Apparatus and process for dividing a nonwoven web
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorJames W. Brazell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and process for dividing a nonwoven web into a plurality of ribbons. An assembly of converging ribbons receive and grip the incoming continuous web to create a travel distance differential. One portion of the continuous web is pulled through the assembly of belts at a different velocity than another adjacent portion of the continuous web. Because adjacent portions of the continuous web travel a different distance over a period of time, the orientation of fibers in the web between the two adjacent portions of the web is altered. As the fibers become oriented in the machine direction, the web begins to split into continuous ribbons of desired width.
Claims29
An apparatus for providing a plurality of ribbons for a continuous nonwoven web, said apparatus comprising a first assembly of belts converging toward an assembly of corresponding bodies, said belts and said bodies cooperating to receive and grip the continuous web therebetween, and one of said belts cooperating with one of said bodies adapted to vary the travel distance during a period of time of one portion of the continuous web relative to another adjacent portion of the continuous web to define a travel distance differential such that the continuous web is divided in a longitudinal manner into said portions of the continuous web.
An apparatus for providing a plurality of ribbons from a continuous nonwoven web, said apparatus comprising an assembly of converging belts, said assembly of converging belts comprising at least two pair of converging belts, each said pair of converging belts longitudinally adjacent to one another, each said belt of said pair of converging belts cooperating to receive and grip the continuous web therebetween, at least one of said pair of converging belts adapted to vary the speed of one portion of the continuous web relative to another portion of the continuous web such that adjacent portions of the continuous web travel a different distance during a period of time, thereby dividing the continuous web in a longitudinal manner into at least two continuous ribbons of desired width.
A plurality of continuous ribbons configured from a continuous nonwoven web, a first portion of said continuous web having been driven at a first velocity and an adjacent second portion of said continuous web having been driven at a second velocity such that said continuous web divides between said first and second portions, thereby defining said plurality of continuous ribbons.
A method for providing a plurality of ribbons from a continuous nonwoven web, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving the continuous web in an assembly of converging belts;
- gripping the continuous web in said assembly of converging belts;
- varying the travel distance during a period of time of a first portion of the continuous web with said assembly of converging belts relative to a second portion of the continuous web;
- and
- in response to said travel distance varying step, dividing the continuous web in a longitudinal manner between said first and second portions of the continuous web into a plurality of continuous ribbons of desired width.
An apparatus for providing a plurality of ribbons from a continuous nonwoven web, said apparatus comprising:
- means for driving a first portion of the continuous web at a first velocity;
- and
- means for driving a second portion of the continuous web at a second velocity, thereby creating a travel distance differential to select the continuous web in a longitudinal manner into said first and second portions to define two continuous ribbons of desired width.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.