Abstract: Method and device for the transport of foil in a transport direction, in particular, for an stretching plant, wherein at least one upper moving rope and at least one lower moving rope are guided, and the at least one upper moving rope and the at least one lower moving rope clamp the foil at its lateral edge at least in places and take it along.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of directing bias tows of a fabric to be wrapped around a form to create a fabric preform. The fabric includes at least a first set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another and a second set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another but that are not parallel with the first set of bias tows. An edge strip is attached to ends of the first set of bias tows at a first lateral edge of the fabric relative to a feed direction of the fabric onto the form. The edge strip is moved to direct the first set of bias tows. The fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis of the form to create the fabric preform.

Abstract: A web centering and spreading processing system and related method are used to center a moving web and then spread the web in order to remove wrinkles from the web. The centering mechanism, in one example, has a centering roller that receives the wrinkles web. The outer edges of the web, which tend to be uneven and not centered, are detected and a signal is sent to the centering roller to move the web laterally and thereby center the web. The centered web, which is substantially centered but not necessarily precisely centered, moves to a spreader station that receives the web and spreads it thereby removing any wrinkles in the web. The spreader station may include a roller with a recessed center area and that has at least one set of contoured plates that move across the roller from an inner position to an outer position. The plates have gripping surfaces that grip the edges of the web and spread the web to remove the wrinkles.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning, stretching or pulling a traveling web of material (e.g., single or multiple layers) lateral to the longitudinal or machine direction of the traveling web is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one but usually a pair of clamping devices to be disposed opposite each other on lateral edges of the traveling web upstream of a processing area where the clamping devices include stationary members, where at least one stationary member includes first and second ends and a material-engagement surface, wherein, when in operational position, the first and second ends define a direction of the material-engagement surface that is transverse to the machine direction of the traveling web. A method of stretching or pulling a single layer or multiple layer web of material laterally to the machine direction of the traveling web to remove wrinkles also is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for transversely stretching a web includes a pair of pulleys arranged in the substantially same plane and rotating in the opposite directions to each other and a pair of belts running around the pulleys, respectively. The web is widthwise stretched, by gripping opposite side edges thereof by the pulleys and the belts and conveying the web in a divergent manner. At least one pair of pressing rolls are provided at an inclination relative to the belts for pressing the opposite side edges of the web onto the belts prior to being gripped between the pulleys and the belts. According to this structure, a device for transversely stretching a web is realized which is capable of effectively preventing the web from being dropped from the grip.

Abstract: A film stretching structure holds a non-self-supporting film, sheet or the like taut so that the film, sheet or the like may not crease or slacken. The film stretching structure comprises a frame structure having, as principal components, a quadrangular outer frame having two opposite side members for supporting a film, a sheet or the like thereon, and an inner frame having side members substantially parallel to those of the outer frame, respectively, and disposed inside the outer frame so as to form gaps between the side members of the outer frame and the corresponding side frames of the inner frame, respectively, and bar-shaped stretching members. A film, a sheet or the like is supported on the two opposite side members of the outer frame, and the stretching members are pushed together with portions of the film, the sheet or the like into the gaps contiguous with the opposite side members of the outer frame supporting the film, the sheet or the like to stretch the same.

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.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for conveying a web. The apparatus is able to continuously stretch the web or continuously release the stretching forces from a web in the cross-machine direction. The apparatus includes two pairs of opposing belts wherein each belt travels along an endless path. The pairs of belts diverge or converge from each other in the cross-machine direction. Each pair of belts comprises an upper belt and a lower belt which are adjacent to each other. Each of the upper and lower belts has a non-planar outer surface which contacts the web. The non-planar outer surfaces of each upper belt continuously abuts the non-planar outer surface of its adjacent lower belt along a predetermined distance when traveling in the machine direction. This creates at least one nip for continuously gripping the web while it is being conveyed. The apparatus also includes a means for driving the belts so as to convey the web in the machine direction.

Abstract: A process for longitudinally stretching a polymeric film having thickened longitudinal edges while the film is constrained in the lateral dimension by a plurality of successive pairs of grippers, the improvement comprising first guiding the film with a first group of gripper pairs having a predetermined clearance therebetween; and then gripping the film with a second group of gripper pairs with a predetermined amount of force. An apparatus for use in the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid-operated stabilizing apparatus receives an article having loose, wrinkled overlapping surfaces and by use of fluid flow control devices directs flows of fluid to the overlapping surfaces to fluidly shake the surfaces to smooth out wrinkles and any folded portions thereof, and then to align and hold the surfaces for subsequent treatment, such as bonding together. A method is also provided for smoothing and aligning the overlapping surfaces for subsequent treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading and guiding a web of textile fabric or the like being longitudinally fed, comprising a pair of web spreading and guiding devices disposed at opposite sides of the web, each device comprising a pair of rotary members rotatably supported in generally axially spaced apart and opposed relation to each other, with the axis of rotation of one of the rotary members being tilted relative to the axis of rotation of the other of the rotary members. The tilted rotary member is provided on the periphery thereof with a circular array of pushing members projecting toward the corresponding periphery of the other rotary member. As the two rotary members are rotated about their respective axes by friction with the running web held therebetween, the pushing members successively come to engage a selvage of the running web at a nipping point and disengage from the selvage at a releasing point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to remove wrinkles in a running web of material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transversely stretching a fibrous or film-like material. The material is subjected to a monoaxial transverse stretch which progresses divergently along an arcuate track. An apparatus to implement this method is also disclosed, which essentially comprises a pair of pulleys and a pair of V-belts cooperating in releasably gripping therebetween opposite selvages of a given material, the pulleys being rotative in the same plane in opposite directions so that the material is stretched along a progressively diverging arcuate track.

Abstract: Longitudinal and transverse stretching of a tubular film is effected by gripping opposite selvages of the tubular film between a pair of substantially coplanar pulleys and a pair of endless belt means trained arcuately around the pulleys, respectively, and by rotating the pulleys at a peripheral speed greater than a speed of feed of the tubular film. As the film selvages progress along a pair of arcuate divergent paths, respectively, around the pulleys, the film is heated, reversed in direction of travel, and cut along the selvages into a pair of biaxially stretched sheets. Before stretching of the film, live steam is introduced into the tubular film for heating the same.