Abstract
A press pad for a single level or multi-level hot press, the press pad comprising: a fabric made from two intersecting thread systems, wherein threads of a first thread system are respectively formed by a core thread and a cladding, wherein the cladding is made from an elastomer material and threads of a second thread system respectively include metal or are made from metal, wherein threads of the second thread system run in an alternating pattern over and under a group of adjacent threads of the first thread system wherein the group includes at least two directly adjacent and parallel threads, wherein groups that are separated from each other by at least one thread of the first thread system run on congruent paths or on paths that are displaced relative to each other in a thread longitudinal direction.
Claims
1. A press pad for a single level or multi-level hot press, the press pad comprising: a fabric made from two intersecting thread systems, wherein threads of a first thread system are respectively formed by a core thread and a cladding wherein the cladding is made from an elastomer material and threads of a second thread system respectively include metal or are made from metal, wherein threads of the second thread system run in an alternating pattern over and under a group of adjacent threads of the first thread system, wherein the group of the adjacent threads of the first thread system includes at least two directly adjacent and parallel threads, wherein groups of adjacent threads of the first thread system that are separated from each other by at least one thread of the first thread system run on congruent paths or on paths that are displaced relative to each other in a thread longitudinal direction, and wherein the at least two directly adjacent and parallel threads of the each of the groups of the adjacent threads of the first thread system are respectively movable relative to each other.
2. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the groups that run on congruent paths or on paths that are displaced relative to each other in the thread longitudinal direction thread system are separated from each other by a group.
3. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the threads of the second thread system that run in second groups which respectively include at least two threads that are movable relative to each other and that run parallel to each other in an alternating pattern above and below the group of the adjacent threads of the first thread system.
4. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the fabric has a Panama weave.
5. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the fabric has a transversal rib weave or a longitudinal rib weave.
6. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the fabric has a twill weave.
7. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the core threads of the first thread system are made from metal.
8. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the threads of the second thread system include brass wire or are formed in their entirety from brass wire or stranded brass wire.
9. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the fabric has one layer.
10. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the fabric is symmetrical with respect to a center plane that runs parallel to a surface of the press pad.
11. The press pad according to claim 1, wherein the threads of the first thread system or the second thread system have a circular cross section.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The invention is now described based on two advantageous embodiments with reference to drawing figures, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a first press pad according to the invention with crossing warp threads and weft threads;
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the press pad illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates the weave cartridge of the press pad according to FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a second press pad according to the invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the press pad illustrated in FIG. 4; and
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates the weave cartridge of the press pad according to FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a surface of a first press pad 1 according to the invention. The press pad 1 is made from two crossing thread systems 3, 4 that form a fabric 2. In the instant embodiment both thread systems 3, 4 in the illustrated fabric section respectively include eight threads K.sub.1 through K.sub.8 and S.sub.1 through S.sub.8. Thus, the eight threads K.sub.1 through K.sub.8 of the first thread system 3 are made from stranded brass threads and form the warp threads K.sub.i of the fabric 2. The eight threads S.sub.1 through S.sub.8 of the second thread system 4 form the weft threads S.sub.i of the fabric 2 and are respectively made from a core thread which is respectively formed from stranded individual metal threads and a cladding made from elastomer material.
[0040] The fabric 2 has a Panama weave. That means that the threads K.sub.1 through K.sub.8 of the first thread system 3 run in pairs in an alternating pattern above and below a group 5 consisting of two threads S.sub.i of the second thread system 4. The individual threads S.sub.i of the respective groups 5 and the binding warp threads K.sub.i thus run parallel to each other and are arranged directly adjacent to each other. The threads S.sub.i of the second thread system 4 that are included in a group are movable relative to each other. Groups 5 of the first thread system 3 that run on congruent paths are thus separated from each other by a group 5. The warp threads K.sub.i are shown offset from each other in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity. Advantageously the warp threads K.sub.i that bind in pairs are in direct contact with each other so that a heat transfer can be performed to the respective adjacent thread K.sub.i. Since the metal warp threads K.sub.i always run above and below two respective weft threads S.sub.1 an extended running length 6 of the metal threads K.sub.i is generated at the surface of the press pad 1, wherein the extended running length leads to an increased contact surface with the heating plate or the press plate and thus to increased heat conductivity.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section through the press pad 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 along the sectional line II in FIG. 1. This illustration emphasizes the float of the warp thread K over two respective weft threads S.sub.i. Thus, two respective directly adjacent warp threads K.sub.i run on congruent paths. In the instant case this means that the first two warp threads K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 run above a group 5 consisting of the first weft thread S.sub.1 and the second weft thread S.sub.2 in the beginning and subsequently run below a group 5 consisting of the third weft thread S.sub.3 and the fourth weft thread S.sub.4. The third warp thread K.sub.3 and the fourth warp thread K.sub.4 and the seventh warp thread K.sub.7 and the eighth warp thread K.sub.8 run exactly in opposite directions. Put differently, the warp threads K.sub.i recited supra start above the first group 5 and then run below the second group 5 of the weft threads S.sub.i. The weave recited supra continues analogously over the entire fabric 2.
