Abstract: Rubber article-reinforcing steel cord in which corrosion resistance is improved without an increase in weight. In a rubber article-reinforcing steel cord (1), plural sheath strands (3) each formed by twisting together plural steel filaments are twisted together around at least one core strand (2) formed by twisting together plural steel filaments. Core strand (2) and sheath strands (3) are each formed by twisting together one or two core filaments (2c) and (3c) and plural sheath filaments (2s) and (3s), respectively, and a relationship represented by the following Formula (1) is satisfied when a wire diameter of core filament(s) (2c) of core strand (2), a wire diameter of sheath filaments (2s), a wire diameter of core filaments (3c) of sheath strands (3), and a wire diameter of sheath filaments (3s) are defined as dcc, dcs, dsc and dss, respectively: dcc>dcs?dsc>dss (1).

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tow warp construction and a process for forming such tow warp construction where such tow warp construction has a longer life span, that is retains its useful dimensions and characteristics longer than known tow warp constructions and consequently has a longer useful life span than known tow warp constructions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a flexible filament that includes a length of material configured to be used in forming at least a portion of a textile product to have at least a portion of a visual pattern that is visible on at least one of a first side or a second side of the textile product. The material includes a plurality of stitch indicators formed on the material to separate the material into a plurality of segmented regions, at least one of the stitch indicators or the segmented regions forming at least the portion of the visual pattern visible on the at least one of the first side or the second side of the textile product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a component including at least one diene based rubber and discontinuous textile cord having at least two textile yarns, wherein the cord is partially untwisted.

Abstract: A silicone coated fabric having a base woven fabric that is formed from a synthetic fiber weaving yarn that has a yarn size of from 100 to 270 dtex, and a weaving size expressed by product calculated by multiplying the yarn size of a weaving yarn and a weave density (ends or picks/2.54 cm) of from 10,000 to 25,000 (dtex·ends (or picks)/2.54 cm) in both the warp direction and the weft direction, a silicone being applied to the woven fabric in an amount of from 5 to 25 g/m2, and having on one side a uniform silicone coating layer forming part of the silicone mentioned above. The silicone coated fabric is a lightweight coated fabric that shows improved heat resistance, improved flexibility and an improved low coefficient of friction as well as particularly improved burning resistance. The fabric can therefore be used for producing lightweight and compactly storable airbags that suppress bursting starting from a burnt-through-hole, and that shorten a deployment time.

Abstract: A fabric includes mutually transverse thread systems, with at least one of the thread systems including a differential shrinkage yarn C. The shrinkage yarn C has at least one effect component A that irreversibly elongates itself upon heat treatment, and at least one shrinkage component B that shortens itself upon heat treatment. The components A and B are bound together by nodes, wherein the number (y) of nodes per meter in the yarn C is predetermined as a function of the yarn count (x) of the transverse thread system so that the number (y) of nodes exceeds a minimum value and increases proportionally above the minimum value as a function of the yarn count (x).

Abstract: A metallic cord is composed of metallic filaments gathered together, the metallic filaments include at least one patterned filament which is, before gathered together, two-dimensionally waved so as to have a wave form defined by plural kinds of cycles different from each other in respect of the wave length and/or wave height. A pneumatic tire includes the metallic cords as its carcass cords.

Abstract: A self-set yarn made from bicomponent fibers forms helical crimps that lock in twist and form bulk.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread reinforcing belt made of metallic cords, each of the metallic cords is made up of six to twelve metallic filaments whose diameter is not less than 0.15 mm but less than 0.25 mm, the six to twelve metallic filaments are grouped into a plurality of bunches each including two to four filaments, the filaments of each bunch are twisted together at a first twisting pitch, the bunches are twisted together into the cord at a final twist pitch Pc of from 10 to 40 mm, the first twisting pitch is more than the final twist pitch, and the bunches each include at least one waved filament which is two-dimensionally waved at wave pitches Pw in a range of from 5 to 30 times the diameter (d) of the filament and a wave height (h) in a range of from 0.2 to 3.0 times the diameter (d).

Abstract: A process for combining dyed or melt pigmented textile denier accent yarns in small yarn sizes, into a small building block carpet denier bundle to achieve a face yarn bundle having a wide range of special color effects and appearance, not attainable by manufacture of multi-colored carpets from carpet denier fibers alone. The carpet denier singles yarns are drawn, textured and air-jet entangled. At least one textile denier singles yarns, which is preferably a yarn having some degree of orientation, is then entangled with the carpet denier singles yarn, and the bundle is then wound up. The final yarn bundle may contain one or more fiber types, as well as at least one anti-static filament. The two types of singles yarn, i.e., the carpet denier and textile denier types, optionally have the same or different fiber cross-sections.

Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire has a belt disposed radially outside a carcass and radially inside a tread portion, the belt having at least one ply of at least one high-elongation steel cord, the high elongation steel cord is formed by twisting at least three waving steel filaments together to form a core and a sheath surrounding the core, the waving filaments change place repeatedly along the longitudinal direction of the cord such that one of the filaments forms the core in a portion, but in a different portion of the cord, the same filament forms part of the sheath, thereby defining a plurality of first parts with the core and a plurality of second parts without the core which are disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the cord, and the elongation at break of the high-elongation steel cord is in the range of from 4 to 10%, whereby the resistance to breakage of the steel belt cords is improved and it becomes possible to decrease the belt weight without deteriorating various performances.

Abstract: An airbag base fabric is formed of thermoplastic synthetic filament yarns, wherein the yarn strength of the filament yarn is 7.0 g/denier or more and the fineness of the filament yarn is 200-250 denier. The fabric is thin and lightweight, which is thus excellent in accommodation, and is effective in reducing the size and weight of an airbag module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tire-reinforcing steel cord and a pneumatic radial tire using the same. The tire-reinforcing steel cord includes an inner layer consisting of 3 filaments and an outer layer consisting of 7 or 8 filaments and surrounding the inner layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are twisted in such a manner that they have the same twist direction and the same twist pitch length, whereby the number of the twisting steps in the manufacture of the steel cord is reduced, and also the penetration of rubber into the steel cord is improved such that the steel cord has an improved durability upon application to tires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package, of a false twist yarn composed of polytrimethylene terephthalate fibers, characterized in that a hardness and a winding density of the package and the number of crimps of the false twist yarn thus taken up simultaneously satisfy the following conditions (1), (2) and (3): (1) 70≦hardness≦90 (2) 0.6 g/cm3≦winding density≦1.0 g/cm3 (3) hardness×the number of crimps≧520 The package of the present invention maintains a favorable package shape and is excellent in unwinding property, whereby a high-quality knit or woven fabric is obtainable.

Abstract: A reinforcing steel cord for rubber products, such as steel belted radial tires or conveyor belts, is disclosed. This steel cord is improved in rubber penetration and ageing adhesive force relative to the rubber material. The steel cord is formed by twisting a plurality of brass coated external element wires around a flat and spirally twisted core, with the twisted direction of the core being the same as or opposite to that of the resulting steel cord. In the steel cord, the pitch of the twisted core is set to allow the core to be twisted 0.2 to 2 times within the pitch of the cord, thus preferably forming sufficient interspaces between the core and the external wires in addition to the interspaces between the external wires.

Abstract: A wire twisting machine and method provide a randomly varying lay to pairs of twisted wires forming a cable. A pair of wires are fed into a motor driven bow mechanism which twists the wires at a given rate of speed. The bow winding speed is sensed to provide a signal to a control system employing a computer which generates a randomly varying signal between a selected minimum and maximum range. The random signal is applied to an oscillator which provides a varying frequency signal to a power supply unit. A pulsed direct voltage signal then controls a stepping motor which applies the randomly varying lay signal to vary the speed of the capstan winding the wires with respect to the independent bow speed. This varies the length of lay of the twisted wires within controlled limits.

Abstract: Strands and wire ropes composed of materials such as high carbon steels and stainless steels can be provided in a compacted, mechanically stress relieved and thermally stress relieved condition. The wires are compacted during stranding to form the individual strands of the wire ropes. The wires can be thermally stress relieved prior to stranding to remove tensile residual stresses. Compaction produces a compressive residual stress state in the strands which increases fatigue resistance. The strands can be thermally stress relieved subsequent to closing. The wires and strands can be heated using a process such as induction heating. The wire ropes can be torque balanced or rotation resistant. The wire ropes have high strength, a high strength-to-weight ratio and enhanced fatigue life. Stainless steel wire ropes also provide corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A hauling cord (L) for pulling an electric power line or the like cable into a conduit has an elongate linear body (1) that is typically a monofilament of a thermoplastic resin. The cord is of a regular or irregular cross section with one or more helical ridges (2) that extend around, along and integral with the linear body between opposite ends of the linear body. The helical ridges are formed by drawing and twisting a raw material of the linear body, and may have either of or both the opposite ends made thinner and/or twisted stronger than the remaining portion so that the pitch between the adjacent ridges is reduced. The cross section renders the cord lighter in weight and more slender, and nevertheless its compression strength and tensile strength are improved.

Abstract: A reinforcement ply for an elastomeric article comprises a plurality of parallel extensible reinforcing members laid at a substantially constant end count perpendicular to their longitudinal direction, the ply having different extensibilities in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing members in different parts of the ply. The reinforcing members are preferably made such that they each have at least one filament which is displaced perpendicularly from the longitudinal centerline of the reinforcing member in one part of the reinforcing member compared to another part. A tire may include the reinforcement ply as a hoop or band in the ground contacting tread region.

Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire comprises a belt disposed radially outside a carcass and radially inside a tread portion, the belt comprising at least one ply of at least one high-elongation steel cord, the high-elongation steel cord being formed by twisting at least three waving steel filaments together to form a core and a sheath surrounding the core. The waving filaments change place repeatedly along the longitudinal direction of the cord such that one of the filaments forms the core in a portion, but in a different portion of the cord, the same filament forms part of the sheath, thereby defining a plurality of first parts with the core and a plurality of second parts without the core which are disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the cord. The elongation at break of the high-elongation steel cord is in the range of from 4 to 10%.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrically conductive compound yarn. An electrically conductive monofilament metal thread is spun into a compound yarn together with textile fibers. A compound yarn of this type is particularly suitable for producing woven and knit materials.

Abstract: A twisted yarn structure includes constituent fibers which extend between a surface and a core of the yarn structure so that at least one portion of each fiber is trapped and bound within the yarn structure by portions of other fibers. The fibers can extend cyclically or in random fashion between an inner region and an outer region of the yarn, and can be twisted in subgroups along the length of the yarn structure to be locked in position therein. To produce the yarn structure having fibers which cyclically extend between the inner and outer regions, the fibers of a drafted strand of fibers from front drafting rollers are spun and passed through an oscillating guide before being wound on a spindle.

Abstract: A steel cord intended for use to reinforce rubber products is produced by drawing, into a steel filament of 0.10 to 0.40 mm in diameter and more than 3,000 N/mm.sup.2 in strength, a wire rod having a carbon content of more than 0.70% by weight, and twisting a plurality of such steel filaments together. Also a pneumatic tire is provided which employs in at least a portion of a reinforcing member thereof the steel cord improved in corrosion resistance and having an R.sub.1 /R.sub.0 ratio.times.100 which is less than 100, where R.sub.0 is the radius of spiral curvature of the spiraled steel filament resulting from untwisting said steel cord and R.sub.1 is the radius of spiral curvature of said steel filament of which the surface layer inside the spiral is removed by dissolving.

Abstract: A steel cord intended for use to reinforce rubber products is produced by drawing, into a steel filament of 0.10 to 0.40 mm in diameter and more than 3,000 N/mm.sup.2 in strength, a wire rod having a carbon content of more than 0.70% by weight, and twisting a plurality of such steel filaments together. Also a pneumatic tire is provided which employs in at least a portion of a reinforcing member thereof the steel cord improved in corrosion resistance and having an R.sub.1 /R.sub.0 ration.times.100 which is less than 100, where R.sub.0 is the radius of spiral curvature of the spiraled steel filament resulting from untwisting said steel cord and R.sub.1 is the radius of spiral curvature of said steel filament of which the surface layer inside the spiral is removed by dissolving.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass toroidally extending between a pair of bead portions and a belt arranged outside the carcass in a radial direction of the tire and composed of at least one belt layer, in which the belt layer is made from a plurality of steel cords, each cord being formed by twisting 2 to 4 filament bundles each consisting of two steel filaments paralleled with each other so as to have a structure that major axes of the filament bundles constituting the cord are set toward substantially the same direction. In the belt layer, the major axes of the filament bundles in the cords constituting the belt layer are arranged substantially in a row in a widthwise direction of the belt.

