Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric pre-stretched grid for supporting a structure, such as an earthwork, wherein a suitable polymeric material, e.g. polyethylene, is used to make thin polymer strips by a molding machine, these strips are fully stretched by a pre-stretching machine so as to rearrange long bonds of polymer molecules to form the pre-stretched strips with high tensile strength, then these pre-stretched strips are crossed over each other longitudinally and transversely in line with a pre-set width by a machine (or manually) and the crossings of longitudinal and transverse network plies are united by gluing or hot fusion or otherwise to form a pre-stretched grid.

Abstract: Method to produce a female fabric for use in a hook and loop connection in which the maximum number of loops are produced on the loop surface which engages the hooks of the mating hook fabric. The method includes mounting the reed at an obtuse angle to the loopy yarn used to cause the loops extending outwardly from the loopy yarn to be combed upwardly as it exits from the reed.

Abstract: Optical fiber (12)extending from an optical coupler (11) is routed on a substrate layer (13) by first inserting the optical coupler in a device holder (16) having a slotted member (17). An opening in a substrate layer is made to match a cavity (19) in a support member (20). The device holder is inserted in the cavity (19) of the support member (20) and the substrate layer (13) is supported by the support member (20) such that the opening exposes the device holder (16). The optical fiber extending from the optical coupler is inserted into a slot of the slotted member (17) such that a bridging portion (21) of the fiber bridges a distance between the upper surface of the substrate layer (13) and the slotted member (17). The bridging portion of the optical fiber is engaged with a routing device, and the fiber is then muted on the upper surface of the substrate layer (13).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a strip of ply or belt stock reinforced with steel monofilaments fed from a plurality of reels (60, 60', 60") mounted on the spindles (54) of a reel support structure (18). The article of manufacture which results from the method is a uniform strip of reinforced ply or belt stock of higher epi, smaller gauge and fewer splices than possible with prior method and apparatus.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for causing a plurality of threads (7) to arrive on support (11) so as to obtain a ply (13) while imparting a nonlinear shape to the threads (7). The threads (7) are caused to arrive with controlled speed on a cylindrical drum (2) in rotation around an axis. The threads (7) are imparted the nonlinear shape by means of teeth (5) which are displaced with respect to others, parallel to the axis of rotation. At least some of these teeth are flexible between a free end in contact with a thread (7) and an anchoring zone. Plies (13) obtained with this method or device, these plies being used for instance in a tire.

Abstract: For the production of a tight complex having an internal reinforcement or framework and more particularly intended for the production of aerostatic balloons, a nonwoven reinforcement (10) is formed from weft and warp threads arranged in the form of two superimposed layers. To each of the faces of said reinforcement and using a predetermined force is applied a covering film (16a,16b), after bringing it to its pasty melting point on a heating drum (30a,30b). The nonwoven character of the reinforcement makes it possible to preserve the seal of the covering films during complexing. Moreover, the formation of small loops or rings on the edges of the complex obtained in this way makes it possible to introduce connecting cables facilitating the taking up or absorption of stresses.

Abstract: A reinforcing fiber sheet is provided which includes a support sheet and reinforcing fibers. The fibers are arranged in one direction on at least one surface of the support sheet and attached thereto through an adhesive layer. There is also provided a method of reinforcing a structure, which includes arranging bundles of the reinforcing fibers in one direction on at least one surface of a support sheet in parallel apart from each other or close to each other, wherein the surface of the support sheet is coated with an adhesive layer. Thereafter, pressing the bundles against the support sheet such that the reinforcing fibers are adhered through the adhesive layer to the support sheet in one direction in a slightly unfastened state to thereby produce the reinforcing fiber sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of manufacturing a roofing membrane that is free of any organic mat. The process includes selecting a lightweight polyester fabric including an open grid of over-under construction in which fill yarns are held between pairs of machine direction yarns lying essentially one above the other, the fabric including polyester yarns having about 30 to about 300 denier yarns in the machine direction, about 30 to about 300 denier yarns in the fill direction, a yarn per inch count of about 3.times.3 to about 10.times.10, and a dry weight pick-up of about 60 to about 250 parts by weight of binder relative to 100 parts by weight of polyester in the fabric; selecting a high strength reinforcing open grid; and passing the lightweight polyester open fabric, the high strength reinforcing open grid and any additional reinforcements free of any organic mat through bituminous material to form the roofing membrane.

