US3703264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispensing of fibrous material
Assignee: Aichilithic Co
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in a system for dispensing fibrous material with random distribution for reinforcing a matrix into which it is placed. The system includes a fiber supply apparatus for continuously feeding fiber to a dispensing gun with little or no down time. The apparatus includes two fiber supply containers, each connected to a source of compressed air. A lead conduit of sufficient length to insure entrainment of fiber by compressed air is in communication with each of the containers and leads to a dispensing conduit. Each of the lead conduits are flow connected to a valve which can simultaneously terminate air flow and cut a fiber being propelled therein, thus stopping fiber feed. The respective containers and lead conduits are used alternatively so that a fiber supply in one container can be replenished while the other container is supplying fiber to the dispensing system, thus eliminating any down time for fiber supply replenishment.
Inventors
- 👤 James Buchanan Winn Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:29
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D3/00; E02D3/005; B; B65; B65H; B65H51/00; B65H51/16; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/31; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/889; Y10T83/896; Y10T83/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a system for dispensing and controlling the flow of continuous fiber rovings including: a sealed pressurized container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, means flow connected to said container for introducing compressed air into said container, and first conduit means leading from said container for entraining and conveying said fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said container and said conduit means, further structure for continuously operating said system comprising: a second sealed pressurIzed container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, second means flow connected to said second container for introducing compressed air into said second container, second conduit means leading from said second container for entraining and conveying said continuous fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said second container and said second conduit means, and a dispensing conduit flow connected to said first and second conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a system for dispensing and controlling the flow of continuous fiber rovings including: a sealed pressurized container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, means flow connected to said container for introducing compressed air into said container, and first conduit means leading from said container for entraining and conveying said fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said container and said conduit means, further structure for continuously operating said system comprising: a second sealed pressurIzed container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, second means flow connected to said second container for introducing compressed air into said second container, second conduit means leading from said second container for entraining and conveying said continuous fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said second container and said second conduit means, and a dispensing conduit flow connected to said first and second conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a system for dispensing and controlling the flow of continuous fiber rovings including: a sealed pressurized container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, means flow connected to said container for introducing compressed air into said container, and first conduit means leading from said container for entraining and conveying said fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said container and said conduit means, further structure for continuously operating said system comprising: a second sealed pressurIzed container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, second means flow connected to said second container for introducing compressed air into said second container, second conduit means leading from said second container for entraining and conveying said continuous fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said second container and said second conduit means, and a dispensing conduit flow connected to said first and second conduit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a system for dispensing and controlling the flow of continuous fiber rovings including: a sealed pressurized container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, means flow connected to said container for introducing compressed air into said container, and first conduit means leading from said container for entraining and conveying said fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said container and said conduit means, further structure for continuously operating said system comprising: a second sealed pressurIzed container adapted to receive therein a supply of continuous fibrous material, second means flow connected to said second container for introducing compressed air into said second container, second conduit means leading from said second container for entraining and conveying said continuous fibrous material in a stream of compressed air traveling through said second container and said second conduit means, and a dispensing conduit flow connected to said first and second conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a first valve means for terminating the flow of compressed air and for cutting said continuous fibrous material flow connected between said first conduit means and said dispensing conduit, second valve means for terminating the flow of compressed air and for cutting said continuous fibrous material flow connected between said second conduit means and said dispensing conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said first and second conduit means have a length greater than about 3 feet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for dispensing a continuous fiber roving comprising: a first pressurizable container means for receiving a spool of said roving, a first entrainment conduit in fluid communication with said first container means capable of receiving a strand of said roving, said entrainment conduit having a predetermined length sufficient to insure entrainment of said roving by a fluid stream passing through said first entrainment conduit, a first valve means operably connected in fluid communication with said first entrainment conduit for terminating flow therethrough and for severing said roving passing therethrough said valve means positioned at a distance from said first container means not less than said predetermined length, a second pressurizable container means for receiving a spool of said roving, a second entrainment conduit in fluid communication with said second container means capable of receiving a strand of said roving, said entrainment conduit having a predetermined length sufficient to insure entrainment of said roving by a fluid stream passing through said second entrainment conduit, a second valve means operably connected in fluid communication with said second entrainment conduit for terminating flow therethrough and for severing said roving passing therethrough, said second valve means positioned at a distance from said container means not less than said predetermined length, a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of said first and second valve means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for dispensing a continuous fiber roving comprising: a first pressurizable container means for receiving a spool of said roving, a first entrainment conduit in fluid communication with said first container means capable of receiving a strand of said roving, said entrainment conduit having a predetermined length sufficient to insure entrainment of said roving by a fluid stream passing through said first entrainment conduit, a first valve means operably connected in fluid communication with said first entrainment conduit for terminating flow therethrough and for severing said roving passing therethrough said valve means positioned at a distance from said first container means not less than said predetermined length, a second pressurizable container means for receiving a spool of said roving, a second entrainment conduit in fluid communication with said second container means capable of receiving a strand of said roving, said entrainment conduit having a predetermined length sufficient to insure entrainment of said roving by a fluid stream passing through said second entrainment conduit, a second valve means operably connected in fluid communication with said second entrainment conduit for terminating flow therethrough and for severing said roving passing therethrough, said second valve means positioned at a distance from said container means not less than said predetermined length, a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of said first and second valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a first fluid supply conduit in fluid communication with said first container means having a fluid valve therein, second fluid supply conduit in fluid communication with said second container means having a fluid valve therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said predetermined length is about 3 feet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said predetermined length is at least about 3 feet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
261 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said length is in the range of about 3 feet to about 4 feet. 9. A method for continuously feeding multi-strand continuous fiber rovings through a channel to a discharge means from supply spools comprising: maintaining a first spool in a first zone in which the pressure is substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure, maintaining a first flow channel extending from said first zone to said discharge means at an elevated pressure, opening said discharge means to move said rovings from said first spool through said flow channel by entrainment in air flowing from said first zone to said discharge means, retaining the tail end of said rovings on said spool in said first zone, simultaneously replenishing the supply of fiber rovings in a second pressurizable zone by placing a spool in said zone, connecting the free end of a second spool to the tail end of a Previously depleted spool, when said first spool is depleted, pressurizing said second spool in said second zone at a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure, maintaining a second flow channel extending from said second zone to a second discharge means at an elevated pressure, and opening said second discharge means to move said rovings from said second spool through said second flow channel by entrainment of said rovings in air flowing from said second zone to said discharge means, thereafter replenishing the supply of fiber rovings in said first zone and thereafter alternating feeding from one zone and replenishing the fiber roving supply in another zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |