US 5,305,504 A · Method and apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a scrim with fibers oriented in the bias direction comprising of at least two belts and at least one plate which forms a three dimensional mandrel over which the bias scrim is formed. The plate is shaped so that any cross-section taken perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the scrim, the perimeter of the scrim formed by fibers wrapped around the machine in the plane of the cross-section is constant. This constant is equal to twice the final width of the scrim from selvedge to selvedge. The scrim is formed by wrapping fibers around the front of the assembly while the belts move toward the rear end of the machine. The movement of the belts carry the fibers to the rear of the assembly as they are wrapped around the assembly. The belts travel at substantially the same speed in opposite directions. The ratio of the speed that the fibers are wrapped around the assembly and the speed of the belts determine the fiber angle of the bias scrim. This fiber angle can be varied continuously from transverse to nearly longitudinal. The bias angle can be varied while the assembly is operating.

Claims35

Dependent claims

An apparatus for forming a scrim, having an outer perimeter, with yarns oriented in the bias direction comprising:

(a) a plate means having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion and a second end portion;
(b) a first endless belt;
(c) a second endless belt;
(d) a first drive means for rotating said first endless belt in a first direction and rotating said second endless belt in a second direction opposite said first direction;
(e) means for feeding a plurality of yarns to the plate means;
and
(f) a first attachment means for transversely attaching said first drive means to said plate means, wherein said scrim is formed by encircling said plate means, said first endless belt and said second endless belt by the plurality of yarns, with yarns oriented in a bias angle with respect to said longitudinal axis and said outer perimeter of said scrim is substantially constant throughout said longitudinal axis, wherein said scrim is transported by said first endless belt and said second endless belt in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said plate means.

4 more elements

An apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction comprising:

(a) a plate means having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion and a second end portion;
(b) a first endless belt;
(c) a second endless belt;
(d) means for feeding a plurality of yarns to the plate means;
and
(e) a first drive means for rotating said first endless belt in a first direction and rotating said second endless belt in a second direction opposite said first direction, wherein said first drive means includes a first rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and a means for attaching said first rotatable member to said plate means and a second rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and means for attaching said second rotatable member to said plate means and a third rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and means for attaching said third rotatable member to said plate means and a fourth rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and means for attaching said fourth rotatable member to said plate means and a means for rotating said first rotatable member and said third rotatable member, wherein said means for rotating said first rotatable member and said third rotatable member includes a fifth member fixedly attached to said first rotatable member and a sixth rotatable member and a seventh member fixedly attached to said sixth rotatable member and a means for attaching said sixth rotatable member to said plate means and a first secondary drive belt and wherein said fifth member and said seventh member operatively engage said first secondary drive belt and an eighth member fixedly attached to said third rotatable member and a ninth rotatable member and a tenth member fixedly attached to said ninth rotatable member and a means for attaching said ninth rotatable member to said plate means and a second secondary drive belt wherein said eighth member and said tenth member operatively engage said second secondary drive belt and means for rotating said sixth rotatable member and said ninth rotatable member;
and
(f) a first attachment means for transversely attaching said first drive means to said plate means, wherein said scrim is formed by encircling said plate means, said first endless belt and said second endless belt by the plurality of yarns;
wherein said scrim is transported by said first endless belt and said second endless belt in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said plate means.

6 more elements

An apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction comprising:

(a) a plate means having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion and a second end portion;
(b) a first endless belt;
(c) a second endless belt;
(d) means for feeding a plurality of yarns to the plate means;
(e) a first drive means for rotating said first endless belt in a first direction and rotating said second endless belt in a second direction opposite said first direction, wherein said first drive means includes a first rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and a means for attaching said first rotatable member to said plate means and a second rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and means for attaching said second rotatable member to said plate means and a third rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and means for attaching said third rotatable member to said plate means and a fourth rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and means for attaching said fourth rotatable member to said plate means and a means for rotating said first endless belt and said second endless belt, wherein said means for rotating said first endless belt and said second endless belt includes a fifth rotatable member in frictional contact with said first endless belt and a sixth rotatable member in firctional contact with said second endless belt and a means for rotating said fifth rotatable member and said sixth rotatable member;
and
(f) a first attachment means for transversely attaching said first drive means to said plate means, wherein said scrim is formed by encircling said plate means, said first endless belt and said second endless belt by the plurality of yarns, wherein said scrim is transported by said first endless belt and said second endless belt in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said plate means.

