Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for simultaneously and continuously biaxially stretching webs comprising, a circumferential track disposed in one plane, a second similar circumferential track disposed in a second plane at an angle to said first plane so that said tracks approach each other at one location and are more widely separated at the opposite location on said circumferential tracks, a plurality of independent clamps slidably positioned in each of said tracks for gripping said web, means for moving said clamps around said tracks in a circumferential path so that the clamp motion accelerates in the distance from the location where said tracks approach each other to the opposite location in said circumferential path, said moving means comprising, a disk located in a plane parallel to the plane of at least one of said circumferential tracks, a plurality of grooves extending generally radially within said disk, means for rotating the disk about an axis displaced from the center of the circumferential track in the parallel plane, and means connecting the clamps in said parallel plane with the grooves for movement therewith, means for feeding said web to said clamps at a location where said tracks are relatively close; means for forcing said clamps against said web; means for releasing said clamps at said opposite location; and means for removing said web from the clamps at a location where said tracks are more widely separated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for simultaneously and continuously biaxially stretching webs comprising, a circumferential track disposed in one plane, a second similar circumferential track disposed in a second plane at an angle to said first plane so that said tracks approach each other at one location and are more widely separated at the opposite location on said circumferential tracks, a plurality of independent clamps slidably positioned in each of said tracks for gripping said web, means for moving said clamps around said tracks in a circumferential path so that the clamp motion accelerates in the distance from the location where said tracks approach each other to the opposite location in said circumferential path, said moving means comprising, a disk located in a plane parallel to the plane of at least one of said circumferential tracks, a plurality of grooves extending generally radially within said disk, means for rotating the disk about an axis displaced from the center of the circumferential track in the parallel plane, and means connecting the clamps in said parallel plane with the grooves for movement therewith, means for feeding said web to said clamps at a location where said tracks are relatively close; means for forcing said clamps against said web; means for releasing said clamps at said opposite location; and means for removing said web from the clamps at a location where said tracks are more widely separated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said disk comprises, a circumferential track on said disk, a drive wheel engaged with said disk circumferential track, means for rotating said drive wheel and thereby said disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disk grooves have a slight s-shaped configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circumferential tracks for said clamps form the ends of an oblique enclosed, hollow cylinder, and wherein means are included for controlling the temperature of said cylinder for the purpose of treating said web during stretching.