Abstract: A system for spreading a multi-filament bundle of fibers such that most of the individual fibers are exposed for various treatment and coating processes is described. The system is particularly suited to, but not limited to, carbon fiber applications. In such applications it is desired to spread carbon fiber tows consisting of anywhere from less than 1,000 to in excess of 144,000 individual filaments such that a significant portion of the filaments are exposed for processing. A spreading system can consist of one or more individual spreaders placed in series to achieve a desired spread. Each spreader consists of expandable bands, an expandable tube, or a compressible and expandable piece of foam placed between two angled support discs. The discs are angled away from each other such that the bands, tube, or foam between the closest points of the angled discs will stretch or expand as the support discs rotate about their respective axes.

Abstract: A bulletproof fabric that fully exhibits the mechanical properties of constituent filaments to have light weight and high bulletproof performance is provided. The bullet-proof fabric contains a non-twisted, non-interlaced multifilament having a total fineness of 10 to 1000 denier both as a warp and as a weft. The multifilament consists mainly of at least one high-strength, high-modulus filament having a single fiber fineness of 10 denier or less. For the bulletproof fabric, the value of .alpha. calculated by expression (1):.alpha.=N.multidot.D/1000 (1)where N is the density in warp of fabric (yarns/inch) and D is the total fineness (d), is in the range of from 8.5 to 10.5, and the air permeability of the fabric satisfies expression (2):P.ltoreq..alpha..sup.2 /?7+D.sup.(1/2N) ! (2)where P is the air permeability (cc/cm.sup.2 /s) as defined in JIS L 1079 5-20. Also provided is a process for producing such a bulletproof fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing one or more tows of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke between one or more bales and the inlet of a filter rod making machine defines for each tow an elongated path having a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped part. Successive increments of the tow are stretched at least while advancing downwardly along one one leg of the U-shaped or V-shaped part of the path, and successive increments of the tow are gathered while advancing upwardly along the other leg of the U-shaped or V-shaped part of the path. A unit which serves to spray a plasticizing agent against the filaments of the tow is adjacent the substantially horizontal portion between the lower ends of the legs of the U-shaped part or is adjacent the lower region of the other leg of the V-shaped part of the path. The length of the one leg of the U-shaped or the V-shaped part of the path need not exceed 1200 mm, and the maximum width of the tow need not exceed 150 mm.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a blended tow of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers. The process of the invention includes the steps of forming a substantially planar spaced array of thermoplastic multifilament yarns and superimposing the spaced array of separate yarns onto a spread tow of reinforcing fibers. The resulting planar mixed yarn is then gathered into a tow having a nonuniform distribution of thermoplastic fibers throughout the tow. The tow is useful in forming fiber-reinforced composite articles by shaping the tow into a desired form and then heating the shaped tow to melt the thermoplastic fibers which, in turn, form a plastic matrix which is reinforced by the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for supplying cellulose acetate tow for the manufacture of cigarette filters from the transport jet of a tow opener to a cigarette filter rodmaking garniture. The apparatus is a frustoconical member having a multiplicity of apertures in the wall thereof and is attached directly to the transport jet. The apparatus has an internal diameter the same size as the exit opening of the transport jet. The opposite end of the adapter is inserted into the tow intake of the garniture. Transport gas that is introduced by the transport jet escapes through apertures in the adapter wall as the tow enters the garniture intake. A closely fitting rotatable sleeve having apertures in the wall thereof can be used to reduce the escape of transport gas through the adapter wall for optimizing performance of the adapter with tows of various processing characteristics. Tow yield is improved and pressure drop variability is reduced.

Abstract: Improving commingling two or more continuous multiple filament yarns into a single yarn by rubbing one yarn against a static charge-inducing body that is supported in an electrically isolated manner to apply static charge to the yarn to tend to cause separation of its individual multiple filament. Also disclosed is commingling apparatus in which individual filaments of a multiple filament yarn are spread from each other in an enclosure that contains a source of the multiple filament yarn and has a yarn exit opening through which the filaments leave the enclosure in a separated state, a vacuum source being to connected to an air removal opening so that air flows through and around the yarn at a direction transverse to the yarn to cause spreading of the filaments, the yarn from the source passing through a guide and a weighted dancer whose movements up and down (in response to changes in tension in the yarn) control a positive feed drive for the yarn source.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for guiding a continuous moving tow in synthetic fiber manufacture. The profile (the thickness distribution and width) and the position of the tow are continuously sensed in a non-contact manner and an appropriate electrical signal is generated. This electrical signal is used to control the profile and the position of the tow in such a way that its profile and position stay within predetermined target value ranges. The tow geometry is preferably sensed using a CCD camera, while the tow geometry is controlled using tow-engaging deflecting means. In this way it is possible to optimize tow profile and position, for example for entry into a stuffer box (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Hybrid yarn is produced from thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers by spreading the fibers separately to form a band and combining and homogeneously intermixing the two bands on rolls or rods. The spreading is carried out in such a way that the reinforcing fiber band will be from 20 to 100% wider than the thermoplastic fiber band. The hybrid yarn can be sized and processed into fabrics which can be molded to produce fiber composites.

Abstract: Controlling the cross-sectional characteristics of moving tow lines by providing monitors and positioning devices so as to improve stuffer box crimp uniformity. The mass distribution profile of a filamentary tow band is continuously measured as a function of the width of the band, and the information obtained is used to change the position of the band when a deviation from a predetermined value is noted. Positioning devices are used to carry out the movement or adjusting of the band in accordance with a signal so as to correct the deviation and present to a crimping apparatus, such as a stuffer box crimper, a band having a uniform mass distribution profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber reinforced plastic sheet having a gradient layer structure wherein the number of reinforcing fibers continuously varies and a process for producing the same by spreading a mixture of the fibers different in the number of filaments over the traveling zone of a conveyor and then pressing it while it contains a resin. The fiber reinforced plastic sheet of the invention is excellent in smooth appearance, fluidity during molding to an article, fiber filling ability into a complex form portion of an article and mechanical strength and can be produced inexpensively.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly coating one or more fibers (10) with particles of a material is described. The method uses a vibrator preferably an acoustic speaker (17b) in a housing (17c) to fluidize the particles (P.sub.1) in a chamber (17 or 30) to deposit them on spread fibers (10b). The fibers can be in the form of a tow of fibers. After the articles are coated on the fibers, the particles can be bonded to the fiber such as by using a heater (19). The resulting product has a uniform deposit of the particles and in the case of the tow of fibers can serve as a prepreg for laminate structures to be produced from the coated tow of fibers.

Abstract: A fiber separator for separating a bundle of fibers into individual fibers comprising a composite roller composed of a plurality of roller elements, each having the same bulging thick-center profile. The roller elements are provided to revolve along a circle so that the fiber bundle comes into contact with them alternately, while preferably they are not free to rotate about their respective axes arranged along the circle. The fiber separator is preferably used in preparing a fiber reinforced metallic or resin body.

Abstract: Non-woven mat consisting of one or more overlapped layers, each made of continuous, parallel, monodirectional filaments of an acrylic polymer having a tenacity of at least 50 cN/tex, an elastic modulus equal to at least 1000 cN/tex, and an ultimate elongation lower than 15%.Use of this non-woven mat as reinforcement for organic and inorganic matrices, and manufactured articles thus obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for spreading a tow of fibers (12) using the acoustic energy from a speaker (16a) or other vibrating device for a gaseous medium over which the tow passes as the fibers zig-zag between rods (16d) is described. The spread two of fibers are produced at high speed with uniform spacing and are used to make composites with plastics.

