US4106166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for expanding the width of preformed fibrous webs
Assignee: STEARNS TECHNICAL TEXTILES COMPANY WYOMING AVENUE AND WILLIAMS STREET CINCINNATI OH 45217 A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 1976-03-10
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1996-03-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a method for expanding the width of preformed fibrous webs. Fibrous webs having fibers oriented in their lengthwise direction can be widened by this method and this orientation is still maintained in the widened web. The method involves feeding the web to a blade edge lying at an angle to the lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of the web at the edge from the lengthwise direction to a second direction, and turning the web fibers in the second direction while expanding the width of the web. The profile of fibrous webs, i.e., the thickness, uniformity, weight and fiber density, across its width can also be changed and controlled according to the method disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Henning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:09
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web comprising the steps of moving said web in a lengthwise direction, feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction while expanding the width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web comprising the steps of moving said web in a lengthwise direction, feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction while expanding the width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said web comprises multiple layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said web is taken off said edge at a speed at least equal to the speed of said web moving in said lengthwise direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said blade edge includes a plurality of edge portions lying at different angles to said lengthwise direction, and said web is drawn past said edge portions for said expansion in said second direction, and said edge portions affecting thickness, weight and fiber density across the width of the web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 which involves the further step of providing said blade edge angles to obtain a desired profile in the expanded web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 4 wherein said blade edge comprises a generally V-shaped edge portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said blade edge is V-shaped and includes a first pair of edge portions intersecting at one end on the longitudinal axis of said web moving in said lengthwise direction and being symmetrical thereabout and a second pair of edge portions at the respective opposite ends of said first pair lying at a smaller angle than said first pair to said lengthwise direction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web comprising the steps of moving said web in a lengthwise direction, feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, said second direction being in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said lengthwise direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction while expanding said width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web comprising the steps of moving said web in a lengthwise direction, feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, said second direction being in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said lengthwise direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction while expanding said width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the movement of said web in said lengthwise direction is in a horizontal plane and in said second direction is in a vertical plane.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web having a predominant fiber orientation in the lengthwise direction comprising the steps of moving said web in said lengthwise direction feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction to maintain said predominant fiber orientation in said lengthwise direction while expanding said width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for expanding the width of a continuous length of preformed fibrous web having a predominant fiber orientation in the lengthwise direction comprising the steps of moving said web in said lengthwise direction feeding said web to a blade edge, extending said web past said edge, at least a portion of said edge lying at an angle to said lengthwise direction, abruptly changing the direction of travel of said web at said edge from said lengthwise direction to a second direction, locking web fibers at said edge, turning web fibers in said second direction to maintain said predominant fiber orientation in said lengthwise direction while expanding said width, controlling the uniformity of fiber orientation throughout the width of web expansion, and taking said web having an expanded width off said edge in said second direction.
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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) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |