Stretching Or Spreading And Working Patents (Class 26/51)
  • Patent number: 10982362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a plurality of spunbonded crimped fibers bonded together at a plurality of bonding points, wherein all fibers of the patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet are spunbonded crimped fibers and wherein the configuration of the fibers within the sheet is inhomogeneous and varies according to a preferably regular pattern. The invention further relates to a method for forming such patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet from a flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material. Still further, the invention relates to such flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: FIBERTEX PERSONAL CARE A/S
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Ellingson, Morten Rise Hansen
  • Patent number: 9475205
    Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by directing the slit web over at least a first roller having first multiple protrusions around its peripheral surface. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web that divide the interrupted slits into a series of spaced slit portions aligned in the machine direction. The first multiple protrusions are positioned such that adjacent protrusions push through consecutive slit portions of a first of the interrupted slits to form a spread mechanical fastening web. An apparatus including the first roller and at least a subsequent roller is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Shengguang Qi, Xijun Mao, Zhaobin Cheng, Thomas J. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20150096659
    Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements, applying tension to the slit web in the machine direction, and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by directing its side edges over two rotating diverging disks to provide a spread mechanical fastening web. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web. The two rotating diverging disks are laterally spaced and have a support surface between them that contacts the slit web during the spreading. The spread mechanical fastening web includes multiple strands of the slit web attached to each other at least at some of the intact bridging regions and separated from each other between at least some of the intact bridging regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gilbert, Pieter J. Gagnon, Mark A. Peltier
  • Publication number: 20150096660
    Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements, applying tension to the slit web in the machine direction, and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by moving the slit web over a crowned surface to provide a spread mechanical fastening web. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web. The crowned surface may be an air bearing, or at least a portion of the crowned surface is a low-friction surface, and the crowned surface and the slit web are not moving at the same speed in the same direction. The crowned surface may be provided with at least one ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gilbert, Leigh E. Wood, Mark A. Peltier, Pieter J. Gagnon
  • Publication number: 20140366344
    Abstract: Provided are a reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl and its manufacturing method which comprises a process (s1)) in which a HDPE and a UV reinforcing agent are mixed and liquefied and processed into a film; a thread manufacture process (s2); an elongation-cooling process (s3); a weaving process (s4); an original tissue recovery process; a LDPE-UV mixing liquid coating process; and a cutting or linking process (s7). The reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl manufactured through the above described processes has an enhanced resistance with respect to durability and temperature and moisture, so the service life can be prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Geon Yong BAEK
  • Publication number: 20140234575
    Abstract: A layered nonwoven fabric with excellent feel on the skin and liquid permeability, and a method for producing the layered nonwoven fabric. The layered nonwoven fabric includes an upper layer consisting of a first nonwoven fabric and a lower layer consisting of a second nonwoven fabric. The layered nonwoven fabric has a first surface on the first nonwoven fabric side with a plurality of protrusions and recesses and a second surface on the second nonwoven fabric side. The protrusions on the first surface have a higher basis weight than the recesses on the first surface, and the protrusions on the first surface have a lower fiber density than the recesses on the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Satoshi Mitsuno, Jun Okuda, Noritomo Kameda
  • Publication number: 20140150225
    Abstract: A loom for producing a paper machine clothing includes a weaving zone for producing a woven structure having warp threads and weft threads and a tensioning zone following the weave zone in a weaving direction. The tensioning zone has a first receiving roller system and a second receiving roller system following the first receiving roller system in a weaving direction. Each receiving roller system is configured to move the woven structure forward in the weaving direction in order to produce a tension. A heating assembly for thermofixing the woven structure is provided between the first receiving roller system and the second receiving roller system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: Johan Einarsson
  • Publication number: 20130312236
    Abstract: A method for preparing high-grade and casual fabric with special leather feel using a corn-based fiber that comprises the steps of: 1) selecting 0.3-0.5 D/PF ultrafine corn-based SORONA fiber from DuPont (U.S.) and 0.2-0.4 D/PF long porous bright polyester yarns as raw materials; 2) compositing by air-jet texturing: having the above raw materials composited by low tension air-jet texturing in an air texturing machine, with the tension force controlled in the range of 4.5-6.0 cN, so as to form ATY yarns with a denier number of 120-180 D; 3) weaving, which includes yarn sizing, preliminary drying, oil applying and plain weaving; 4) dyeing and finishing, which include treating a fabric by pre-treating, presetting, splitting and alkali detaching, water washing and dehydrating, dyeing, water repellent treatment, instant ultrahigh temperature treatment, and one-sided lustering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: DANYANG DANQI YUYUE TEXTILE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Junyan Zhang, Huirong Lin, Pei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130160257
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher John Feeney, Steven Robert Hayse
  • Patent number: 8418328
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fabric has a drum with an elliptically-shaped cross-section having a pair of narrow sides and a pair of broad sides. Each of the narrow sides have an impact edge. Each of the pair of broad sides has a sliding surface. The drum has a differential helical expander formed on an outer surface thereof. A bearing and drive shaft set are affixed to the drum so as to impact rotational motion to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Entema Endustriyel Tesisler Ve Makina Sanayi Limited Sirketi
    Inventors: Hakan Gürel, Ömer Gökcan
  • Publication number: 20120240368
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding a tubular fabric (A) in a flattened state includes elements for modifying the flattened configuration of the tubular fabric (A). The elements for modifying the flattened configuration of the tubular material include an upstream part (14) with respective first (13) and second (15) coplanar elements for engaging opposite sides (A1, A2) of the tubular fabric (A) and with respective converging profiles (131, 151), and a downstream part (18) with respective first (17) and second (19) coplanar elements for engaging opposite sides (A3, A4) of the tubular fabric (A), with respective profiles (171, 191) diverging away from the upstream part (14). Actuating elements (120, 122) are provided to move the first and second stretching elements (13, 15 and 17, 19) of the upstream part (14) and the downstream part (14), respectively, relative to each other between respective positions closer together and further apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BIERREBI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Tedeschi
  • Publication number: 20120198670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of flame-retardant treating a blend fabric including natural fibers and synthetic fibers to impart flame retardancy to the blend fabric, including treating the fabric with a first flame retardant, primarily tentering the fabric, water-rinsing the primarily tentered fabric, washing the water-rinsed fabric, drying the washed fabric, treating the dried fabric with a second flame retardant, and then secondarily tentering the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Han-Soon Park, In-Young Chaey
  • Publication number: 20120043742
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fabric for an airbag including a polyester fiber, and particularly to a polyester fabric for an airbag of which toughness is 3.5 to 6.0 kJ/m3 and tearing strength measured according to the ASTM D 2261 TONGUE method is 18 to 30 kgf, wherein the fabric includes polyester fiber of which toughness is 70 to 95 J/m3, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag for a car including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyung Kim, Dong-Jin Kwak, Jung-Hoon Youn, Sang-Mok Lee, Hee-Jun Kim, Ki-Jeong Kim, Sang-Kil Lee
  • Patent number: 8037583
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a biased fabric is supplied. The biased fabric supply has a first specified width and a first bias angle of warp yarns relative to weft yarns. At least one overfeed roller configured to overfeed fabric from the biased fabric supply at an overfeed rate is provided. At least one spreading arm configured to stretch the fabric to a second specified width and a fabric oven configured to heat the biased fabric supply to a specified temperature and output a balanced crimp and/or elongation biased fabric are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Johnston Textiles, Inc.
    Inventor: Gayron Nixon Davis
  • Publication number: 20110072626
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for finishing knitted fabrics and fabrics finished by the novel process. In one embodiment, the method of finishing a knitted fabric includes the steps of: (a) stretching the fabric above about 5% but less than about 25% in width, and above about (?)7% but less than about 10% in length, (b) heat-setting the fabric to the stretched width and length at a temperature above about 120 degrees Centigrade and lowefthan about 250 degrees Centigrade, and (c) applying a polymeric protective binder coating resin to the fabric at a concentration of at least 5% but less than 25% based on the weight of the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Yong Ku Kim, Armand Francis Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100325851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing bulletproof fabric, the method comprising weaving fabric; scouring the fabric; applying a pretreatment process to the scoured fabric; and applying a water-repellent process to the pretreated fabric, wherein the pretreatment process comprises adjusting a moisture regain of the scoured fabric. In this method, the fabric is treated with the pretreatment process before the water-repellent process, so that it is possible to maintain the constant concentration of water-repellent composition, and to permeate the water-repellent agent into the fabric with easiness, thereby producing the bulletproof fabric with the uniform and good water-repellent property. Thus, even though the bulletproof fabric is used for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the bulletproof property in the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: In Sik Han, Chang Bae Lee
  • Patent number: 7771185
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening carpet prior to laying the carpet on a floor surface. The apparatus includes an entry conveyor from which carpet is unrolled and fed into a heating section. In the heating section, the carpet is heated sufficient to soften backing material on the carpet. The heated carpet is then fed into a heated straightening section where longitudinal forces are applied while the backing is still soft so that a pattern in the carpet is straightened and held in the straightened position until the carpet has cooled somewhat. The apparatus further includes a cooling section for cooling of the carpet, after which the carpet is rolled back up on an exit conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: S & K Carpet Specialist, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hurst, R. Shawn Marshall, Gavin B. Rumble
  • Publication number: 20100186847
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for opening a fabric, in which warp and weft yarns can be uniformly opened using a simple method without having to alter the fabric weaving procedure. The method is a method for opening a fabric (4) produced by weaving a warp yarn (2) and a weft yarn (3), each of which having a bundled plurality of fiber filaments (1). A contact body (6) is provided to a surface of the fabric (4) with a protective film (5) interposed therebetween, and the contact body (6) is caused to move over the fabric (4) obliquely, and in a relative manner, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the warp yarn (2) or the weft yarn (3), whereby the warp yarn (2) or the weft yarn (3) is spread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicants: ARISAWA MFG. CO., LTD., TOHO TENEX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Hirai, Akihiko Machii
  • Publication number: 20100040855
    Abstract: A method of forming a fabric is provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of yarn and batching the yarn on an A-frame so that the fabric is formed with a width greater than 102 inches and with a twill weave with a satin face. Also included is the step of passing the fabric across a plurality of rolls that have a rough surface and that apply compression to the fabric. The steps of applying fabric to a tenter frame and heating of the fabric is also included. The present invention also provides for a fabric in certain exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Northeast Textiles, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gordon
  • Patent number: 7596839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drawing a film web, made from a thermoplastic plastic, comprising at least one driven roller (2), driven at a speed V1 and at least one second driven roller (3), driven at a speed V2, where V1<V2. The rollers (2, 3) are serially arranged such that a drawing gap (4) is embodied between the two rollers (2, 3). A width-maintaining device is arranged in the drawing gap (4), which mechanically grips both edges of the film web such that the width of the film web is essentially maintained during the longitudinal drawing in the drawing gap (4). The invention further relates to a method for the longitudinal drawing of films which are drawn by means of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Treofan Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Busch, Albrecht Freynhofer, Gerhard Koch, Michael Thull
  • Patent number: 7587798
    Abstract: The machine for the production of a nonwoven comprises an expanding device which is arranged in-between a first consolidation by water jets and a second consolidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Rieter Perfojet
    Inventors: Andre Michalon, Frederic Noelle
  • Patent number: 7513770
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening carpet prior to laying the carpet on a floor surface. The apparatus includes an entry conveyor from which carpet is unrolled and fed into a heating section. In the heating section, the carpet is heated sufficient to soften backing material on the carpet. The heated carpet is then fed into a heated straightening section where longitudinal forces are applied while the backing is still soft so that a pattern in the carpet is straightened and held in the straightened position until the carpet has cooled somewhat. The apparatus further includes a cooling section for cooling of the carpet, after which the carpet is rolled back up on an exit conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hurst, R. Shawn Marshall, Owen L. Marks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7503941
    Abstract: The elastic fabric comprising a cross-linked polyolefin fiber, wherein the fabric has retractions both in warp-wise and weft-wise directions of the fabric of 8% or less after treated by dry heat at 65° C. for 30 minutes is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for producing an elastic fabric, comprising: retracting a fabric comprising a cross-linked polyolefin fiber while dyeing the fabric, and then stretching or relaxing the fabric at a stretch ratio of 15% or less to finish the fabric with heat-setting. The present invention relates to an elastic fabric having an excellent chemical resistance and an excellent dimensional stability in the form of a product, which is suitably used for sporting fabrics such as swimming suits, leotards and the like, inner fabrics for ladies as well as outer fabrics, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hamano, Akira Nishimoto, Seishyu Hayashi, Yasuo Ohta, Rajen M. Patel, Rona L. Reid, Antonio Batistini
  • Publication number: 20080313872
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening carpet prior to laying the carpet on a floor surface. The apparatus includes an entry conveyor from which carpet is unrolled and fed into a heating section. In the heating section, the carpet is heated sufficient to soften backing material on the carpet. The heated carpet is then fed into a heated straightening section where longitudinal forces are applied while the backing is still soft so that a pattern in the carpet is straightened and held in the straightened position until the carpet has cooled somewhat. The apparatus further includes a cooling section for cooling of the carpet, after which the carpet is rolled back up on an exit conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hurst, R. Shawn Marshall, Gavin B. Rumble
  • Patent number: 7437807
    Abstract: A tufted backing and a method of manufacturing a tufted backing from thermoplastic polymer fibers or filaments that are processed to yield a spunbonded nonwoven are described, the spunbonded nonwoven containing only fibers or filaments having a titer of 1 to 15 dtex, the mass per unit area of the tufted backing being 70 to 110 g/m2, its density being 0.18 to 0.28 g/cm3 and the 5% modulus value in the machine direction being >60 N/5 cm, but at least 0.6 Nm2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freusenberg KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Gärtner, Peter Sander, Detlef Barbier, Ulrike Maaβ, Engelbert Löcher, Ararad Emirze, Klaus Klein, Christine König
  • Publication number: 20080052884
    Abstract: A method of forming a fabric is provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of yarn and batching the yarn on an A-frame so that the fabric is formed with a width greater than 102 inches and with a twill weave with a satin face. Also included is the step of passing the fabric across a plurality of rolls that have a rough surface and that apply compression to the fabric. The steps of applying fabric to a tenter frame and heating of the fabric is also included. The present invention also provides for a fabric in certain exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Northeast Textiles, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gordon
  • Patent number: 7284305
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and process for automatically cutting a textile web with reduced wrinkling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Phillip Allen, John H. Deason, Wayne Wright, Jimmy Beard
  • Patent number: 7243404
    Abstract: A web-spreading device and a web-spreading process are provided. The web-spreading device, is provided whereby a first web strand being conveyed and a second web strand being conveyed next to the first web strand in a web-processing machine can be offset in parallel to one another in order to set a spread. A frame supports a first deflecting device (5r; 5r?), which forms a first deflection axis for the first web strand (Br), and a second deflecting device (6r; 6r?), which forms a second deflection axis for the first web strand (Br), which deflection axis is the next deflection axis for the first deflection axis in the conveying direction (F). The first web strand (Br) is offset in parallel by wrapping around the deflecting device (5r, 6r; 5r?, 6r?) and the spread (X; X+Y) is thus set in its entirety or in part. At least one of the deflecting devices (5r, 6r; 5r?, 6r?) is mounted adjustably along an adjustment path in the frame (2) in order to set the spread (X; X+Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: WIFAG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Reto Weiss
