US3154836A - Method and apparatus for handling continuous filamentary material - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for handling continuous filamentary material Download PDF

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US3154836A
US3154836A US66093A US6609360A US3154836A US 3154836 A US3154836 A US 3154836A US 66093 A US66093 A US 66093A US 6609360 A US6609360 A US 6609360A US 3154836 A US3154836 A US 3154836A
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strand
advancement
supply
continuous
zone
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US66093A
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Jr Harry J Hoag
John R Meidinger
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Owens Corning
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Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
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    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H5/00Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
    • D04H5/08Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres or yarns

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  • continuous filamentary material as used throughout this specification and in the appended claims is intended to include individual fibers, multi-filament strands, slivers, rovings, and other continuous llexible textile Lorms.
  • one or" the maior problems is that of a hang-up or anchoring of the iilamentary material, either within the supply or along the path of its advancement. Such occurrences generally result in a complete stoppage in the advancement of the lamentary material, or in a reduction in the rate of advancement of the ilamentary material below the rate necessary for the successful operation of the process consuming it.
  • Another problem of some magnitude is that of snarls or projecting entanglements occurring along the length of the fllamentary material wldch may cause a hangup, or a defect in the product being formed.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus which will provide a free end of the larnentary material available for immediate restitution of the processing operation when severing of the iilarnentary erial has become necessary.
  • a still further object of this invention is to ⁇ provide a method and apparatus which will prevent breaks in nce the iilamentary material from occurring in the convolutions of the supply.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide method and means for sensing the surface of advancing ilamentary material for snarls and entanglements being c rried along thereon and preventing the advancement o such snarled and entangled material in the event of such occurrences.
  • Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus for the supervised delivery of continuous filamentary material for incorporation in a mat type product being continuously formed, in a manner whereby disruption or displacement of the iilamentary material from the pattern in which it is incorporated in the mat is substantially prevented.
  • the filamentary material is continuously withdrawn from a supply and serially advanced lengthwise along a predetermined path and delivered to a station for further processing by the application of a tractive force thereto.
  • the surface of continuous iilamentary material is irst sensed for snarls or entanglements occurrin T thereon, and then enveloped with a concentration of heat at a temperature sufficient to sever the lilarnentary material in the event of a stoppage or reduction in the rate of delivery of the material below a predetermined rate.
  • FIGURE l is a side-elevational View in perspective, partially broken away and partially in section, illustrating the invention in conjunction with the formation of a continuous strand reinforced mat;
  • FlGURE 2 is an enlarged view, in perspective, with parts broken away of portions of the apparatus shown in FlGURl-E l, and showing with greater particularity the supervised advancement of a length of continuous iilarnentary material in accordance with the practice of the present invention.
  • FGURE 3 is an enlarged plan View of a portion of the mechanism for sensing the surface of the lamentary material and guiding it in relation to the severence means.
  • a shield or divider 17 of tentlike configuration Centrally disposed within the hood 16 is a shield or divider 17 of tentlike configuration with its apex located in the upper portion of the hood 16 beneath the hood opening.
  • the divider 17 serves to separate the down- Wardly moving discontinuous bers into two groups and provides a shielded zone above a foraminous endless conveyor 18 traveling beneath the hood 16 for the incorporation of continuous fllamentary material 22 with the discontinuous iibers 15 being collected thereon.
  • the first group of the discontinuous fibers 15 are interfeltingly layered thereon in a random distribution.
  • a plurality of lengths of continuous lamentary material are then randomly distributed thereover in the zone beneath the hood divider 17.
  • this fibrous mass is moved forwardly by the conveyor into the hood zone beyond the divider 17 the second group of discontinuous fibers is randomly applied thereon.
  • Deposition of the ⁇ discontinuous fibers 15 and the continuous lamentary material on the conveyor 1S is facilitated by suction or subatmospheric pressure produced in chamber 19 disposed beneath thevupper section of the conveyor.
  • Duct 2l connects the chamber with suitable negative pressure producing mechanism (not shown).
  • the reinforced mat 21 Upon passage out of the hood area the reinforced mat 21 is continuously advanced to suitable apparatus for further processing and packaging.
  • the continuous flamentary materialto be incorporated as a reinforcement in the mat 21 may be, for example,
  • the number of strands utilized and the pattern of their assemblage in the mat 21 may be varied to provide different strength characteristics, however, Vto avoid serious defects in the end product each strand 22 must be supervisedly delivered.
  • a support member 25 located laterally adjacent chamber 19 and exteriorly of the hood 16.
  • each package 23 is a strand advancing and delivery tube 26 provided with a tubular fitting 27 for the introduction of pressurized air into the bore of the tube.
  • the inlet opening of each tube 2o is positioned abovethe respective package 23 from which it is to withdraw a strand 22 and deliver it to the mat.
  • Each tube 26 extends through lthe sidewall of the hood 16 into the shielded zone above the conveyor 18 provided by the divider 17.
  • the outlet opening of each tube 26 is directed toward the conveyor 18 to provide an area coverage of a portion-of ⁇ the surface of the mat layer being advanced thereon.
