Multilayer felt band containing channels produced by exposure to beams of light

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
A multilayer felt band comprising fibers of thermoplastic material, at least one layer thereof having storage spaces of the shape of channels defined by fused fibers, the walls of said channels in at least one layer being oriented with respect to the major surfaces of the felt belt at an angle between zero and 80.
degree.
.
2.
A multilayer felt band as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage spaces in at least one layer have a trapezoidal cross section.
3.
A multilayer felt band, comprising: a plurality of adjacent mutually banded layers, each layer having two generally parallel major surfaces and comprising a non-woven web of fibers comprising thermoplastic material, at least one of said layers having a multiplicity of generally parallel channels extending between the major surfaces thereof, the walls of said channels comprising fused thermoplastic material, said channels being inclined with respect to said major surfaces at an angle 0 in the range of 0<0.
ltoreq.
90.
degree.
.
4.
The band according to claim 3, wherein said channels have a trapezoidal cross-section.
5.
The band according to claim 3, wherein said band comprises four layers including two interior layers each having a multiplicity of said channels therein, channels of one interior layer communicating with adjacent channels of the other interior layer to form composite channels having sharp bends therein.
6.
The band according to claim 3, wherein said band comprises three layers including an interior layer, a first exterior layer on one side of said interior layer, and a second exterior layer on the other side of said interior layers, each of said layers having said channels therein, the channels of said interior layer being substantially normal to the major surfaces thereof, the channels of said exterior layers being mutually obliquely oriented.
7.
The band according to claim 3, wherein said layers comprise a mixture of polyester and polyamide fibers.
8.
A process of manufacture of a multilayer felt band comprising fibers, wherein at least a portion thereof comprises thermoplastic material, by forming storage spaces of the shape of channels in at least one layer of the felt band, the walls of said channels in said at least one layer being oriented at an angle between zero and 80