Abstract: A multiaxial nonwoven fabric is disclosed which is comprised of a selected warp material and a multiplicity of selected continuous yarns assembled in a specified lay pattern and bonded on to the warp material. Each of the yarns is oriented in a scalene or right-angled triangle shape, and the resulting yarn assembly is built of intersections at least in warp, weft and oblique axes, whereby structural strength and dimensional stability are greatly improved. A method and an apparatus are also disclosed for producing the fabric.

Abstract: A belt for use on a long nip press for dewatering a fibrous web includes a base fabric, woven from machine-direction and cross-machine directions yarns and taking the form of an endless loop. The base fabric many be woven from monofilaments yarns of a synthetic polymeric resin in either a single- or a multi-layer weave. At least one side of the base fabric, namely, that side which will be on the inside of the belt in its endless loop form, and which slides over the arcuate pressure shoe component of the long nip press during its operation, is coated with a polymeric resin, such as polyurethane, to render it impervious to liquids, especially lubricating oil. The coating is reinforced with a flexible layer of reinforcing fiber which may take the form of a woven sheet or may be in single filament form in single or multiple layers thereof. When in single filament form, each layer includes filaments disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture in a continuous process of a flat substrate from a fibres-reinforced matrix for a printed circuit, in which use is made of at least two moving layers of reinforcing fibres and the fibres are positioned in at least two crossing directions, whereupon the filaments layers provided with matrix material, optionally together with one or more electrical conducting layers, such as a metal foil, and/or insulating layers on one or on either outer side, are passed through a preferably heated laminating zone, such as a double belt press, characterized in that use is made of filaments-containing layers made up of a plurality of mutually parallel filaments that are not bonded in the form of a fabric and extend substantially linearly.

Abstract: A pair of thermoset composite structures (19,19') are bonded together by a pair of adhesive strips (10,10'). An adhesive strip (10) is comprised of a layer of semi-crystalline thermoplastic material (12), a layer of amorphous thermoplastic material (14), a layer of dry fiber reinforcement (16) partially embedded in the layer of amorphous thermoplastic material (14), and a layer of thermosetting resin (18) covering the exposed fibers of the dry fiber reinforcement. An adhesive strip is bonded to the bonding surface (20) of the structure (19) during the curing process for the thermoset composite structure. A resistance heating element is placed between the bonding surfaces (20,20'), the bonding surfaces (20,20') are pressed together, and electrical energy is passed through the heating element (24) to heat the joint and fuse the thermoplastic adhesive layers together.

Abstract: A method of providing a sheet of loop material adapted to be cut into pieces to form loop portions for fasteners of the type comprising releasably engageable hook and loop portions, or to be incorporated into items such as disposable garments or diapers or into sheets of abrasives. The sheet of loop material includes a sheet of longitudinally oriented fibers having anchor portions and arcuate portions projecting in one direction away from the anchor portions, and a layer of thermoplastic backing material extruded onto the anchor portions to bond to the anchor portions and form at least a portion of a backing for the loop material. The thermoplastic backing material can also bond the sheet of fibers to a sheet of backing material.

Abstract: A sheet of coated abrasive material including a backing having abrasive on one surface and loops projecting from its other surface by which the sheet of coated abrasive material can be held by hooks on the support surface of a pad. The backing comprises a polymeric bonding layer defining its rear surface. The sheet of coated abrasive material comprises a nonwoven sheet of longitudinally oriented fibers having anchor portions bonded in the polymeric bonding layer at spaced bonding locations, and arcuate portions projecting from the rear surface of the backing between the bonding locations to provide the loops.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for applying threads (9) on a support (11) in order o obtain a ply (13) while imparting a sinuous form to the threads. There is used a rotary drum (2) having rows (4A) of fixed teeth (5A) and rows (4B) with movable teeth (5B) which are displaced parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. Plies obtained with this method or device and articles incorporating such plies, such articles being, for instance, tires.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for heat-setting a non-woven fabric in which a warp web and a weft web is cross-laminated, the fabric is gripped at least at its opposite side edges by and between an outer peripheral surface of a hot cylinder and an endless belt normally tensioned against that outer peripheral surface. Widthwise shrinkage is fully prevented during travel of the fabric around the hot cylinder, and firm bonding of the warp and weft webs is attained.

Abstract: A low cost, high web integrity fabric that can be economically produced and tailored to provide a variety of different combinations of characteristics and properties for different end uses. It is a fabric wherein the strength in any direction can be predetermined and also wherein the elasticity in any direction can be varied in a predetermined fashion. It is also a fabric that combines continuous filaments, ranging from elastomeric to non-elastic but elongatable to at least a minimum extent, for strength and elasticity with the predetermined indepth intermingling of fibrous melt blown webs for interlocking of the said continuous filaments in the formation of the integrated, fibrous and continuous filament matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the automated production of a cross-plied material, preferably for structural or anti-ballistics end use. The apparatus comprises means for advancing a first, continuous ply of material into a cross-plying zone; means for sequentially laying a plurality of discontinuous second plies of material coplanarly on the first ply in the cross-plying zone with the longitudinal axis of each of the second plies rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the first ply; means for preconsolidating the first and the second plies; and means for withdrawing the cross-piled material from the cross-plying zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a three dimensional nonwoven web consisting of drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of polypropylene and polybutylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 70% polypropylene and from 10% to 30% polybutylene. The blend can be a blend of a homopolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; a homopolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of polybutylene; a copolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; and a copolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of polybutylene. In addition, ternary blends comprising polypropylene, polybutylene, and terpolymer (propylene, ethylene, and 1-butene) are useful. The resulting nonwoven webs have enhanced strength, toughness, and tear resistance.

Abstract: A device (1) making it possible to apply at least one thread (2) to a supt (3) and characterized by the following features:it has a front clamp (4) and a rear clamp (5) along a direction of advance (F.sub.1);it has means (6, 7) for opening and closing said clamps (4, 5);it has means (8) permitting the displacement of the rear clamp (5) in the direction of advance (F.sub.1) or in a direction (F.sub.2) opposite to the direction of advance (F.sub.1); andit has means (9) for displacing the thread (2) in transverse directions.a reinforcing ply for a pneumatic tire having reinforcing threads applied on a support in a sinuous pattern having vertices.

Abstract: An applicator is utilized in applying a thermoplastic composite filament to a mandrel so as to form a structure. The filament and the surface of the mandrel are caused to move simultaneously and in a common direction relative to the applicator so that the filament is continuously fed from the applicator into engagement with the surface of the mandrel. At least one stream of heated fluid is applied to the filament so that it impinges thereon not only at a location preceding the location of the applicator, but also along the length of the filament to and beyond the applicator and up to and including the region where the filament first comes into contact with the mandrel. At the same time a stream of heated fluid is applied directly to the surface of the mandrel within that region so that the mandrel is heated prior to being contacted by the filament.

Abstract: Adhesion between carbon fibers and thermoplastic matrix materials, used in carbon fiber composite materials, is promoted by the use of a bridging agent. The composite material includes: a plurality of carbon fibers; a thermoplastic matrix material intermingled among the plurality of carbon fibers; and a bridging agent adhering the plurality of carbon fibers to the thermoplastic matrix material. The bridging agent includes compounds having multifunctional groups that are capable of chemically bonding with a functional group of the carbon fiber and a functional group of the thermoplastic matrix material; but it excludes multifunctional amine compounds having metal-oxygen bonds.

Abstract: A composite is produced by admixing a matrix-forming material with organic binding material, forming the resulting mixture into a tape, disposing a layer of boron nitride coated fibrous material between at least two of the tapes to form a layered structure, laminating the layered structure, heating the layered structure to remove organic binding material and hot pressing the resulting porous structure to form a composite.

Abstract: A sign is made by a pultrusion process by printing separate sign panels and attaching them to a fibrous component of the sign to make a longitudinally continuous sign panel subassembly which is beneath the surface of the sign. The sign panels are spaced apart in the subassembly by about the length of the sign and are fixed to the fibrous component prior to being pulled through a forming die. In the forming die, the subassembly is formed together with rovings, scrim resin and any other components of the sign into the cross-section of the sign. The sign panel subassembly saturates with the resin so that it blends in with the rest of the sign except for identification matter printed on it and is permeable to allow gases to escape as the resin cures in the die. The sign takes on its desired cross-sectional shape in the die and is cut off at its desired length after it exits the die. The sign panel may be on either side of the subassembly, and the subassembly may be beneath a surface layer.

Abstract: A fiber wallboard, or similar rigid or non-rigid substrate, is directed via a conveyor through a roll coater for providing an adhesive layer on one side of the substrate. Packages of continuous strands, such as textile yarns, are supported on a yarn creel, and drawn through expansion combs and underneath a nip roll for being press rolled into the adhesive coating layer. The pattern of lateral yarn separation established with the expansion combs creates a particular design on the finished face of the substrate, and may be varied. The substrate with applied strands is dried and trimmed. Marginal edge yarns are particularly located relative the substrate edges so that yarn gaps surround seams between adjacent panel substrates. Seaming tape with additional textile yarns supported thereon may be fitted in the gaps to hide such seams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying down a weft filament. The weft yarns are propelled over a moving substrate, whereupon they are clamped and pulled down into the substrate. The apparatus propels the filaments through an elongate hollow chamber where they are clamped by clamping means. They are then transferred from the chamber onto the substrate. By pivoting the apparatus the angles at which the filaments can be layed onto the substrate can be carefully controlled enabling hitherto unobtainable products to be produced.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric having a strength which is comparable to the strength of woven fabric and a method of making such non-woven fabric are disclosed. The non-woven fabric has a laminated structure composed of a warp web of random-laid non-woven fabric stretched lengthwise and hence having a greater strength in the lengthwise direction than in the transverse direction, and a weft web of random-laid non-woven fabric stretched transversely and hence having a greater strength in the transverse direction than in the lengthwise direction. Filaments constituting each of the warp and weft webs are substantially free from molecular orientation and extendible at least two times the original length before the web is stretched. Upon stretching of the web, the un-oriented filaments are substantially stretched to thereby cause molecular orientation therein.

Abstract: There is here provided an electroconductive thermoplastic sheet prepared by superposing, upon either surface or both the surface of a thermoplastic film, or sheet an electroconductive nonwoven fabric formed by irregularly twining an electroconductive fiber into a hot-melt adhesive fiber, further superposing, upon the outer side of the electroconductive nonwoven fabric, a nonwoven fabric made from the hot-melt adhesive fiber to obtain a laminate, and fusing the laminate integrally.The sheet of the present invention retains transparency and electroconductivity, and it is suitable for, for example, materials for packing of electronic parts and precision instruments where dust deposition and static electricity obstruction should be avoided.

Abstract: A device (1) making it possible to apply at least one thread (2) to a supt (3) and characterized by the following features:it has a front clamp (4) and a rear clamp (5) along a direction of advance (F.sub.1);it has means (6, 7) for opening and closing said clamps (4, 5);it has means (8) permitting the displacement of the rear clamp (5) in the direction of advance (F.sub.1) or in a direction (F.sub.2) opposite to the direction of advance (F.sub.1); andit has means (9) for displacing the thread (2) in transverse directions.The invention also concerns the process used in the device (1) as well as the assemblies obtained with this device (1) and this process, these assemblies being, for instance, reinforcing plies used in pneumatic tires.

