Fibre spreading
OwnerGerard Fernando, Venkata Machavaraminventors
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Abstract
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).
Claims20
A method of spreading fibres, the method comprising providing a continuous fibre bundle having an initial width Wa and causing the fibre bundle to run, in a running direction, through a tensioner and a contact member, the tensioner intermittently varying the tension in the fibre bundle and the contact member comprising a microfibre fabric arranged to contact the fibre bundle, whereby the width of the fibre bundle increases to a spread width Wb.
An apparatus for spreading fibres, the apparatus comprising a tensioner and a contact member, the tensioner being arranged to intermittently vary the tension in a continuous fibre bundle running therethrough and the contact member comprising a microfibre fabric arranged to contact the fibre bundle thereby to increase the width of the fibre bundle from an initial width Wa to a spread width Wb.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.