CA1086040A - Universal thread guiding and thread fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A universal thread guiding and thread fixing device for the production of non-woven textile fabrics and the like.
The apparatus lays out the threads in a variety of patterns and fixes them to form a non-woven fabric.

Description

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~ Field of the Invention .:
:~ This invention relates to a universal thrcad guiding and thread fixing device for the production of textile fabrics i and the like.
Background of the Invention In the textile and fabric manufacturing industry, with the advances in the synthetic materials and adhesives, greater emphasis is being put on non-woven fabrics and machinery , to produce such non-woven fabrics. These machines have the advantage over the power loom in that they generally produce fabrics at a much faster rate than the power loom. The non-woven fabric machines presently in use are lim ited in that they can only produce materials having one particular thread pattern.
Further, there is no machine presently on the market ~hich can produce non-woven fabrics wherein the threads are laid perpendicular to each other. These machines use a greater number of threads, yarn and the like and consequently occupy a large area. It can therefore be seen that if one machine is required for each thread pattern, it requires a great deal of space as well as money to have the capability to produce multi-thread pattern fabrics and the like. It is also desirable to lay the threads, yarn and the like in a particular pattern to take advantage of the inherent strength of the threads, yarn and the like. Thus it is desirable to be able to adapt the machines to lay a variety o:E patterns depending on the need and the materials used.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to ` provide an apparatus which produces continuously, textile fabrics and the like having threads, yarn and the like which are laid:
(a) perpendicular to each other; or, ` 30 (b) diagonally to each other; or, (c) in wave patterns, by adding, omitting or exchanging co~ponents to the basic machine.
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, ~ Brief Summary of the Invention ....
~le present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in producing non-woven textile fabrics and the like having threads~ yarn and the like laid in a variety of patterns.
- 5 According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and ~f.
the like comprising a plurality of bobbins carrying threads, yarn and the like for use as cross threads in the fabrics and the like and a plurality of bobbins carrying threads, yarn and the like for use as longitudinal threads in the fabrics and the like.
There is also provided a pair of pulling rollers which are parallel to and in contact with each other, a pair of pressing rollers which are also parallel to and in contact with each other. There is a means for aligning continuously and in succession the cross threads ; 15 co-axial with the contact line between the pulling rollers. There is provided a means for aligning continuously the longitudinal threads and the like perpendicular to the contact line. The longitudinal threads are parallel to and spaced apart from each other. Also provided is a means for fixing the cross threads to the longitudinal threads and a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like. There is a means for driving the means for aligning the cross threads, pulling rollers, pressing rollers and the finished product roller.
According to another aspect of the invention, there - 25 is provided an apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics cmd the like co~rising a plurality of bobbins carrying threads, yarn and the like. A continuous thread guiding chain having a plurality of spaced apart eyes through which the threads, yarn and the like pass, a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other, a pair of pressing rollers parallel to ~` and in contact with each other, a means for fixing the threads, yarn and the like to each other, a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like, and a means for

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- ` driving said pulling rollers, pressing rollers, thread guiding chain, and finished product roller. The major axis of the thread : guiding chain is parallel to the pulling rollers. The arrangement ,, j is such that the pulling rollers pull the threads, yarn and the like in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pulling and pressing rollers and the thread guiding chain pulls the threads, yarn and the like in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pulling and pressing rollers to form a criss-cross pattern with the threads, yarn and the like.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and the like comprising a plurality of bobbins carrying threads, yarn and the like, a thread guiding plate having two parallel lines and spaced apart holes through which the threads, - 15 yarn and the like pass, a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other, a pair of pressing rollers parallel to and in contact with each other, a means for fixing the threads, yarn and the like to each other, a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like, a means for making wave patterns with the threads, yarn and the like, a means for : driving the means for making wave patterns, pulling rollers, pressing rollers, fixing means and finished product roller. The ~; arrangement is such that the pulling rollers pull the threads, yarn and the like in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal . 25 axis of the pulling and pressing rollers and the means for making -; wave patterns with the threads cause the threads to deviate from the straight line direction.
Brief Description of the Drawings ,~, These and other objects, ad~antages and features of ' 30 the invention will become apparent in the following detailed .~ description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as shown ` in the drawings wherein:

