Bias cut, continuous fabric of ceramic or synthetic fibers

Claim 1

A lay flat, continuous length of fabric having a weave oriented at a bias to the direction of the fabric length, the fabric being produced by the steps, comprising: (a) weaving a fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic or synthetic fibers into a tubular shape having a square of rectangular weave pattern oriented at 90° to the fabric length; (b) immediately and continuously following the weaving step, passing the tubular woven fabric through at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls driven by matched gears, the rolls having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel; (c) applying a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to an opposite side of the tube employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90° weave pattern uniform; (d) cutting the tube diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length; and, (e) applying a removable adhesive backing sheet to the lay flat fabric to reduce weave distortion when applied to a substrate.

Claim 11

An apparatus for a 90° woven tubular ceramic or synthetic fabric from a tubular woven shape into a lay flat fabric length oriented at a bias to the fabric length, which comprises: (a) means for forming a tubular fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic and synthetic fibers having a weave pattern oriented at 90° to the direction of fabric length; (b) means for immediately and continuously taking up the woven tubular fabric after leaving the weaving means while maintaining the weave pattern uniform, including: i. at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls for the tubular fabric, the rolls being driven by matched gears and having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel; and, ii. the rolls being adapted to apply a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to opposite sides of the tube employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90° weave pattern uniform; and, (c) cutting means for the tube; whereby the tube may be cut diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length, the lay flat fabric bearing a removable adhesive backing sheet to reduce weave distortion when applied to a sustrate.

Claim 12

An apparatus for a 90° woven tubular ceramic or synthetic fabric from a tubular woven shape into a lay flat fabric length oriented at a bias to the fabric length, which comprises: (a) means for forming a tubular fabric selected from the class consisting of ceramic and synthetic fibers having a weave pattern oriented at 90° to the direction of fabric length; (b) means for immediately and continuously taking up the woven tubular fabric after leaving the weaving means while maintaining the weave pattern uniform, including: i. at least one pair of matched offset take up rolls for the tubular fabric, the rolls being driven by matched gears and having a one way grain in the direction of roll travel; and, ii. the rolls being adapted to apply a uniform take up pressure to opposite sides of the tubular woven fabric by offset contact with a roll to opposite sides of the tube employing an equal roll force for sufficient surface contact of a respective roll circumference, thereby maintaining the 90° weave pattern uniform; and, (c) cutting means for the tube; whereby the tube may be cut diagonally to form a lay flat, continuous fabric having a uniform weave biased along its length, the lay flat fabric bearing a removable adhesive backing sheet to reduce weave distortion when applied to a sustrate.