[0042] As evident from FIG. 2 the weave after two respective weft threads S.sub.i yields an extended running length 6 of the warp threads K.sub.i at the top side and the bottom side of the fabric 2 compared to a weave after each weft thread S.sub.i. This yields in particular an improved heat transfer to the heating plate and the press plate. By the same token the fabric 2 remains flexible due to the relative move ability of the weft threads S.sub.i.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the weave cartridge of the press pad 1 of FIG. 1. Thus, the black fields 7 represent warp rises where the warp threads K.sub.i are arranged above the weft threads S.sub.i. Accordingly, the white fields 8 represent warp depressions where the weft threads S.sub.i are arranged above the warp threads K.sub.i. The checker board pattern of the Panama weave is clearly visible.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a surface of a second press pad 1 according to the invention. The press pad 1 is also made from a fabric 2 formed by two intersecting thread systems 3, 4. In the instant embodiment the first thread system 3 includes four threads K.sub.1-K.sub.4 whereas the second thread system 4 includes eight threads S.sub.1 through S.sub.8. Thus, the four threads K.sub.1 through K.sub.4 of the first thread system 3 are made from stranded brass threads and form the warp threads K.sub.i of the fabric 2. The eight threads S.sub.1 through S.sub.8 of the second thread system 4 are formed by the weft threads S.sub.i of the fabric 2 and are respectively made from a core thread that is also formed from stranded individual metal threads and a cladding made from an elastomer material.
[0045] The fabric 2 in FIG. 4 has a transversal rib weave. Contrary to the Panama weave the weft threads S.sub.i are bound only by one warp thread K.sub.i in this weave. This means that the threads K.sub.1 through K.sub.4 of the first thread system 3 run individually in an alternating pattern above and below a group 5 including two threads S.sub.1 of the second thread system 4. The individual threads S.sub.1 of the respective group 5 and the binding warp threads K.sub.i thus run parallel to each other and are arranged directly adjacent to each other.
[0046] Also, here an extended running length of the warp threads K.sub.i is created due to the extension of the warp threads Ki above and below two respective weft threads S.sub.i wherein the extended running length also leads to an increased contact surface with the heating plate and the press plate and thus to an increased heat conductivity.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section through the press pad 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 along the sectional line V of FIG. 4. It is evident that the warp threads K.sub.i bind respectively after two weft threads S.sub.i. Thus, the warp threads K.sub.i that are respectively separated from each other by a warp thread K.sub.i run on identical paths. In the instant embodiment this means that the first warp thread K.sub.1 initially runs below a group 5 made from the first weft thread S.sub.1 and second weft thread S.sub.2 and subsequently runs above a group 5 made from the third weft thread S.sub.3 and the fourth weft thread S.sub.4. The second warp thread K.sub.2 and the fourth warp thread K.sub.4 run in precisely opposite directions thereto. Put differently these warp threads K.sub.i initially run above the first group 5 and subsequently run below the second group 5. This weave continues analogously over the entire fabric 2.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates a weave cartridge of the press pad 1 of FIG. 4. Thus, the black fields 7 represent warp rises where the warp threads K.sub.i are above the weft threads S.sub.i. Accordingly, the white fields 8 form warp depressions where the weft threads S.sub.i are arranged above the warp threads K.sub.i.
REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS
[0049] 1 press pad [0050] 2 fabric [0051] 3 first thread system [0052] 4 second thread system [0053] 5 group [0054] 6 running length [0055] 7 black field [0056] 8 white field [0057] K.sub.i warp thread [0058] K.sub.1 first warp thread [0059] K.sub.2 second warp thread [0060] K.sub.3 third warp thread [0061] K.sub.4 fourth warp thread [0062] K.sub.5 fifth warp thread [0063] K.sub.6 sixth warp thread [0064] K.sub.7 seventh warp thread [0065] K.sub.8 eighth warp thread [0066] S.sub.i weft thread [0067] S.sub.1 first weft thread [0068] S.sub.2 second weft thread [0069] S.sub.3 third weft thread [0070] S.sub.4 fourth weft thread [0071] S.sub.5 fifth weft thread [0072] S.sub.6 sixth weft thread [0073] S.sub.7 seventh weft thread [0074] S.sub.8 eighth weft thread
