Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of manufacturing a papermakers fabric comprising the steps of supporting a plurality of apertured fabric bands in closely spaced side-by-side disposition with the apertures in the edge region of one band arranged in alignment with and at appropriate centers with respect to those of the other band, providing a pinned support body bridging the space between the edges of the respective adjacent bands, the said support body having a profile corresponding to that of the apertured fabric, feeding a plurality of side-by-side yarns and polymeric matrix material to the support body, applying heat to the said space and the adjacent regions of the band edges to melt the matrix material and to bring the matrix material into intimate contact with the edges of the respective adjacent bands, the side-by-side yarns and the pinned support body, and cooling the matrix material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of manufacturing a papermakers fabric comprising the steps of supporting a plurality of apertured fabric bands in closely spaced side-by-side disposition with the apertures in the edge region of one band arranged in alignment with and at appropriate centers with respect to those of the other band, providing a pinned support body bridging the space between the edges of the respective adjacent bands, the said support body having a profile corresponding to that of the apertured fabric, feeding a plurality of side-by-side yarns and polymeric matrix material to the support body, applying heat to the said space and the adjacent regions of the band edges to melt the matrix material and to bring the matrix material into intimate contact with the edges of the respective adjacent bands, the side-by-side yarns and the pinned support body, and cooling the matrix material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fabric bands include reinforcing yarns at intervals longitudinally thereof, the method including the further step of engaging the reinforcing yarns with the support body for engagement with and encapsulation by the matrix material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix material is fed to the support body separately from the yarns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the matrix material is provided in powdered form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a papermakers fabric comprising a support means to receive and locate apertured bands in spaced side-by-side disposition, the support means being of pinned configuration in the region of the space between the bands and in the adjacent edge regions thereof, feed means in alignment with the said space and arranged to deliver a plurality of side-by-side yarns and polymeric matrix material to the support means in said space, heater means overlying said support means in the region of the space, and roller means in nip-forming relationship with the said support means and adapted and arranged to bring the yarns and matrix material into intimate contact with the support means at a location between the spaced adjacent edges of the bands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a papermakers fabric comprising a support means to receive and locate apertured bands in spaced side-by-side disposition, the support means being of pinned configuration in the region of the space between the bands and in the adjacent edge regions thereof, feed means in alignment with the said space and arranged to deliver a plurality of side-by-side yarns and polymeric matrix material to the support means in said space, heater means overlying said support means in the region of the space, and roller means in nip-forming relationship with the said support means and adapted and arranged to bring the yarns and matrix material into intimate contact with the support means at a location between the spaced adjacent edges of the bands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support means comprises a rotatably mounted drum having a pinned region thereto, the pinned region extending fully around the drum in the peripheral direction thereof and being of an axial extent at least sufficient to bridge the space between the side-by-side bands and to receive the edge regions of said bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pinned region of the drum is defined by a pinned ring embodied therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in any claim 5, wherein separate feed means are provided for the supply of yarn and the matrix material.