  • Patent number: 7039990
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 6996881
    Abstract: Method and plant for processing in the form of washing and/or ironing of substantially flat items (4), such as textiles and the like, which individually can be fed continuously and successively into a processing plant. The processing plant contains fixed as well as movable, tubular parts (12, 13, 14, 15), where the process or the processes take place in a forwardly-progressing movement by means of a holding arrangement (6) with a holding device (7) for the securing and stretching-out of one or more items (4), the holding arrangement (6) securing the item (4) or the items (4) from the feeding-in part (1) in the process, through washing and/or ironing parts until the processes are concluded. A plant for the execution of the method was the fixed and the movable parts which form part of the processing part of the plant consisting of a number of tubular elements (12, 13, 14, 15) which are disposed in a substantially horizontal manner and transversely to the processing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Katva Investments Limited
    Inventor: Bent Ivan Kjellberg
  • Patent number: 6973702
    Abstract: This invention provides a web expander comprising means for carrying a web 2 having longitudinal slits, means 5 for expanding the width of the web, and opening control means 6 for uniformly forming size and form of openings of the web expanded by said means for expanding. The means 5 for expanding the width consists of a flat expander 15 and two pairs of cloth guider 21, and opening control means 6 comprises two expander rolls 31 as a rotatable ribbed roll, the ribbed roll being adapted to be applied to one side of the traveling net-like web to rotate in the direction in which the net-like web 2 is reduced in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Harashige
  • Patent number: 6938309
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Publication number: 20040234643
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening carpet prior to laying the carpet on a floor surface. The apparatus includes an entry conveyor from which carpet is unrolled and fed into a heating section. In the heating section, the carpet is heated sufficient to soften backing material on the carpet. The heated carpet is then fed into a heated straightening section where longitudinal forces are applied while the backing is still soft so that a pattern in the carpet is straightened and held in the straightened position until the carpet has cooled somewhat. The apparatus further includes a cooling section for cooling of the carpet, after which the carpet is rolled back up on an exit conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hurst, R. Shawn Marshall, Owen L. Marks
  • Patent number: 6800235
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening carpet prior to laying the carpet on a floor surface. The apparatus includes an entry conveyor from which carpet is unrolled and fed into a heating section. In the heating section, the carpet is heated sufficient to soften backing material on the carpet. The heated carpet is then fed into a heated straightening section where longitudinal forces are applied while the backing is still soft so that a pattern in the carpet is straightened and held in the straightened position until the carpet has cooled somewhat. The apparatus further includes a cooling section for cooling of the carpet, after which the carpet is rolled back up on an exit conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: S & K Flooring
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hurst, R. Shawn Marshall, Owen L. Marks, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040115411
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Publication number: 20040000041
    Abstract: This invention provides a web expander comprising means for carrying a web 2 having longitudinal slits, means 5 for expanding the width of the web, and opening control means 6 for uniformly forming size and form of openings of the web expanded by said means for expanding. The means 5 for expanding the width consists of a flat expander 15 and two pairs of cloth guider 21, and opening control means 6 comprises two expander rolls 31 as a rotatable ribbed roll, the ribbed roll being adapted to be applied to one side of the traveling net-like web to rotate in the direction in which the net-like web 2 is reduced in width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: NIPPON PETROCHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Harashige
  • Patent number: 6598276
    Abstract: Lightweight, non-woven loop products for hook-and-loop fastening are disclosed, as are methods for making them and end products employing them. The products are non-woven webs of entangled fibers of substantial tenacity, the fibers forming both a sheet-form, bonded web body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from the web body. The product is, in important cases, stretched before bonding to produce spaced-apart loop clusters extending from a very thin web of taut fibers. In important cases a binder is added to stabilize the product in its stretched condition. An example of the loop product is produced by needle-punching a batt of staple fibers in multiple needle-punching operations, applying a foamed acrylic binder, and then stretching the needled batt and curing the binder with the batt stretched. Other forming techniques are disclosed and several novel articles employing such loop products are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, Paul R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6329016