Abstract: A group of loose cabled optical fibers (32-32) destined to be terminated by a multi-fiber connector device is first fabricated into an optical fiber ribbon (30). The optical fibers of the group are threaded through portions of an organizing shuttle (20) and brought into planar juxtaposition with each other by the cooperation of a curved surface (112) and a burnishing bar assembly (98). As the organinzing shuttle is caused to be moved along a track (42), the burnishing bar assembly causes the planar array of fibers to be embedded into an adhesive coating of a first binding tape (34) which is secured along the length of the track. In a preferred embodiment, a second tape (35) is applied over the fibers and the first tape. The ribbon is trimmed of excess longitudinal side portions of the binding tapes to provide a ribbon of desired width.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for attaching a rapidly continuously running substrate web and a corunning separable fastener strip having an attachment base surface carrying a dormant reactivatable adhesive which is reactivated and the fastener strip and the web pressed into firmly adhesively bonded relation.

Abstract: A plurality of strands is introduced by a reciprocating weft laying device into a layer of paste-like bonding material deposited on the upper surface of an endless belt. A plurality of warp strands extending in the warp direction is introduced into the paste over the first mentioned strands. A second plurality of strands in the weft direction is similarly introduced by means of a second reciprocating weft laying device and a second plurality of strands in the warp direction is introduced over these second weft strands. The paste-like bonding material is then cured by a heated roller to produce the finished material. Material may be made having only one set of warp strands and one set of weft strands or more than two sets each of warp and weft strands.

Abstract: Laminates particularly useful in vertical blind slat assemblies, and vertical blind slat assemblies utilizing the laminates are disclosed. The laminates comprise strand material which is not free hanging and in which there are substantial spaces between the strands to allow light to pass through the material, and a sheet-like layer to which the strand material is secured so that the strands of the laminate are fixed. The laminates allow the color or other characteristics of a slat member or insert to be seen. The laminates can have differing surface characteristics, (e.g. texture) and strand colors, sizes and patterns. The sheet-like layer can be transparent or translucent. A laminate can be secured directly, for example by adhesive, to a slat member having light-transmitting properties (e.g. opaque or translucent), surface characteristics (e.g. texture) and/or color which affect the overall appearance of the slat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a conveyor belt made of urethane having reinforcement embedded therein which reinforcement permits the stretching of the belt under controlled conditions. The reinforcement consists of a fabric or a plurality of aligned strands that are embedded in the urethane body of the belt proper that allow for a controlled stretch in the conveyor belt until such fabric or cords limit the stretching of such belt.

Abstract: Continuous process for the manufacture of disposable diapers having an absorbent pad fixed inside a moisture-impermeable envelope. There are front and back transverse margins and a central crotch zone provided with lateral cut-outs to let the legs through. An elastic strand is fixed to the impermeable envelope by adhesion, at least in the crotch zone, and brought into contact with the inner face of the impermeable envelope while continuously driven by a smooth-surfaced rotary drum. The elastic strands are coated with adhesive throughout their length, and the tension exerted on them at the points of contact with the impermeable envelope is made to vary between a value approaching zero, corresponding to the portions of the elastic strands adhered onto the front and back transverse margins, and a maximum value corresponding to the portions of the elastic strands adhered onto the central crotch zone.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises at least one ply comprising approximately parallel unidirected twines comprising helically-configured matrix-impregnated continuous strands of filament reinforcements to provide a flanged composite cantilever spring which serves as the principal constituent of a coupling structure. An interior ply of a coupling structure body member comprises unidirected longitudinal twines configured at a body member extremity to provide a flange member connected to a cantilever spring. An exterior ply is disposed transversely of and superimposed upon the interior ply to provide the cantilever spring hinge line. The composite cantilever spring can be constructed to deflect about either a straight or curved hinge line. A preferred tubular form of the coupling structure comprises at least one end configured as a polygonal array of flanged cantilever springs which serve as the socket end of a spring-lock coupling used to connect mating flanged spigot-end structures.

