Method and apparatus for combining elongated strips
AssigneeMilliken & Company
InventorsFrank M. Pitman, Ryan W. Johnson, Michael Tompkins, Anthony S. Brandon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for combining elongated strips is provided. The strips are wrapped with a flexible material that may include a reinforcement layer and other layers such as adhesives whereby the strips can be bonded to one another. Additionally, layers of e.g., a stabilizing material may be added to one or both sides of the intermediate formed by the elongated strips and flexible material. The stabilizing material can be e.g., layers of a scrim and/or one or more layers of material that are impregnated with a resin to add strength to the intermediate.
Claims27
A method of forming a reinforced structure, the steps comprising:
- providing a first strip having a longitudinal axis, the first strip having at least three faces that extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis, the at least three faces comprising a first face, a second face, and a third face;
- moving the first strip into contact with a flexible material and wrapping the flexible material about the first face and the second face;
- wrapping the flexible material about the third face;
- pushing the first strip along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;
- and,
- constraining the first strip along its longitudinal axis so as to maintain the wrapping of flexible material about the first strip.
An apparatus for forming a reinforced structure from a plurality of strips and a flexible material, said strips having a length that defines a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising:
- a channel formed by first and second opposing surfaces, said opposing surfaces separated by a distance configured for receipt of the thickness of the strips wrapped with the flexible material, said channel having a length configured for receipt of the length of the strips, said channel defining a first side and a second side;
- a first infeed of strips positioned along the first side of said channel;
- a first actuator located about the first side of said channel, said first actuator being movable towards said channel, said first actuator configured for moving strips from said first side towards and into said channel;
- a second infeed of strips located along the second side of said channel that is opposite said first side;
- a second actuator positioned about the second side of said channel, said second actuator being movable towards said channel, said second actuator configured for moving strips from said second side towards and into said channel in an alternating manner with said first actuator;
- and,
- an infeed of the flexible material positioned adjacent to the channel and between said first and second actuator, said infeed of the flexible material configured for supplying the flexible material into said channel.
An apparatus for adhering components of a reinforced structure, the reinforcing structure including a plurality of elongated strips and a flexible material positioned between the elongated strips, the apparatus defining upstream and downstream directions relative to the flow of the plurality of elongated strips, the apparatus comprising:
- a clamping device for fixing the position of an upstream elongated strip relative to a downstream elongated strip;
- a positioning device positioned downstream of said clamping device, said positioning device configured for pulling the downstream elongated strip away from said upstream elongated strip to expose the flexible material positioned therebetween;
- and,
- a heater positioned to provide heat to the flexible material at a position between said clamping device and said positioning device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.