  • a plurality of such tubes extend as a bankV into the zone under the divider 17, the outlet opening of each tube 26 being positioned in spaced rela- Ytion With the outlet openings of the other tubes to assure fullcoverage of strands across the width of the conveyor 18.
  • a strand monitor 29 Suitably supported adjacent and below the inlet opening of each tube 26 and in the path of advancement of the strand 22 from its package 23, there is provided a strand monitor 29 to lirst sense the advancing strand for snarls or entanglements projecting therefrom, and secondly to continuously apply a concentration of heat to the strand at a temperature sufiicient to sever the strand in the event of a stoppage or reduction in the rate of its advancement below a predetermined rate.
  • the strand monitor 29 includes an open llame burner 31, and a strand sensing and guide mechanism 32.
  • the sensing and guide mechanism 32 is a at plate having a generally horizontal orientation, with its top surface at one end being aihxed to the bottom surface of the block of the burner 31, and having diverging arms 33 and 34 projecting from the side of the plate near the other end thereof.
  • the inner side edges of the arms 33 and 34V are joined by an intermediate arced portion 35 above which a spiral guide coil 37 is located in centered relation.
  • the coil 37 is secured to the plate by arm 36 extending from the coil being fastened to the plate by a retaining clip 38 and screw 39.
  • the coil 37 is centered over the arced portion 35 of the plate.
  • the coil 37 is spiraled vertically with its first turn of largest dimension being smaller than the arced portion 35 of the plate by an amount suiiicient to allow free circular entry of the strand into the center opening of the spiral coil 37.
  • the coil 37 is spiraled in the direction of lateral movement imparted to the strand 22 in unwinding it from its package 23.
  • the center opening of the spiral coil 37 is made sufficiently large to allow free axial movement of unsnarled portions of a strand therethrough, but is sufficiently small so that the coil 37 will restrict and halt the passage of large snarled and entangled portions of a strand.
  • a hollow, diverging Wall flame tunnel 4@ is supplied with a metered mixture of gas and air through a pipe 36 adapted to be connected with a suitable supply.
  • the circular face l1 of the tunnel lll contains a slot .2 of dimension slightly greater than that of the strand 22.
  • the slot 42 is aligned with the center opening in the coil 37 therebelow.
  • the gas-air mixture ignites within the tunnel lll and projects as an open ame 43 beyond the face 41 to completely envelop the Vstrand 22.
  • the end of a strand 22 is Withdrawn from its respective supply 23 and threaded through the inlet opening of its associated tube 26.
  • Air from a suitable supply is continuously admitted under pressure through the fitting 27 into the bore of the tube 26.
  • the air creates a zone of reduced pressure at the inlet opening of the tube 26 thereby facilitating threading.
  • the advancing air surrounds the strand applying an impositive force thereto. This force acts to continuously Withdraw the strand 22 from its package 23, advance it through the tube 26, and eject it through the tube outlet over the conveyor 18.
  • the strand thus delivered to the conveyor is haphazardly deposited in a random pattern to cover a portion of the layer of discontinuous fibers.
  • the adjacently spaced tubes each similarly deliver a strand.
  • the spacing of the tubes is such that there is a degree of zonal overlap of the strands on the moving conveyor 18 'from immediately adjacent tubes. This zonal overlapping distribution reduces the possibility of the formation of a weakened area in the mat during the short period when a strand is not fed to a particular zone due to the severance of the strand occasioned by a restriction on its advancement. Severance of a strand in the manner of this invention provides a free end conveniently available for quickly restarting the strand delivery operation.
  • the strand path in relation to the monitor 29 is established. This it finds the slot 42.
  • the lrand 22 moves into the Ycenter opening of the coil 37, it also becomes engaged in the slot i2 on the lower edge or" the face il of the llame tunnel 4t) since the slot 42 is aligned with the center opening in the coil.
  • the strand will momentarily ride on the lower portion ot" the face 4l until in this connection, the face 4i is angularly oriented with respect to the path or" the strand 22, and the strand generally does not contact the upper portion of the face 4l.
  • any snarls and entanglements projecting from yits surface result in its movement being halted or restricted by the coil 37 and/or slot d2 to a degree sufcient to eect a severance of the strand 22 by the llame 43.
  • the severed end in advance of the slot lprogresses through the delivery tube 26, and the snarled end is conveniently located for clipping and rethreadiag in its tube 25.
  • the continuous application of the flame 43 to the strand has been found to be of value in discharging static charges from strand of a type, such as glass, which tend to accumulate such charges during their handling. Such discharge is eEected by the ionizing character of the flame.
  • this action is provided by the continuous application of the concentration of heat to the strand being advanced at a temperature suicient to sever the strand when it is moved at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
  • the temperature of the severing zone is adjusted in accordance with the rate at which the strand is to be advanced, the length of the heated zone, and the character and thickness of the strand.
  • exible glass strands of dimensions in the range available for commercial use moving at a rate of 2060 per minute can be successfully monitored by a 1" diameter llame at a temperature in the range of 2800" to 3000 F.
  • the burner can be made to en'"ect a severmce of such a strand when it moves at a rate slower than 250 per minute, but it will be recognized in view of the present description that the predetermined rate below which severance occurs can be modified by adjustment of the above-mentioned interrelated variables for establishment of the required concentration of heat.
  • the strand monitor of the inventionY affords many advantages in that there are no moving parts, it is .compact, readily adjustable, and practically maintenance free. Further, it prevents breakages due to anchoring of the strand in the package, as the strand will be severed before sufcient force is applied thereto to break it in the package.
  • the supervised advancement oi' continuous lamentary material in accordance with the method and apparatus of this invention may be utilized in processes other than that described.
  • the method and apparatus of this invention may be employed to form a continuous strand mat by directing a plurality of tubes each feeding an individual strand to a moving collection surface for assemblage of a mat completely made up of continuous strand material.
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising linearly advancing a continuous length of lamentary material from a supply along a given path, concentrating heat in a short zone along the length of the path of advancement of said material, and maintaining the concentration of heat at a temperature sutlicient to sharply sever the material within a short distance of movement when the material is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of ilamentary material comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and feeding it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, and enveloping said material between the Zone of application of the tractive force and the supply with a narrow band of open flame at a temperature sui'icient to sever said ilamentary material when the rate of feed of said material is less than a predetermined rate.
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material from a supply thereof comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and advancing it lengthwise along a given path by the application of a pneumatic force thereto, and enveloping said iilamentary material .in an open llame of relatively small dimension in a Zone between the region of application or" the tractive force and the supply, said open llame being at a temperature sufficient to sever the strand when the rate of advancement of the lilamentary material is less than a predetermined rate.
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length or rilamentary material from a supply comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, engaging said material between the zone or" application of the tractive force and the supply with a concentration o heat in a short Zone along the path of advancement oi' the lilamentary material at a temperature suicient to sever said lamentary material when the rate of advancement of said material is less than a predetermined rate, and passing said iilamentary material through a surface sensing system in advance of its engagement by said concentration oi heat, said system operable to stop the area-,ese
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising continually withdrawing said Vmaterial from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, enveloping said material in a zone between the region of application of the tractive force and the supply with an open ame at a temperature sutiicient to sever the iilamentary material when the rate of advancement of the material is less than a predetermined rate, sensing the surface of the lamentary material in advance of its introduction into the open flame to detect irregularities in dimensional Ylinearity such as snarls and entanglements, and restraining the advancement of said lamentary material upon detection of such an irregularity whereupon said filamentary material is severed by said open flame.
  • a method for the supervised advancement of a continuous lengthof filamentary material from a supply comprising continually withdrawing said lilamentary material from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a pneumatic force in impositive engaging advancing relation therewith, enveloping said material-between the zone of application of said force and said supply with an open iame in a short zone along the path of advancement of the tilamentary material at a temperature sutlcient to sever the iilamentary material when the rate of advancement ofk said material is less than a predetermined rate, sensing the surface of the tilamentary material in advance of its introduction into the open flame to detect irregularities in dimensional linearity such as snarls and entanglements, and restraining the advancement of said lamentary material upon detection of such an irregularity whereupon said lamentary material is severed by said llame.
  • a process for forming a fibrous mat incorporating continuous length tilamentary material the steps of continually withdrawing a plurality of lengths of filamentary material each from a preformed supply thereof, continually -lineraly advancing each of said lengths by applying a pneumatic force thereto in a zone spaced from said supply and adjacent a foraminous moving collection surface, serially depositing each of said lengths on said surface while preserving the continuity of each of said lengths between said surface and its supply, and enveloping each of said lengths of said iilamentary material in a zone'adjacent the zone of application of the pneumatic force with an open flame at a temperature suiiicient to sever said lengths when the rate of feed of said lengths is less than apredetermined rate.
  • Apparatus for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising a supply of said lamentary material, tractive means spaced from said supply for continuously withdrawing and advancing said material therefrom, and open flame producing means located in advance of said tractive means and positioned to continuously apply a concentration of heat across a short-length of the path of travel of said amentary material at a temperature sucient to sever said material when it is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
  • Apparatus for the supervised advancement of a vcontinuous length of iilamentary material comprising a supply of said iilamentary material, pneumatic means spaced from said supply for continuously withdrawing and advancing said material therefrom, flame producing means located in advance of said pneumatic means and positioned to ⁇ continuously apply a concentration of heat to said lamentary material in a short zone along the path of advancement of the iilamentary material at a temperature suicient to sever said material when it is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate, and a spiral coil positioned in the path of advancement of said material in advance of said darne producing means to restrain the movement of said ilamentary material when snarls occur thereon.

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 H. J. HoAG, JR., ETAL 3,154,836
METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR HANDLING coNTINuous FILAMENTARY MATERIAL Filed Oct. 3l. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HAPPY J. H046, Ef
JOHN A//E/D/NGER INVENTURS t Arrow/5v5 Nov. 3, 1964 H, J. HoAG, JR., ETAL 3,154,836
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTARY MATERIAL Filed Oct. 31, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HARRY J H046, JR. 8:
./oH/v A. MHD/N651:J
INVENToRs A TTO/PA/Eys United States Patent O Harry J. L
Alto, assignors to @wens-Corning Fiberglas poration, a corporation of Belaware Filed Get. 31, i959, Ser. No. 615,093 il Claims. {f-C. Erl- 54) 'l`his invention relates to handling continuous lilamentary material in strand, yarn, or like form. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the supervised advancement of continuous amentary material in the direction of its length from a supply thereof to a station where the material is further processed, or is incorporated in a product being formed.
The term continuous filamentary material as used throughout this specification and in the appended claims is intended to include individual fibers, multi-filament strands, slivers, rovings, and other continuous llexible textile Lorms.
in processes wherein continuous lamentary material is continuously withdrawn from a supply and serially advanced by the application of a tractive force thereto to a sta-ion for further processing, a variety of problems are encountered that are detrimental to the normal course of the operation, and which frequently cause serious defects in the product being formed from the ilarnentary material. For example, one or" the maior problems is that of a hang-up or anchoring of the iilamentary material, either within the supply or along the path of its advancement. Such occurrences generally result in a complete stoppage in the advancement of the lamentary material, or in a reduction in the rate of advancement of the ilamentary material below the rate necessary for the successful operation of the process consuming it.
Other serious problems, often attributable to a hangup, are breakage of the iiiamentary material within the supply, and disruption of the material from the pattern in which it has been incorporated in the product being formed. in this connection, breaking of the llamentary material within the supply results in a consideraele loss of time in locating the broken end to restart the advancement process.
Another problem of some magnitude is that of snarls or projecting entanglements occurring along the length of the fllamentary material wldch may cause a hangup, or a defect in the product being formed.
It i therefore, the general obiect of this invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for the supervised advancement of continuous iilamentary material from a supply in a manner obviating the aforementioned problems.
More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and means for the continuous supervised advancement of iilamentary material from a supply thereof, a manner wherein there is an immediate severence of the ilamentary material in the event of a stoppage or of a reduction in the rate of advancement of the filamentary material below a rate that has been predeterminedly established for the successful operation of a process.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus which will provide a free end of the larnentary material available for immediate restitution of the processing operation when severing of the iilarnentary erial has become necessary.
A still further obiect of this invention is to `provide a method and apparatus which will prevent breaks in nce the iilamentary material from occurring in the convolutions of the supply.
A still further object of this invention is to provide method and means for sensing the surface of advancing ilamentary material for snarls and entanglements being c rried along thereon and preventing the advancement o such snarled and entangled material in the event of such occurrences.
Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus for the supervised delivery of continuous filamentary material for incorporation in a mat type product being continuously formed, in a manner whereby disruption or displacement of the iilamentary material from the pattern in which it is incorporated in the mat is substantially prevented.
For this accomplishment of the aforegoing objects, in accordance with this invention the filamentary material is continuously withdrawn from a supply and serially advanced lengthwise along a predetermined path and delivered to a station for further processing by the application of a tractive force thereto. In successive zones along this path, in advance of the point of application of the tractive'force, the surface of continuous iilamentary material is irst sensed for snarls or entanglements occurrin T thereon, and then enveloped with a concentration of heat at a temperature sufficient to sever the lilarnentary material in the event of a stoppage or reduction in the rate of delivery of the material below a predetermined rate.
The aforegoing objects of the invention and other objects and advantages which hereinafter appear may be fully understood from a study of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompartying drawing which is illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to a strict conformity with the showing in the drawing but may be changed and modiiied as long as the changes make no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
In the drawings:
FIGURE l is a side-elevational View in perspective, partially broken away and partially in section, illustrating the invention in conjunction with the formation of a continuous strand reinforced mat;
FlGURE 2 is an enlarged view, in perspective, with parts broken away of portions of the apparatus shown in FlGURl-E l, and showing with greater particularity the supervised advancement of a length of continuous iilarnentary material in accordance with the practice of the present invention; and
FGURE 3 is an enlarged plan View of a portion of the mechanism for sensing the surface of the lamentary material and guiding it in relation to the severence means.
To provide a better understanding of the invention, is ereinafter shown and described in conjunction with a process for the formation of a fibrous mat reinforced with continuous r'ilarnentary material. Processes of this nature are not amenable to a start-stop operation. This is a particular disadvantage when one or more individual lengths of the continuous iilamentary material suffer a stoppage or severe reduction in the rate of its delivery. Such conditions if not immediately relieved impart severe defects in the mat being formed. A" will be apparent in the following description the practice of this invention obviates such dhiiculties. Corresponding advantages are achieved in the fabrication of other textile products incorporating continuous filamentary material,
ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FG- Y such processes serious diiiiculties, such as the ale/gaas URE lV molten glass 1li is continuously issued in the form of molten streams 11 from Va plurality of outlets 12 provided in the bottom of a feeder 13. The streams 11 are engaged by high velocity gaseous blasts, issuing from a blower 14. The blasts attenuate the molten streams 1l into a multiplicity of line fibers 15 which pass downwardly into a collection hood 16.
