Apparatus for reinforcing a fabric by applying a fluid reinforcing material thereto

Claim 1

Apparatus for reinforcing a fabric by printing a pattern of discrete lines of fluid, settable or curable reinforcing material thereon, which reinforcing material is subsequently set or cured to form lines of an elastomeric or plastics material penetrated into and reinforcing said fabric, said apparatus comprising: two printing roll means, first drive means for driving one of said printing roll means and second drive means for driving the other printing roll means continuously with said one of said printing roll means, said printing roll means comprising a rotary printing cylinder whose surface defines a printing pattern extending over substantially the entire circumference of the cylinder consisting of mutually parallel, non-interconnected axial grooves of a depth from 0.05 to 1 mm, and a backing roll for defining a printing zone with said printing cylinder; movable mounting means mounting one of said printing roll means for translatory movement through a substantial distance towards and away from the other said printing roll means, whereby in one end position of said movable mounting means said printing roll means define said printing zone therebetween and in the other end position of said movable mounting means said printing roll means define a large gap through which said fabric can be drawn without printing said fluid reinforcing material thereon, enabling said fluid reinforcing material to be printed on at least one limited, discrete area of said fabric; adjustable abutment means limiting said movement of said one printing roll means towards said other printing roll means to define a predetermined gap therebetween; quick-acting means for rapidly moving said movable mounting means, and hence said one printing roll means, towards and away from said other printing roll means and holding said one printing roll means into engagement with said abutment means to maintain said gap constant during printing; and stand means mounting said other printing roll means, said movable mounting means, said drive means and said quick-acting means.