Abstract: A needle board storage apparatus is used for the removal, storage, and transport of needle boards during replacement in a needle loom. The apparatus includes a two stage magazine designed to accommodate two full compliments of needle boards for any needle zone in a given needle loom. One stage of the magazine provides independent storage for spent needle boards as they are removed from the needle loom, while the other stage contains replacement needle boards that will later be loaded into the loom. An assembly allows the entire magazine to be moved from a first stage position for unloading spent needle boards to a second stage position for loading replacement needle boards. Needle board receiver openings on the magazine in registration with each stage are positioned at the exact height of the needle zones of the needle loom so the operator can roll the needle boards directly to or from the loom into the magazine with minimal or no handling in-between.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for needling a web, comprising at least one needle board (2) reciprocatingly movable in stitching direction of the needles via an eccentric drive (5), which needle board is reciprocatingly movable in direction of web movement (16) by means of an additional eccentric drive (15), which consists of two parallel eccentric shafts (17) which are movable in opposite directions and are provided with connecting rods (19).

Abstract: A composite filter media (100 includes a meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material and a mixed fiber triboelectric material are preferably attached to each other by needling the mixed fiber material with the meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material. A netting (104) is then attached by preferably needling the mixed fiber triboelectric material and meltblown through the netting (104).

Abstract: A nonwoven lap of very fine continuous filaments, crimped or not, obtained by means of a controlled direct spinning process, with a weight between 5 g/m.sup.2 and 600 g/m.sup.2, and formed, after napping, of composite filaments separable in the direction of their length, characterized in that said composite filaments have a filament number between 0.3 dTex and 10 dTex and are formed, each, of at least three elementary filaments of at least two different materials and comprising between them at least one plane of separation or cleavage, each elementary filament having a filament number between 0.005 dTex and 2 dTex, the ratio between the cross-sectional area of each elementary filament and the total cross-sectional area of the unitary filament being between 0.5% and 90%.

Abstract: Nonwoven material produced by hydroentanglement of a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web. The material comprises a mixture of short plant fibres, in particular pulp fibres, and long hydrophillic plant fibres, where the major portion of the fibres presents a fibre length which is at least 10 mm, whereby the portion of long fibres is at least 1 weight-% of the fibre weight. The fibres were mixed with each other in the presence of a dispersing agent which allows a uniform fibre formation, in a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web which has been hydroentangled with sufficient energy to form a compact absorbing material.

Abstract: A near netshape carbon preform is provided comprising a woven fabric of a plurality of carbon yarns, said woven fabric having a helical shape and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution, said woven fabric being laid down, turn by turn, into a near net shape preform, and each layer of said fabric being needled to produce a near net shape preform with increased interlaminar strength and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution. A method for manufacturing a near net shape carbon preform with a polar woven substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric is provided having a spun bonded reinforcement. A layer of spun bonded material may be placed in any one of a number of possible locations in the fabric, depending upon the felt stratification desired. For example, it may be attached to the upper surface (or paper contacting side) of the base fabric layer; to the lower surface (or machine contacting side) of the base fabric layer; between two base fabric layers, in the case of a laminated felt; between layers of fibers; or in any other desired location. The spun bonded material may be attached through the use of needling or by use of adhesives, low melts, or ultrasonic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mat adapted to reinforce a thermosetting matrix material to form a composite, composites formed therefrom, and methods related thereto. The mat includes a primary, supporting layer having a plurality of randomly oriented essentially continuous glass fiber strands. The primary layer has about 1 to about 10 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis. The mat also includes a secondary layer positioned upon and supported by a surface of the primary layer, the secondary layer including a plurality of glass fiber strands. The mean average length of the glass fiber strands of the secondary layer ranges from about 20 to about 125 millimeters. The strands of the primary layer are entangled with the strands of the secondary layer by needling the primary layer and the secondary layer together.

Abstract: A composite filter media (100) includes a meltblown fiber material and a nonwoven filter web which are preferably attached to each other by needling the nonwoven filter web with the meltblown fiber material. A netting (104) is then attached by preferably needling the nonwoven filter web and meltblown through the netting (104).

Abstract: A method of needling a web comprises the steps of continuously supplying the web to needles, reciprocating the needles to stitch the web supplied to the needles and to release the stitched web, moving the released stitched web step by step by subjecting the released stitched web to a weight load, and then continuously withdrawing the released stitched web. An apparatus for carrying out this method comprises a dancing roller arranged to exert the weight load between a stitch base and means for continuously withdrawing the stitched web.

Abstract: A device for needling a web (9), comprising at least one needle board (2) reciprocatingly movable in stitching direction, a stitch base (6) opposite the needle board (2) and a stripper (10) disposed between the stitch base (6) and the needle board (2), which stripper has through holes (11) for the needles (3) of the needle board (2). To create advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the stripper (10) should define a compressed-air space (13), which is disposed subsequent to the stripper (10) on the side opposite the stitch base (6) and can be connected with a compressed-air source (16).

Abstract: A device for needling a prebonded web (1), comprises at least one needle board (3) reciprocatingly movable in a stitching direction, a stitch base (2) between a feed roller (6) and a discharge roller (7), which stitch base is located directly opposite the needle board (3) and forms a web guide that is convex in a direction of web movement. The stitch base (2) consists of blades (9) extending transversely to the direction of web movement and having end faces (10) defining a continuously curved enveloping surface. The end faces (10) constituting a web support, and between which blades there engage at least two needle rows extending tranversely to the direction of web movement engage between adjacent blades during their reciprocation.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: An absorbent material and method for making same comprising a fiber web, including a fiber blend comprising from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a fiber having fineness less than about 3 denier and from about 25 to about 50 weight percent of a fiber having fineness ranging from about 3 to about 5 denier wherein the fiber web is bound together by fiber bundles transverse to the plane of the web. The fiber blend may further comprise from about 3 to about 7 percent by weight of a fiber having fineness greater than about 5 denier. The fibers comprising the fiber blend may be entirely hydrophobic, or the about 3 to about 5 denier fiber may be hydrophilic. The absorbent material exhibits a high degree of absorption and fluid retention and does not wet back even under compression. The transverse fiber bundles formed during the mechanical bonding of the web function as wicks for transferring fluid from the surface of the material to the inner portion of the material.

Abstract: The needling machine includes a support and a stripper defining a path for a lap. A needle board supported by sliding rods has a reciprocating motion between the represented maximum penetration position and the withdrawal position by means of two rod-eccentric devices, each having a rod hinged to the sliding rod. Each pair of rods is hinged to a crankshaft supported by bearings and carrying an equilibration device. The bearings are supported in a crankcase by partitions in a position situated axially between the eccentrics and the equilibration device. The crankshaft extends from the crankcase through simple sealing liners. An advantage of the present needling machine is that the crankcase is stiffened and crankshaft deformations are reduced to increase the striking rate.

Abstract: An enhanced filtering media composite formed of a first electret media layer attached uniformly onto a second non-woven fibrous media layer by a special needling construction and procedure, so as to provide a needled media composite having increased mechanical strength and particle retention capacity. The first media electret layer is composed of about 50 wt. % mixture of polypropylene and modacrylic fibers, and the second media layer is composed of 80% 3 denier.times.3 inch polyester staple and 1.4 denier.times.1.5 inch polyester staple fibers, the fibers of one layer being selectively needled into the other layer using controlled needling density penetration, depth and repetitions to provide a composite having improved mechanical strength and filtration performance.

Abstract: A method for producing textiles from fibers and/or filaments circulating in the form of a web by performing transverse texturing of the fibers and/or filaments as well as stretching thereof, and collecting the fibers and/or filaments in the form of at least one crinkled pseudo-yarn (100) of a given length in which the fibers and/or filaments are properly parallelized. The method is characterized in that said fibers and/or filaments are collected in or against transfer members (9) separate from the needles and the full length of said pseudo-yarn (100) is transferred to needles (11 or 21) for receiving the pseudo-yarn (100).

Abstract: A needle loom including a support and a stripper defining a path for a fiber lap. A needle board supported by sliding shanks moves back and forth between a maximum penetration position and a retracted position, by means of a connecting rod/crank assembly including a connecting rod hingedly connected to the sliding shank. The shank is guided by slide bearings secured to a mounting which is angularly adjustable about the shank axis so that the axis of ovality can be moved periodically relative to the main direction in which lateral stress is exerted on the bearings as a result of the angular displacement of the connecting rod. The service life of the bearings may thus be extended, while reducing maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A needle loom including a support and a stripper defining a path for a fiber lap. A needle board supported by sliding shanks moves back and forth between a maximum penetration position and a retracted position, by means of a connecting rod/crank assembly including a connecting rod hingedly connected to the sliding shank. A slide bearing remote from the needle board has a greater diameter than the other slide bearing, and engages a tubular portion of the shank. The hinge connection between the connecting rod and the sliding stank is located within the axial section covered by the slide bearing and the interval therebetween. For this purpose, the hinge is arranged in the tubular portion. Bearing wear, extraneous stress and vibration may thus be reduced.

Abstract: A brush conveyor, such as a velvet needling machine, has an assembly of contiguous brushes disposed in transverse rows, and a drive source for this assembly of brushes which forms a conveying plane having a predetermined direction of displacement to constitute an upper face of the conveyor. Each brush includes a body including, on its upper face, holes which are provided for receiving a tuft of hair and, on its lower face, connecting apparatus to fasten this brush to a drive source. The drive source has several parallel drive belts or chains placed between at least two drive cylinders running in the same direction. The conveyor also has a support structure for supporting the brush bodies forming the conveying plane. This support structure includes a support table having several flat support parts separated by spaces provided for the drive belts or chains.

Abstract: Composite non-woven material through which liquid can pass at a high speed and having an excellent resistance to rewetting and fluffing. The material comprises at least one first layer (2) of combed-type fibres and a second layer (3) of combed-type fibres, the fibres of the of the first layer having a denier greater than that of the fibres of the second layer, the layers being joined to one another by needling. Appplication to absorbent sanitary articles.

Abstract: A device for needling a prebonded web (1), comprises at least one needle board (3) reciprocatingly movable in a needling direction, and a web support (2) disposed opposite the needle board (3) between a feed roller (7) and a discharge roller (8). To avoid a stripper it is proposed that the needle board (3) be disposed directly opposite the web support (2), that the web support be provided with a continuous convex curvature in direction of web movement (6), and that the discharge rate of the discharge roller (8) exceed the feed rate of the feed roller (7).

Abstract: A brush conveyor, in particular for a velvet needle loom, includes an assembly of adjacent brushes forming a conveying plane and moving in a predetermined conveying direction. Each brush includes a body that is substantially elongated along a main axis, and each lower brush surface includes means for connecting the brush to a mechanical drive device while the upper brush surface has holes for receiving tufts of bristles. The brushes are arranged within the conveyor in such a way that their main axes are parallel to each other and lie at a predetermined angle to a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveyor may be used in needle looms for making nonwoven articles.

Abstract: Making fibrous substrates. The method consists for a given substrate thickness in adopting a displacement step size that varies in application of a step size reduction relationship adopted to impart constant thickness to the various superposed and bonded-togehter layer thickness making up said substrate thickness. Application to manufacturing friction parts.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric which is excellent in bulkiness and touch feeling as well as strength and dimensional stability and to provide a method for producing the above nonwoven fabric through a simple and convenient manner without employing any particular spinning device. The invention relates to a bulky nonwoven fabric composed of a stretched filament web which is prepared from either at least one layer of a stretched unidirectionally arranged filament web which is composed of almost unidirectionally arranged long fibers being stretched and shrunk or a stretched crosswise laminated filament web made of two or more layers of the stretched unidirectionally arranged filament webs and a short fiber web which is entangled with said stretched filament web and is crimped as a result of shrinkage of the long fibers, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A geosynthetic clay liner with a low permeability or controlled permeability intermediate sheet is provided. The liner includes two outer sheets with two layers of bentonite and an intermediate sheet disposed therebetween. The intermediate sheet may be rippled or deformed to enhance the structural stability of the liner. The intermediate sheet may be chosen from a material with low or ultra-low permeability characteristics or may be chosen from a material with controlled or directional permeability characteristics.

Abstract: A rotary needling process including a multitude of felting needles repeatedly driven into a fibrous structure disposed on a surface of a needle penetrable support as the support is rotated about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A glass mat reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished sheet material comprising thermoplastic resin and at least two needled continuous and/or chopped glass fibre strand mats is disclosed as well as a method for its manufacturing and its use. Each of said glass mats is needled from the two sides in an asymmetrical way, so that the number of fibre ends protruding from the two major mat surfaces are practically the same, but the length of said fibre ends protruding from the first major surface is substantially longer than the length of the fibre ends protruding from the second opposite major surface. Said glass mats are impregnated with thermoplastic resin, having either their first major surfaces directed towards the outside surface of said thermoplastic sheet, for maximum mouldability, or having their second major surfaces directed towards the outside surface of said thermoplastic sheet, for maximum surface quality of the moulded part.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.

Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.

Abstract: An insole for shoes is a three-dimensionally shaped laminate composed of two adhesive-free formed fabrics, the formed fabric on the foot side being thin and abrasion-resistant, and the thicker formed fabric forming the base material of the insole consisting of staple fibers, having a composition of 50-60% by weight of core/sheath-polyester/copolyester fibers with a melting range of the core component of 255.degree.-260.degree. C. and of the sheath component of 110.degree.-140.degree. C., 5-15% by weight of high-shrinkage polyester fibers, and 25-40% by weight of absorbent fibers. The base material has a mass per unit area of 800-1200 g/m.sup.2 with a thickness of 0.70-0.85 cm.

Abstract: In a needle loom for needling a fiber batt continuously moved through the needle loom, a horizontal driving apparatus connected to a needle bar for horizontally driving said needle bar to and fro is provided which is driven in synchronism with a vertical driving apparatus providing the needle bar with a reciprocating up and down movement by which needles affixed to the needle bar are stitched into the fiber batt to be needled. The timing of the horizontal and vertical movements imposed onto the needle bar is adjusted in a manner that the needle bar horizontally follows the movement of the fiber batt when the needles are stitched in the fiber batt, whereas in the horizontal return stroke of the needle bar its needles are out of the fiber batt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of thick, three-dimensional structures comprising discontinuous thermoset pitch fiber, and to composites comprising such structures embedded in a matrix material such as a thermoset resin, ceramic, metal or carbon. Carbon-carbon fiber composite articles produced from porous carbon preforms obtained by carbonizing such structures followed by infiltration with pyrolytic carbon using CVD processes exhibit surprisingly high through-thickness thermal conductivity and isotropic properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for needling a fibrous web comprises a row of needle beams arrayed adjacently each other in a direction of an operating width. The needle beams may be attached to exchangeable needle boards and are driven with the needle boards up and down in a reciprocating motion path. The fibrous web is guided by a fibrous web support and a stripper positioned between the needle beams and the support. A conveyor conveys the exchangeable needle boards to and from the needle beams. The conveyor device extends alongside the row of needle beams and comprises revolving endless traction devices arranged at each side of the needle beams outside the reciprocating motion path, and needle board entrainment elements in the form of bearing flanges for supporting side edges of the needle boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for needling a fibrous web passing through the apparatus in one direction, which comprises a needle board driven back and forth in a needling direction, needles carried by the needle board and extending in the needling direction, and a stationary support opposite the needle board in the needling direction. The stationary support comprises in the range of the needles two support sections inclined in opposite directions in the one direction and a transitional support section between the two support sections and smoothly merging into the two oppositely inclined support sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-directional friction material made from unidirectional carbonaceous and/or oxidized PAN based fibers. More particularly, the present invention teaches a multi-layered preform having at least three (3) unidirectional fabric layers oriented at different angles respective to each other to provide a superior heat dissipation properties in a friction material.

Abstract: In order to be able to consolidate mineral fibers without binder, such as in particular glass wool into a needle-felt by needle-punching, an agent as a needling aid which comprises a thixotropizing additive having a relatively low flow viscosity during needling and thus allows to effectively support the needling process, is added to the mineral fibers. At rest, this thixotropizing additive however has an extremely high viscosity, whereby the needle-punched felt obtains good strength. In particular, for needling rock wool, suppler textile fibers are moreover added which contribute to improved mutual interlocking of the fibers, in particular in the case of mineral fibers such as basalt fibers, which can only with difficulty be interlocked by needling.

Abstract: A succession of fibrous sheet segments (10) are supplied from a rotary magazine (12) to a rotating bowl (14). Segments are added to the bowl with their adjacent radial edges abutting each other and are passed beneath a reciprocating needle board (20), whereby filaments from the segments in upper layers are displaced into segments in lower layers to bind the segments together and form a self-supporting preform. Two needle heads (22) are able to move up and down and rotate in order to pick up a segment from the store and deposit that segment on the bowl. A few barbed needles (22A) pick up the segment and more grooved needles (22B) push through fibre to tack the segments down. A conical roller (28) bears against the top of the segments after they leave the needle board to bear against the preform to compress the fibres and also to provide a monitor of the distance between the needle board or the mounting block and the top layer of the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of needle rollers (1) which are rotatable about their longitudinal axis (3) and the respective longitudinal axes (3) of which are themselves movable on a circular path. In this apparatus, the needle rollers (1) and support rollers (2) for the material web (9) alternate with one another.

