Method and apparatus for connecting cords/filaments
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsRobert John Gartland, Kenneth Michael Kot, Jimmy Lee Richards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for welding monofilaments at a loom makes possible a method for a continuous process for weaving monofilaments into fabric. The apparatus comprises a stand (15) on which is mounted welding apparatus (16) and a filament alignment block (20). In the method, a monofilament (30a) in the loom is welded to the leading end of a monofilament (30) on a new spool of monofilament. By welding new monofilament to monofilament in the loom, restringing of the loom is avoided.
Claims3
A method for continuous operation of a fabric-weaving unit for weaving a fabric made from thermoplastic monofilaments comprising the steps of
- (a) feeding a leading end of a first thermoplastic monofilament (30a) into a weaving apparatus through various reeds, drop wire slots, rolls and guides of said weaving apparatus and weaving said monofilament (30a) into a fabric,
- (b) continuing processing of said monofilament (30a) to a trailing end of said cord or monofilament (30a), characterized by
- (c) ultrasonically welding said trailing end of said monofilament (30a) to a leading end of a second thermoplastic monofilament (30)
- (d) orienting monofilaments or cords (30,30a) such that at least one end thereof is fused in a weld (60), and
- (e) orienting a weld (60) on said monofilaments or cords (30,30a) such that a weld (60) leads any loose ends (58) through processing equipment,
- (f) continuing the operation of said weaving unit by weaving said second thermoplastic cord or monofilament (30) into a fabric.
An apparatus for splicing thermoplastic cords or monofilaments comprising an ultrasonic welder (16) mounted on a fixture (14), said fixture (14) being rotatably mounted to a pole (12), said pole (12) being attached to a stand (15) wherein said stand (15) is adapted to be mobile around a creel row (26).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.