US3708831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus cross-drafting fibrous nonwoven webs
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-04
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are described for cross-drafting fibrous nonwoven webs. A web is grasped by a plurality of endless belts which diverge laterally to stretch the web in a cross-machine direction. Two or more sets of belts are employed to initially grasp the web across a transverse line normal to the length of the web, to stretch each increment of the web by an approximately equal amount, and to release the web simultaneously across a second transverse line normal to the web. The resulting web is of increased width and decreased thickness in comparison to the initial web, and each increment of the web is stretched or crossdrafted by an approximately equal amount.
Inventors
- 👤 W Burger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:56
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/70; D04H1/74; D04H1/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for cross-drafting fibrous nonwoven webs, comprising a plurality of sets of diverging web-grasping belt members for the upper surface of said web radiating outwardly from a web incoming position at approximately equal angles with respect to each other, and a corresponding plurality of sets of matching web-grasping belt members for the lower surface of said web, each of said belt members having an incoming sheave and an outgoing sheave, each of the belt members in a given set being of equal length, the incoming sheaves of the initial sets of belt members being substantially in axial alinement, the outgoing sheaves of the final sets of belt members being substantially in axial alinement, and the outgoing sheaves of the initial sets of belt members and the incoming sheaves of the final sets of belt members, respectively, being not in axial alinement but located at spaced points lying along an arc, such that the inward portions of the web travel the same longitudinal distance while grasped between the belts as the edge portions of the web whereby said web is stretched beyond its resilient limit in an exclusively lateral direction and each increment of said web is stretched by an approximately equal amount to eliminate wrinkling or puckering.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for cross-drafting fibrous nonwoven webs, comprising a plurality of sets of diverging web-grasping belt members for the upper surface of said web radiating outwardly from a web incoming position at approximately equal angles with respect to each other, and a corresponding plurality of sets of matching web-grasping belt members for the lower surface of said web, each of said belt members having an incoming sheave and an outgoing sheave, each of the belt members in a given set being of equal length, the incoming sheaves of the initial sets of belt members being substantially in axial alinement, the outgoing sheaves of the final sets of belt members being substantially in axial alinement, and the outgoing sheaves of the initial sets of belt members and the incoming sheaves of the final sets of belt members, respectively, being not in axial alinement but located at spaced points lying along an arc, such that the inward portions of the web travel the same longitudinal distance while grasped between the belts as the edge portions of the web whereby said web is stretched beyond its resilient limit in an exclusively lateral direction and each increment of said web is stretched by an approximately equal amount to eliminate wrinkling or puckering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said belt members are flat-topped vee belts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
cross-drafting the longitudinally drafted web to stretch each transverse increment laterally substantially said amount, by continuously, longitudinally feeding while progressively diverging said drafted web by grasping said web between at least two successive sets of upper and lower longitudinally moving diverging belts of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, the disposition of said belts being not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points lying along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped between the belts travel the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to eliminate wrinkling and puckering in the resultant longitudinally and cross-drafted web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
cross-drafting the longitudinally drafted web to stretch each transverse increment laterally substantially said amount, by continuously, longitudinally feeding while progressively diverging said drafted web by grasping said web between at least two successive sets of upper and lower longitudinally moving diverging belts of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, the disposition of said belts being not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points lying along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped between the belts travel the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to eliminate wrinkling and puckering in the resultant longitudinally and cross-drafted web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
9 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said angles are equal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the belt members in successive sets are alined longitudinally with respect to said web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sets of belt members incline downwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1 including low-friction web support surfaces between adjacent belt members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for longitudinally and transversely drafting fibrous nonwoven webs comprising, in combination, sets of drafting rolls for longitudinally drafting a web, and at least two successive sets of upper and lower progressively diverging and longitudinally moving belts mounted to receive the drafted web, grasp the web between the upper and lower belts of each set, and carry the grasped web longitudinally through said sets of belts, the belts of each set being of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, said belts being mounted not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped between the belts travel substantially the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to stretch each transverse increment of said web laterally by approximately equal amounts and eliminate wrinkling and puckering in the resultant cross-drafted web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for longitudinally and transversely drafting fibrous nonwoven webs comprising, in combination, sets of drafting rolls for longitudinally drafting a web, and at least two successive sets of upper and lower progressively diverging and longitudinally moving belts mounted to receive the drafted web, grasp the web between the upper and lower belts of each set, and carry the grasped web longitudinally through said sets of belts, the belts of each set being of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, said belts being mounted not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped between the belts travel substantially the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to stretch each transverse increment of said web laterally by approximately equal amounts and eliminate wrinkling and puckering in the resultant cross-drafted web.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
22 words
A method for reducing thickness while maintaining substantially isotropic strength characteristics of a random web of textile fibers, comprising the steps of
Claim 13
Independent Claim
22 words
A method for reducing thickness while maintaining substantially isotropic strength characteristics of a random web of textile fibers, comprising the steps of
Claim 14
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for cross-drafting a web of textile fibers, comprising the steps of continuously, longitudinally feeding said web, progressively diverging said web while longitudinally feeding said web by grasping said web between at least two successive sets of upper and lower longitudinally moving diverging belts of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, the disposition of said belts being not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points lying along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped by the belts travel the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to stretch each transverse increment of the web laterally by an approximately equal amount and eliminate wrinkling and puckering in thE resultant cross-drafted web.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for cross-drafting a web of textile fibers, comprising the steps of continuously, longitudinally feeding said web, progressively diverging said web while longitudinally feeding said web by grasping said web between at least two successive sets of upper and lower longitudinally moving diverging belts of substantially equal length and angular disposition with respect to the other belts of each set, the disposition of said belts being not in transverse axial alignment but located at spaced points lying along an arc such that the inward portions of the web while grasped by the belts travel the same longitudinal distance as the edge portions of the web to stretch each transverse increment of the web laterally by an approximately equal amount and eliminate wrinkling and puckering in thE resultant cross-drafted web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method of claim 9 wherein said web is a previously drafted web of longitudinally alined textile fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method of claim 9 wherein said web is a random web of textile fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 9 wherein said web is stretched by at least about 50 percent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |