# US 5,700,111 A · Apparatus for applying synthetic roving materials and method for controlling the build up of static electricity

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- Number: US 5,700,111 A
- Document ID: US5700111A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/590,915
- Filed: 1996-01-24
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-01-24
- Assignees: Synthetic Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Randall Eugene Johnson; Marcus N. Sparks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700111A

## CPC

- H05F 3/00: Carrying-off electrostatic charges ({from shoes A43B7/36}; from living beings A61N1/14; {from tyres B60C19/08; from vehicles B60R16/06; from aircraft B64D45/02; from large containers B65D90/46})
- B05B 7/1481: {Spray pistols or apparatus for discharging particulate material}
- E02D 17/202: {with flexible securing means}
- Y10S 111/90: Methods of planting seeds and miscellaneous compositions
- H05F: STATIC ELECTRICITY; NATURALLY-OCCURRING ELECTRICITY
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A cannon (10) for applying synthetic roving materials (12) comprises feeder means (20) for receiving and delivering a plurality of strands of synthetic roving material; a barrel assembly (21) having a discharge opening (46) at one end (42); air chamber assembly (22) interposed between feeder means and the barrel assembly providing air under pressure, the roving material being directed therethrough to combine with the air, whereby the air and the roving material are forcibly expelled from the barrel assembly; a fluid housing (23) around the feeder means and carrying a volume of fluid (93); and means (24) for directing and controlling the passage of the fluid from the fluid housing into the feeder means into contact with the roving material as it passes therethrough. A method of controlling the build-up of static electricity during the application of synthetic fiber roving through an air cannon comprises directing a plurality of strands of synthetic roving material through an air cannon; delivering air at high velocity to the cannon and directing it toward a discharge opening provided by the cannon through which the roving is dispensed; and selectively directing a flow of fluid into contact with at least a portion of the synthetic roving material as it passes through the cannon, whereby the build-up of static electricity is directed toward the discharge opening.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials comprising:
feeder means for receiving and delivering a plurality of strands of synthetic roving material;
a barrel assembly having a discharge opening at one end;
an air chamber assembly interposed between said feeder means and said barrel assembly providing air under pressure, said roving material being directed therethrough to combine with said air, whereby said air and said roving material are forcibly expelled from said barrel assembly;
a fluid housing interposed around said feeder means and carrying a volume of fluid; and
means for directing and controlling the passage of said fluid from said fluid housing into said feeder means into contact with said roving material as it passes therethrough.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said air chamber assembly comprises
an open body member, having opposed first and second open ends and providing an open leg communicating with said body;
a venturi tube mounted within said first open end, and opening into said second end, said tube providing passage for said roving;
a venturi chamber surrounding said venturi tube;
means for sealingly engaging said open leg and conveying air into said chamber; and
means for sealing said venturi chamber from said fluid housing and directing air passing therethrough into said barrel assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said barrel assembly provides a barrel, one end of which is mounted within said second open end of said body member for direct receipt of said roving; said venturi tube tapering at one end adjacent the entry of said barrel assembly and defining a passageway for flow of the air from said venturi chamber around said tube and into said barrel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for sealing comprises
first and second bushings;
said first bushing being interposed between said venturi tube and said first open end;
said second bushing being interposed between said barrel and said second open end.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fluid housing comprises
a fluid jacket, having opposed first and second ends, and providing a cavity for said fluid, said first end communicating with said air chamber assembly and said second end carrying an end cap providing an aperture for passage of said feeder means therethrough.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said means for sealing includes
first and second bushings;
said first bushing being interposed between said venturi tube and said first open end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said feeder means comprises a hollow tube carrying coupler means at one end, said coupler means being engageable with said first bushing to seal fluid within said fluid housing from said air chamber assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A cannon for applying synthetic roving materials, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for directing and controlling the passage of fluid is carried within said fluid housing and comprises
a fluid flow reducer providing an aperture for passage of said feeder means therethrough and at least one opening for the passage of fluid therethrough;
fluid absorptive media positioned downstream of said reducer and surrounding said feeder means; and
at least one aperture provided within said feeder means and communicating with said fluid absorptive media.

### Claim 9

A method of controlling the build-up of static electricity during the application of synthetic fiber roving through an air cannon comprising:
directing a plurality of strands of synthetic roving material through an air cannon;
delivering air at high velocity to an air chamber in said cannon and directing it toward a discharge opening provided by said cannon through which said roving is dispensed; and
selectively directing a flow of fluid into contact with at least a portion of the synthetic roving material as it passes through said cannon before the roving material enters the air chamber, whereby the build-up of static electricity is directed toward said discharge opening.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A method of controlling the build-up of static electricity during the application of synthetic fiber roving, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said air cannon comprises
feeder means for receiving and delivering said plurality of strands;
a barrel assembly providing said discharge opening;
an air chamber assembly interposed between said feeder means and said barrel assembly providing air under pressure, said roving material being directed therethrough to combine with said air, whereby said air and said roving material are forcibly expelled from said barrel assembly;
a fluid housing interposed around said feeder means and carrying a volume of fluid; and
means for directing and controlling the passage of said fluid from said fluid housing into said feeder means; wherein said step of selectively directing a flow of fluid includes the step of
introducing an electrically conductive fluid into said fluid housing.