Abstract: A high elongation compact helical steel cord with a high degree of elongation at break of not less than 5% has a (1.times.n) structure comprising three or more base wires which are helically preformed at a predetermined pitch and which are twisted in the same direction and at the same pitch so that the ratio P/D of the cord diameter D to the twisting pitch P is in the range of 8-15 with the base wire preforming pitch being shorter than the cord twisting pitch. The finished cord has a helical composite structure with its elongation under a load of 35 kgf/mm.sup.2 being 0.71%-1.00% and that under a load of 70 kgf/mm.sup.2 being 1.18%-1.57%. A radial tire is reinforced with the steel cord preferably as a steel belt cord. An apparatus for making the steel cord is provided with revolving preformers on the wire introducing portion of a bunching machine such that the bunching machine is rotated in a direction reverse to the rotational direction of the revolving preformers.

Abstract: A slip resistant shoe lace is produced by weaving or braiding a plurality of standard yarns with special yarns. The special yarns have a special effect in the form of slubs or eccentricities at regular intervals or throughout the length of the yarn and when woven or braided along with the standard yarns produce protuberances along the length of the shoe lace for resisting untying of the lace.

Abstract: A steel cord effective for reinforcing a super-large off-road tire wherein strands made by simultaneously twisting together 3 to 6 steel wires in the same twisting direction with the same pitch length are used and the steel cord is made by twisting together 3 to 6 such strands in the same direction as the twisting direction of the strands and with the same pitch length. Each of the steel wires constituting the strands continuously has a small wavy pattern of a pitch length smaller than the lay length of the strands and therefore each of the strands has a compound pattern comprising a wavy pattern formed by the twisting and said small wavy pattern and in a gap is formed between steel wires each of the strands by the small wavy pattern. The lay length P.sub.1 of the steel cord is 8 to 15 times the steel cord diameter D and the elongation on breakage by tension of the steel cord is over 5%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing randomly variegated multiple strand yarn in twisting together two or more yarns at a plurality of yarn twisting stations. At each station a pneumatic twisting head is disposed in which randomly turbulent air currents are created in a chamber in the twisting head by compressed air flowing into the chamber from a manifold through bores in the twisting head, thereby randomly twisting together two or more yarns in the chamber. The yarns which have been twisted together are taken up over a plurality of traversing drums commonly mounted on a shaft which is driven by an alternating electric current motor controlled by a control device which operates to start and restart the motor on a predetermined cycle including a variation of the electrical input sufficient to result in randomly unpredictable inertia resistance of the traversing drums to rotational speed variation, thereby creating randomly unpredictable take-up of the yarns to produce non-uniform random twist in the yarns.

Abstract: An entangled multifilament yarn made from high strength filaments having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g. The yarn is used to make ballistic resistant articles.

Abstract: An entangled multifilament yarn, preferably an entangled multifilament polyamide yarn, and a knit fabric made from the same, wherein the yarn has an entanglement strength of at least about 4.5, an entanglement strength coefficient of variance of less than about 1.10, and an average entanglement length for each entanglement of at least about 11.0 mm. The yarn has a knitting performance of at least 4,000 racks/defect.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable surgical suture which includes at least one multifilament yarn having at least one portion wherein the filaments of the yarn are entangled. The suture has a core formed by combining a length of the entangled yarn with a length of at least one other entangled yarn to form a plied yarn which is then entangled and twisted in a particular direction. This entangled and twisted yarn is then combined with another entangled and twisted yarn, both yarns having been twisted in the same direction. The combined yarns are then twisted together in the opposite direction to form a suture core.

Abstract: A metal cord for reinforcing a rubber article is made by twisting three or more metal filaments. At least one or at most the total number minus two of the metal filaments have a larger shaping ratio in the diametrical direction of the cord than the other metal filaments. At least one of the metal filaments having a larger shaping ratio is kept out of contact at portions in the longitudinal direction with a metal filament or filaments arranged in juxtaposition at one side or both sides thereof. At least two adjacent ones of the metal filaments having a smaller shaping ratio are in contact with each other.

Abstract: Textile structure useful as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composite materials is produced using technical yarns. At least some of the yarns are formed from three constituents, namely a substantially straight core, a relief yarn, and an independent binding yarn. The relief yarn is secured to the core by the binding yarn.

Abstract: A steel cord for reinforcing a high polymer material has a core formed by twisting three steel core filaments having a mutually equal diameter of 0.1 to 0.35 mm, and at least one sheath formed by twisting a plurality of steel sheath filaments having a mutually equal diameter of 0.1 to 0.35 mm and arranged around the core. The three core filaments are composed of one or two waving steel filaments each having waved portions apart from a longitudinal center line thereof, and an unwaving steel filament as a remainder. The clearances (T) between the waving steel filament and the unwaving steel filament are in a range of 0.15 to 0.6 times the diameter of the steel core filament. A sum total (M) of a mean void (m) between adjoining steel sheath filaments in each sheath is in a range of 5 to 35% of a sum total (N) of a mean center distance (n) between adjoining steel sheath filaments in each sheath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel type of polyolefine yarns with good performance in the manufacture of rugs and carpets, made-up by admixing polypropylene filaments with polyethylene filaments, and by subjecting said filaments mixture to a temperature of from 125.degree. C. up to 130.degree. C., which substantially equals the melting temperature of the polyethylene filaments, whereby said polyethylene filaments become melted while the polypropylene filaments, with higher melting point, remain solid and stable, and with said melting of the polyethylene filaments constituting welding points for said polypropylene filaments, bulking and shaping the resulting yarn.

Abstract: A steel cord comprising a number (between 3 and 27) of element steel wires tightly twisted at a regular pitch P between 5 and 20 mm in the same direction. Each wire has a diameter d between 0.1 and 0.4 mm. At least one of the wires includes a spiral portion having a spiral pitch P1 between 0.1P and 0.7P and a spiral diameter d1 between d+2/100 mm and d+2/10 mm. At least one other wire includes a straight portion. At any cross section of the cord, 1/4 through 2/3 of the wires is/are spiral and the other wire/s is/are straight. The stretch of the cord under a load of 5 kg is between 0.10 and 0.40%. A method of producing a steel cord comprises supplying a number of element steel wires, forming at least part of at least one of the wires to be spiral, and tightly twisting the wires.

Abstract: Method to provide a novel false twisted slub yarn by combining a core yarn and an effect yarn in a fluid tangling zone. The linear velocity of the effect yarn is raised to allow slubs to be produced in the combined yarn in an air jet apparatus. The slub yarn is then run through a commingling air jet after formation of the slubs to commingle the lean portion of the yarn between the slubs formed to prevent a strip back of the yarn during weaving and/or knitting.

Abstract: A unique rope for use in commercial fishing comprising floating and sinking portions. The sinking portion has blended yarns made up of a blend of first and second non-metallic synthetic filaments in proportions to yield a sinking rope portion having a specific gravity greater than one. The sinking rope portion comprises strands having yarns of substantially the same diameter. The floating portion of the rope is formed by replacing selected ones of the blended yarns in each strand with yarns formed of a material having a specific gravity of less than one. The replacement yarns and the blended yarns are of the same diameter to enhance the integrity and strength of the rope.

Abstract: Described is a method for quantifying interlacing characteristics of multifilamentary yarn, having nodes of a length and a width comprising, (a) measuring the length (L) of at least one node, (b) measuring the width (W) of at least each node measured in step (a) and (c) determining the value of the node harshness from the ratio of L to W for each node measured in step (a).

Abstract: A randomly entangled, plied yarn having a first yarn strand and a second yarn strand wherein at least one of the first yarn strand or the second yarn strand is unidirectionally twisted in a first direction of twist, the plied yarn having spaced-apart spliced zones along its length defining therebetween lengths of unspliced yarn having a ply twist in the opposite direction of the twist of the component yarn strands along the entire length of the plied yarn.

Abstract: A unique fishing rope comprising floating and sinking portions. The sinking portion blended yarns made up of a blend of first and second non-metallic synthetic filaments in proportions to yield a sinking rope portion having a specific gravity greater than one. The sinking rope portion comprises strands having yarns of substantially the same diameter. The floating portion of the rope is formed by replacing selected ones of the blended yarns in each strand with yarns formed of a material having a specific gravity of less than one. The replacement yarns and the blended yarns are of the same diameter to enhance the integrity and strength of the rope.

Abstract: Potential bulky polyester associated bundles or yarns for woven or knitted fabric include spontaneously heat extensible multi-filament A and heat shrinkable multi-filament B. The associated bundles are interlaced at 20-100 interlaces/m. For multi-filament A, the following physical properties apply: <3 denier as a single bundle; 20-80% denier ratio content in associated bundles, wet shrinkage at 100.degree. C. (SHW (A))=0-5%, dry shrinkage at 160.degree. C. (SHD (A))=-15-0%. The properties pertaining to multi-filament B include: fracture tenacity>4 g/denier, denier ratio of 80-29% content in associated bundles, SHW (B)>5-60%. Additionally, SHD (B)-SHD(A)>5%. The invention also relates to processes for forming the bundles and for weaving the bundles into fabric.

Abstract: A fishing net includes a cord having a multiplicity of strands including an identification strand marked at spaced intervals with sequential numerical codes. The preselected strand is substantially inextricably incorporated in the cord so that the preselected strand extends along the length thereof. The cord is in turn incorporated in the net so that the cord extends substantially from one end of the net to an opposite thereof. The cord has ends located at readily accessible preselected points relative to the net so that a smallest numerical code and a largest numerical code on the cord are easily determinable upon visual inspection of the net.

Abstract: A wire rope is constructed so that the twisting moment generated in the rope per unit load decreases from one end of the rope to the other . This is accomplished by varying the length of lay along the rope.

Abstract: A cable bolt for ground control which is made from individual twisted wires which may be obtained from destranding a wire strand, the cable bolt being made by twisting the wires in a direction opposite their normal twist, the cable bolt so formed having alternate areas of enlarged diameter where the wires are spaced from one and other and areas where the wires lie closely adjacent. A method of manufacturing such a cable bolt by twisting a number of wires into a strand having a twist, at least along part of its length, opposite to the original twist of the wires and which has alternate areas of enlarged diameter where the wires are spaced one from the other and areas where the wires lie closely adjacent. Also there is provided an apparatus to form such a cable bolt which includes a mechanism to receive individual ones of the wires and whereby these can be twisted to form the cable bolt.

Abstract: A glass fiber bulk strand roving that is made up of a multiplicity of strands, each of which is made up of a plurality of individual fibers, for example, 200 of such fibers. Each strand of the roving has a multiplicity of rather long, axially extending loops, for example, axially extending loops with a calculated length of at least 6 inches, and a multiplicity of shorter, unbroken, cross-axially extending loops that are formed in the axially extending loops of such strands. The axially extending loops and the cross-axially extending loops interengage and intertwine with one another for form a composite entangled structure. The roving of the present invention is made by a process that uses a finger wheel to form axially extending loops in strands and a co-axial spinner with an inlet that is positioned above or below the finger wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of a glass fiber bulk strand roving which is made up of a multiplicity of strands, each of which is made up of a plurality of individual fibers, for example, 200 of such fibers. Each strand of the roving has a multiplicity of rather long, axially extending loops, for example, axially extending loops with a calculated length of at least 6 inches, and a multiplicity of shorter, unbroken, cross-axially extending loops that are formed in the axially extending loops of such strands. The axially extending loops and the cross-axially extending loops interengage and intertwine with one another to form a composite entangled structure. The roving which is produced by the method and apparatus of the present invention is made by a process that uses an array of inwardly projecting fingers to form axially extending loops in the strands and a spinner with an inlet that is positioned adjacent the fingers.

Abstract: A glass fiber bulk strand roving that is made up of a multiplicity of strands, each of which is made up of a plurality of individual fibers, for example, 200 of such fibers. Each strand of the roving has a multiplicity of rather long, axially extending loops, for example, axially extending loops with a calculated length of at least 6 inches, and a multiplicity of shorter, unbroken, cross-axially extending loops that are formed in the axially extending loops of such strands. The axially extending loops and the cross-axially extending loops interengage and intertwine with one another to form a composite entangled structure. The roving of the present invention is made by a process that uses a finger wheel to form axially extending loops in strands and a spinner downstream of the finger wheel.