Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A process for treatment of a bulky fibrous web formed at least in part of thermoplastic fibers and the web having considerable thickness comprising the steps of: (a) passing the web between at least one pair of rotating cylindrical metallic electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart to provide an insulating gap therebetween and one electrode connected to a high frequency generator and the other electrode to earth and one electrode being covered with a layer of dielectric material having a smooth surface; (b) compressing the web between the electrodes and the web being driven by the electrodes; and (c) creating glow discharges between the electrodes from the high frequency generator and the discharge path extending only a part of the insulating gap separating the two electrodes, and the glow discharge starting from the electrode covered with dielectric material and extending to near the surface of the other electrode through substantially the thickness of the web whereby cohesion is imparted to the web which retains its bulk, thickness and textile characteristics existing before the web is subjected to the above steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A process for treatment of a bulky fibrous web formed at least in part of thermoplastic fibers and the web having considerable thickness comprising the steps of: (a) passing the web between at least one pair of rotating cylindrical metallic electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart to provide an insulating gap therebetween and one electrode connected to a high frequency generator and the other electrode to earth and one electrode being covered with a layer of dielectric material having a smooth surface; (b) compressing the web between the electrodes and the web being driven by the electrodes; and (c) creating glow discharges between the electrodes from the high frequency generator and the discharge path extending only a part of the insulating gap separating the two electrodes, and the glow discharge starting from the electrode covered with dielectric material and extending to near the surface of the other electrode through substantially the thickness of the web whereby cohesion is imparted to the web which retains its bulk, thickness and textile characteristics existing before the web is subjected to the above steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous web is passed between two successive pairs of such rotating cylindrical metallic electrodes, the discharges produced between the second pair of electrodes being in the opposite direction to those produced in the first pair of electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous web is combined with at least one additional layer as it is passed between the electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein, as it is passed between the two electrodes, the fibrous web is combined with at least one external layer introduced between the electrodes on the side of the web adjacent the electrode covered with the layer of the dielectric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the fibrous web introduced between the electrodes consists of two elementary webs with an internal layer introduced between them before passage between the electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the additional layer is based on a non-woven material obtained directly from a spinning process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the additional layer is a synthetic foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the additional layer is based on a non-thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the additional layer is a cotton or rayon gauze.