Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus, in which a reinforcing fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of paralleled single fibers is or a plurality of mutually paralleled reinforcing fiber bundles respectively consisting of a plurality of paralleled single fibers are driven to run through a plurality of rolls while being bent to open the fiber, and in which the opened reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated with resin to produce a prepreg, comprising vibrating at least one of the rolls in the axial direction of the roll, to open the reinforcing fiber bundle(s), pressing the reinforcing fiber bundle(s) to the peripheral surface of a roll located immediately downstream of the vibrating roll without vibrating the roll, and bringing the opened reinforcing fiber bundle(s) into contact with the peripheral surface of the non-vibrating roll with a contact length of not less than twice the contact length of the reinforcing fiber bundle(s) on the vibrating roll, for retaining the opened state of the rein

Abstract: A system for spreading a multi-filament bundle of fibers such that most of the individual fibers are exposed for various treatment and coating processes is described. The system is particularly suited to, but not limited to, carbon fiber applications. In such applications it is desired to spread carbon fiber tows consisting of anywhere from less than 1,000 to in excess of 144,000 individual filaments such that a significant portion of the filaments are exposed for processing. A spreading system can consist of one or more individual spreaders placed in series to achieve a desired spread. Each spreader consists of expandable bands, an expandable tube, or a compressible and expandable piece of foam placed between two angled support discs. The discs are angled away from each other such that the bands, tube, or foam between the closest points of the angled discs will stretch or expand as the support discs rotate about their respective axes.

Abstract: A method monitors and measures the uniformity of tows with mechanical sensing elements in the course of production on a tow line. The tension of the running tow is measured upstream of a transport roll arrangement and is utilized as a measure of the uniformity of the tow. Irregularities in the tow result in tow tension determination outside a predetermined tension range, and when the determined tension measurement is outside that range the irregular tow portions are remove. Also, the frequency of tow tension determination outside a predetermined range may be used as an indication of tow quality and for removing substandard tows.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a band of rectangular cross section having at least two layers of material. The apparatus includes means for advancing a first band along a predetermined linear path and means for guiding a second band into layered alignment with the first band. The apparatus further includes a roll around which the second band is partially wrapped prior to contacting the first band, the second band having an initial tangential contact position with the roll along a line on the surface thereof extending generally axially with respect to the roll. The roll is tiltable in a plane defined by the axis thereof and the initial tangential contact position of the second band, whereby the lateral take-off position of the second band may be controlled by tilting the roll so as to guide it into aligned juxtaposition with the first band to form a layered, substantially rectangular tow band.

Abstract: Controlling the cross-sectional characteristics of moving tow lines by providing monitors and positioning devices so as to improve stuffer box crimp uniformity. The mass distribution profile of a filamentary tow band is continuously measured as a function of the width of the band, and the information obtained is used to change the position of the band when a deviation from a predetermined value is noted. Positioning devices are used to carry out the movement or adjusting of the band in accordance with a signal so as to correct the deviation and present to a crimping apparatus, such as a stuffer box crimper, a band having a uniform mass distribution profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously coating individual fibers of a fiber bundle with resin, which comprises a first concave support surface for grouping the fibers of the bundle substantially at a single grouping point and a second, convex, support surface at least partially described by an arc rotated about its horizontal axis, having a maximum radius R, which at least approximately satisfies the relationship expressed in the following formula: wherein r designates the radius of the arc at distance x from the plane of symmetry, passing through fiber grouping point (P): ##EQU1## and wherein L designates the length of a tangent to the second support surface which passes through grouping point (P), in the plane of symmetry, and .phi. designates the radian angle formed between the tangent and the vertical line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deregistering drawn crimped nylon multifilament tow includes the steps of stretching the tow under constant controlled tension at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the nylon. The apparatus includes means for sensing the tension of the tow between the feed and draw sections of a stretching device and producing a signal representative of the tension sensed and a controller for changing the speed of the draw section actuated by said signal.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly coating one or more fibers (10) with particles of a material is described. The method uses a vibrator preferably an acoustic speaker (17b) in a housing (17c) to fluidize the particles (P.sub.1) in a chamber (17 or 30) to deposit them on spread fibers (10b). The fibers can be in the form of a tow of fibers. After the articles are coated on the fibers, the particles can be bonded to the fiber such as by using a heater (19). The resulting product has a uniform deposit of the particles and in the case of the tow of fibers can serve as a prepreg for laminate structures to be produced from the coated tow of fibers.

Abstract: A fiber separator for separating a bundle of fibers into individual fibers comprising a composite roller composed of a plurality of roller elements, each having the same bulging thick-center profile. The roller elements are provided to revolve along a circle so that the fiber bundle comes into contact with them alternately, while preferably they are not free to rotate about their respective axes arranged along the circle. The fiber separator is preferably used in preparing a fiber reinforced metallic or resin body.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is the free retraction of thread spirals placed on a perforated conveyor belt during a heat treatment such as heat retraction or heat fixing of dyes. The device applies shaking movements or vibrations to a vertical component of the perforated belt, especially inside a heat treatment enclosure. It consists of an oscillating rotatable shaft transversely disposed inside the enclosure and applied to the lower surface of the belt. The shaft may have one or more plane surfaces, for example a rectangular transverse section.

Abstract: A method and system for spreading a tow of fibers (12) using the acoustic energy from a speaker (16a) or other vibrating device for a gaseous medium over which the tow passes as the fibers zig-zag between rods (16d) is described. The spread tow of fibers are produced at high speed with uniform spacing and are used to make composites with plastics.

Abstract: A method and system for spreading a tow of fibers (12) using the acoustic energy from a speaker (16a) or other vibrating device for a gaseous medium over which the tow passes as the fibers zig-zag between rods (16d) is described. The spread two of fibers are produced at high speed with uniform spacing and are used to make composites with plastics.

Abstract: In a baffle tray for a fiber distributor, the tray has opposite curved walls, the lower edges of which of their midpoints are each provided with an arcuate recess to aid in uniform formation of a fleece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed process and apparatus suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter rods having high tow utilization in terms of pressure drop per unit rod weight without producing substantial tow density variations. In accordance with this invention, it has been discovered that in a process for manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow, wherein said tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet positioned adjacent a compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, that filter rod pressure drop and weight variations are reduced by aspirating at low pressures and more specifically, at fluid pressures of not more than about 3 pounds per square inch gauge and by causing the aspirating fluid, at its point of contact with the continuous filament tow, to flow substantially in a direction axial to that of the tow.

Abstract: Static tow inverting apparatus for inverting the overlap of overlapping layers of a continuous length filamentary tow band of textile material deposited onto the surface of a moving conveyor in relaxed condition for treatment, such as in the thermal heat setting treatment of a band of tow which has been subjected to a mechanical crimping operation. The tow inverter comprises a pair of stationary plates which are disposed above the surface of a moving conveyor to receive a continuous length of tow in a plurality of overlapping layers thereon. The opposed surfaces of the spaced plates define a downwardly curving passageway for gravitational conveyance of the overlapping layers of tow through a reversing direction of movement to deposit the same on the surface of the moving conveyor with preceding layers of tow overlying succeeding layers of tow in the direction of movement on the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loosening and spreading textile tows comprised of bundles of synthetic filaments preparatory to cutting into staple fiber is illustrated including tensioning the tow in a stretching zone while intermittently exerting a force thereon transverse to the direction of movement of the tow.

Abstract: A crimped deregistered tow of continuous filaments wherein the filaments are coated with a silicone finish which is substantially free of antistatic agents and the products produced therefrom such as pillow, sleeping bags, furniture cushions and the like.