Centrally disposed Within the hood 16 is a shield or divider 17 of tentlike configuration with its apex located in the upper portion of the hood 16 beneath the hood opening. The divider 17 serves to separate the down- Wardly moving discontinuous bers into two groups and provides a shielded zone above a foraminous endless conveyor 18 traveling beneath the hood 16 for the incorporation of continuous fllamentary material 22 with the discontinuous iibers 15 being collected thereon.
As the conveyor 18 travels beneath the hood 16 the first group of the discontinuous fibers 15 are interfeltingly layered thereon in a random distribution. A plurality of lengths of continuous lamentary material are then randomly distributed thereover in the zone beneath the hood divider 17. As this fibrous mass is moved forwardly by the conveyor into the hood zone beyond the divider 17 the second group of discontinuous fibers is randomly applied thereon.
Deposition of the `discontinuous fibers 15 and the continuous lamentary material on the conveyor 1S is facilitated by suction or subatmospheric pressure produced in chamber 19 disposed beneath thevupper section of the conveyor. Duct 2l) connects the chamber with suitable negative pressure producing mechanism (not shown).
Upon passage out of the hood area the reinforced mat 21 is continuously advanced to suitable apparatus for further processing and packaging.
Reinforced mats of this type produced in the aforesaid manner are Well known in the art, and therefore do not constitute per se a part of this invention. However', in hang-ups, stoppages, and snarls previously mentioned, have been experienced in the delivery of the continuous lamentary material to the zone of its application to the mat being formed. These diliiculties have made the supervised advancement of the continuous iiiamentary material in accordanceV with the practice of this invention invaluable.
The continuous flamentary materialto be incorporated as a reinforcement in the mat 21 may be, for example,
' a plurality of continuous glass filaments in the form of a strand 22. Y
The number of strands utilized and the pattern of their assemblage in the mat 21 may be varied to provide different strength characteristics, however, Vto avoid serious defects in the end product each strand 22 must be supervisedly delivered. To this end, there is provided a support member 25 located laterally adjacent chamber 19 and exteriorly of the hood 16. Aliixed thereto are a plurality Vof package holders 24, each adapted to hold a supply or package 23 of continuous strand 22.
Above each package 23 is a strand advancing and delivery tube 26 provided with a tubular fitting 27 for the introduction of pressurized air into the bore of the tube. The inlet opening of each tube 2o is positioned abovethe respective package 23 from which it is to withdraw a strand 22 and deliver it to the mat. Each tube 26 extends through lthe sidewall of the hood 16 into the shielded zone above the conveyor 18 provided by the divider 17. The outlet opening of each tube 26 is directed toward the conveyor 18 to provide an area coverage of a portion-of` the surface of the mat layer being advanced thereon. A plurality of such tubes extend as a bankV into the zone under the divider 17, the outlet opening of each tube 26 being positioned in spaced rela- Ytion With the outlet openings of the other tubes to assure fullcoverage of strands across the width of the conveyor 18.
Suitably supported adjacent and below the inlet opening of each tube 26 and in the path of advancement of the strand 22 from its package 23, there is provided a strand monitor 29 to lirst sense the advancing strand for snarls or entanglements projecting therefrom, and secondly to continuously apply a concentration of heat to the strand at a temperature sufiicient to sever the strand in the event of a stoppage or reduction in the rate of its advancement below a predetermined rate.
As is more clearly seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the strand monitor 29 includes an open llame burner 31, and a strand sensing and guide mechanism 32.
The sensing and guide mechanism 32 is a at plate having a generally horizontal orientation, with its top surface at one end being aihxed to the bottom surface of the block of the burner 31, and having diverging arms 33 and 34 projecting from the side of the plate near the other end thereof. The inner side edges of the arms 33 and 34V are joined by an intermediate arced portion 35 above which a spiral guide coil 37 is located in centered relation. The coil 37 is secured to the plate by arm 36 extending from the coil being fastened to the plate by a retaining clip 38 and screw 39. The coil 37 is centered over the arced portion 35 of the plate. The coil 37 is spiraled vertically with its first turn of largest dimension being smaller than the arced portion 35 of the plate by an amount suiiicient to allow free circular entry of the strand into the center opening of the spiral coil 37. The coil 37 is spiraled in the direction of lateral movement imparted to the strand 22 in unwinding it from its package 23. The center opening of the spiral coil 37 is made sufficiently large to allow free axial movement of unsnarled portions of a strand therethrough, but is sufficiently small so that the coil 37 will restrict and halt the passage of large snarled and entangled portions of a strand.
ln the burner 3i, a hollow, diverging Wall flame tunnel 4@ is supplied with a metered mixture of gas and air through a pipe 36 adapted to be connected with a suitable supply. The circular face l1 of the tunnel lll contains a slot .2 of dimension slightly greater than that of the strand 22. The slot 42 is aligned with the center opening in the coil 37 therebelow. The gas-air mixture ignites within the tunnel lll and projects as an open ame 43 beyond the face 41 to completely envelop the Vstrand 22.
ln operation, the end of a strand 22 is Withdrawn from its respective supply 23 and threaded through the inlet opening of its associated tube 26. Air from a suitable supply is continuously admitted under pressure through the fitting 27 into the bore of the tube 26. The air creates a zone of reduced pressure at the inlet opening of the tube 26 thereby facilitating threading. The advancing air surrounds the strand applying an impositive force thereto. This force acts to continuously Withdraw the strand 22 from its package 23, advance it through the tube 26, and eject it through the tube outlet over the conveyor 18. By regulation of the supply of air the desired rate of advancement of the strand is established.
