 
     FIG. 4  shows the combination of first support module  16  having longitudinal yarns  13  and nonwoven fabric strip  5 , and second support module  35  made up of support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  that are joined to one another at edge regions  36 ,  37  (here, unlike in  FIG. 3 , only two transverse yarns  34  extend over edge regions  36 ,  37 ). Located on the upper side of second support module  35  and the lower side of first support module  16  are nonwoven fabric layers  38 ,  39 . They are joined to the two support modules  16 ,  35  by the fact that the unit shown in  FIG. 4  is conveyed to a needling machine. There nonwoven fabric layers  38 ,  39  are compressed to form a fiber matrix, and are in part introduced into the interstices between longitudinal and transverse yarns  13 ,  14 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  34 . In this context, nonwoven fabric strip  5  and nonwoven fabric webs  20 ,  21 ,  22  are largely destroyed. After leaving the needling machine and subsequent heat-setting, what is available is an endless felt belt, having a support  40  made up of a longitudinal yarn layer  41  and a transverse yarn layer  42 , that can be used, for example, as a press felt in a paper machine. 
     FIG. 5  shows a variant support  43  having a longitudinal yarn layer  44  and two transverse yarn layers  45 ,  46 . Longitudinal yarn layer  44  is made up of longitudinal yarns (labeled  47  by way of example) arranged parallel to one another at the same distance, whereas transverse yarn layers  45 ,  46  are each manufactured from transverse yarns arranged in parallel fashion and at a distance from one another. Only some of transverse yarns  48 ,  49  are depicted. Transverse yarn layer  45  is arranged on the upper side of longitudinal yarn layer  44 , and transverse yarn layer  46  on the lower side. Transverse yarns  48  of transverse yarn layer  45  are set onto longitudinal yarns  47  obliquely at a specific positive angle to the perpendicular. Transverse yarns  49  of transverse yarn layer  46  are set onto longitudinal yarns  47  obliquely at an angle to the perpendicular that has the same absolute value but is negative. 
   Longitudinal yarn layer  44  was obtained by manufacturing a first support module in the manner described above. Transverse yarn layers  45 ,  46  were manufactured by the fact that corresponding support module segments were applied onto both sides of the first support module (or onto one side of the support module and thus abutting against one another), and were joined to one another. Manufacture is accomplished in the same fashion as for second support module  35  in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The oblique placement of transverse yarns  48 ,  49  was achieved by the fact that the support module segments were rectangularly dimensioned before having been placed obliquely onto the first support module. 
     FIG. 6  is a depiction analogous to  FIG. 2 , except that the manufacturing operation is different. Identical reference numbers are used for identical parts. 
   As in the case of the embodiment according to  FIG. 2 , three partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  of nonwoven fabric strip  5  are partly depicted. Partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  each have, on both longitudinal edges  9 ,  10 , complementary undulating projections  11  made of nonwoven fabric, and indentations  12  complementary thereto. In the case of partial webs  6 ,  7 , projections  11  and indentations  12  are already interengaging in the manner of a tooth set, whereas this is not yet the case for partial web  8  with respect to partial web  7 . 
   On nonwoven fabric strip  5  and thus on partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8 , longitudinal yarns (labeled  13  by way of example) extend in the longitudinal direction parallel to and at equal distances from one another. They are welded in point fashion to nonwoven fabric strip  5  by the action of a laser beam moving transversely back and forth. 
   In contrast to the procedure in the case of the exemplifying embodiment according to  FIG. 2 , and as shown in particular by partial web  8 , further longitudinal yarns (labeled  14  by way of example) are preferably applied together with longitudinal yarns  13  onto nonwoven fabric strip  5 , and extend over projections  11  and indentations  12 , specifically on both longitudinal edges  9 ,  10 . These longitudinal yarns  14  are welded to projections  11  by the action of a laser beam, in the same manner as longitudinal yarns  13  are to nonwoven fabric strip  5 . Longitudinal yarns  14  are at equal distances from one another and from longitudinal yarns  13 , and extend parallel to the latter. Only two longitudinal yarns  14  are laid in each case over projections  11  and indentations  12 , so that more than half the extension of projections  12  transversely to the extension of longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  remains unoccupied. 
   The application of longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  onto nonwoven fabric strip  5  can be accomplished in a corresponding apparatus even before nonwoven fabric strip  5 , equipped with longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14 , is wound onto supply spool  4 . The possibility also exists, however, of applying longitudinal yarns  13 ,  14  only upon or after the unwinding of nonwoven fabric strip  5  from supply spool  4 , and then placing partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  against one another in such a way that projections  11  interengage into indentations  12  in the manner of a tooth set. As is evident from the examples of partial webs  6 ,  7 , longitudinal yarns  14  are supplemented by the complete interengagement of projections  11  and indentations  12  in such a way that the yarn density in this region is equal to the yarn density of longitudinal yarns  13  in the remaining region, and a uniform longitudinal yarn layer is thus created (the fact that partial webs  6 ,  7  already placed against one another are covered in the region of projections  11  and indentations  12  by only three longitudinal yarns  14 , whereas a total of four longitudinal yarns  14  extend over projections  11  and indentations  12  of the two partial webs  7 ,  8  not yet placed against one another, is based simply on an illustrative inaccuracy). After interengagement, longitudinal yarns  14  on longitudinal edge  9  are joined to projections  11  on longitudinal edge  10  by the action of a laser beam. Conversely, longitudinal yarns  14  on longitudinal edge  10  are joined, likewise by laser action, to projections  11  of the abutting longitudinal edge  9 . 
   The manner described above of joining longitudinal edges  9 ,  10  can also be correspondingly applied to the joining of support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  according to  FIG. 3 . Support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  are then equipped not only with transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25 , but additionally with transverse yarns  34  (applied simultaneously with transverse yarns  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) that extend over projections  32  and indentations  33 . Only they are support module segments  17 ,  18 ,  19  placed successively against to one another, and joined to one another like partial webs  6 ,  7 ,  8  in the manner previously described.