Abstract: A process and a device are suggested for the placement and fixing of a sheet, which is at least partially implemented as a closed flat structure, of filaments, lying essentially in a plane, for the production of scrims having the filament sheet, wherein the filament sheet is placed, as part of the filament sheet sections forming the closed surface and as separate filament sheet sections, between two conveyor units (13) supplying a connecting station (6), with the filament sheet sections (1) being fixed onto the conveyor unit at each of both end regions with a fixing element (2, 3) and the interval of the fixing elements (2, 3) of a filament sheet section (1) relative to the conveyor units (13) being selected in such a way that the filament sheet sections (1) are, in their fixed state, positioned essentially flat between the conveyor units (13), at least immediately before entering the connecting station (6).

Abstract: A sweat draining cloth with fabric-like surfaces comprises a layer of middle thin elastic layer having a plurality of ventilation holes; an upper hydrophilic fiber layer; a lower hydrophilic fiber layer. In each ventilation hole area, the upper hydrophilic fiber layer is snapped to form with an upper snapper section; and the lower hydrophilic fiber layer is snapped so form a lower snapper section. The upper snapped section is connected to the lower hydrophilic fiber layer through the hole and the lower snapped section is connected to the upper hydrophilic fiber layer through the hole.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a reinforced gel-forming fabric composite comprising a reinforcing layer and gel-forming fibre material is characterized in that the gel-forming fibre material in non-woven fabric form is needled into the reinforcing layer from one side so as to penetrate through the reinforcing layer and form a layer of gel-forming fibre material on both sides of the reinforcing layer. The resulting fabric finds use in a wound dressing.

Abstract: A composite sheet is disclosed. The composite sheet comprises an open random fibrous web having substantially vertical fibers near a top surface, a first binder resin and a second binder resin, wherein the first binder resin has a melting point lower than the melting point of the second binder resin, wherein the melting point of the second resin is lower than the melting point of the web, wherein the resins are activated in situ with the web fibers to form a resin-fiber rich region on the top surface and wherein the abrasion-resistant sheet can withstand at least about 3,000 cycles on the Wyzenbeek abrasion test using 80-grit abrasive paper. An abrasion-resistant sheet comprising a single binder resin and other abrasion-resistant sheets are also disclosed. Processes for making these abrasion-resistant sheets are further disclosed herein.

Abstract: A process for producing yarns that have enhanced resistance to unraveling and linting, wherein the yarns are moved along guides through a needle loom where a series of needles engage the yarns. This engagement of the yarns by the needles causes the fibers of the yarns to become intermixed.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with at least one needleboard (1) which is drivable in a reciprocating manner by at least one eccentric drive in the needle-penetration direction, which needleboard is linked to the eccentric drive via push rods (6) each displaceably held in a guide sleeve (7), which eccentric drive consists of two parallel eccentric shafts (2, 3) which are drivable in opposite directions and are provided with connecting rods (4), with the guide sleeves (7) being swivelably held about an axle (8) extending parallel to the eccentric shafts (2, 3). In order to provide simple constructional conditions it is proposed that the two eccentric shafts (2, 3) are provided with a different angular position (&phgr;) and that the connecting rods (4) of the two eccentric shafts (2, 3) extend in an inclined manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling at least one yarn (16) with at least one needle board (4) which is reciprocatable in the needling direction, with a stitch base (1) which is disposed opposite of the needle board (4) and is made of an endlessly revolving brush belt (3), and with a stripper (5) which is disposed between the stitch base (1) and the needle board and which forms at least one guide duct (9) for the yarn (16) extending in the revolving direction (10) of the brush belt (3) and comprises in the region of said guide duct (9) pass-through openings (20) for the needles (8) of the needle board (4). In order to provide advantageous needling conditions it is proposed that the guide duct (9) is provided between guide walls (15) engaging in the brush belt (3), which guide walls delimit a duct cross section which tapers towards the yarn (16) in the region of the brush engagement.

Abstract: A system for the needle treatment of a conveyable fiber bat is provided with at least one conveying device having a plurality of needles that can be inserted into and withdrawn from a fiber bat. At least one rotating cylinder is provided to make possible a high needle-treatment speed and a uniform structure of the needle-felted fiber bat. The outside of this rotating cylinder forms a conveying surface for the fiber bat. The needles can pass through the conveying device from the inside toward the outside. The needles penetrate the fiber bat perpendicular to the conveying direction and then withdraw. The outside of the rotating cylinder, the fiber bat, and the needles have a similar speed in the conveying direction during the needle-treatment.

Abstract: A fiber preform for manufacturing a brake disk out of composite material is itself manufactured by superposing and bonding together fiber layers. Structural fiber layers (10) are used to form at least a first preform portion that is to constitute the fiber reinforcement of the brake disk core, while the or each preform portion that is to constitute the fiber reinforcement of a friction portion of the brake disk is constituted by a felt (16, 18), at least in its portion adjacent to the friction face.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cleaning laminate, which comprises an abrasive side that facilitates loosening of particulates, such as dust and dirt, and an opposing, soft absorbent side. The laminate is formed by hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing a cover for a side airbag, which comprises first producing a polyester web, preconsolidating this web by needling and end-consolidating and fully shrinking the thus preconsolidated web by means of an embossing calender, making the thus consolidated and fully shrunk web up into a cover and providing the cover with a predetermined breaking site to tear open the cover in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A non-woven weld blanket for protecting automobile exteriors and interiors and industrial equipment from weld spatter, comprising a needle punched webbing of pre-oxidized, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. The fabric is assembled using these carbon precursor fibers that have been interlocked by a needle punch process to produce a non-woven and non-plush blanket. The weld blanket is lightweight and is successful at a cost-effective thickness and density. In use, the blanket can be taped to automobile components or industrial equipment to ensure the security and protection of equipment from molten metal spatter near welding locations.

Abstract: A textile composition having improved structural integrity, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. The textile composition includes a needle-felt material of a high temperature fiber combined with a woven basalt scrim material. The textile composition is preferably formed by needle-felting the high temperature fiber into a layer of woven basalt scrim.

Abstract: A resin charged media can be a single or layered construction needled together to provide a graded-density structure of fine fibers intermixed with finer fibers. This resulting media possesses a higher particulate loading retention capability, particularly early in the filtration cycle, relative to other cellulose, spun-bonds, or other similar materials commonly applied to filtration applications where filtration is predominantly a surface-loading phenomenon. The filtration media provides for depth filtration with the multi-layered needled layers, thereby enhancing the overall particulate-holding capacity of the charged media. This results in more resistance to fine particulates and improvements in efficiency due to increased sub-micron particle loading. With the filter media consisting of a graded structure, surface loading phenomenon can be reduced and filter life improved. Since the layers in the media are physically combined using needling technology, they will not separate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a non-woven fiber fabric comprising a plurality of perforated structures extending along the entire cross-section of said fabric. The inventive method consists of the following steps: in a first step, the matted fibers are placed on a belt screen to form a web of fibers; in a second step, the web of fibers is conveyed to a perforated-structure manufacturing unit, in a third step, the perforated structures are manufactured by mechanically impinging upon the fibers, whereby the mechanical impingement upon said fibers does not affect the mechanical and chemical structure thereof; and in a fourth step, the web of fibers provided with said perforated structures is compacted in a compaction unit for form a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: An improved leather formed of a leather having an internal matrix and a fiber matrix coupled to the leather matrix, the coupling creating a supplementary fiber matrix in the leather which enhances a characteristic of the leather. The improved leather includes fibers from the fiber matrix which pierce the leather in many locations and interlocking with other fibers both within the internal matrix of the leather and on a first surface of the leather. The improved leather is useful for gloves, shoes, garments, luggage and upholstery.