4 more elements

An apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction comprising:

(a) a plate means having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion and a second end portion;
(b) a first endless belt;
(c) a second endless belt;
(d) means for feeding a plurality of yarns to the plate means;
(e) a first drive means for rotating said first endless belt in a first direction and rotating said second endless belt in a second direction opposite said first direction;
(f) a first attachment means for transversely attaching said first dirve means to said plate means, wherein said scrim is formed by encircling said plate means, said first endless belt and said second endless belt by the plurality of yarns, wherein said scrim is transported by said first endless belt and said second endless belt in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said plate means and further comprising a spread plate means attached to said second end portion of said plate means wherein said spread plate means includes a first rotatable member rotatably attached to said spread plate means and a second rotatable member rotatably attached to said spread plate means and further comprising a means for rotating said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member wherein said means for rotating said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member includes a fifth rotatable member in frictional contact with said first rotatable member and a sixth rotatable member in firctional contact with said second rotatable member and a means for rotating said fifth rotatable member and said sixth rotatable member.

3 more elements

A process for forming a scrim, having an outer perimeter, with yarns oriented in a bias direction from a plurality of rotated yarns comprising:

engaging and transporting said rotated yarns with a first endless belt rotatable in a first direction by means of a first rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt attached to said plate means and a second rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and attached to said plate means and simultaneously engaging and transporting said rotated yarns with a second endless belt rotatable in a second direction opposite to said first direction by means of a third rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and attached to said plate means and a fourth rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and attached to said plate means and a means for rotating said first rotatable member and said third rotatable member which includes a fifth member fixedly attached to said first rotatable member and a sixth rotatable member and a seventh member fixedly attached to said sixth rotatable membner and sixth rotatable member is attached to said plate means and a first secondary drive belt and wherein said fifth member and said seventh member operatively engage said first secondary drive belt and eighth member fixedly attached to said third rotatable member and a ninth rotatably member and a tenth member fixedly attached to said ninth rotatable member attached to said plate means and a second secondary drive belt wherein said eighth member and said tenth member operatively engage said second secondary drive belt and means for rotating said sixth rotatable member and said ninth rotatable member, thereby forming said scrim while moving said rotated yarns over a plate means having a first end portion, second end portion, and a longitudinal axis, with said rotated yarns oriented in a bias angle with respect to said longitudinal axis and said outer perimeter of said scrim is substantially constant throughout said longitudinal axis.

A process for forming a scrim, having an outer perimeter, with yarns oriented in a bias direction from a plurality of rotated yarns comprising:

engaging and transporting said rotated yarns with a first endless belt rotatable in a first direction by means of a first rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt attached to a plate means and a second rotatable member operatively engaging said first endless belt and attached to said plate means and simultaneously engaging and transporting said rotated yarns with a second endless belt rotatable in a second direction opposite to said first direction by means of a third rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and attached to said plate means and a fourth rotatable member operatively engaging said second endless belt and attached to said plate means and a means for rotating said first rotatable sprocket and said third rotatable sprocket which includes a fifth rotatable sprocket fixedly attached to said first rotatable sprocket and a sixth rotatable worm gear and a seventh rotatable sprocket fixedly attached to said sixth rotatable worm gear and said sixth rotatable worm gear is rotatably attached to said plate means and a first secondary drive belt and wherein said fifth rotatable sprocket and said seventh rotatable sprocket operatively engage said first secondary drive belt and a eighth rotatable sprocket fixedly attached to said third rotatable sprocket and a ninth rotatable worm gear and a tenth rotatable sprocket fixedly attached to said ninth rotatable worm gear rotatably attached to said plate means and a second secondary drive belt wherein said eighth rotatable sprocket and said tenth rotatable sprocket operatively engage said second secondary drive belt and means for rotating said sixth worm gear and said ninth worm gear includes a worm gear fixedly attached to a rotatable shaft, thereby forming said scrim while moving said rotated yarns over said plate means having a longitudinal axis, with said rotated yarns oriented in a bias angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said plate means and said outer perimeter of said scrim is substantially constant throughout each said longitudinal axis of said plate means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for forming a scrim with yarns oriented in the bias direction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35