Abstract: Improving commingling two or more continuous multiple filament yarns into a single yarn by rubbing one yarn against a static charge-inducing body that is supported in an electrically isolated manner to apply static charge to the yarn to tend to cause separation of its individual multiple filaments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating monofilaments, such as glass or carbon monofilaments, forming a strand, is achieved by feeding the strand in a curved path over and in forced contact with a plurality of rods, each being subjected to vibrations. The vibrations, applied transverse to the axis of the strand, provide intermittent localized contact between the filaments and the rod surface, hence preventing high tensile and shear forces which cause breakage of the delicate filaments. In one embodiment, the rods comprise a plurality of resonators dimensioned to be resonant along their longitudinal axis for a predetermined frequency of vibration. The resonators are energized with vibrations from a single resonator dimensioned to operate as a half wavelength resonator. The resonators are provided with a wear resistant, smooth surface coating at the area of contact with the filaments.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for withdrawing a bloomed, continuous multifilament filter tow from a jet device and conveying the filter tow to filter rod-forming means in such a way that compaction or compression of the filter tow prior to its entry into the rod-forming means is minimized.

Abstract: Porous metal filters are adapted for use as liquid applicators for applying a liquid additive to a continuous, multifilament filter tow in connection with the manufacture of filter rods from the tow.

Abstract: A process for broadening the width of a bundle of parallel filaments having a band form is provided, which comprises, during the running course of the bundle in the lengthwise direction, holding the bundle under press by a direction-turning bar or bars arranged obliquely to the advancing direction of the bundle along its surface; while preventing the bundle approaching the resulting oblique holding line from varying in its approach angle and also shifting to its widthwise direction, turning the direction of the bundle leaving the bar or bars to a direction having an optional angle against the oblique holding line; and taking up the resulting bundle having a required width.

Abstract: A fibrous material composed of multifilaments is forced out of a spinneret with a fluid to collide with an impingement plate thereby separating the filaments, said impingement plate having as its impinging surface a material which creates a negative electrical charge on the surfaces of the filaments of the fibrous material upon impingement. This greatly improves separation of the filaments and permits production of non-woven sheets with high uniformity.

Abstract: A filament-feeding apparatus for a wet freshly dyed yarn has a feed wheel centered on and rotatable about an axis and having a pair of side parts having generally circular peripheries lying in parallel spaced-apart planes perpendicular to this axis, and a plurality of angularly spaced center parts axially bridging the side parts and having outer edges axially aligned with the peripheries. The wheel is open and free of structure in zones radially inward of the peripheries and radially outward of secants extending between the outer edges. A flexible endless belt having a width equal at least to the axial spacing between the peripheries is held by a plurality of pulleys in a circular arc radially against these peripheries so that the belt forms upstream and downstream nips at the ends of the circular arc.

Abstract: A cylindrical guide for varying the width of a bundle of continuous filaments has a surface in contact with the bundle that has an array of nonparallel grooves. The grooves converge until a minimum distance is reached on the guide surface and from thereon diverge to a maximum distance. With this arrangement of grooves it is possible to control the width of the bundle of filaments in a widening or narrowing manner by simply rotating the cylindrical guide one direction or the other until the desired width is reached.

Abstract: An improved method for producing and processing deregistered and disorientated synthetic tow for forming fiber filled articles in which crimped registered tow is deregistered through pairs of rolls utilizing a non-continuous groove-threaded surface. The synthetic tow is dispersed and spread, and collected for continuous distribution into and envelopment by article surface material. The automatic process and apparatus associated therewith additionally form and finish the fiber filled articles themselves for additional fabrication processes or for use as is. Vacuum suction and reciprocating distribution of the open tow web may be varied as desired to arrive at particular article thicknesses directed towards particular article uses.

Abstract: A tow opening apparatus for opening tow of chemical filaments wherein a plurality of opening disks each with the interior peripheral surface formed with a plurality of small ridges and valleys and a plurality of opening disks each with the peripheral surface formed with a plurality of ridges and valleys are alternately disposed and vertically spaced apart from each other by a suitable distance, and tow filaments are brought into alternate contact with the interior peripheral surfaces of the opening rings and the peripheral surfaces of the opening disks whereby said filaments are opened and oriented in parallel relationship.