Abstract: Nonwoven web and method of making including interbonded thermoplastic fibers in an array of hollow projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of said web. The projections are separated by land areas of interbonded fibers, and the fiber orientation is greater in the projections than in the land areas. Either the projections or the land areas may be perforated as desired for controlled porosity and fluid flow properties. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be made by a number of processes but, preferably, are made by forming directly on a surface with corresponding projections with or without apertures and a vacuum assist or by forming on an apertured surface with a pressure differential sufficient to draw the fibers through the apertures forming the projections.

Abstract: Decorative sheet material is provided. The sheet material has a thermally bonded nonwoven tissue-like base layer having a web of 20 to 90 weight percent thermally bondable polymeric staple fibers and 10 to 80 weight percent rayon staple fibers and 5 to 50 weight percent thermobonding resin based on the weight of the web, and at least a monolayer of a multiplicity of substantially parallel continuous multifilament acetate yarns substantially covering a first side of said base layer and thermally laminated to said base layer. The second side of said base layer is sufficiently sonically sealable to a base layer of a second sheet material to form durable ribbon asemblies.

Abstract: Reconsolidated wood product (22) formed by compressing and bonding natural wood which has been rended to form open lattice work webs (14) of naturally interconnected wood strands. The webs (14) are laid over each other in overlapping fashion so as to extend at an angle to the direction of extent of the product (22), with opposite ends of the webs being closest to respective opposed surfaces (60, 64) of the product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and a device for producing bundles of hollow fibers such as used for dialysis. The device includes a guiding device for a continuous fiber which rotates in a plane. At least two groups of take-up elements are mounted on a conveyor. The conveyor is intermittently activated so that a group of take-up elements is placed in a working position in the range of movement of the guiding device, and a strand of a desired thickness is wound around the take-up elements. Thereafter, the conveyor is activated to discharge the first group together with the completed strand from the working position and place the subsequent empty group of take-up elements in the working position, without interruption of movement of the guiding device. During the winding-up of the subsequent strand, the completed strand is cut and wrapped into bundles.

Abstract: The starting material consists of a multistrand elastic tape (7) which is fed by the apparatus (11) and then separated by the successive separators (20, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33) into two arrays (35, 36) of four individual elastic strands. Each individual strand passes into a longitudinal groove of an adhesive application unit (37, 38), the strands passing out completely coated with hot melt liquid adhesive at high temperature. Adhesive bonding to the flexible sheet (1) moving in the direction of the arrows (2) is effected as soon as contact is made with the said sheet.A diaper pantie is obtained which on each side of the absorbent pad has a plurality of elastic strands disposed side by side.

Abstract: This invention relates to decorative sheet useful for making ribbons, bows, and the like. The invention relates to the field of synthetic textiles.The decorative sheet material comprises(a) a thermally bonded nonwoven tissue-like base layer having at least 50 weight percent polymeric, staple fibers having a length of 1/4 to 6 inches, and up to about 50 weight percent other fibrous material, at least the outer portion of said fibers being thermally bondable, and(b) at least a monolayer of a multiplicity of substantially parallel, continuous, non-cellulosic, multifilament yarns substantially covering a first side of said base layer and thermally laminated to said base layer,at least one side of said base layer being sonically bondable to a fibrous substrate. By making the base layer out of a sonically bondable material, articles made of the sheet material of this invention can be rapidly produced.

Abstract: A multiple profile reagent card for simultaneously or sequentially performing multiple analyses of analyte is formed by applying ribbons of reagent impregnated matrix material parallel to each other on a substrate and then removing portions of at least the matrix material to create separate matrices along each ribbon of matrix material. The multiple profile reagent card facilitates automatic processing of immunochemical, diagnostic and/or serological tests.

Abstract: A machine for producing pile fabric comprises a sonotrode (1) , a matrix (4) of tubes (5) bringing threads (10) onto a support sheet (7) for the purpose of welding rows of loops to the surface of this sheet. The matrix (4) is guided between slides (6) which are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes (5) and perpendicularly to the surface of application of the sonotrode (1) vibrations. A driving mechanism (13, 14, 15) periodically brings the extremities of the tubes (5) from which the threads leave against the sonotrode (1) by pressing the base of a row of loops and the support sheet (7) against the sonotrode in order to cause them to be welded together.

Abstract: A tape laying machine is disclosed carrying a tape laminator unit which forms in situ from individual strips of composite material.The strips are first spaced apart on a carrier sheet and next compressed to a relatively thin widened state where the widened strips are contiguous to one another, forming a unitary wide composite tape.The tape is conveyed to a tape laydown station where it is transferred from the carrier sheet and deposited on a work surface.

Abstract: The method of the present invention produces a tape of high performance reinforcing fibers having improved alignment between the fibers and improved maintenance of that alignment in processing and molding applications. The method involves contacting one or more of the continuous high performance reinforcing fibers with a polymer impregnated mat. The polymer is compatible with any polymeric material used in the subsequent processing or molding applications. The contacting is performed with the high performance fibers under tension, and the tension is removed when the fibers are properly aligned into a tape in contact with the impregnated mat. The tape material can be used with various molding compounds such as sheet molding compounds and high reinforcement content molding compounds and thermoplastic molding materials wherein the molding compound is contacted with the tape product.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the production of a composite plastic material consisting of oriented polymer filaments and a polymer film web, and more particularly, the production of a composite material which possesses an improved physical strength and higher tear resistance in comparison with plastic film materials which are not reinforced. An extrusion die is used for example, a conventional tubular extrusion die for extruding a continuous blown tubular plastic film web and wherein the die orifice is encompassed by spinerette apertures through which there are concurrently extruded a plurality of polymer filaments which are oriented and initially conveyed along a path substantially parallel to but not in adherence with the blown tubular plastic film web.

Abstract: This machine comprises a sonotrode (1), a matrix (4) of tubes (5) bringing threads (10) onto a support sheet (7) for the purpose of welding rows of loops to the surface of this sheet. The matrix (4) is guided between slides (6) which are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes (5) and perpendicularly to the surface of application of the sonotrode (1) vibrations. A driving mechanism (13, 14, 15) periodically brings the extremities of the tubes (5) from which the threads leave against the sonotrode (1) by pressing the base of a row of loops and the support sheet (7) against the sonotrode in order to cause them to be welded together.

Abstract: A method and device for use in the method for forming a reinforcing filamental network is the subject of this application. The network includes a pair of straight filaments (54, 56) which can extend generally parallely with respect to one another and be spaced at a given distance. A serpentine filament (58) is made to sinuate across the straight filaments (54, 56), and can be bonded thereto at intersections by means of a hot melt adhesive which impregnates the filaments (54, 56, 58) and which has a measure of flow potential when subjected to pressure.The device for forming the network includes a cylindrical cam (100) which is disposed for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of one of two pressure rollers (76, 90) which effect cold flow of the hot melt adhesive with which the filaments (54, 56, 58) are impregnated. The cam (100) has a groove (110) formed in its outer surface. A shoe (108) of a reciprocating filament guide (102) rides in the groove (110).

Abstract: A method and device for use in the method for forming a reinforcing filamental network is the subject of this application. The network includes a pair of straight filaments (54, 56) which can extend generally parallely with respect to one another and be spaced at a given distance. A serpentine filament (58) is made to sinuate across the straight filaments (54, 56), and can be bonded thereto at intersections by means of a hot melt adhesive which impregnates the filaments (54, 56, 58) and which has a measure of flow potential when subjected to pressure.The device for forming the network includes a cylindrical cam (100) which is disposed for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of one of two pressure rollers (76, 90) which effect cold flow of the hot melt adhesive with which the filaments (54, 56, 58) are impregnated. The cam (100) has a groove (110) formed in its outer surface. A shoe (108) of a reciprocating filament guide (102) rides in the groove (110).