Abstract: A maintenance-free valve for impeding the flow of fibers in a high velocity air-fiber stream. The valve has a rake-like construction to impede fiber flow when in the closed position. The valve has a plurality of closely-spaced, parallel tines attached to a rotatable shaft that is perpendicular to the tines. When closed, fibers collect on the tines of the rake valve, blinding the valve to further fiber flow. When opened, the fibers are dislodged from the tines such that they re-enter the air-fiber stream.

Abstract: A collection process for collecting mineral wool fibers produced by an aligned plurality of fiber making machines includes the steps of entraining the fibers produced by each of the fiber making machines in a gas, drawing the gas through a gas permeable conveyor belt substantially aligned with the aligned plurality of fiber making machines so as to collect the fibers on a fiber/gas separating surface defined by the conveyor, and advancing the conveyor with the collected fibers in a flow direction. The fibers from each of the fiber making machines is collected on the fiber/gas separating surface in a separate collection zone. The lengths of each of the collection zones increases along the flow direction. The resulting collected fibers are useful in forming a mat.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a zoned distribution of particulate material within a fibrous web includes a conveying mechanism for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material and a segregating mechanism for centrifugally directing at least a portion of the particulate material into an accumulation region of the apparatus. A transferring mechanism selectively directs particulate material from the accumulation region into a delivery gas stream to provide an intermittent flow volume of a selected quantity of particulate material from the accumulation region through a delivery conduit and into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing mechanism provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing mechanism controls the intermittent flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit into the forming chamber.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing the fiber-containing article, the discontinuous fibers, intermingled with fibers serving as a binder, are couched into a fiber mat in such a manner that the discontinuous fibers are advanced into contact with an air flow which carries them up to a conveying level where the fibers become randomly directed and the fiber-carrying air flow is passed through this level.

Abstract: In a card especially suited for the manufacture of nonwovens for producing aerodynamically formed, air laid, fibrous webs, comprising a feed roller (F), a driven main cylinder (T) rotating at a high speed, an air shaft or passage (2) which, adjacent the fiber doffing zone (3) is substantially tangential to the main cylinder (T), and which extends to an air-permeable nonwovens web conveying belt (5), and a suction fan (11), arranged beneath the nonwovens conveying belt (5), the centrifugal force at the main cylinder (T) throwing the fibers in the fiber doffing zone (3) into the air current generated in the air shaft (2) and conveying the fibers to the nonwovens conveying belt (5) where they are depsosited as a continuous fibrous web, it is provided that the upper portion of the air shaft (2) is designed as an air suction gap having a substantially nozzle-shaped cross section.

Abstract: The web or mat producing unit including a fiber opening and doffing mechanism mounted on a vertically adjustable platform to direct fibers randomly downwardly through an opening in the platform and onto the horizontal upper run of an endless screen, which travels in one direction over a vacuum or suction opening positioned beneath and parallel to the upper run. Two, spaced side curtains or panels, which are suspended from the underside of the platform, guide fibers into a predetermined space located between opposite sides of the upper run of the screen, thereby to form the fibers into a shingle-free nonwoven mat which may, if desired, be fed successively onto the upper run of the screen in the next successive unit in a series thereof. The width and configuration of the mat can be changed by adjusting the panels toward and away from each other, and by placing a removable template or baffle over the suction opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a nonwoven web in which a bundle of continuous filaments is jetted from a nozzle together with a fluid stream, the filaments and the fluid stream impinge upon a first impinging surface, and after impinging, the filaments and at least a part of the fluid stream are guided to a collecting surface by a second impinging surface.

Abstract: A procedure for controlling the surface mass distribution of a paper web being formed on a dry paper machine, wherein the suction air recirculated to the former is utilized. In procedures of prior art, the surface mass distribution has not been uniform enough. With the aid of the present invention the problem has been solved in that the quantity of air blown to the former is adjusted in the cross-machine direction in order to obtain the desired surface mass distribution.

Abstract: A feed duct (1) for feeding textile fibers to an associated processing machine is disclosed which includes adjustable wall elements (22, 23) to vary the width of the filling chamber (5) of the duct and discharge a fiber web of corresponding width. The adjustable wall elements (22, 23) are displaceable parallel to the side walls (31, 32) of the filling chamber and include lateral wall elements (22a, 23a) which are bent and extend through the side walls to also act as holding elements. Setting elements (26, 28 and 27, 29) adjust the setting of the wall elements and the chamber width. In a duct feed having an oscillating plate 39, adjustable wall elements are provided as double wall elements (43, 44) with a pivotal wall part (45, 46) carried between the double walls of each element. An inclined edge (51) of the double wall elements allows oscillating plate (39) to swing with respect to the adjustable width duct for compaction of fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a continuous web of material (36) on an endless belt (24). Fibers suspended in a carrier gas are transported from a transport conduit (12) through a transition part (38) of zig-zag configuration, having cross-section which tapers or narrows in the flow direction. Arranged at the outlet aperture of the transition part is a coarse-particle separator means (22) which incorporates a curved, convex surface (60), an accept outlet (48), and a reject outlet (54). The carrier gas is deflected around the convex surface, as a result of the ensuing Coanda Effect, and transports acceptable fine fibers to the accept outlet (48), while coarse reject particles, due to their greater kinetic energy, pass in a straighter path to the reject outlet (54). The accept outlet leads directly to a distribution chamber (52) which is located above the endless belt (24), and opposite which there is provided a suction box (32) for extraction of the carrier gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming fibre webs including a first component and a second component in the form of two textile fibres differentiated by their average fibre length or a textile fibre and wood pulp, said apparatus including a card means having a discharge zone, means for feeding said second component to said discharge zone, and means for condensing the fibres in said discharge zone whereby a highly uniform fibre web is obtained.

Abstract: When practicing a method and using an arrangement for producing a fibre layer or fibre mat from a liquid-absorbent material, e.g. in the manufacture of diapers, a fibre-air suspension is blown in between two endless, mutually parallel air-permeable conveyor belts (12,13) at a pressure which exceeds the pressure of the ambient surroundings. The conveyor belts form therebetween a forming space which is defined laterally by stationary or movable side-walls (18), the inner surfaces of which may be profiled so as to provide a fibre layer or a fibre mat with profiled side-edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a web having a predetermined grammage profile in its transverse direction is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing a flow of particulate material into the distribution chamber of a forming head through an oscillating nozzle and depositing the material on an air permeable belt to form a web while changes in the upper surface of the web are detected downstream of the distribution chamber, signals are generated in response to any change which are compared with predetermined set points, and an output control signal is generated as a result of the comparison. The pattern of movement of the nozzle is controlled in response to the output control signal to provide the predetermined grammage profile for the web. In addition, the speed of the web may be measured and used to control the frequency of the nozzle so that a web having uniform grammage in the longitudinal direction is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a web having a predetermined grammage profile in its transverse direction is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing a composite flow of particulate material suspended in air into the distribution chamber of a forming head and depositing the material on the upper surface of an air permeable belt while applying suction to form a web and while the grammage profile is controlled by measuring the profile of the web downstream of the distribution chamber, comparing the measurement with predetermined set points, generating a control signal representative of any detected difference and controlling the amount of suction applied in predetermined suction sections in response to the control signal so as to provide a web having a predetermined grammage profile. An apparatus for accomplishing each of the steps of the method is also provided.

Abstract: The formation head comprises a casing of substantially rectangular configuration in plan view provided with a perforated flat bottom-screen or sieve, and with a top wall having a number of openings communicating with the atmosphere. Opening into said casing is a conduit for feeding a flow of air-fluidized disintegrated fibers. A plurality of spaced parallel, horizontal rollers are rotatably mounted close to the perforated bottom of the said head structure. The said rollers are supported so as to be translated parallely to the bottom of the said structure. The said rollers are each provided with a plurality of peripheral radial needles. At a short distance from the bottom of the casing, parallely thereto, a moving web is mounted, cooperating with an underlying vacuum chamber onto which the screened fibers are deposited in a thin layer (S).

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: A non-woven fabric is produced by the transportation of a fiber flow at an angle which is less than 90.degree. to the transport direction of the non-woven fabric to be manufactured, with the feed rate of the fiber flow being controlled, the fibers which are to form a fiber layer being placed next to one another, and with the formed fiber layer being simultaneously, and in the lateral border areas of the fiber layers, being consecutively, combined with the preceding fiber layer, reinforcing the produced non-woven fabric. The angle of the fiber flow to the transport direction of the non-woven fabric to be manufactured is set between 0.degree. and 89.degree.. The controlling of the fiber flow comprises monitoring of the quantity feed rate and/or dissociation of the fiber flow and/or fiber mixing, immediately prior to the formation of a fiber layer.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric is produced by the transportation of a fiber flow at an angle which is less than 90.degree. to the transport direction of the non-woven fabric to be manufactured, with the feed rate of the fiber flow being controlled, the fibers which are to form a fiber layer being placed next to one another, and with the formed fiber layer, including lateral border areas of the fiber layers, being combined with the preceding fiber layer, reinforcing the produced non-woven fabric. The angle of the fiber flow to the transport direction of the non-woven fabric to be manufactured is set between 0.degree. and 89.degree.. The controlling of the fiber flow comprises monitoring of the quantity feed rate and/or dissociation of the fiber flow and/or fiber mixing, immediately prior to the formation of a fiber layer. In order to combine the formed fiber layer with the preceding fiber layer, this is placed adjacent to the formed fiber layer, or placed on at least one formed fiber layer.

Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for controlling the distribution of fibers in a fiber felt forming process, which comprises a guide duct through which a gas current with felt fibers entrained is directed. The gas passes through a perforated conveyor, which retains the fibers.The duct is caused to oscillate by a connecting rod affixed to the guide duct and a rotary element by universal joints at either end, connection being effected by cardans, by which the rotary element entrains the connecting rod in its rotary movement. By moving the axis of rotation of the rotary element away from the center of the guide duct/connecting rod joint, an oscillating movement is imparted to the guide duct. The entire apparatus, including a motor for inducing rotary movement may be caused to undergo translational movement by a pair of opposed hydraulic jacks, the operation of which may alter the median direction of the movement of the oscillating guide duct.

Abstract: Method and means for providing assemblages of fully opened and combed fibers for intimate blending with other staple fibers of a diverse type are disclosed, wherein combed tufts detached from preceding and succeeding tufts are moved in an air stream under subatmospheric pressure to a collection chamber. Movement by such an air stream assures that the parallelized fibers of the tuft are not disturbed but remain in a fully opened and combed condition for subsequent intimate blending. This method and means assure that the fibers are not bent, compressed or otherwise changed from their fully opened and combed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fiber lap includes a generally vertically oriented feed chute in which fiber tufts are introduced at the top and from which a fiber lap is discharged at the bottom. There is provided a movable wall element for varying an effective width of the feed chute for altering the width of the fiber lap produced by the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplementary cleaning of cotton fibers employing a housing having an interior dividing screen separating the housing into two chambers and a fan adapted to entrain the fibers in a moving airstream and direct them into the housing against the screen for passage of the airstream and debris through the screen into one chamber and retention of the fiber in the other chamber. Reciprocably pivoting vanes divert the airstream back and forth across the screen to prevent accumulation of the fiber on the wall under the force of the airstream and to permit the fiber to fall from the wall after impact thereagainst. Alternatively, the conveying conduit may be movably mounted for side-to-side emission of the airstream into the housing. Ion emitters may be located at strategic locations to eliminate electrical attractive forces between the fibers and the debris.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a lap from fiber tufts has a generally vertically oriented feed chute having upper and lower ends; a mechanism disposed at the upper end for introducing fiber tufts into the feed chute; a mechanism at the lower end for discharging a lap from the feed chute; a mechanism for maintaining, in the feed chute, an air stream flowing downwardly in the direction of the lower end; and apertured separating walls bounding the feed chute along a vertical length portion thereof for providing an exit for the air stream from the feed chute. Each separating wall has a plurality of parallel-spaced, vertically extending slots and webs in an alternating sequence. The separating walls are in a parallel, face-to-face relationship and are spaced from one another by a distance less than the expected smallest size of the tufts.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a fibrous web comprising a fiber distributor with a housing having an inlet for dry defibrated fibrous material and a perforated bottom wall, and at least two closely spaced rows of stirrers, each comprising impellers which are rotatably mounted within the housing, an air-permeable forming wire, a mechanism for advancing the wire below the bottom wall of said fiber distributor and a suction box mounted below the rows of stirrers and the forming wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing high quality fibrous webs at high rates of speed. Fibers are fed to a rotating lickerin for opening, then to a rotating card cylinder for individualizing, and are then doffed into an air stream from which the fibers are condensed, as on a moving foraminous belt.

Abstract: Textile length multifilament bundles of coated and bonded glass fibers are fed into the fiber inlet of a momentum exchange aspirator having a high pressure propelling air source inlet providing propelling air at a velocity generally equal to the velocity of sound to cause flow of air to carry the bundles into the aspirator fiber inlet and produce a turbulent flow zone which destroys the interfiber bonds, without destroying the protective coating on the fibers and with minimum fiber breakage, to form a high velocity stream of discretely separated textile length coated glass fibers at the aspirator outlet.

Abstract: A mechanism for eliminating impurities from fibrous material, in particular cotton, having at least two card-clothed rolls (22, 23) arranged after a feed mechanism and a screening drum (3) to which said fibrous material is fed by means of an airstream. A housing closely encloses the two card-clothed rolls. Interposed in the housing are separating openings including separating edges. One of said two card-clothing rolls (23) cooperating with the other of the two card-clothed rolls has a take-off and loosener roll for the fibrous material and the centrifugal forces at the circumference of the second card-clothed roll (23) being greater than at the first card-clothed roll (22). A third card-clothed roll is positioned in carding relation with the first card-clothed roll. Another take-off and loosener roll (52) is positioned for removing fibers from the third card-clothed roll (5).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distributing loose fibres or particles onto a moving web in an even layer thereon preparatory to production of a non-woven sheet of the fibre or particle material. The material is filled into a container having a generally V-shaped screen bottom extending crosswise over the moving web, and whipping members are rotated in the bottom space so as to whip the material adjacent the interior surface of the screen by a whipping movement causing the fibres or particles to be slung against the screen and the material to move in a flow lengthwise along the bottom surfaces, whereby when suction is applied to the outside of the screen bottom through the web the fibres or particles will get dispensed through the screen and deposited on the web. The combined whipping and slinging of the material contributes to a high capacity of the distribution.

Abstract: A device for homogenization of a particle filled fluid stream in which a conduit has a plurality of baffles which extend inwardly into the conduit so as to cross the fluid stream to be divided into smaller streams, preferably crossing over each other when being divided.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having alternating stripes of high fiber density and low fiber density is made in such a manner that substantially all of the fibers in the stripes of high fiber density are oriented in substantially one direction, for example the machine direction, while substantially all of the fibers in the adjacent stripes of low fiber density are oriented in a direction substantially normal to that direction. This phenomenon can be produced by passing a fluid-borne stream of discretely separated fibers over a set of finger-like striping bars that are disposed, equidistantly from each other, directly over a moving conveyor screen or by a set of impervious resist areas in the shape of bars, or the like, disposed directly on the moving screen.

Abstract: For the manufacture of non-wovens, filaments are laid down on a moving surface. The filaments are deflected by means of a rotating deflector and a subsequent guide plate connected thereto. It is important that the rotating deflector deflects the filaments from the rotational axis and that the guide plate rotating synchronously with the deflector leads back at least part of the filaments in the direction of the intersection of the rotational axis and the deposition surface, this leading back being carried out advantageously to a different extent for different portions of the filament veil. This leading back being at least partial results in a considerably more uniform area weight distribution than hitherto obtained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distributing loose fibers or particles onto a moving web in an even layer thereon preparatory to production of a non-woven sheet of the fiber or particle material. The material is filled into a container having a generally V-shaped screen bottom extending crosswise over the moving web, and whipping members are rotated in the bottom space so as to whip the material adjacent the interior surface of the screen by a whipping movement causing the fibers or particles to be slung against the screen and the material to move in a flow lengthwise along the bottom surfaces, whereby when suction is applied to the outside of the screen bottom through the web the fibers or particles will get dispensed through the screen and deposited on the web. The combined whipping and slinging of the material contributes to a high capacity of the distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aligning individual fibers parallel to the main fluid stream that is conveying them, using fluid-dynamic forces. This method and apparatus are based on the use of converging streamlines in a nearly irrotational flow to provide the necessary moments to rotate the fibers so that they become parallel to the streamlines. Counterflow jets are provided to create the desired streamline behavior in a main fluid stream. The irrotationality of the flow and the nearly parallel streamlines thus prevent further fiber rotation downstream.

Abstract: Fibrous web structures in which the individual fibers are uniformly felted in random orientation are produced by projecting a stream of solids suspended in air toward a moving porous collection surface. The fibers are maintained in a controlled condition uniformly dispersed in air during transit from the nozzle to the porous collecting surface and before the stream of air has spread to the point of disrupting the uniform fiber dispersion, the fibers are felted and collected on the porous support while air is continuously passed through the support to insure no gravity free fall of fibers. Liquid or dry adhesive binders may be incorporated into the structure at any convenient stage of the process but preferably before the web structure is formed on the moving support.

Abstract: Apparatus for dry-laying cellulosic fibres on a foraminous travelling band comprises a distribution chamber one wall of which facing the band is provided by a vibratable screen. Within the chamber is a rotating brush roll positioned so that the brushes cause the screen to vibrate. Fibres are urged through the screen partly by the action of the brush roll. Provision may be made for recirculating air which has passed through the band back to the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carding process for forming a nonwoven fibrous structure including a blend of short fibers under 1/4 inch in length and longer reinforcing fibers. In accordance with the process fibers are separated from a fibrous feed by engaging the feed with projections on the periphery of a main carding drum that is rotating at a surface speed of at least 12,500 feet/minute. The rotating main drum directs the fibers into a working section in which projections on rotating worker and turner satellite rolls cooperate with the projections on the main drum to individualize the fibers and blend them together. The necessary interaction between the projections of the main drum and the projections of the satellite rolls to both individualize and blend the fibers is achieved by pressurizing the working section to a level that minimizes undesirable air flow characteristics about the satellite rolls.

Abstract: A soft, loosely compacted mat of fibers is continuously formed atop a traveling conveyor. The fibers are deposited on top of the screen from an air-fiber flow within a suitably sized conduit having the same width as the desired width of the mat. A fiberizer is upstream from the mat-laying station and serves to fiberize sheets of incoming fiber. A plurality of sheets can be fiberized and as they are fiberized, the flow is entrained with air with differential pressures throughout the flow path from the fiberizing station to the conduit and mat-laying station. The structure of the fiberizer allows fiber sheets to be fiberized and then directs the fibers toward an adjustable diverging portion of the fiberizer shell from where the air-fiber mixture flows toward the mat-laying station. Variable mat widths can be formed by varying the conduit width and by varying the lateral dimension of the diverging portion of the fiberizer shell.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the accumulation of static charges on fibers resulting from the dry-fiberization of pulp lap sheets includes the steps of: (1) directing a plurality of the pulp lap sheets into a stacked condition; (2) directing the stack of sheets in a downstream direction to a fiberizing device for separating the fibers from the stack; and (3) applying an antistatic chemical to less than all of the sheets in the stack upstream of the fiberizing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deflocculating a dry suspension of fibers wherein the fibers are introduced into a housing in suspension in air, and are allowed to commence settling by free fall through the housing. An impeller is positioned below the inlet and is in the path of the falling suspension, the impeller being rotated in such a manner that it provides air currents in opposition to the settling tendencies of the suspension. A foraminous forming means is located below the impeller, and cooperates with suction means acting thereon to form a sheet of fibers from the fibers which ultimately settle onto the foraminous forming means. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is included a mechanical vibrating means which is positioned below the impeller and is arranged to apply small amplitude sonic waves at the suspension passing to the forming means thereby additionally enhancing the deflocculation of the fibers in suspension.

Abstract: A web is formed from particulate material, for example wood fibres, by depositing the fibres on a movable deposition surface in a chamber. The particulate material is carried to the surface in an air stream to form a composite material flow which is caused to oscillate across the surface by impulses from separate control means preferably disposed on opposite sides of the stream. The control means is preferably opposed control flows which are caused to vary alternatingly between a minimum and a maximum impulse by use of one or more fluidistors. The fluidistors may be controlled by self-oscillation or by measuring the evenness of the particulate material deposited on the deposition surface. The control may also be effected by adjusting the walls of the chamber to utilize the coanda-effect. The particulate material may be admixed with additives from the control flow and may be charged electrostatically.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a mineral wool fiberboard product is described which includes means for separating mineral wool fibers and means for intimately mixing said fibers with a thermosetting powdered binder, means for entraining said mixture of fibers and binder in an air stream including means for directing said air stream into a mat-forming zone formed by converging upper and lower forming wires, means for exhausting air through said forming wires whereby the fiber and binder mixture is collected as two layers on the forming wires with the two layers becoming consolidated at the nip opening formed between the converging screens, and compacting and heating means whereby the mat of fibers and resins is compacted and cured to form a mineral fiberboard product, said exhaust system behind said screens being adjustable whereby the upper and lower outer layers of fibers and resins initially formed on said screens is comprised of an enriched layer of predominantly fine fibers.

Abstract: A nonwoven uniform web is formed from particulate material and a binding agent in a moving conveyor belt. The material is fed to the belt through a cowl in a random fashion and air is removed from the material; the layer of material is subsequently thinned by a peak removal device and is precalendered, rolled and then heated to activate the binding agent. The resulting web has similar mechanical properties in length direction and width direction, and has a high elastic recovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for dispensing discrete portions of fibrous material, such as tobacco, which is supplied continuously in the form of a fleece or a web. The fibrous material is dispensed in discrete portions which are of a uniform density, by causing the fleece or web to be placed in a container. The uniform density is achieved by injecting air into the fleece or web stream to break up the web and form a uniform density strand by insertion of the fibrous material into the container. Once the container is filled, the strand is severed by a cutter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distributing loose fibers or particles onto a moving web in an even layer thereon preparatory to production of a non-woven sheet of the fiber or particle material. The material is filled into a container having a generally V-shaped screen bottom extending crosswise over the moving web, and whipping members are rotated in the bottom space so as to whip the material adjacent the interior surface of the screen by a whipping movement causing the fibers or particles to be slung against the screen and the material to move in a flow lengthwise along the bottom surfaces, whereby when suction is applied to the outside of the screen bottom through the web the fibers or particles will get dispensed through the screen and deposited on the web. The combined shipping and slinging of the material contributes to a high capacity of the distribution.