US3902953A

US3902953A - Apparatus for making scrim fabric

Info

Publication number: US3902953A
Application number: US328098A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stanley G Yount
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-30
Filing date: 1973-01-30
Publication date: 1975-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-02

Abstract

An apparatus and method for making scrim fabric including longitudinally extending parallel filament dispensing carrier members for looping filaments in crosswise fashion over and below tensioned spaced advancing cable means which define edges of the fabric being formed in a filament dispensing portion of the apparatus. The tensioned cable means is provided with a plurality of closely longitudinally spaced balls to locate and retain filament loops in position on the cable means. The crosswise dispensed filaments in overlying intersecting relation are advanced into filament retention and stabilizing portion which holds the cable means in spaced parallel relation and permits the last crosswise laid filament to reach its proper or desired angular position. Intersections of crossing filaments are then adhesively bonded together and the scrim fabric thus formed is cut adjacent the cable means to free it from the cable means. The released fabric is then wound upon a suitable winding apparatus. An unwoven scrim fabric including longitudinal filaments lying between upper and lower crosswise disposed filaments.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Yount 14 1 Sept. 2, 1975 APPARATUS FOR MAKING SCRIM FABRIC [76] Inventor: Stanley G. Yount, 2260 Robles Ave., San Marino, Calif. 91 108 22 Filed: Jan. 30, 1973 21 Appl.l lo.:328,098

[52] US. Cl. 156/441; 28/] CL; 156/174;

156/181; 156/494 [51] Int. Cl. D04l-l 3/05; D04l-1 3/12 [58] Field of Search 156/169, 174, 181, 289,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,316,845 9/1919 Magnasco 156/430 1,325,091 12/1919 Harrison 156/430 2,004,657 6/1935 Gerard 156/548 3,041,230 6/1962 Diehl 156/181 3,332,822 7/1967 Van Ness 156/441 3,674,607 7/1972 Allport 156/578 3,705,070 12/1972 Kim 156/181 3,750,746 8/1973 Norman 156/578 Primary Examiner-Daniel J. Fritsch Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward F. .laros 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus and method for making scrim fabric including longitudinally extending parallel filament dispensing carrier members for looping filaments in crosswise fashion over and below tensioned spaced advancing cable means which define edges of the fabric being formed in a filament dispensing portion of the apparatus. The tensioned cable means is provided with a plurality of closely longitudinally spaced balls to locate and retain filament loops in position on the cable means. The crosswise dispensed filaments in overlying intersecting relation are advanced into filament retention and stabilizing portion which holds the cable means in spaced parallel relation and permits the last crosswise laid filament to reach its proper or desired angular position. Intersections of crossing filaments are then adhesively bonded together and the scrim fabric thus formed is cut adjacent the cable means to free it from the cable means. The releasedfabric is then wound upon a suitable winding apparatus. An unwoven scrim fabric including longitudinal filaments lying between upper and lower crosswise disposed filaments.

4 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP 2 I975 SHEET 1 OF 9 ww QM PATENTED 2|975 SHEET 2 BF 9 PATENTED 2|975 3,902,953

sum 0f 9 I 9c. E IG do 47 r5 1 PATENTEC SEP 2 i9 5 SHEET 5 OF 9 PATENTED 2 I975 SHEET 8 [IF 9 NW I! g iii APPARATUS FOR MAKINGSCRIM FABRIC BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Scrim fabric, that is filaments arranged in an open mesh relationship or network, are usefulin reinforcing laminar sheets of material, particularly sheets of paper such as kraft paper or'other material which requires reinforcement for strength and. other purposes. Such scrim fabric is useful for sheets of wrapping material or small and large objects as for example lumber and plywood sheets and is also useful for smallsheet material such as paper towels, wiping cloths, and the like. Such scrim fabric may also be used in forming openmesh bags or receptacles for packaging produce and other types of discrete articles. I

Prior proposed manufacture of reinforced sheet material which included at least a pair of strips of sheet material with reinforcing filaments therebetween and bonded thereto included layingand distributing the filaments on an adhesively coated surface of at least one sheet as the sheet was advanced and then applying the second sheet over the first sheet to bond .the reinforcing filament between the two sheets. In such prior manufacture the dispensing of filaments upon one of the sheets in a continuous manner often required stopping the entire machine and the loss ofa substantial quantity of sheet material in the event either of the filament dispensing portion of the machine or the feeding means for the sheet material became inoperative. In addition it was often difficult to uniformly dispense filaments on the sheet of material or to obtain a desired pattern of filaments so that the resulting laminar sheet-like product would have the desirable. uniformstrength and pliant characteristics.

In other prior proposed manufacture of reinforced sheet material, a separate scrim fabric was made by in terweaving the filaments to form the desired open mesh network. Such weaving machines were relatively complicated and expensive. Scrim fabric has also been manufactured wherein filaments are laid one upon the other and in which at least one of the filaments was coated with adhesive material so that when the other filament was laid thereacross the. filaments will be bonded together. Such scrim fabric was often made in the form ofa tube, the tube being slit to provide a sheet of scrim fabric. In another prior proposed apparatus circular rotatable turrets were rotated around a pair of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel apparatusand method for making, scrim fabric which avoids the.

disadvantages of the prior proposed apparatuses and; which is capable of making a dimensionally stable, strong scrim fabric adapted for many uses. The invention particularly relates to an apparatusand method for making scrim fabric wherein novel means for dispens- It is an object of the present invention to provide an the line and numerallO in FIG. 7.

ing and retaining the filaments forming the scrim fabric are provided and wherein the crossing filaments are bonded essentially only at intersections thereof.

tive manner.

Another object of the invention is to design and provide an apparatus for making scrim fabric in which the edges of the fabric are defined by a novel cable means for spacing and retaining filaments looped thereabout in desired position.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose and provide an apparatus for making scrim fabric wherein the apparatus may be readily adjusted to make different fabric widths.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide .such an apparatus including novel applicator means for applying adhesive bonding material to intersections only of crosswise laid intersection filaments.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for making scrim fabric which may include transversely disposed filaments laid one over the other and in a modified example, such transversely disposed filaments and longitudinally extending filaments spaced to coincide with intersections formed by the crosswise disposed filaments.

The present invention contemplates a method of making scrirn fabric including the transport and holding of edges of the looped filaments in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an unwoven scrim fabric having upper and lower crosswise laid filaments and longitudinal filaments lying between said crosswise filaments, said longitudinal filaments being'aligned with and bonded to intersections of the crosswise filaments.

' Various objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which an exemplary em bodiment of the invention is shown.

. IN THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1a and 1b are side elevational views of an apparatus embodying this invention, the view in FIG. la being primarily of the filament dispensing portion of the apparatus, and FIG. lb showing the fabric stabilizing, bonding, and slitting portion of the apparatus, FIG. 112 being an extension of FIG. lu.

FIGS. 21:, 2b and 2c are longitudinally divided top plan views of the apparatus embodying the invention shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, the views being divided to facilitate-showing the apparatus in enlarged form.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line IIIIII of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 4' is avertical transverse sectional view taken in thepla'nes indicated by line IVIV of FIG. 2a and showing filament dispensing means.

FIG. 5 is atransversevertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line VV of FIG. 212.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2C and taken in'the plane indicated by line VIVI of 2c.

FIG. .7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the fabric stabilizing portion of the apparatus shown; in FIG. lb.

FIG. 8 is a 'vertical transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line VIIIVIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area encircled by catcd by line x x of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. but taken in a plane spaced from the plane indicated by line XX of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken in the planes indicated by line XlI--XII of FIG. 20.

FIG. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section taken in the plane indicated by line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XIVXIV of FIG. 13.

FIG. l5 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the bonding applicator roll shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XVIXVI of FIG. 20.

FIG. 17 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a ball cable used in the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XIXXIX of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of an exemplar'y scrim fabric embodying my invention.

An exemplary apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric is indicated at 25. Generally speaking, apparatus includes an'elongated frame structure 26 divided into a filament dispensing frame portion 27 and a fabric stabilizing frame portion 28. Endless cable means 29 extends along opposite sides of the frame structure 26 for the length thereof to serve as edge means about which filaments may be looped at the dispensing portion 27 and transported along the fabric stablizing portion to an applicator means 30 for applying an adhesive material to interstices of the formed fabric. After the bonding material has been applied to the scrim fabric. the fabric is released from the endless cable means by slitter means 31. The looped ends of the fabric are separated from the endless cable means and the sheet of fabric lying between the slitter means is then passed off the end of the apparatus and into a suitable winding means for providing a roll of scrim fabric of selected width and diameter.

Generally speaking. fabric 33 which may be made on the apparatus of this invention comprises spaced intersecting filaments forming an open mesh of non-elastic material such as fiber glass, nylon, various well known polymers and co-polymers, or other suitable available filament material which provide desired physical and chemical characteristics such as tensile strength. inertness upon contact with other materials, fire retardant or resistant, flexibility and compatibility with. other sheet material with which it may be combined. The filaments of fabric 33 may be monofilaments or multifilament strands. Fabric 33 is unwoven, that is, the filaments are laid upon adjacent other filamentsThe layers of filaments are joined at the interstices thereof by bonding material so as to retain and stabilize the selected open mesh pattern formed by the filaments. A preferable pattern of filaments for fabric 33 includes an essentially square pattern in which the sides of the square are disposed at 45 to transverse or longitudinal lines so that corners of the square are in longitudinal and in transverse alignment. The fabric 33 may include other patterns selected for the particular use of the fabric. The fabric 33 made on the apparatus 25 of this invention may be made in either of two widths such as 10 feet or 12 feet, the apparatus being adjustable to accomplish this change in width.

The selection of the width of the fabric 33 to 10 or l2 feet as made by the apparatus of this invention permits the cutting of such wide fabric into smaller widths which more readily conform to standard widths desired in industry for particular purposes and with a minimum of wastage.

The fabric 33 made onapparatus '25 may be utilized as a reinforcing sheet fed between sheets of other material sueh'as kraft paper, asphalt impregnated paper, paper stock for towels, sheet stock for wrappings, or maybe used without other sheet material as bags or containers for various types of produce and other articles which do not require protection from weather or the environmental surroundings.

Frame structure 26 which comprises the

frame portions

27 and 28 maybe of any suitable construction. Frame portion 27 includes top and bottom longitudinally extending parallel spaced

frame members

36 and 36 having opposite ends connected by suitable gusset bracing 37 and 38 respectively to end plate means 39.

Filament dispensing means generally indicated at 41 extend between end plate means 39 and are supported thereby for continuous movement in a transversely elongated oval path having a length approximately the width of the frame structure. Means for mounting the filament dispensing means 41 may include a track means 42 on each end plate means 39 (FIGS. 3, 19). Each track means 42 may comprise parallel track elements 43 welded to the inner surfaces of end plate means 39 and providing an inner chain receiving recess 44 and an enlarged outer carriage wheel receiving recess 45. Track elements 43 include end semicircular portions 46 which may have as the center of their radius a top lay 47 of endless cable means 29. Each end plate means 39 includes a removable or a hinged gate portion 48 adjacent one end of track 42, and at said gate portion-48, track 42 may be provided with track joints 49 for permitting removal of the gate portion and for reducing the width of the end plate means and the track 42. For this purpose. portion 50 of each end plate means 39 may be suitably mounted upon wheels 51 guided in a transversely extending bottom track 52 provided along the bottom edge of end plate means 39. Upon removal or swinging outwardly of the gate portion 48, the end plate portion 50 may be transversely moved into abutting relation with a major portion of the end plate means 39 and there secured by suitable means to reduce the length of old track 42 and to thereby reduce the width of the fabric being formed.

Filament dispensing means 41 may comprise a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending tubular members 55 having at each end a carriage 56 provided with a pair of flanged wheels 57 adapted to roll in wheel recess 45 of the track means 42. Between wheels 57 of each carriage 56 is a link 58 which connects carriage 56 to an endless chain 59 supported in the chain recess 44. As the chain is driven as later described, the filament dispensing tubular carrier members 55 will move around the track 42 and thus around the top lays 47 of the cable means 29 which define side edges of the fabric to be formed.

In spaced relation along each tubular member 55 and in slightly off set longitudinal relation with respect to the adjacent tubular member 55, longitudinally spaced filament spool and guide means are carried by laterally extending brackets 61 which may be curved downwardly toward the plane of the top lay of the endless cable means tosupport a pair of inclined filament spool means 62 and 63. Also extending downwardly from each filament carrier member may be an arm 64 which supports at its lowermost end an eye element serving as a guide for filaments 67 drawn from the

spools

62 or 63. It will be understood that while two

spools

62, 63 are shown, the filament from only one spool is fed through the guide eye 65 during operation, the other spool being carried in operative position as a reserve source of filament.

Filament dispensing means 41 may include an selected number of filament spool and guide means located along the length of the filament carrier member 55. The number of carrier members 55 may also be varied, it being understood that the spaced relation thereof is limited only by their ability to traverse the semicircular end of the track without interference with the preceding spool dispensing and guide means. It will be noted from FIG. 4 that the bracket 61 is bent at a selected angle so that the

spool

62, 63 and the angled arm 64 carrying the eye 65 will pass around the top lay of the cable means in close spaced relation thereto. As best understood from FIG. 4, it will be apparent that a plurality of individual filaments are being laid crosswise of the dispensing frame portion and looped or wrapped around the parallel top lays of the endless cable means, while the top cable lays continuously in the same direction.

As previously mentioned, endless cable means 29 serves to determine the side edges of the fabric being formed. Each endless cable 29 includes the top lay 47 and a bottom lay 47', said cable means being supported at opposite ends by V-groove pulley wheels and 71. Wheels 70 at the end of filament dispensing portion 27 may be suitably mounted upon a transversely extending shaft 72 having ends supported in bearings 73. Bearings 73 may be adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of the frame structure by a suitable feed screw means 74 supported on a bracket 75 carried by end plate means 39. At the end of frame stablizing portion 28 pulley wheels 71 are carried by a transversely extending shaft 76 having ends mounted in bearings 77 fixed to vertical frame members 78. Tension on the endless cable means 29 is readily adjusted by the adjustment means 74 at the pulley wheels 70.

Each endless cable means 29 includes a stranded wire cable 80, FIG. 18, along which are secured at se lected spaced intervals, such as one-half to threequarters of an inch, spherical balllike elements 81 each having a through bore 82 for the cable 80 and adapted to be secured to the cable by a pressure fit or crimping. Each ball 81 may be of a relatively soft metal material so that under pressure internal surfaces of the through bore 82 will interlock with the strands of cable and with a marking indentation 83 in one of the strands. The space between elements 81 receives filaments 67 guided thereto by the filament spool and guide means 62, 65.

It will be noted from FIGS. 1a and2u and b that the top lays 47 of the endless cable means which extend through the filament dispensing portion 27 are unobstructed and space is provided for movement therearound of the filament earriermember 55. Filament 47 is dispensed under reduced tension.,; preferably very little or none, so that the free unsupported length of each top cable lay 47 which is under tension, will not be de flected inwardly by the looping therearound of the filaments 67. Uniform width of the fabric is thus maintained.

Top cable lays 47 and filaments looped therearound pass through plate means 39 at transversely elongated opening 85 and then enter the fabric stablizing portion 28 of the frame means. Filaments 67 are retained in position until they reach the desired angular relationship with the other filaments by the provision of filament retention or stablizing means generally indicated at 86. Retentionmeans 86 comprises a pair of endless horizontal belts 87 arranged in the same longitudinal plane and supported by pairs of end pulleys 88 vertically spaced apart so that bottom belt lay 89 of top belt 87 will meet with and lay upon top belt lay 90 of bottom belt 87. Each belt 87 may be of trapezoidal section and is provided with a longitudinally extending outwardly facing groove 91 which receives under resilient pressure the ball-like elements 81 of the cable 29. Faces 92 of belts 89 are in direct opposed relation and hold the looped ends of filaments 47 about cable 80 between ball elements 81. Thus throughout the filament retention and stabilizing portion of the apparatus the top lays of the cable means with looped ends of filaments 47 thereabout are held in longitudinal and lateral position by the opposed belt lays 89 and 90. To maintain the opposed lays 89 and 90 in such relationship, a plurality of longitudinally spaced idle wheels 94 may be supported from longitudinally extending support bars 95 so that the top lay 90 and bottom lay 89 are held in close parallel relationship throughout the length of the filament stabilizing frame portion.

It will be noted that the pulley wheels 88 at opposite ends of the belt means 86 are similarly mounted at ends of the bars 95 and that the pulleys 88 and wheels 94 are not driven. The belts 86 are driven by engagement with the endless cable means 29.

Cable means 29 and the filament dispensing means 41 are driven in a selected speed relationship so that the desired shape and size of opening in the scrim fabric will be obtained. The drive means may comprise a motor 100, FIG. 1a, located beneath the filament dis-. pensing portion 27 near the filament retention and stabilizing portion 28. Motor is connected to a reduction means 101 which drives a chain means 102 having engagement with a sprocket gear 103 carried on a longitudinally extending drive shaft 104. Shaft 104 is mounted in suitable bearing means 105 supported on inboardly directed frame structures 106 and fixed to the spaced end plate means 39. Below each track means 42 shaft 104 carries a drive sprocket 107 (FIG: 3) which extends through opening 108 in the track elements 43 for engagement with the chain means 59 in the chain recess 44. Both chain means for driving opposite ends of the tubular carrier members 55 are thus driven in unison by the shaft 104.

Drive shaft 104 also extends longitudinally beneath the filament retention and stabilizing portion 27 and at the end of said stabilizing portion, the end of shaft 104 is received in a gear box 110 which drives through a set of bevel gears the transversely extending shaft 111 carrying a sprocket 112 for driving a chain 113 whichv is connected to a sprocket 114 carried on the cable drive shaft 76 and which carries the cable drive pulleys 71.

The output revolutions of the gear shaft 104 may be reduced or increased in the gear box 111 so that the transverse cable drive shaft 76 may be driven in preselected relation to the drive of the filament dispensing means so that the filaments are looped around the endless cable means at a selected rate of transverse speed as the cable means advances along the dispensing portion.

It will be understood that as the scrim fabric approaches the end of the filament retention stabilizing portion 28 the upper layer of filaments are disposed in one direction and the layer thcrebeneath is disposed in another direction torform an open network. To maintain the desired network, the intersections of the upper and lower filaments are bonded together. Means for bonding or securing the overlying filaments to each other at the spaced intervals determined by the selected network pattern may comprise a transversely extending adhesive applicator roll 120 (FIGS. 12-15). Applicator roll 120 may comprise an elongated hollow cylinder wall 121 provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse annular ribs 122. In this example, the ribs 122 have a circular circumferential edge 123. In the manufacture of certain scrim fabric it may be desirable to modify the circular edge 123 to include a gear, castellated, or toothed configuration. The outer circumference and edge 123 of ribs 122 are passed through a body of suitable bonding material 124 such as an adhesive, various polymers and co-polymers which are compatible with the material being used for the scrim fabric. The adhesive material 124 may be contained within a transversely extending semi-circular shell 125 which receives the lower semi-circular portion of the applicator roll 120. Adhesive material 124 may be supplied to shell 125 by an inlet conduit 126 fed from a suitable plastic heater and hopper 124a.

Means for supporting applicator roll 120 partially immersed in the shell 125 may include end walls 128 at ends of cylindrical wall 121, said end walls 128 carrying hollow axles 129 mounted in bearings 137 on frame member 12911.

