US3874030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for spreading tows of fibrous materials
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-08
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-03-08
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for spreading webs of spreadable materials is disclosed. A web of such material is advanced into contact with the convex periphery of a plurality of curved rolls to effect successive incremental lateral spreading of the web material on each curved roll, the curved rolls being spacedly disposed about a fixed axis and rotatably supported between aligned mounting centers disposed on axes extending parallel to the fixed axis. While the web is advanced in an open loop travel course around and in contact with the convex peripheries of the curved rolls, the curved rolls are concurrently unitarily orbited about said fixed axis in a path counter to the advance course of the tow and at an orbiting speed such that a given point on the web contacts the convex peripheries of the curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of curved rolls disposed about the fixed axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack B Knight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:48
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/02; A24D3/0204; B; B29; B29C; B29C55/00; B29C55/02; B29C55/04; B29C55/08; B29C55/085; D; D02; D02J; D02J1/00; D02J1/18; D06; D06C; D06C3/00; D06C3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In apparatus for spreading the fibers of a web of spreadable material which includes an assembly of a plurality of curved rolls each having a smooth concave peripheral surface portion and a smooth convex periPheral surface portion over which said web can be advanced to effect successive incremental lateral separation of the web on each of said curved rolls, mounting structure for supporting said curved rolls for rotation in planetary disposition about a fixed axis and for rotation of each about an axis defined by aligned mounting centers disposed parallel with the axes of the others and parallel with said fixed axis, means for feeding said web in an open loop travel course around and in contact with first the concave peripheral surface portion and then the convex peripheral surface portion of each of said curved rolls, and means for rotating said mounting structure about said fixed axis in a direction counter to the travel course of said web at a predetermined speed whereby said curved rolls transit an orbiting course about said fixed axis and a given point on the web contacts the convex peripheral portion of said curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of rolls in said assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In apparatus for spreading the fibers of a web of spreadable material which includes an assembly of a plurality of curved rolls each having a smooth concave peripheral surface portion and a smooth convex periPheral surface portion over which said web can be advanced to effect successive incremental lateral separation of the web on each of said curved rolls, mounting structure for supporting said curved rolls for rotation in planetary disposition about a fixed axis and for rotation of each about an axis defined by aligned mounting centers disposed parallel with the axes of the others and parallel with said fixed axis, means for feeding said web in an open loop travel course around and in contact with first the concave peripheral surface portion and then the convex peripheral surface portion of each of said curved rolls, and means for rotating said mounting structure about said fixed axis in a direction counter to the travel course of said web at a predetermined speed whereby said curved rolls transit an orbiting course about said fixed axis and a given point on the web contacts the convex peripheral portion of said curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of rolls in said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said curved rolls are spaced uniformly from each other and equidistant from said fixed axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said assembly comprises three curved rolls, said three curved rolls being disposed equilaterally about said fixed axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said mounting structure includes a shaft, and a pair of plates spaced on and fixed to said shaft said plates having mounting centers thereon, each mounting center on each plate being aligned with a corresponding mounting center on the other plate, a line passing through each pair of aligned mounting centers being parallel with said shaft, said curved rollers each including an axle fixedly received in one of said pairs of aligned mounting centers, said axle traversing a curved path between said mounting centers, said curved path extending radially outwardly relatively of said line passing through said mounting centers to a maximum curvature at midlength of said axle, ball bearing assemblies rotatable on said axle, and a resilient sleeve enclosing said ball bearing assemblies and rotatable therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for variable controlling tension in said web at the entry thereof to said open loop travel course to compensate for any such tension produced in said web in said open loop travel course.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said tension control means comprises a spring-loaded roller engageable with said web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a second like plurality of curved rolls, mounting structure for supporting said second plurality in like manner as said first plurality, means for guiding said web in off-feed from said first plurality of curved rolls into an open loop travel course around and in contact with first the concave peripheral surface portion and then the convex peripheral surface portion of each the rolls of said second plurality of curved rolls, and means for rotating said second plurality of curved rolls in a direction counter to the travel course of said web at a predetermined speed to orbit said second plurality in synchronization with said first plurality to produce a web tension therein exactly out of phase with that produced in said first plurality.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3171579A
Cited
US3665572A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |