Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a synthetic fiber tow of indeterminate length passed through a break drawframe to be converted to relatively short spinnable staple length fibers in the form of sliver. During passing through the drawframe, a concentrated beam of energy, illustrated as being a laser beam is swept across the tow by a rotating mirror and in the course of doing so, effectively cuts the tow fibers where struck by the laser beam. In one embodiment the laser beam stays on while sweeping across the width of the tow and then repeats that cycle in a succeeding section of tow. In another embodiment, the laser beam is energized and deenergized as it transverses across one section of tow and in the next succeeding section of tow the laser beam is actuated in a different time cycle.

Abstract: A fine heterogeneous hybrid spun yarn is blended from electrostatically conductive staple fibers and electrostatically non-conductive staple fibers so that the yarn is electrostatically conductive only over short discrete lengths. When used in pile fabrics, such as carpets, the fine yarn is introduced with at least some of the carpet facing yarns during the carpet making operations. The resultant carpet structure substantially eliminates electrostatic shock to a human walking across the carpet and approaching a ground such as a light switch, radio, or another person. Such a carpet does not constitute a dangerous floor covering.The unique heterogeneous hybrid spun blended yarn is achieved by process techniques completely contrary to accepted blending practices.

Abstract: A staple-fiber band is made by first spinning synthetic-resin filaments with spinnerets and drawing the filaments as roving at a predetermined feed speed from the spinnerets. The roving is then cooled without greatly stretching it so it has relatively high residual stretch and is then stored. Without intermediate treatment the roving is heated to a predetermined temperature and then stretched it to a relatively small residual stretch. The stretched roving is then thermofixed and then stretch-torn. Finally it is textured. During the heating, thermofixing, stretch-tearing, and texturing steps the roving is held under tension so that its filaments cannot tangle. When the filaments are of polyester they are stretched at between 60.degree. C. and 120.degree. C. and thermofixed at a temperature that can be somewhat higher.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for the preparation of crimped staple fibers. By automatically adjusting the pressure on the stuffer crimper box discharge means as a function of staple cutter speed, a crimped staple product with uniform fiber-to-fiber cohesion level is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing a draftable staple fibre sliver (12) from a strand (12) of endless filaments, which is united and condensed for further processing. According to the invention the zone of the united and condensed sliver, from which, due to the cutting process, fibre points stick away inclined and pointed towards the front and outside, is inserted into the inside of the sliver.In this manner the detrimental effects, caused by the fibre points sticking out, are eliminated. Particularly the defective points in the end product produced, caused by these fibre points, are eliminated, fly waste generation in the processing room is reduced and, owing to the reduction of the danger of clogging of the fibre sliver guiding funnels, the operational reliability of the subsequent processing machines is improved.

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 squirrel cage type long strand eliminator is provided intermediate the chopper and the collection region to eliminate undesirably long sections of strand from free falling discrete segments of strand as they are being formed from a continuous strand.

Abstract: A squirrel cage type long strand eliminator is provided intermediate the chopper and the collection region to eliminate undesirably long sections of strand from free falling discrete segments of strand as they are being formed from a continuous strand.

Abstract: In the process, the strands, which are spun as a fused mass, are initially drawn, then preferably stretched, crimped or textured, and converted into helical windings. The helical windings are laid down on an endless conveyor formed by two conveyor belts laterally spaced from each other. The laid down helical winding turns are then cut between the two endless conveyors to produce two substantially identical fiber lengths from each helical winding turn. The melt spinning of the strands may be effected at such a high speed that the drawing of the filaments or fibers can be omitted. The helical winding turns, prior to cutting thereof, may be subjected to at least one after-treatment. The apparatus includes a rotary distributor into which the crimped strands are supplied substantially axially for conversion into helical winding turns, and includes endless belts tangentially engaging the helical winding turns to move the same downwardly onto the spaced pair of endless conveyor belts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for producing a yarn comprising; supplying a web of staple fibers to a first region; forming said web into a bundle at a zone intermediate said first region and an after-defined second region; tensioning said fibers at a second region to draft said bundle into a yarn advancing at a predetermined rate; and collecting said yarn at a third region at a rate substantially equal to said predetermined rate of advancement.

Abstract: A continuous in-line flock cutting process is disclosed, for making flock from tow which contains a lubricant which is detrimental to the flock and must be removed.The tow is continuously fed, heat treated and immersed in an aqueous scouring liquid, and is continuously wet-processed. The excess scouring liquid is squeezed out, the tow is rinsed with water, rinse water is squeezed out, and a finish is applied to the tow and partially squeezed out in an in-line continuous process to remove a portion of the applied finish. Thus processed, the still-wet tow is continuously cut into wet flock, the wet flock is then dried and beaten to open up and separate the individual flock particles, and screened.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein a tow of continuous filaments is fed to a tow cutter and severed into fibrous material of predetermined staple length while the fibrous material delivered from the tow cutter is fed to and through at least one textile picker. The fibrous material may be formed into laps at the picker for being subsequently processed through cards, or the fibrous material may be fed in loose fibrous form from the picker to a bank of cards. Means are provided for automatically controlling operation of the tow cutter and pickers and for controlling feeding of the fibrous material to the pickers.