Bias cut, continuous fabric of ceramic or synthetic fibers
AssigneeTextile Products, Incorporated
InventorWalter A. Rheaume
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and process for producing a unique, continuous and endless, bias cut fabric employing ceramic and synthetic fibers is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a take up roll system positioned at the output of a tubular weaving operation. The roll system takes up the tube evenly and ensures a uniform movement of the tube through the system to maintain a uniform weave oriented at 90.degree. to the fabric length. This permits the tube, as it leaves the system, to be cut diagonally and to be unwound as a lay flat fabric having a uniform weave pattern oriented at a bias to the fabric length.
Claims12
A lay flat, continuous length of fabric having a weave oriented at a bias to the direction of the fabric length, the fabric being produced by the steps, comprising:
- (a) weaving a fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic or synthetic fibers into a tubular shape having a square of rectangular weave pattern oriented at 90.degree. to the fabric length;
- (b) immediately and continuously following the weaving step, passing the tubular woven fabric through at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls driven by matched gears, the rolls having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel;
- (c) applying a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to an opposite side of the tube employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90.degree. weave pattern uniform;
- (d) cutting the tube diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length;
- and,
- (e) applying a removable adhesive backing sheet to the lay flat fabric to reduce weave distortion when applied to a substrate.
A process for converting woven, tubular fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic or synthetic fibers into a continuous, endless length of lay flat fabric having a bias oriented weave, which comprises:
- (a) weaving the fibers into a tubular fabric shape having a square or rectangular weave pattern oriented at 90.degree. to the fabric length;
- (b) immediately and continuously following the weaving step, passing the tubular woven fabric through at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls driven by matched gears, the rolls having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel;
- (c) applying a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to opposite sides of the tube and employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90.degree. weave pattern uniform;
- (d) cutting the tube diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length;
- and,
- (e) applying a removable adhesive backing sheet to the lay flat fabric to reduce weave distortion when applied to a substrate.
An apparatus for a 90.degree. woven tubular ceramic or synthetic fabric from a tubular woven shape into a lay flat fabric length oriented at a bias to the fabric length, which comprises:
- (a) means for forming a tubular fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic and synthetic fibers having a weave pattern oriented at 90.degree. to the direction of fabric length;
- (b) means for immediately and continuously taking up the woven tubular fabric after leaving the weaving means while maintaining the weave pattern uniform, including:
- i. at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls for the tubular fabric, the rolls being driven by matched gears and having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel;
- and,
- ii. the rolls being adapted to apply a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to opposite sides of the tube employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90.degree. weave pattern uniform;
- and,
- (c) cutting means for the tube;
- whereby the tube may be cut diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length, the lay flat fabric bearing a removable adhesive backing sheet to reduce weave distortion when applied to a sustrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.