The strand thus delivered to the conveyor is haphazardly deposited in a random pattern to cover a portion of the layer of discontinuous fibers. The adjacently spaced tubes each similarly deliver a strand. The spacing of the tubes is such that there is a degree of zonal overlap of the strands on the moving conveyor 18 'from immediately adjacent tubes. This zonal overlapping distribution reduces the possibility of the formation of a weakened area in the mat during the short period when a strand is not fed to a particular zone due to the severance of the strand occasioned by a restriction on its advancement. Severance of a strand in the manner of this invention provides a free end conveniently available for quickly restarting the strand delivery operation.
After the strand 22 has been threaded through the inlet opening of its associated ytube 26 and the tractive force for its advancement applied thereto, the strand path in relation to the monitor 29 is established. This it finds the slot 42.
is essentially a self-threading process. As the strand 22 is withdrawn from its package 23 it follows a laterally circular upward path. The opening between the projecting arms 33 and 34 of the guide mechainism 32 is interceptingly located in the path of movement of the strand. Upon contacting the interior sides of these arms, and guided thereby, the strand passes under the impetus of its lateral movement into the path defined by the arced portion 35 or" the plate and the side of the spiral coil 37, and progresses into the center opening of the coil 37. At the same time that the lrand 22 moves into the Ycenter opening of the coil 37, it also becomes engaged in the slot i2 on the lower edge or" the face il of the llame tunnel 4t) since the slot 42 is aligned with the center opening in the coil. At times the strand will momentarily ride on the lower portion ot" the face 4l until in this connection, the face 4i is angularly oriented with respect to the path or" the strand 22, and the strand generally does not contact the upper portion of the face 4l.
As the strand is advanced through Vthe coil 37 and the slot 42, any snarls and entanglements projecting from yits surface result in its movement being halted or restricted by the coil 37 and/or slot d2 to a degree sufcient to eect a severance of the strand 22 by the llame 43. In such event the severed end in advance of the slot lprogresses through the delivery tube 26, and the snarled end is conveniently located for clipping and rethreadiag in its tube 25. By its engagement in the coil 37 and in the slot 42, the strand 22 is guided and maintained in its path through the open llame 43.
The continuous application of the flame 43 to the strand has been found to be of value in discharging static charges from strand of a type, such as glass, which tend to accumulate such charges during their handling. Such discharge is eEected by the ionizing character of the flame.
In normal operation the advancement or the continuous strand 22 from its supply package 23 to the Zone of its incorporation with the layer or discontinuous t'ibers on the moving conveyor '18 is continuous, and severing of the strand by lthe ame 43 only occurs when normal advancement is interrupted, for example, by a hang-up or anchoring thereof.
In the event of such interruption or stoppage, the strand 22 were not monitored, severe defects would be imparted to the mat since a pull would be exerted on that part of the strand already incorporated in the discontinuous libers caried along on the moving conveyor. Such pulls effect a dislodgernent of the strand from the pattern in which it has been incorporated in the mat, and also disrupt or dislodge the adjacent discontinuous iibers, forming a blemish or strength defect in the mat. In the production of thin mats such pulls generally result in a dislodgement of strand and liber sudicient to form a hole or vacant area in the mat. Further, the
Y dislodged strand and ber fold back on themselves, creating an area of 1'ricreased thickness adjacent the vacant area, thus portions of the mat formed have to be scrapped and as such mats are often formed in 56 and 72 widths considerable material is wasted.
In view of the severity of these problems caused by such a pull being exerted on the strand, the necessity for immediate remedial action is apparent. As previously refered Ito, this action is provided by the continuous application of the concentration of heat to the strand being advanced at a temperature suicient to sever the strand when it is moved at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
The temperature of the severing zone is adjusted in accordance with the rate at which the strand is to be advanced, the length of the heated zone, and the character and thickness of the strand. By way of example, exible glass strands of dimensions in the range available for commercial use moving at a rate of 2060 per minute can be successfully monitored by a 1" diameter llame at a temperature in the range of 2800" to 3000 F. l'iurther, by way of example, the burner can be made to en'"ect a severmce of such a strand when it moves at a rate slower than 250 per minute, but it will be recognized in view of the present description that the predetermined rate below which severance occurs can be modified by adjustment of the above-mentioned interrelated variables for establishment of the required concentration of heat.
The strand monitor of the inventionY affords many advantages in that there are no moving parts, it is .compact, readily adjustable, and practically maintenance free. Further, it prevents breakages due to anchoring of the strand in the package, as the strand will be severed before sufcient force is applied thereto to break it in the package.
it is readily apparent that the supervised advancement oi' continuous lamentary material in accordance with the method and apparatus of this invention may be utilized in processes other than that described. For example, the method and apparatus of this invention may be employed to form a continuous strand mat by directing a plurality of tubes each feeding an individual strand to a moving collection surface for assemblage of a mat completely made up of continuous strand material.
Various other mod ications may be made in the invention within the spirit and scope of the appended claims to meet diverse requirements.
We claim:
l. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising linearly advancing a continuous length of lamentary material from a supply along a given path, concentrating heat in a short zone along the length of the path of advancement of said material, and maintaining the concentration of heat at a temperature sutlicient to sharply sever the material within a short distance of movement when the material is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
2. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of ilamentary material comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and feeding it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, and enveloping said material between the Zone of application of the tractive force and the supply with a narrow band of open flame at a temperature sui'icient to sever said ilamentary material when the rate of feed of said material is less than a predetermined rate.
3. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material from a supply thereof comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and advancing it lengthwise along a given path by the application of a pneumatic force thereto, and enveloping said iilamentary material .in an open llame of relatively small dimension in a Zone between the region of application or" the tractive force and the supply, said open llame being at a temperature sufficient to sever the strand when the rate of advancement of the lilamentary material is less than a predetermined rate.
4. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length or rilamentary material from a supply comprising continually withdrawing said material from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, engaging said material between the zone or" application of the tractive force and the supply with a concentration o heat in a short Zone along the path of advancement oi' the lilamentary material at a temperature suicient to sever said lamentary material when the rate of advancement of said material is less than a predetermined rate, and passing said iilamentary material through a surface sensing system in advance of its engagement by said concentration oi heat, said system operable to stop the area-,ese
advancement of the lamentary material in the event of snarls and entanglements being carried along in projecting Yrelation with the surface of said filamentary material.
5. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising continually withdrawing said Vmaterial from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a tractive force thereto, enveloping said material in a zone between the region of application of the tractive force and the supply with an open ame at a temperature sutiicient to sever the iilamentary material when the rate of advancement of the material is less than a predetermined rate, sensing the surface of the lamentary material in advance of its introduction into the open flame to detect irregularities in dimensional Ylinearity such as snarls and entanglements, and restraining the advancement of said lamentary material upon detection of such an irregularity whereupon said filamentary material is severed by said open flame.
6. A method for the supervised advancement of a continuous lengthof filamentary material from a supply comprising continually withdrawing said lilamentary material from a supply and advancing it in the direction of its length along a given path by the application of a pneumatic force in impositive engaging advancing relation therewith, enveloping said material-between the zone of application of said force and said supply with an open iame in a short zone along the path of advancement of the tilamentary material at a temperature sutlcient to sever the iilamentary material when the rate of advancement ofk said material is less than a predetermined rate, sensing the surface of the tilamentary material in advance of its introduction into the open flame to detect irregularities in dimensional linearity such as snarls and entanglements, and restraining the advancement of said lamentary material upon detection of such an irregularity whereupon said lamentary material is severed by said llame. v
7; In a process for forming on a moving collection surface a fibrous mat incorporating continuous length lilamentary material, the steps of continually withdrawing said lamentary material from a supply andffeeding it in a direction of its length along a given path by the application of a vtractive force thereto in a zone spaced from said supply and adjacent a moving collection surface, serially depositing said material on said collection surface while preserving the continuity thereof with said supply, and enveloping said iilamentary material in a zone of relatively short length adjacent the Zone of application of said tractive force with a concentration of heat at a temperature suicient to sever said iilarnentary material when the rate of feed of said material is less than a predetermined rate.
8. In a process for forming a fibrous mat incorporating continuous length tilamentary material, the steps of continually withdrawing a plurality of lengths of filamentary material each from a preformed supply thereof, continually -lineraly advancing each of said lengths by applying a pneumatic force thereto in a zone spaced from said supply and adjacent a foraminous moving collection surface, serially depositing each of said lengths on said surface while preserving the continuity of each of said lengths between said surface and its supply, and enveloping each of said lengths of said iilamentary material in a zone'adjacent the zone of application of the pneumatic force with an open flame at a temperature suiiicient to sever said lengths when the rate of feed of said lengths is less than apredetermined rate.
9. In a process for forming on a moving collection surface a iibrous mat incorporating continuous length lamentary material, the steps of continually withdrawing and linearly advancing a plurality of continuous lengths of lamentary material from the respective supplies thereof by applying an impositive force in the form of a gaseous blast in surrounding relation with each of said lengths, conveying each of said lengths by means of said blast to a foraminous moving collection surface, establishing a negative pressure zone under said collection surface, depositing said lengths on said surface while preserving the continuity of said lengths with their respective supplies, enveloping each of said lengths in a given zone between the zone of application of said blast and its respective supply with an open flame individual to such length and at a temperature sufficient to 'sever such length when it is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate, sensing the surface of each of said lengths of lamentary material in advance of its introduction into the zone of flame envelopment to ydetect irregularities in dimensional linearity such as snarls and entanglements, and restraining the advancement of any of said lengths upon the detection of such irregularity on its surface whereupon such length is severed by said concentration of heat.
10. Apparatus for the supervised advancement of a continuous length of iilamentary material comprising a supply of said lamentary material, tractive means spaced from said supply for continuously withdrawing and advancing said material therefrom, and open flame producing means located in advance of said tractive means and positioned to continuously apply a concentration of heat across a short-length of the path of travel of said amentary material at a temperature sucient to sever said material when it is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate.
11. Apparatus for the supervised advancement of a vcontinuous length of iilamentary material comprising a supply of said iilamentary material, pneumatic means spaced from said supply for continuously withdrawing and advancing said material therefrom, flame producing means located in advance of said pneumatic means and positioned to` continuously apply a concentration of heat to said lamentary material in a short zone along the path of advancement of the iilamentary material at a temperature suicient to sever said material when it is advanced at a rate less than a predetermined rate, and a spiral coil positioned in the path of advancement of said material in advance of said darne producing means to restrain the movement of said ilamentary material when snarls occur thereon.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,526,381 Mettler Feb. 17, 1925 1,669,033 Muller May 8, 1928 1,777,221 Petitalot Sept. 30, 1930` 2,195,357 Carter Mar. 26, 1940 2,266,899 Owens Dec. 23, 1941 2,565,500 lngham Aug. 28, 1951 Y 2,801,673 Welsh Aug. 6, 1957 y 2,936,511 Wilson May 17, 1960 2,942,325 Spellman June 28, 1960 2,944,319 Crouzet `l'uly 12, 1960 2,958,921 Gilchrist et al Nov. 8, 1960 2,969,580 Wyner lan. 31, 1961 2,974,391 Speakrnan et al Mar. 14, 1961

Claims (1)

10. APPARATUS FOR THE SUPERVISED ADVANCEMENT OF A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF FILAMENTARY MATERIAL COMPRISING A SUPPLY OF SAID FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, TRACTIVE MEANS SPACED FROM SAID SUPPLY FOR CONTINUOUSLY WITHDRAWING AND ADVANCING SAID MATERIAL THEREFROM, AND OPEN FLAME PRODUCING MEANS LOCATED IN ADVANCE OF SAID TRACTIVE MEANS AND POSITIONED TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY A CONCENTRATION OF HEAT
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US3528129A (en) * 1964-10-24 1970-09-15 Freudenberg Carl Kg Apparatus for producing nonwoven fleeces
US4668566A (en) * 1985-10-07 1987-05-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Multilayer nonwoven fabric made with poly-propylene and polyethylene
US4753834A (en) * 1985-10-07 1988-06-28 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Nonwoven web with improved softness
US4778460A (en) * 1985-10-07 1988-10-18 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Multilayer nonwoven fabric
US5903962A (en) * 1996-06-21 1999-05-18 Kusters Zittauer Maschinenfabrik Gmbh Method and device for the pretreatment of a carpet yarn having tiny fine hairs on its surface
US6296201B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-10-02 Lucent Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for removing optical fiber

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US1777221A (en) * 1928-02-28 1930-09-30 Petitalot Louis Gilbert Gas burner for singeing any kind of spun
US2195357A (en) * 1937-10-18 1940-03-26 Carter William Method and apparatus for singeing yarn
US2266899A (en) * 1939-12-14 1941-12-23 Henry Owens & Company Inc Slub catcher
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US2801673A (en) * 1954-01-04 1957-08-06 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Fibrous glass mats and manufacture thereof
US2936511A (en) * 1954-08-06 1960-05-17 William Hollins & Company Ltd Yarn clearing apparatus
US2942325A (en) * 1957-05-14 1960-06-28 Du Pont Process of treating undrawn polyester yarns and filaments
US2944319A (en) * 1958-04-08 1960-07-12 Chavanoz Moulinage Retorderie Heating device for filaments
US2958921A (en) * 1954-11-26 1960-11-08 Klinger Mfg Company Heat treatment of thermoplastic or thermosetting yarn
US2969580A (en) * 1958-12-04 1961-01-31 Shawmut Inc Method of separating a continuous series of knit articles
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US1526381A (en) * 1924-10-16 1925-02-17 Marion G Slawson Grave marker
US1669033A (en) * 1926-02-12 1928-05-08 Mabag The Langenthal Machine W Gas singeing device for yarns of all kinds
US1777221A (en) * 1928-02-28 1930-09-30 Petitalot Louis Gilbert Gas burner for singeing any kind of spun
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US2266899A (en) * 1939-12-14 1941-12-23 Henry Owens & Company Inc Slub catcher
US2565500A (en) * 1947-08-06 1951-08-28 Deering Milliken Res Trust Control of filamentary material
US2801673A (en) * 1954-01-04 1957-08-06 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Fibrous glass mats and manufacture thereof
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US3528129A (en) * 1964-10-24 1970-09-15 Freudenberg Carl Kg Apparatus for producing nonwoven fleeces
US4668566A (en) * 1985-10-07 1987-05-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Multilayer nonwoven fabric made with poly-propylene and polyethylene
US4753834A (en) * 1985-10-07 1988-06-28 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Nonwoven web with improved softness
US4778460A (en) * 1985-10-07 1988-10-18 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Multilayer nonwoven fabric
US5903962A (en) * 1996-06-21 1999-05-18 Kusters Zittauer Maschinenfabrik Gmbh Method and device for the pretreatment of a carpet yarn having tiny fine hairs on its surface
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