Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.

Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a fill yarn from a web of warp tows advances the web lengthwise across a tabletop having opposite pairs of bars at the leading edge thereof for separating the outermost tow at each of the opposite edges of the web from the remaining tows within the web. Rotatable cutting wheels which are resiliently urged against the top of a rotating shaft at the underside of the web sever the fill yarn between the outermost tows and the remaining tows of the web to form separate fill yarn lengths extending across the width of the web. As the advancing web is then divided along a central portion thereof, the separate lengths of fill yarn are removed by a hook mounted within a central portion of the tabletop and reciprocating between positions above and below the tabletop so as to hook each separate length of fill yarn and begin pulling it down through the tabletop.