Tow Opening Or Spreading Patents (Class 28/282)
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Patent number: 12270107Abstract: A method for coating a fiber tow includes moving a fiber tow across a wedge to separate the fiber tow into a plurality of sub-tows, and coating the plurality of sub-tows.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Ying She, John E. Holowczak
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Patent number: 12252282Abstract: A process for packaging a product including the steps of providing a cleaning wipe that includes nonwoven strips and moving the cleaning wipe in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cleaning wipe. A gas is moved from positions on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and beyond the longitudinal edges of the cleaning wipe to bend the free ends of the nonwoven strips out of plane relative to the fixed ends of the strips.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2023Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Terra Louise Dent, Nayda Liz Ramos Medina, Nicola John Policicchio, Agnes Elaine Wells, Brian Lee Keith
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Patent number: 12246495Abstract: A machine and a method produce strips from a fiber-reinforced plastics composite material. The machine includes a housing through which fibers pass and in which profiled bars are fixedly or rotatably mounted, which are oriented perpendicularly to the passing direction of the fibers and by which forces can be applied alternately to the top and bottom of the fibers and to their coating with a plastics material in order to impregnate the fibers and to consolidate the plastics material between the fibers. The ratio of the average total contact length of all the profiled bars used in the impregnation in millimeters to the number of profiled bars is between 2:1 and 1:400, preferably between 1 and 1:200 and particularly preferably between 1:10 and 1:100.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Inventor: Markus Brzeski
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Patent number: 12138141Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for producing an absorbent article comprising a fiber assembly layer of a cellulose acetate fiber, which can sufficiently apply a drug to the cellulose acetate fiber.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: LIVEDO CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 12043955Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a carbon fiber bundle, which can adjust bundling property, winding property and wear resistance of sizing fibers. The method includes following steps: (i) coating a sizing agent on at least one carbon fiber bundle, in which the sizing agent includes a thermoplastic resin; (ii) drying the carbon fiber bundle by hot air; and (iii) heating the carbon fiber bundle by an infrared light, in which a heating temperature of the heating is equal to or higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: FORMOSA PLASTICS CORPORATIONInventors: Long-Tyan Hwang, Sheng-Shiun Lin, Yu-Sheng Li, Ching-Cheng Chung, Cheng-Chun Chou
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Patent number: 11845629Abstract: A partially separated fiber bundle includes a separated fiber section and an unseparated fiber section, being configured to give a ratio Amax/Amin of 1.1 or larger and 3 or smaller, when the number of fiber bundles contained in the width direction of the partially separated fiber bundle (fiber separating number: Nn) measured at a freely selected point Pn (where, n represents an integer of 1 to 100, and freely selected points Pn and Pn+1, excluding n=100, being 50 cm or more away from each other), is divided by a full width of Wn of the partially separated fiber bundle, to calculate the fiber separating number per unit width An, and assuming its maximum value as Amax and its minimum value as Amin.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Matsui, Masaru Tateyama, Satoshi Seike, Mitsuki Fuse, Hiroshi Hirano, Kazuma Ura
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Patent number: 11802354Abstract: A method of spreading fibres, the method comprises providing a continuous fibre bundle having an initial width Wa and causing the fibre bundle to run, in a running direction, through tensioning means and past or through fluid flow means, the tensioning means intermittently varying the tension in the fibre bundle and the fluid flow means producing a fluid flow through the fibre bundle as the tension varies in the fibre bundle, whereby the width of the fibre bundle increases to a spread width Wb. Apparatus (1) is also disclosed, which apparatus (1) comprises a tensioning means (3) to intermittently vary the tension in the fibre bundle (2) and a fluid flow means (4) for producing a flow of fluid through the bundle (2).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Inventor: Gerard Fernando
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Patent number: 11697878Abstract: A tow coating reactor system includes a reactor for receiving fiber tow, a wedge situated adjacent the reactor and configured to receive the tow at a tip end, such that as the tow moves across the wedge, the wedge spreads the tow into a plurality of sub-tows.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Ying She, John E. Holowczak
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Patent number: 11649191Abstract: A method of fabricating a brake component made from a ceramic matrix composite is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes infiltrating a carbon fabric with a slurry containing a ceramic powder and a sintering aid; laying up the carbon fabric in a desired geometry to form a raw component; warm pressing the raw component to form a green component; and sintering the green component via a spark plasma sintering process to form a sintered component.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Jean-Francois LeCostaouec, Iwona Wrobel
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Patent number: 11548241Abstract: According to one implementation, a fiber width adjustment device includes: a feeder and an adjuster. The feeder feeds a tape material in a length direction of the tape material. The tape material consists of fibers for a fiber reinforced resin after or before the fibers are impregnated with a resin. The adjuster has a path for the tape material. The path is formed by at least a bottom and a pair of wall surfaces. The interval of the wall surfaces decreased gradually. The width of the tape material which passed the path is changed by adjusting a part of the path. The tape material passes through the part of the path while contacting with the bottom and the wall surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignees: SUBARU CORPORATION, FUKUI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENTInventors: Natsumi Yasukochi, Kei Koiwai, Shigekazu Uchiyama, Kazumasa Kawabe, Keiichi Kondo, Hirofumi Iyo
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Patent number: 11519107Abstract: A fiber spreading apparatus which is configured to spread a carbon fiber bundle, and includes a feeding roll, a winding roll, a vibrating roller, and a first nozzle. The vibrating roller is disposed between the feeding roll and the winding roll, and is in contact with the carbon fiber bundle. The vibrating roller is rotated according to an axis of rotation, and is vibrated along a vibrating direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The first nozzle is disposed between the vibrating roller and the winding roll, and blows the carbon fiber bundle.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chih-Kang Peng, Shih-Ming Chen, Yu-Cheng Chen
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Patent number: 11358829Abstract: A filament winding apparatus winds, around a workpiece, a fiber bundle formed by bundling a plurality of fibers. The filament winding apparatus includes a widening roller that rotates while making contact with the fiber bundle that is being conveyed. The widening roller has, provided on the peripheral surface, a plurality of projecting ridges extending in the axial direction, the projecting ridges being arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The projecting ridges make contact with the fiber bundle to thereby widen the fiber bundle.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yohei Noji, Kosuke Tatsushima, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Kenta Umetsu
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Patent number: 11220025Abstract: A method of separating carbon fiber tows. The method includes separating two or more first carbon fiber tows from a first tow band onto a second elevation to form two or more second carbon fiber tows from a second tow band. The two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band leave gaps next to first adjacent tows of the two or more first carbon fiber tows remaining from the first tow band after the separating step. The first adjacent tows from the first tow band leave gaps next to second adjacent tows of the two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Aerlyte, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Johnston, VII
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Patent number: 10941491Abstract: A tow coating reactor system includes a reactor for receiving fiber tow, a wedge situated adjacent the reactor and configured to receive the tow at a tip end, such that as the tow moves across the wedge, the wedge spreads the tow into a plurality of sub-tows.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Ying She, John E. Holowczak
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Patent number: 10876224Abstract: A device and method for spreading a fibre bundle spread, the fibre bundle being from a fibre bundle supply to a fibre take-up by way of a resistance device, having a first impulse drive that interacts with the resistance device, the fibre take-up being disposed downstream of the resistance device. The fibre bundle by means of the impulse drive during spreading is superimposed in an alternating manner in predefined sequences with an additional speed component in the conveying direction of the fibre bundle and/or with an additional speed component counter to the conveying direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: KARL MAYER Technische Textilien GmbHInventors: Torsten Breckner, Martin Rossner, Peter Hartmann, Roland Schmidt, Stephan Fichtner, Rainer Seuß
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Patent number: 10864657Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-reinforced composite (200). Some fiber-reinforced composites include a matrix material (204) including a thermoplastic material and a non-woven fibrous region (202) having a plurality of continuous fibers dispersed in the matrix material, wherein the width and the length of the non-woven fibrous region are substantially equal to the width and the length, respectively, of the fiber-reinforced composite, wherein the non-woven fibrous region has a mean relative area fiber coverage (RFAC) (%) of from 65 to 90 and a coefficient of variance (COV) (%) of from 3 to 20, and wherein each of the plurality of continuous fibers (206) is substantially aligned with the length of the fiber-reinforced composite.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: FIBRE REINFORCED THERMOPLASTICS B.V.Inventors: Gerard de Weerd, Rinus Prins
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Patent number: 10814524Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-reinforced composite and methods and apparatuses for making the same. Some fiber-reinforced composites include a matrix material including a thermoplastic material and a non-woven fibrous region having a plurality of continuous fibers dispersed in the matrix material, wherein the width and the length of the non-woven fibrous region are substantially equal to the width and the length, respectively, of the fiber-reinforced composite, wherein the non-woven fibrous region has a mean relative area fiber coverage (RFAC) (%) of from 65 to 90 and a coefficient of variance (COV) (%) of from 3 to 20, and wherein each of the plurality of continuous fibers is substantially aligned with the length of the fiber-reinforced composite.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: FIBRE REINFORCED THERMOPLASTICS B.V.Inventors: Rinus Prins, Gerard De Weerd
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Patent number: 10040663Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the twist-free width change of a fiber strip (2) of continuous fibers (3) passing through the device (1) to a specified effective width (8). The device (1) comprises a transport unit (4) for transporting the fiber strip (2). The device (1) further comprises at least one width change assembly (5) configured such that the width change assembly (5) transfers an initial distance (a) of two adjacent fibers (3) of the fiber strip (2) to a target distance (b) of adjacent fibers (3) of the fiber strip (2). For a large part of the pairs of adjacent fibers (3), the ratio between the target distance (b) and the initial distance (a) matches within a tolerance range of 20%. This results in a reliable and economical device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Covestro Thermoplast Composite GmbHInventor: Herbert Börger
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Patent number: 9185969Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of producing an opened fiber bundle at high speed and in a space-saving manner. The method is as follows. A method of continuously producing an opened fiber bundle for a cleaning member, comprising the steps of (a1) providing (i) first nip rolls, (ii) second nip rolls, (iii) third nip rolls, and (iv) an opening facilitator; (a2) conveying a fiber bundle using the first nip rolls and the second nip rolls to apply a tensile force to the fiber bundle, the fiber bundle being pushed onto the upstream portion and the edge of the opening facilitator while conveying; and (a3) conveying the fiber bundle using the second nip rolls and the third nip rolls to relax the fiber bundle, thereby forming a belt-shaped fiber bundle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATIONInventors: Shigetomo Takahashi, Yasuhiro Koyama
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Publication number: 20150147543Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Probir Kumar Guha, Michael J. Siwajek, Michael J. Hiltunen, Shane Skop, Christopher Hiltunene
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Publication number: 20140329086Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous carbon fiber/thermoplastic resin fiber composite yarn and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the carbon fiber composite yarn provides excellent mechanical properties, is light in weight, moldable, and has excellent impregnating ability. In particular, the composite yarn is provided with these superior properties by including a continuous carbon fiber having excellent mechanical properties, a thermoplastic resin fiber, and the like, and by using a false twist processing machine or a solution bath, and the like in order to manufacture the composite yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Young-Ho Choi, Chi-Hoon Choi
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Patent number: 8578575Abstract: Device and method for producing a unidirectional (UD) layer from a predetermined number of filament strands. Device includes a dispenser arrangement structured and arranged for delivering the predetermined number of filament strands, and a storage arrangement, structured and arranged for temporary storage of the predetermined number of filament strands. The storage arrangement includes separate storage parts for each of the predetermined number of filament strands. Device also includes a spreading arrangement and an outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Karl Mayer Malimo Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbHInventors: Matthias Seifert, Frank Vettermann, Astrid Kirchberg, Matthias Thieme, Dietmar Reuchsel
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Patent number: 8567024Abstract: Method and device for producing a unidirectional (UD) layer with a predetermined layer width from a predetermined number of filament strands. The method includes spreading the filament strands out transversely to a longitudinal direction of the UD layer to form bands that are arranged next to one another. A first width of the bands is greater than a dividing width, which corresponds to the predetermined layer width divided by the predetermined number of filament strands.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Karl Mayer Malimo Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbHInventors: Hans-Juergen Heinrich, Frank Vettermann, Astrid Kirchberg, Alexander Wegner, Dietmar Reuchsel
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Publication number: 20120213997Abstract: In one embodiment, a fiber treatment system includes a rotatable nubbed roller including an axis of rotation, a surface, and a number of spaced apart nubs projecting away from the surface, the number of spaced apart nubs imparting a number of spaced apart openings in a fiber tow. In another embodiment, the fiber treatment system further includes an optionally rotatable spreader roller for flattening the fiber tow. In yet another embodiment, the loosened, but still continuous fiber tow is chopped by a downstream chopper to form short fibers with reduced tow sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: UNITED STATES COUNCIL FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCHInventors: Chen-Shih Wang, Charles William Knakal, Jeffrey Scott Dahl, Bhavesh Suresh Shah
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Patent number: 8191215Abstract: A spreading device (20) for spreading a fiber filament bundle (32) to form a flat fiber band (14) has at least one convexly bent spreading edge (80) that is movable. The convexly bent spreading edge has at least one direction component perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the fiber filament bundle (32) to be spread relative to the convexly bent spreading edge. The fiber filament bundle is configured to be placed under tension onto the convexly bent spreading edge (80) and thereafter is configured to be moved again with the at least one direction component perpendicular to the fiber filament bundle (32) away from the fiber filament bundle to release the fiber filament bundle from the convexly bent spreading edge (80).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Eads Deutschland GmbHInventor: Oliver Meyer
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Publication number: 20110154630Abstract: Device and method for producing a unidirectional (UD) layer from a predetermined number of filament strands. Device includes a dispenser arrangement structured and arranged for delivering the predetermined number of filament strands, and a storage arrangement, structured and arranged for temporary storage of the predetermined number of filament strands. The storage arrangement includes separate storage parts for each of the predetermined number of filament strands. Device also includes a spreading arrangement and an outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: KARL MAYER MALIMO TEXTILMASCHINENFABRIK GMBHInventors: Matthias SEIFERT, Frank VETTERMANN, Astrid KIRCHBERG, Matthias THIEME, Dietmar REUCHSEL
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Publication number: 20110146040Abstract: Method and device for producing a unidirectional (UD) layer with a predetermined layer width from a predetermined number of filament strands. The method includes spreading the filament strands out transversely to a longitudinal direction of the UD layer to form bands that are arranged next to one another. A first width of the bands is greater than a dividing width, which corresponds to the predetermined layer width divided by the predetermined number of filament strands.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: KARL MAYER MALIMO TEXTILMASCHINENFABRIK GMBHInventors: Hans-Juergen HEINRICH, Frank VETTERMANN, Astrid KIRCHBERG, Alexander WEGNER, Dietmar REUCHSEL
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Patent number: 7832068Abstract: A method of producing a spread multi-filament bundle along with an apparatus used in the same, by which a multi-filament bundle is spread with high speed and facility, and a high quality spread multi-filament bundle or sheet with the component monofilaments thereof aligned in parallel widthwise and uniformly distributed in density is produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Fukui Prefectural GovernmentInventors: Kazumasa Kawabe, Shigeru Tomoda
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Publication number: 20100107384Abstract: A spreading device (20) for spreading a fiber filament bundle (32) to form a flat fiber band (14) has at least one convexly bent spreading edge (80) that is movable. The convexly bent spreading edge has at least one direction component perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the fiber filament bundle (32) to be spread relative to the the convexly bent spreading edge. The fiber filament bundle is configured to be placed under tension onto the convexly bent spreading edge (80) and thereafter is configured to be moved again with the at least one direction component perpendicular to the fiber filament bundle (32) away from the fiber filament bundle to release the the fiber filament bundle from the convexly bent spreading edge (80).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Oliver Meyer
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Patent number: 7690092Abstract: The invention relates to a multiaxial complex of multifilament threads formed of continuous filaments, whereby the multifilament threads are placed on top of one another in different orientations, and the threads of the 0° layers run in the production direction, and whereby the multifilament threads of the 0° layers are laid in between the other multifilament layers layered in different orientations and, spread apart and without any torsion before their placement, are placed onto the previous multifilament layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Saertex GmbH & Co KGInventor: Gert Herrn Wagener
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Patent number: 7571524Abstract: A method of producing a spread multi-filament bundle and an apparatus is used in which an arbitrary number of multi-filament bundles of higher strength are simultaneously spread with high speed and a high-quality. A spread multi-filament bundle or sheet with the component monofilaments thereof aligned in parallel widthwise and uniformly distributed in density is produced. The respective multi-filament bundles fed from a yarn supplier or a creel are subjected to fluctuation of the tensile force applied thereto alternatively between tension and relaxation and the respective bundles as subjected to such fluctuation are passed in succession through a fluid flowing spreader.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Fukui Prefectural GovernmantInventors: Kazumasa Kawabe, Shigeru Tomoda
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Patent number: 7536761Abstract: Device and method for spreading a carbon fiber hank into a carbon fiber band. The device includes a heating device having at least two electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and coupled to a power supply, and a spreading device arranged after the heating device in the traveling direction of the carbon fiber hank.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Karl Mayer Malimo Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbHInventors: Juergen Nestler, Frank Vettermann, Dietmar Reuchsel
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Publication number: 20080113175Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming yarn provides a feeding component that feeds one or more ribbons of tow starting material, a drafting component that includes at least two pairs of rollers through which the feed materials pass and which stretch-breaks the starting material into a cohesive elongated network of fibers formed from the filaments of the tow material. The stretch-broken intermediate product may be a blended cohesive network formed form multiple feed materials. The intermediate product may be spun directly into yarn in one winding/twisting operation or it may be combined with other simultaneously produced intermediate products. Various yarns may be used as produced or otherwise combined to form various fabrics and other materials used in fire-retardant and heat resistant products. The starting materials may be PAN, para- and meta-aramid fibers, viscose rayon, and stainless steel and other suitable materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventor: Tung-Yuan Ke
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Patent number: 7181817Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The step of or means for spreading the tow uses at least two banding jets.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, Edward J. Powers, William West, William T. Wygand, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 7107659Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The line speed of the particulate laden, shaped tow is greater than 190 m/min.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Celanese Acetate, LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, William T. Wygand, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 7103946Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The step of or means for de-registering the crimped tow uses at least two pairs of rollers, each pair of rollers having a metal-faced roller and a rubber-face roller. The metal-faced rollers are oppositely disposed between the pair of rollers. Alternatively, the metal-faced rollers are disposed between the pair of rollers on the same side.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 7076848Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The method and apparatus also include the step of or means for shielding the tow, while de-registering, from contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 7059027Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The step of or means for distributing the particulate is controlled through a shaped orifice.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Celanese Acetate, LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, William West, William T. Wygand, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 7003856Abstract: A method and an apparatus for opening continuous filaments provide stable quality of fibrous layer after opening crimped TOW. The TOW is transported by means of a plurality of rolls. While transported, the TOW is applied a resistance on one side of the TOW by slidingly contacting a sliding body onto the TOW at between rolls. As a result, continuous filaments stacked in a thickness direction of the TOW are caused to sift in a transporting direction of the TOW. Thus, the TOW is opened and the continuous filaments are spread in a width direction of the TOW.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Hiroo Hayashi, Kodai Furuya
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Patent number: 6983520Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The method and apparatus also include the step of or means for introducing a crimped tow from a bale, wherein the tow's travel through de-registering, shaping, and particulate distribution, defines a vertical plane and the bale is located off the vertical plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Celanese Acetate, LLCInventors: Todd Ames, Ricky Lee Kenley, William T. Wygand, Bobby R. Lomax
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Patent number: 6836939Abstract: After yarns or tows (10) have been pre-spread and placed side by side substantially in a common plane, their surface is swept by at least one jet of air (22) displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the yarns or tows so as to obtain a substantially unidirectional sheet (20) that is uniform.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: SNECMA Propulsion SolideInventors: Jean-Michel Guirman, Bernard Lecerf, Alain Memphis
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Patent number: 6743392Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a spread fiber bundle using a fiber-spreading device composed of a group of rollers and a base body reciprocated to be repetitively brought into contact with and kept away from a running fiber bundle, and a method for producing a prepreg. Fiber bundle can be stably and efficiently spread even in the case where the fiber bundle to be spread are filaments having a high elastic modulus such as carbon filaments or where the carbon fiber bundle conveying speed is higher.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kiyotsugu Tanaka, Hiroshi Ohtani, Hidetaka Matsumae, Seiji Tsuji, Daisaku Akase
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Publication number: 20040043213Abstract: A method for the production of a multifilament carbon fibre-based longitudinal reinforcing element, designed to be incorporated in a rubber-based item. Said method comprises the following steps, whereby untwisted carbon fibres are plunged into an impregnating bath contained a solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and rubber latex, the impregnated fibres are then dried and the dried fibres are subsequently twisted. The inventive method is characterised by the fact that it also comprises a step, during the impregnation step, consisting in opening out the carbon fibres by spreading out the constituent filaments thereof in such a way that each fibre has an increased surface area on which the impregnation can be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Sovoutri Societe Voultaine De Transformes IndustrielsInventor: Corinne Tonon
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Patent number: 6687564Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the spreading of a textile sheet made up of a plurality of tows coming from a tow feed module and serving to feed a drive module, the apparatus comprises means for measuring the positions of the longitudinal edges of each tow, means for individually adjusting the width of each tow, means for individually adjusting the position of each tow in a direction perpendicular to a tow advance direction, and digital processor means responsive to said position measuring means to control the adjustment means in such a manner that the textile sheet presents determined width and position.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Messier-BugattiInventors: Yvon Baudry, Robert Jean, Jean Pascal Pirodon
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Publication number: 20030172506Abstract: After yarns or tows (10) have been pre-spread and placed side by side substantially in a common plane, their surface is swept by at least one jet of air (22) displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the yarns or tows so as to obtain a substantially unidirectional sheet (20) that is uniform.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Jean-Michel Guirman, Bernard Lecerf, Alain Memphis
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Publication number: 20030029009Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing broken filaments from a continuous filament tow (60) traveling at a tow velocity between a source and a collector. The tow (60) is contacted with a rotatable, cylindrical roller (13), having an axis of rotation and an outer surface, located in the path of travel by the tow from the source to the collector. The axis of rotation is oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the tow (60). The roller (13) rotates in a direction counter to the direction of travel of the tow (60) to lift broken fibers from the tow. The lifted broken fibers are entrained in an airflow created by a tubular vacuum header (12) to remove the broken fibers from the tow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Douglas S. Roy, James M. Clark
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Patent number: 6511566Abstract: Method of producing a fibrous material layer mainly intended to be incorporated in an absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin or the like. At least one bundle of continuous filaments, so called tow (12), is opened and the filaments are separated and evened to a layer having the desired fiber distribution, after which the layer is bonded in points, spots or lines in a bonding pattern, but where the filaments otherwise are substantially unbonded to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Peter Wessel, Urban Nilsson, Kent Edgren, José-Maria Mansisidor, Dragoljub Kustrimovic
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Patent number: 6385828Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a fiber tow, the apparatus having a spreading bar comprising a crown and a circular or oval-shaped splitter bar comprising grooves around the circumference of the splitter bar, wherein each of the grooves does not circumscribe the complete circumference of the splitter bar, and a method therefor are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Zoltek Companies, Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Kiss, Jeffrey M. Deaton, Michael S. Parsons, Donald Coffey
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Publication number: 20020026699Abstract: A method and an apparatus for opening continuous filaments provide stable quality of fibrous layer after opening crimped TOW. The TOW is transported by means of a plurality of rolls. While transported, the TOW is applied a resistance on one side of the TOW by slidingly contacting a sliding body onto the TOW at between rolls. As a result, continuous filaments stacked in a thickness direction of the TOW are caused to sift in a transporting direction of the TOW. Thus, the TOW is opened and the continuous filaments are spread in a width direction of the TOW.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroo Hayashi, Kodai Furuya
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Patent number: 6334243Abstract: A tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke is stretched between an upstream pair and a downstream pair of advancing rolls. Suction nozzles are provided to evacuate air from those portions of the path for the tow which are located immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the path section at the nip of the downstream advancing rolls. This prevents eddying of air at the nip and a fluttering of filaments of the tow.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventor: Stephan Wolff