Abstract: Tuftable primary backings comprise a closed-weave, woven tape fabric to which is affixed a coherent web layer comprising staple fibers with fibers oriented in at least two directions and a plurality of the fibers being fused. The web layer is affixed to the fabric by penetration of fibers from the web into the fabric. The backings have substantial weftline straightness and stability against deformations in the machine, cross and off-axis directions. Improved tufted goods and methods for making the composites and tufted goods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-woven fabric, comprises: opening and mixing different input fibres to form a uniform fibre mixture having predetermined proportions of the different input fibres; carding the fibre mixture to form a uniform web of predetermined thickness travelling in a first direction; laying onto the web high tenacity yarns which extend in the first direction and are spaced apart transversely of the first direction; depositing fixed lengths of the web in alternating fashion on a conveyor travelling in a second direction transverse to tile first direction to form on the conveyor a mat consisting of overlapping lengths of the web; and needle-punching the mat to form the non-woven fabric. Apparatus for performing this method of manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A needling loom comprising needles actuated in reciprocating motion between a retracted position and a maximum penetration position through a stripping plate, a textile web to be consolidated, and a needling loom table. The stripping plate and the needling loom table bear rails and elements for rapid assembling and disassembling for either pressing the rails against fixed crosspieces for the needling loom to operate, or for releasing the pressure and cause the rails to rest on rollers for extracting and inserting the stripping plate and the table by simple transverse sliding in the passage direction of the web. The invention is useful for reducing the time for assembling and disassembling machine components such as the stripping plate and a needling loom table for maintenance operations, in particular cleaning operations.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with a guide means (16) for the non-woven material between a perforated base plate (17) and a perforated stripping plate (18) as well as at least one needleboard (2) which is disposed on the side of the stripping plate (18) averted from the base plate (17) and is drivable in a reciprocating manner both in the needle penetration direction as well as the direction of passage (4, 15) of the non-woven material. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the base plate (17) and the stripping plate (18) are drivable synchronously with respect to the needleboard (2) in the direction of passage (15) of the non-woven material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a burner membrane comprising at least one layer consisting of a compressed, needled fibre web with a porosity of between 60% and 95%, and that is constructed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibres. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for its manufacture, comprising the steps of providing a fibre web composed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibres, needling the fibre web, and compressing the needled fibre web to the desired porosity.

Abstract: A nonwoven material which is formed of a blend of fibers diagonally needled together into an integral web for subsequent molded component parts.

Abstract: A concentrate of binder at the tufts produces a lighter and more flexible carpet, which allows for direct attachment of hook-and-loop means on the carpet backing. Thermoplastic binder yarns are pinned by the pile yarns against the primary backing. Subsequent application of heat melts the binder yarns and fuses the tufts and primary backing together. An alternate embodiment uses highly shrinkable binder sheet placed over the backing before tufting, instead of the binder yarns.

Abstract: This invention provides an organ positioning device and method that employs suction to hold organ tissue to the device. The device allows the organ, for example, heart to be positioned in a desired orientation but otherwise allowing movement of the heart as the heart beats. The device is designed to be relatively atraumatic to heart tissue. Generally, the device comprises a resiliently flexible suction head having a plurality of legs that flex to conform to the surface of the heart. The suction head has vacuum passageways in fluid communication with the legs to apply suction between the legs and the surface of the heart.

Abstract: A non-woven weld blanket for protecting automobile exteriors and interiors and industrial equipment from weld spatter, comprising a needle punched webbing of pre-oxidized, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. The fabric is assembled using these carbon precursor fibers that have been interlocked by a needle punch process to produce a non-woven and non-plush blanket. The weld blanket is lightweight and is successful at a cost-effective thickness and density. In use, the blanket can be taped to automobile components or industrial equipment to ensure the security and protection of equipment from molten metal spatter near welding locations.

Abstract: Insulative fabrics include a plurality of web layers. Each of the web layers comprises monostaple fibers having a length between about 0.5 and 2 inches. The plurality of web layers is positioned in overlying relationship and interconnected to each other (often through needle punching). In this configuration, the insulative non-woven fabric can provide a relatively low cost material with low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A loop material of a hook-and-loop fastener, comprised of a nonwoven base and a number of loops which are formed at least on one plane side of the nonwoven base. The nonwoven base is formed by accumulating a number of filaments or fibers. An antislipping agent is deposited at least on the surface of the loops, thereby the surface of the loops become uneven. Or, by deformation on the surface of the loops due to thermal plasticity, the surface of the loops become uneven. Due to this unevenness, projections of the hook material are difficult to get out of the loops and a hook-and-loop fastener having high joining strength is obtained.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding a fiber fleece web to a needling machine, a compacting means is arranged between a pre-compressor and a supply roller pair, said compacting means having rollers provided with teeth at their circumference. These rollers compress the fiber fleece and effect a partial re-orientation of the fibers from the horizontal into the vertical, which contributes to substantially maintaining the compacting of the fiber fleece. The compacting means may together with the supply roller pair form a drawing zone for the fiber fleece web. The compacting means preferably includes at least one roller triple that consists of two lower rollers arranged at a low mutual distance in juxtaposition, and upper rollers bridging over the gusset between the lower rollers. The rollers of the roller triple are provided on their periphery with all-steel armaments, and the supply rollers are preferably also provided with all-steel armaments and have higher speeds of rotation than the rollers of the roller triple.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven (2) with at least one support (6) for a needleboard (4) held in a frame (12) and with two parallel eccentric drives (7, 8) which are disposed between the frame (12) and the needleboard support (6) and are made of two parallel eccentric shafts (9 and 10) each for the needleboard drive in the needling direction on the one hand and in the direction of passage of the non-woven on the other hand. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that an intermediate support (13) is provided between the needleboard support (6) and the frame (12) and that the intermediate support (13) is guided with respect to the frame (12) and the needleboard support (6) with respect to the intermediate support (13) in circular paths by way of the two eccentric drives (7, 8) which are disposed on the one hand between the frame (12) and the intermediate support (13) and on the other hand between the intermediate support (13) and the needleboard support (6).

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with a support (1) for at least one needleboard (3) with at least two eccentric drives (7, 8) which are drivably connected with the support (1) via connecting rods (9, 10) and with a device for adjusting the mutual angular position of the two eccentric drives (7, 8). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the device for adjusting the mutual angular position of the two eccentric drives (7, 8) consists of a superposition gear (17) in a gear train (11) for the drive connection of the two eccentric drives (7, 8).

Abstract: A nonwoven, metal fabric is formed by providing a mass of loose fibers with sufficient lubricating oil for them to be carded without disintegration of the fiber web. The fiber web is then lapped and needled to form a metal fabric of superior strength, density, and thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a needling loom comprising needles (8) actuated in reciprocating motion between a retracted position and a maximum penetration position (8a) through a stripping plate (1), a textile web to be consolidated (3), and a needling loom table (101). The stripping plate (1) and the needling loom table (101) bear rails (27, 127) and means for rapid assembling and disassembling (38, 138) for either pressing the rails (27, 127) against fixed crosspieces (34, 134) for the needling loom to operate, or for releasing said pressure and cause the rails (27, 127) to rest on rollers for extracting and inserting the stripping plate (1) and the table (101) by simple transverse sliding in the passage direction of the web (3).