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Figure 1 is an over-head view of the apparatus arranged to produce fabrics and the like having threads laid perpendicular :.
to each other.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the V-belt arrangement which picks up the cross threads and aligns them perpendicular to the longitudinal threads.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the apparatus which brings the cross threads and the longitudinal threads together to ~orm the fabric having threads laid perpendicular to each other.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the component of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3 taken from a different angle and ; showing its relationship to the other parts of the apparatus.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the component of the machine set up to produce fabrics having threads laid in a criss-cross or diagonal pattern.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the adhesive applying head which applies the adhesive to the threads for the production of the criss-cross or diagonal pattern fabric.
; 20 Figure 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus set up to procluce fabrics having threads laid in an undulating or wave - pattern.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pulling rollers, thread guiding combs, pressing rollers, adhesive pan and adhesive rollers.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the plurality of bobbins carrying longitudinal threads.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the drawings, and in particular Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.
The apparatus generally designated as 10 comprises a series of parallel spaced apart cylindrical discs 13 which are mounted co-axially - on a shaft 15. The discs 13 carry a plurality of bobbins 11 carrying '' . - 4 -~- ` cross threads 12. The cliscs 13 have a plurality of spaced apart holes 14 around the perimeter of the discs through which cross threads 12 pass. The number of bobbins ll, discs 13 and holes 14 depends upon the number of cross threads being used in the particular fabric being manufactured. The shaft 15 and discs 13 are arranged to rotate about the axis of shaft 15 and is driven by a motor 45 through a gear and chain system 48.
One end of shaft 15 is connected to a cross thread chain 16 by means of a series of gears. As can be seen clearly in Figure 39 shaft lS is connected to geaT 21 which is connected to gear 20 which in turn is connected to gear 19. Gear 19 is connected to shaft 18 which is connected to gear 17. Gear 17 and another gear similar to gear 17 but not shown in Figure 3 aTe connected to and drives cross thread chain 16.
Cross threads 12 are drawn from bobbins 11 and pass through holes 14 in discs 13 and pass through eyes 23 in chain 16. A thread collecting ring 22 keeps the threads 12 from contacting other parts of the apparatus and ensuTes the smooth passage of the threads 12 to chain 16.
' 20 The loose end of the cross threads 12 extending ;~ .
through eyes 23 of chain 16 are picked up by the V-belt arrange-. ment generally designated as 24. The V-belt arrangement comprises the upper V-belt 25 and lower V-belt 26 and compression rollers 27 and vacuum hose 28. The arTangement is such that the vacuum hose ~,~ 25 28 causes the loose end of CTOSS threads 12 to be picked up by the ~`;
, V belts 25 and 26 which come together at a point indicated by 29.
The cross threads caught between V-belts 25 and 26 are carried ~` bet~een the belts to point 30, as illustrated in Figure 2, where : the cross threads are released one after the other. Point 30 coincides with the contact line between pulling rollers 31 and 32 and as the cross threads are released by the V-belts 25 and 26, the pulling rollers 31 and 32 pick up the cross threads. Also on the contact line between pulling rollers 31 and 32 and opposite to point 30 is a circular knife 33 which cuts the cross-threads being held between the pulling rolleTs and chain 16.

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- The major axis of chain 16 is set at an angle ofapproximately 56 to the longi~udinal axis of pulling rollers 31 and 32. With the chain and the pulling rollers arranged at this angle, the chain moving in the counter-clocl~wise direction as shown in Figure 3, brings the loose end of cross threads 12 extending through eyes 23 of chain 16 to point 29 between the V-belts. As the chain continues along its anti-clockwise direction, ; the loose end of thread 12 is carried between the V-belts from . point 29 to point 30 as illustrated in Figure 2. The cross threads 12 extending between chain 16 and the V-belts are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of pulling rollers 31 and 32.
The upper portion of chain 16 has cross threads 12 extending through eyes 23 to the V-belts. The V-belts release the cross threads at point 30 and the cutting knife 33 cuts the cross threads lS adjacent to the chain 16. The loose end of cross threads 12 -~ extending beyond chain 16 is then carried along the lower portion ; of chain 16 back to point 29 at which time the loose end is again picked up by the V-belts.
A plurality of bobbins designated at 40 and illustrated 20 in Figure 9 carries longitudinal threads 41 which are aligned and brought to the pull~lg rollers 31 and 32 as illustrated in Figure 4. The longitudinal threads 41 are parallel to and spaced apart from each other when aligned. The longitudinal thTeads are aligned by a grooved shaft 42 located below pulling rollers 32. Also located below pulling roller 32 is a glue pan and glue applying rollers over ; which the longitudinal threads 41 pass. The glue pan and rollers are not shown in Figures 3 and 4 but are similar to those illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 as item S9, 60, 61 and 62 respectively. As the longitudinal threads pass through the pulling rollers, the cross 0 threads which have been brought to the contact line between the pulling rollers are fixed to the longitudinal threads by the glue.
The fixed threads continue and pass be~ween the pressing rollers 43 and 44, then through a series of tension maintaining rollers which are not shown, and finally rolled on to finished product roller which is also not shown.