Abstract: Two needling assemblies have needle boards and alternating motion mechanisms. A motor is provided for each needling assembly. The needling assemblies are mechanically independent of each other. The motors are connected by an angular position servo-mechanism. The needling machine is used to eliminate the mechanical resonance between needling assemblies and to diversify and facilitate the adjusting possibilities.

Abstract: A system for carding textile fibres comprises first and second carding machines and a layering system disposed between the output portion of the first carding machine and the input portion of the second carding machine. The layering system forms a mat composed of a plurality of superimposed layers produced from the web of fibres coming from the first carding machine. The system comprises a compactor device disposed downstream of the layering system for bringing about cohesion of the various superimposed layers forming the mat.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) matrix composites, particularly friction discs, and to methods of manufacture of same. Offcut waste fibrous sheet material may be recycled and reformed into a web useful in the manufacture of such composites.

Abstract: A non-wet processed tufted carpet (10) includes a plurality of face yarns (12), dyeable to the desired carpet color prior to tufting, which are tufted into and through a primary backing fabric (14) and which are more securedly held in place by a secondary backing fabric (16) without the use of an adhesive binder, the secondary backing fabric locking the face yarn in place upon the application of heat to a non-wet surface of the secondary backing fabric non-adjacent to the primary backing fabric. The tufted carpet (10) does not include any latex or binding adhesives which may cause odors or emit volatile organic chemicals. Moreover, the face yarn (12), primary backing fabric (14), and secondary backing fabric (16) are made of the same type of polymeric material, thereby creating a carpet which is wholly recyclable. The carpet (10) also uses only predyed fibers and yarns as the face yarn, thereby eliminating the need to dye or wet process and dry the carpet during its manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.

Abstract: The described apparatus for needling a nonwoven web comprises a slider-crank mechanism, which is connected to a rocker and serves to actuate at least one needle board, which is secured to the rocker, and web-guiding means comprising a web support, which is opposite to the needle board, and a stripper, which extends between the web support and the needle board. To provide a high needle density it is proposed that the needle board is arranged to extend at right angles to the direction of the mean inclination of the penetration paths of the needles of the needle board when the slider-crank mechanism is in a midstroke position in the middle of its stroke.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-woven layer that consists substantially of short polyolefin fibers the nonwoven layer being a felt with in the plane of the layer substantially randomly oriented fibers with a length of 40-100 mm, a tensile strength of at least 1.2 GPa and a modulus of at least 40 GPa. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of this felt and to layered structures in which the felt is used. Layered structures comprising a non-woven layer according to the invention have improved specific energy absorption on impact of ballistic projectiles.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) composites and to methods of manufacture of same.

Abstract: The material web is guided at a predetermined speed over a plurality of needle rollers rotating about their longitudinal axis and arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the material web. The material web covers part of the surface of each of the needle rollers. The circumferential speed of the needle rollers is set relative to the speed of the material web in such a way that the desired amount of needling, with adjustable longitudinal stretching, is obtained.

Abstract: The described apparatus for needling a circular nonwoven web, particularly a nonwoven web having the configuration of a circular ring, comprises a needle board, which carries a multiplicity of needles and is adapted to be driven to reciprocate said needles in a predetermined piercing direction. The apparatus also comprises a turntable (1), which comprises a web support that is adapted to support the nonwoven web. The needle board is provided with needles only in at least one sector-shaped region, which has the configuration of a sector with respect to the axis of rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which serves to needle a nonwoven web and comprises a slider crank mechanism, which is pivoted to a rocker and serves to actuate at least one needle board, which is secured to the rocker. The apparatus also comprises a web guide consisting of a web support, which is opposite to the needle board, and a stripper, which extends between the web support and the needle board. To permit an influence to be exerted on the result of the needling operation it is proposed that the mean inclination of the paths on which the needles of the needle board penetrate the nonwoven web relative to the direction of travel of the nonwoven web is adjustable.