Abstract: A distributor layer moving in a reciprocating motion to deposit a web coming from a card, on an output apron to form thereon a lap designed for subsequent mechanical bonding. A front conveyor belt transporting the web up to a folding carriage and a rear conveyor belt for supporting the other surface of the web up to a depositor carriage are driven so as to have identical moving speeds in a pinching zone. In the folding carriage the web is deviated by less than 90 degrees to move in a down slope along a section, then a turning of more than 90 degrees, is first exposed, then is externally supported by a support structure. The pinching zone slopes slightly downwards. The web is likewise exposed for the turning in the folding carriage then with external support by an arrangement in a second angular surface.

Abstract: An unwinding carriage (14) is fed with a fiber web (4). This unwinding carriage (14) is displaced in a to-and-fro movement, causing it to deposit the web (4) on an exit conveyor (8) driven transversely to the movement of the unwinding carriage (14), so as to produce a lap (6) consisting of successive breadths of web inclined alternately in relation to the longitudinal direction of the exit conveyor (8), these breadths being joined by means of folds defining the edges of the lap produced (6). The advance of the exit conveyor (8) at the moments of the changes in direction of the unwinding carriage (14) is maintained. During these changes in direction, the unwound quantity of web (4) is restricted so as to exert on the fibers, between the exit conveyor (8) and the unwinding carriage (14), a pull tending to orient the fibers which form the folds of the web in the lap (6) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the exit conveyor (8). The invention is used particularly for making needled products.

Abstract: A web of fibers (4) is conveyed by conveyor belts (2, 5) which pass around rollers (32 to 43, 60 to 69). Some of these rollers are carried by main carriages (10, 14) which are capable of displacement in reciprocating motion above an apron (8) which moves in a direction parallel to the axes of the rollers and collects the web (4) in the form of a lap. Auxiliary carriages (16, 18) are provided for maintaining the length of the paths of the conveyor-belts (2, 5) at a constant value in spite of the reciprocating movements of the main carriages (10, 14). Each main carriage (10, 14) is connected to an auxiliary carriage by coupling means (92, 96) which are less extensible than the conveyor-belts (2, 5) and are so arranged as to be put under tension under the action of the means (84, 88) for driving the carriages.The invention is applicable to the manufacture of nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A web of fibers (4) is conveyed by conveyor-belts (2, 5) which pass around rollers. A number of rollers are carried by an input carriage (10) and an output carriage (14), said carriages being capable of displacement in reciprocating motion above an apron (8) which moves in a direction parallel to the axes of the rollers and collects the web (4) in the form of a lap (6). A guide roller (34) defines for the web (4) on a first conveyor-belt (2) a section (22) which is inclined towards the pinching line and is located upstream of said line, said pinching line being defined by two adjacent rollers (35, 61). The pinching roller (35) associated with the first conveyor-belt (2) causes it to make a turn through an angle (B) within the range of 90 degrees to 180 degrees. The pinching line is located in an intermediate angular position between the beginning and the end of said turn.The invention is applicable to the manufacture of nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A web of fibers (4) is conveyed by conveyor-belts (2, 5) which pass around rollers (32 to 43, 60 to 69). Some of these rollers are carried by main carriages (10, 14) which are capable of displacement in reciprocating motion above an apron (8) which moves in a direction parallel to the axes of the rollers and collects the web (4) in the form of a lap. Auxiliary carriages (16, 18) are provided for maintaining the length of the paths of the conveyor-belts (2, 5) at a constant value in spite of the reciprocating movements of the main carriages (10, 14). Each auxiliary carriage (16, 18) is located within a bottom passageway (70) which extends beneath the apron (8) and is separated from the apron by at least one partition-wall (72).The invention is applicable to the manufacture of nonwoven fabrics.