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~e apparatus is driven by the electric tor ~5 which drives a drive shaft ~6 by means of a chain and gear arrangement 47. The drive shaft 46 drives a gear and chain ~; arrangement 4~ which in turn drives the shaft 15 as previously described.
The drive shaft 46 also drives the pulling rollers 31 and 32 by means of a gear and chain arrangement which is not shown. Pulling roller 31 is connected to and drives pressing roller 43 by means of the gear and chain arrangement 49.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the V-belt arrangement is driven by bevel gears 50 and 51. Bevel gear 50 is connected to shaft 18, which as previously explained is driven by shaft 15 by means of gears 19, 20 and 21.
- The tightness of the weave of the finished product is dependent upon the rate of rotation of chain 16 and the rate ~ of rotation of the pulling rollers 31 and 32. A tight weave may be obtained by either reducing the speed of pulling rollers 31 . and 32 or increasing the rate of rotation of chain 16 or both.
; Similarily, a loose weave may be obtained by either increasing .; 20 the speed of pulling rollers 31 and 32 or reducing the speed of ~ chain 16 or both.
i With reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings ~- there is shown another aspect of the present invention. The apparatus as previously described may be rearranged to produce continuously a fabric material having diagonal or criss-cross threads as shown in Pigure 5. This is accomplished by disconnecting and removing the V-belt arrangement 24 as well as the associated frame 64. Prame 52 which carrys the longitudinal threads, pulling rollers, pressing rollers and finished product roller is swung ~` 30 about a pivotal point such that the longitudinal axis of the pulling and pressing rollers are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of ; shaft 15. The pivotal point is the point where the drive shaft 46 is connected to a bevel gear arrangement which in turn drives ~; pulling rollers 31 and 32. The bevel gear arrangement is not shown ~.~86~
; in the drawings. The glue pan and rollers are removed and glue applying head 55, as shown in Figure 6, is attached to the end of shaft 15. The head 55 is also connected to a pipe 56 which extends through shaft 15 and is connected to a glue source. The glue is released under control through head 55.
In the previous set up for laying cross threads, the ^ upper row of chain 16 was co-planar with the contact line of the pulling rollers; however, in the present set up, the majoT axis of the chain 16 is co-planar with the contact line, as shown in Figure 6. In order to accomplish this, the discs 13, shaft 15 - and chain 16 are raised by the adjustable roller bearing arrange-ment 53 and a similar roller bearing arrangement located opposite roller bearing 53 and not shown in the drawings. The thread collecting ring 22 is also removed for the set up shown in Figure 5.
With the apparatus set up as shown in Figure 5, the threads 54 are fed through chain 16 and into pulling rollers 31 and 32. The pulling rollers 31 and 32, driven by motor 45 through ; the drive shaft 46 and gear and chain system, pull the threads 54 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rollers ~' 20 31 and 32. At the same time, motor 45 turns shaft 15 and causes discs 13 and chain 16 to rotate about the axis of shaft 15. As the chain 16 moves in the anti-clockwise direction, the threads 54 are pulled in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of pulling rollers 31 and 32. The diagonal or criss-cross pattern i.s obtained as a result of the upper row of chain 16 pulling threads 54 in one direction, the bottom row of chain 16 pulling threads 54 - in the opposite direction while the pulling rollers pull the threads in the direction as described above. Threads 54 are fixed to each other by means of the adhesive applying head 55 as shown in Figure 6. If thermoplastic synthetic threads or mixed or bicomponent threads are used, the adhesive applying head 55 is replaced by a heat radiating welding head which fuses the threads together. Again, the tightness of the weave is dependent upon the speed at which the various components are operated.

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In order to make fabrics having undulating or wave thread patterns, the threads 54 are fed through the sections of chain 16 which are parallel to each other. The discs 13, shaft 15 and chain 16 remain stationary throughout this operation. This is accomplished by disconnecting the chain and gear system 48 from motor 45 which in turn disconnects shaft 15, discs 13 and chain 16.
Further, chain 16 may be replaced by a rectangular thread guiding plate having two parallel lines of spaced apart holes through which threads 54 pass.
~- n~O thread guiding combs 57 and 58 are positioned s~ between pressing rollers 43 and 44 and pulling rollers 31 and 32 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The thread guiding combs are caused to move back and forth creating undulating or wave patterns in threads 54 by means of ac~uating arms and cam rollers,not completely shown in the drawings. As can be seen by those skilled in the art, various patterns may be created by use of different cams. With reference to Figures 7 and ~, the threads 54 are fixed to each other by means of adhesive applying pan 59. A series of adhesive , 20 applying rollers 60, 61 and 62 apply adhesive to pressing roller 44 which in turn applies the adhesive to threads 54. Scraper 63 scrapes e~cess adhesive from adhesive applying roller 62. As '- previously described, the finished product may be rolled on to a finished product roller. Again, the tightness of the weave is dependent upon the speed at which the entire apparatus is run and also on the number of threads that are used.
In the arrangements for wave patterns and criss-cross or diagonal patterns as described above, longitudinal threads may be introcluced in the same manner as the longitudinal threads shown in Figure 1 and as described in the arrangement for threads laid perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal threads give further reinforcement to the finished product.

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-. All of the finished products as described previously - may be combined with paper, foil or web material for reinforcement .- of such materials. A roll of paper, foil or wèb material may be mounted on the machine with the material being fed through pulling rollers 31 and 32 and joined by adhesive to the threads forming the finished product. By using two rolls of paper, foil or web materials, it can be seen that both sides of the thread fabric may be covered.
It can therefore be seen by those skilled in the art that by making relatively minor changes in the components of the apparatus, the apparatus may be used to produce numerous fabrics and materials.
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Claims (13)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and the like comprising; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like for use as cross threads in the fabrics and the like; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like for use as longitudinal threads in the fabrics and the like; a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; a pair of pressing rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; means for aligning continuously and in succession the cross threads co-axial with the contact line between the pulling rollers; means for aligning continuously the longitudinal threads and the like perpendicular to the said contact line, said longi-tudinal threads being parallel to and spaced apart from each other;
means for fixing said cross threads to said longitudinal threads; a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like;
means for driving said means for aligning said cross threads, pulling rollers, pressing rollers and finished product roller; said means for aligning said cross threads comprise; a continuous thread guiding chain having a plurality of spaced apart eyes through which said cross threads pass; a V-belt arrangement which picks up the loose end of said cross threads extending through said eyes and draws said cross threads from said bobbins carrying cross threads said thread guiding chain and said V-belt arrangement being adapted to carry said cross threads to said pulling rollers; means for cutting said cross threads when held between said pulling rollers; the major axis of said thread guiding chain and the longitudinal axis of said pulling rollers forming an angle of sub-stantially 56°.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bobbins carrying cross threads are mounted on discs to rotate about a central axis, the rate of rotation of said discs being coincidental to the rotation of said thread guiding chain.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for aligning longitudinal threads comprise; a grooved roller having a plurality of spaced apart parallel grooves, one groove for each longi-tudinal thread; the longitudinal axis of said grooved roller being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pulling rollers.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for fixing said cross threads and longitudinal threads comprise; a glue pan and three adhesive applying rollers; means for driving said ad-hesive applying rollers; said longitudinal threads coming into contact with one of said adhesive applying rollers.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 where said means for cutting said cross threads comprises a circular knife.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for driving said thread guiding chain, V-belt arrangement, pulling rollers, pressing rollers, finished product rollers, discs, and glue applying rollers comprise; a motor, gear and chain system and a drive shaft;
the arrangement being such that the movements of the driven parts are coordinated.