Abstract: A fiber structure for needling is driven so as to impart a speed of advance thereto past a needling head carrying a plurality of needles that are driven with reciprocating motion during which they penetrate into the fiber structure and are extracted therefrom. The instantaneous speed of advance of the fiber structure decreases in response to the resistance to advance caused by the needles penetrating and subsequently increases on the needles being withdrawn. The force exerted on the needles by the advance of the structure is thus limited, without completely interrupting advance throughout the time that needles are present within the structure. The fiber structure can be caused to advance by means of a transmission presenting mechanical slack suitable for absorbing the decrease in the speed of advance caused directly by the resistance to advance that is exerted by the needles.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat adapted to reinforce thermoplastic polymeric molding material is provided with improved flow properties in the molding process without sacrificing strength and without unduly increasing loft of the mat. The improvement is achieved by needling the mat from both sides with the number of needle punches per unit area on one side being greater than that on the opposite side.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with a support (1) receiving at least one needleboard (3), which support is drivable in a reciprocating fashion both in the needle-penetration direction (5) as well as the direction of passage (6) of the non-woven material and on which are coupled the connecting rods (9, 10) of two oppositely drivable eccentric drives (7, 8) for the drive in the needle-penetration direction (5) and on which acts at least one additional eccentric drive (7, 8), and with a device for setting the movement component of the support in the direction of passage (6) of the non-woven material.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with a guide means (16) for the non-woven material between a perforated base plate (17) and a perforated stripping plate (18) as well as at least one needleboard (2) which is disposed on the side of the stripping plate (18) averted from the base plate (17) and is drivable in a reciprocating manner both in the needle penetration direction as well as the direction of passage (4, 15) of the non-woven material. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the base plate (17) and the stripping plate (18) are drivable synchronously with respect to the needleboard (2) in the direction of passage (15) of the non-woven material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding a fiber fleece web to a needling machine, a compacting means is arranged between a pre-compressor and a supply roller pair, said compacting means having rollers provided with teeth at their circumference. These rollers compress the fiber fleece and effect a partial re-orientation of the fibers from the horizontal into the vertical, which contributes to substantially maintaining the compacting of the fiber fleece. The compacting means may together with the supply roller pair form a drawing zone for the fiber fleece web. The compacting means preferably includes at least one roller triple that consists of two lower rollers arranged at a low mutual distance in juxtaposition, and upper rollers bridging over the gusset between the lower rollers. The rollers of the roller triple are provided on their periphery with all-steel armaments, and the supply rollers are preferably also provided with all-steel armaments and have higher speeds of rotation than the rollers of the roller triple.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for needling a non-woven material with a support (1) for at least one needleboard (3) with at least two eccentric drives (7, 8) which are drivably connected with the support (1) via connecting rods (9, 10) and with a device for adjusting the mutual angular position of the two eccentric drives (7, 8). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the device for adjusting the mutual angular position of the two eccentric drives (7, 8) consists of a superposition gear (17) in a gear train (11) for the drive connection of the two eccentric drives (7, 8).

Abstract: A system for the needle treatment of a conveyable fiber bat is provided with at least one conveying device having a plurality of needles that can be inserted into and withdrawn from a fiber bat. At least one rotating cylinder is provided to make possible a high needle-treatment speed and a uniform structure of the needle-felted fiber bat. The outside of this rotating cylinder forms a conveying surface for the fiber bat. The needles can pass through the conveying device from the inside toward the outside. The needles penetrate the fiber bat perpendicular to the conveying direction and then withdraw. The outside of the rotating cylinder, the fiber bat, and the needles have a similar speed in the conveying direction during the needle-treatment.

Abstract: A device for making textile products from fibers and/or filaments moving in the form of a web is essentially formed by the cross-over movement of a set of identical spaced apart looper discs located on a common transverse axis with a set of identical looper fingers. The looper discs have spaced apart teeth along their perimeter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining adequate orientation of elements constituting a web, such as fibres and/or filaments, for example derived from a card, characterized in that it consists in: subjecting the fibre to a pre-looping step produced by the interpenetration of a first set of looping discs (11) borne on a common transverse shaft (10) and continuously driven in rotation at a first speed (V1), and of a first set of fixed looping elements (12), the set of looping discs (11) and the set of looping elements (12) having a predetermined gauge (j) so as to cause the fibres and/or filaments to be pre-looped with an undulating value or interval (j), retaining with blocking means said fibres and/or filaments at regular intervals by a length (n×j) where n is an integer ranging between 2 and 20; allowing the pre-looped fibres and/or filaments to expand so as to produce large undulations having an undulating value or interval (n×j); and spreading by simple drawing the pre-looped fibres and/o