    Abstract: Lightweight, non-woven loop products for hook-and-loop fastening are disclosed, as are methods for making them and end products employing them. The products are non-woven webs of entangled fibers of substantial tenacity, the fibers forming both a sheet-form web body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from the web body. The product is stretched and stabilized to produce spaced-apart loop clusters extending from a very thin web of taut fibers. In important cases a binder is added to stabilize the product in its stretched condition. An example of the loop product is produced by needle-punching a batt of staple fibers in multiple needle-punching operations, applying a foamed acrylic binder, and then stretching the needled batt and curing the binder with the batt stretched. Other forming techniques are disclosed and several novel articles and uses employing such loop products are described, such as for filters and fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, Paul R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5996196
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for adapting speed, in particular for nippers (1) which can be made to travel along a rail arrangement (3), is distinguished by the following featuresa rotating and electrically conductive eddy-current body (17), preferably designed in the form of an eddy-current wheel or an eddy-current cylinder, is provided,the guide rail arrangement (3) runs at least over and away from a partial region of the eddy-current body (17) with a tangential component,on the carriages (1) which can be made to travel along the guide rail arrangement (3) there is provided or can be excited at least one magnet (7a, 7b), which is arranged on the side facing the eddy-current body (17) and, in the region of the eddy-current body (17), can be moved over and away from the eddy-current body (17), with an air gap being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Breil, Gunter Oedl, Paul Lindner, Ulrich Ruhlemann, Bernd Sieber
  • Patent number: 5749400
    Abstract: A combination of rigid, non-elastic wefts with other wefts which are elastic and much thinner allows the creation of a figured, elastic fabric. The floats of the elastic wefts may be stretched between points of bindings. It is the density of the elastic threads along with the length of the elastic weft floats which determines the fabric's elasticity. This ratio is retained throughout the width of the material. Once the weaving process is completed, the fabric undergoes a process which takes place in a tenter subject to temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C., saturated in wet steam. This process acts on the elastic wefts, increasing their elasticity by 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: M. Hidalgo Beistequi, S.A.
    Inventor: D. Samual Botella Pascual
  • Patent number: 5666704
    Abstract: A improved upper level de-twisting mechanism is provided to facilitate the handling of rope form fabric as it is drawn from a bulk container, typically in wet condition, and conveyed to a processing operation, such as spreading. The mechanism includes a rigid support positioned under a lifting roller and mounting a poteye through which the fabric is drawn. Three or more grooved guide rollers engage the lower flange of the poteye, supporting it for rotation about its axis. A reversible drive motor is mounted along side the poteye and drive belts are trained about the drive motor output and the grooved external contours of the poteye for controllably rotating the poteye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Tubular Textile LLC
    Inventors: Ellie E. Price, William C. Hardin, Jr., Chris Bostian
  • Patent number: 5657520
    Abstract: Woven or knit fabric is pre-tentered (stretched) prior to hydroenhancement treatment to a predetermined width in excess of the desired finished width of the fabric. The pre-tentering width is selected so that the expected shrinkage caused by the hydroenhancing process reduces the width of the enhanced fabric to slightly less than the desired finished width. The fabric is post-tentered hydroenhancing process only by a slight amount to the exact desired finished width. Since only a slight increase in width is required, there is very little loss in cover of the enhanced fabric. Post-tentering to a slight increase in width will also provide a slight tension for holding the fabric in the tenter clips and prevent the fabric from dragging in the tenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: J. Michael Greenway, Frederick Ty
  • Patent number: 5594998
    Abstract: A heat shield which is attached to a heatable roller in a stretching machine for the treatment of felt and wire cloths is designed to have channels for the heating medium extending in the machine direction. The ducts may be grouped in sections having a connection to an inlet and outlet manifold. Each section is attached to a by-pass. In this way a heating medium can be fed into the shield in controlled portions over the longitudinal direction of the shield thus obtaining the possibility of control and regulation of the temperature profile over the cross-section of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Kvaerner Eureka a.s
    Inventors: Gunnar Eriksen, Sissel W. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5590445
    Abstract: In a tape extension device for a semiconductor producing apparatus having a vertical tension device for tensing a tape, which is withdrawn from a tape roller, in a down-web direction above a semiconductor wafer, the tape extension device in the present invention comprises a lateral tension device. The lateral tension device includes clamp means for clamping an edge of a side of the tape in a cross-web direction which tape is extended in the down-web direction by means of the vertical tension device, another clamp means for clamping another edge of the tape, and drive means for opening and closing both of the clamp means in the cross-web direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Teikoku Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Lee
  • Patent number: 5523141
    Abstract: An extensible composite fabric including a multiplicity of continuous fibers extending in one direction and distorted into aligned, locally parallel, curved paths for imparting extensibility to the fabric in that direction, and a method and apparatus for making such a composite fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Fyler
  • Patent number: 5430915
    Abstract: In a cloth piece spreading apparatus which carries out a process in which, after a corner C.sub.1 of a rectangular cloth piece 15 and a position Ya on the side of the cloth piece which includes this corner C.sub.1 are gripped by a movable gripper 16 to which there are attached two clips 17, and the cloth piece 15 is suspended naturally, the cloth piece 15 is pulled by the gripper 16 and is moved horizontally to the upper surface of a bench 35, which consists of a belt conveyor and the like, while undergoing contact resistance with a convex shaped front edge portion 36 of the bench 35, and is then pulled up onto the bench 35, there is provided a suction duct 47 having numerous suction holes 48 in the half the surface of the cloth edge side of the cloth pulling path on bench 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueda, Hidetoshi Ishihara, Koichi Jinno, Kazuo Kitajima, Toshio Hattori, Kimiharu Fujihashi
  • Patent number: 5375305
    Abstract: A honeycomb manufacturing expander mechanism which includes a cam or guide plate having two sets of guide slots respectively extending outwardly in opposite directions away from a center portion of the plate. The inboard ends of the slots in each set are equally spaced from each other. In extending outwardly, the slots in each set converge such that the spacing between the outboard ends of each slot is less than that of the inboard ends. Disposed beneath the plate are a pair of mutually parallel bars, each carrying a plurality of expander pins which extend upwardly through corresponding slots in the plate. The bars are movable in concert from positions beneath the inboard ends of the slots to positions beneath the outboard ends of the slots by one or more motor-driven lead screw drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Supracor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Stillman
  • Patent number: 5357661
    Abstract: A stretching machine for treating removable belts supported on rollers, such as felts and wires in papermaking machines, comprises two rollers, over which the belt is trained in a loop. A heated belt contact structure has a contact surface adapted to contact the belt on the outside of the loop and between the rollers. A press roller is adapted to make press contact with the belt on the inside of the loop opposite the belt contact structure. The belt contact structure comprises a glide contact surface and a roller, the press roller acting against this latter roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Kvaerner Eureka a.s.
    Inventors: Gunnar Eriksen, Sissel W. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5296289
    Abstract: A spun bonded nonwoven web having spaced autogenous spot bonds A has continuous ribs B of filaments therebetween extending axially in the machine direction as well as continuous ribs C extending axially in the cross direction throughout the web, said nonwoven web having been subjected to axial stretching and elongation with increased area and reduction in basis weight by at least about thirty (30%) percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Loren M. Collins
  • Patent number: 5191686
    Abstract: Lengthwise stretching machines for thermoplastic synthetic films are equipped with mechanical or opto-electrical devices for detecting a tearing of the film or an accumulation of film on the stretching rollers and for stopping the machine when tearing or accumulation occurs, to protect the stretching rollers. Unallowable loads and possible damage to the roller bearings are avoided by mounting the bearing housings (1, 2) of each roller (3, 4, 5) of a lower roller (7) in the machine frame for cooperation with a force generating device (8) which presses the respective bearing housing (1, 2) toward oppositely located rollers (9, 10, 11) of an upper roller group (12) to an extent permitted by stops (14, 15) rigidly arranged on the machine frame (13). The rollers (3, 4, 5) of the lower group received in the bearing housing (1, 2) can overcome the pressing force of the device (8) to slide in a yielding direction away from the upper rollers, when a roller accumulates film thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Maierhofer, Willi Eberle, Adolf Mueller