7. An apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and the like comprising; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like for use as cross threads in the fabrics and the like; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like for use as longitudinal threads in the fabrics and the like; a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; a pair of pressing rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; means for aligning continuously and in succession the cross threads co-axial with the contact line between the pulling rollers; means for aligning continuously the longitudinal threads and the like perpendicular to said contact line, said longi-tudinal threads being parallel to and spaced apart from each other;
means for fixing said cross threads to said longitudinal threads; a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like, means for driving said means for aligning said cross threads, pulling rollers, pressing rollers and finished product roller; said means for aligning said cross threads comprise; a continuous thread guiding chain having a plurality of spaced apart eyes through which said cross threads pass; a V-belt arrangement which picks up the loose end of said cross threads extending through said eyes and draws said cross threads from said bobbins carrying cross threads, said thread guiding chain and said V-belt arrangement being adapted to carry said cross threads to said pulling rollers; means for cutting said cross threads when held between said pulling rollers; the major axis of said thread guiding chain and the longitudinal axis of said pulling rollers forming an angle of substan-tially 56°; paper, foil and the like are continuously applied to the top or bottom or both surfaces of said textile fabrics and the like and means for applying said paper, foil and the like.

8. An apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and the like comprising; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like; a continuous thread guiding chain, said thread guiding chain having a plurality of spaced apart eyes through which said threads pass;
a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; a pair of pressing rollers parallel to and in contact with each other;
means for fixing the threads to each other; the major axis of said thread guiding chain being parallel to said pulling rollers and pressing rollers; a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like; a means for driving said pulling rollers, pressing rollers, thread guiding chain, and finished product roller; the arrangement being such that pulling rollers pull the threads in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said pulling and pressing rollers and said thread guiding chain pulls the threads in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pulling and pressing rollers to form a criss-cross pattern with said threads; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like for use as longitudinal threads, said longitudinal threads to run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said pulling and pressing rollers and applied to the criss-cross threads; said means for Fixing said threads to each other comprise; an adhesive applying head positioned between said continuous chain and said pulling rollers such that said threads come into contact with the adhesive, said adhesive applying head being connected to an adhesive supply source.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for driving said pulling rollers, pressing rollers, thread guiding chain and finished product roller comprise; a motor, gear and chain systems con-nected to said motor and a drive shaft; the arrangement being such that the movement of the driven parts are coordinated.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein paper, foil and the like are continuously applied to the top or bottom or both surfaces of said textile fabric and the like and means for applying said paper, foil and the like.

11. An apparatus for the continuous production of textile fabrics and the like comprising; a plurality of bobbins carrying threads and the like; a thread guiding plate having two parallel lines of spaced apart holes through which the threads pass; a pair of pulling rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; a pair of pressing rollers parallel to and in contact with each other; means for fixing the threads to each other; a finished product roller for collecting the finished fabric and the like; means for making wave patterns with the threads; means for driving said means for making wave patterns, pulling rollers, pressing rollers, fixing means, and finished product roller; the arrangement being such that said pulling rollers pull the threads in a straight line direc-tion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said pulling and pressing rollers and said means for making wave patterns with the threads cause the threads to deviate from the straight line direction; said means for making wave patterns in the threads comprise; two thread guiding combs which shuttle back and forth with each thread guiding comb moving in the opposite direction to each other, the movement being caused by a series of cams and actuating arms; a plurality of bobbins carrying longi-tudinal threads, said longitudinal threads to run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said pulling and pressing rollers and applied to the threads laid in a wave pattern; said means for fixing said threads to each other comprise; an adhesive applying pan and adhesive applying rollers such that the threads come into contact with the adhesive.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means for driving said means for making wave patterns, pulling rollers, pressing rollers, fixing means, and finished product roller comprise; a motor, gear and chain systems connected to said motor and a drive shaft; the arrange-ment being such that the movements of the driven parts are coordinated.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein paper, foil and the like are continuously applied to the top or bottom or both surfaces of said textile fabric and the like and means for applying said paper, foil and the like.