Abstract: The invention relates to a ballistic resistant material having a V50 value of at least about 1000 feet per second. The ballistic resistant material includes at least two types of fibrous materials, which are blended and consolidated together, preferably by needlepunching, to create a single layer of nonwoven, composite material. The needle punching is preferably in the range of 200 to 1000 needlepunches per square inch. The fibrous materials are characterized by being deformed when subjected to the impact of a ballistic object. One of the fibers phase changes, e.g. melting, upon impact and at least one other fiber fibrillates upon impact. One of the fibers must phase change at a temperature at least 80° C. lower than the highest melting or destruction point fiber in the high modulus fiber blend.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable rug underlay manufactured from needle-punched fibers arranged to form a non-woven felt fabric, to which an acrylic latex pressure sensitive adhesive is applied by a dipping process that coats the surfaces of the fibers and fills the interstices between the fibers. The acrylic adhesive is applied to the felt substrate in a dip and squeeze operation, which passes a felt web through a trough of adhesive and then through an excess adhesive removal station, after which, a protective releasable polymer film is applied to the exposed adhesive surfaces prior to curing step. The acrylic adhesive is selected to exhibit sufficient tackiness, while not leaving a residue after removal of the rug underlay from the underlying surface.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric comprising multiple, layers of a web formed from a blended mixture of metal fibers and nonmetal fibers is provided. The metal fibers preferably have a rough outer surface with irregular shaped cross-sections that vary along their length. The fibers of adjacent layers of the web material are interengaged in a needlepunching step. The composite nonwoven fabrics of the invention, which have very good isotropic strength. In a preferred embodiment, the composite nonwoven fabric is employed as a floor buffing pad for use with an electric floor buffing apparatus.

Abstract: In a method for treating a yarn by needling, with the yarn fibers being drawn transversally to the longitudinal direction of the yarn, it is proposed that fibers of a yarn formed from staple fibers are needled in a brush support before the yarn is removed from the brush support.

Abstract: Tuftable primary backings comprise a closed-weave, woven tape fabric to which is affixed a coherent web layer comprising staple fibers with fibers oriented in at least two directions and a plurality of the fibers being fused. The web layer is affixed to the fabric by penetration of fibers from the web into the fabric. The backings have substantial weftline straightness and stability against deformations in the machine, cross and off-axis directions. Improved tufted goods and methods for making the composites and tufted goods are also provided.

Abstract: The description refers to a facility for needling of fleece with a needle bar (6) taking up at least one needle board (1), which is driven to and fro via axially displaceable pushing rods (7, 8) by means of an eccentric drive (11). To facilitate a longer needle board in fleece feed direction, we suggest to fix the needle bar (1) at two rows of pushing rods (7, 8), arranged in tandem at some distance from each other in fleece feed direction and connected via a crosshead (9), and to make the eccentric drive (11) act upon the crosshead (9).

Abstract: A fiber structure for needling is driven so as to impart a speed of advance thereto past a needling head carrying a plurality of needles that are driven with reciprocating motion during which they penetrate into the fiber structure and are extracted therefrom. The instantaneous speed of advance of the fiber structure decreases in response to the resistance to advance caused by the needles penetrating and subsequently increases on the needles being withdrawn. The force exerted on the needles by the advance of the structure is thus limited, without completely interrupting advance throughout the time that needles are present within the structure. The fiber structure can be caused to advance by means of a transmission presenting mechanical slack suitable for absorbing the decrease in the speed of advance caused directly by the resistance to advance that is exerted by the needles.