Means for heating the applicator roll 120 may include a source or reservoir 130 of hot oil which may be pumped through the hollow axles 129 and the hollow cylindrical wall 121 by suitable pump" means not shown. It will be apparent that hot oil flowing through the applicator roll and the axles 129 will transfer heat to the cylindrical wall 121 and also to the ribs 122.

Means for maintaining the adhesive material 124 in a heated condition may comprise circulating the hot oil along the bottom portion of shell 125 defined by a bottom plate 131. Hot oil is passed through the shell 125 by suitable pump means which pumps the oil into and through end pipes 132 which communicate with the bottom chamber 133 beneath the plate 131 and which contains the hot oil.

As best seen in FIG. 13 the filaments 67 forming the scrim fabric pass beneath a transverse idle roll 136 positioned above and forwardly of the applicator roll 120. The plane of the top lays 47 of the cable means may lie slightly below the tangent to the uppermost circumferential edge portions of ribs 122 on the applicator roll.

The idle roll 136, pressing downwardly on the scrim fabric, assures that as the fabric passes over the ribs 122 and is slightly lifted thereby, the filaments will'be pressed slightly against the circumferential edge 123 to positively deposit, as by a wiping action, a minute amount of adhesive bonding material at the intersections of the overlying filaments.

Means for bringing the circumferential edges 123 of the annular ribs 122 upwardly into contact with only intersections. of the scrim fabric may be provided by mounting each hollow axle 129 in an eccentric bearing indicated at 137 and rotating the applicator roll counter to the direction of travel of the scrim fabric. It will be understood that the eccentric throw provided by the eccentric bearings 137 together with the diameter of the annular ribs 122 and the space between longitudinally disposed intersections of filaments and the speed of rotation of the applicator roll may be so clesigned that the eccentric bearing will cause the applicator roll to rise upwardly into contact with an intersection as the intersection passes over the applicator roll and to then lower the roll during the interval between intersections. It may also be desirable to provide two or more cam lobeson the annular ribs 122 for the purpose of engaging an intersection in correlation with the speed of advancement of the scrim fabric.

Means for driving appliator roll may include a suitable varispeed motor 138 supported at the side of the frame structure and driving a chain and sprocket means 139 at a predetermined speed correlated to the rate of advancement of the scrim fabric. In addition, the speed of counter rotation of the applicator roll and the amount of adhesive carried by each rib to the filament intersection is controlled by the type and viscosity of the adhesive so as to permit only a selected quantity of adhesive to be wiped off on the filament intersection.

After the scrim fabric has been bonded at intersections as indicated at 140, the scrim fabric advances to cutting or slitter means which separates the fabric from the endless cable means 29. Slitter means generally indicated at 142, FIGS. 16 and 17, may comprise a transversely extending shaft 143 carried adjacent opposite ends in bearing means 144 supported from inboardly frame members 145 carried by an end frame structure 146. lnboardly of the top cable lays 147 the ends of shaft 143 carry a circular cutting wheel or disc 147, said disc 147 having a diameter so that the lower portion of the disc passes through and below the plane of the filaments 67 forming the scrim fabric and just inboardly of the cable lays 47. Cutting wheels 147 may be driven by a motor 149 mounted on the frame structure 146 and driving a pulley belt means 150.

As the scrim fabric is cut by cutting wheels 147, the fabric is directed as indicated at 152 to a winding means upon which the scrim fabric may be rolled for convenience in handling. The winding means may be of well-known make and manufacture and is not shown.

Cutting wheels 147 adjacent top lays 47 will provide a major width of the scrim fabric produced by the apparatus and as mentioned earlier, may be 10 or 12 feet in width. If desired. additional cutting wheels 147' may be carried on shaft 143 for slitting the scrim fabric into strips of different width. It will be understood that such cutting wheels 147' may also be mounted adjacent the winding apparatus so that the intermediate slitting of the sheeted fabric would occur immediately adjacent to or at the winding apparatus.

In the above description the apparatus is described as forming a scrim fabric with filaments transversely arranged in overlying relation. The apparatus of this invention may also be utilized to provide transversely spacedlongitudinally extending filaments to provide a scrim fabric having not only a generally diagonally arranged pattern but also having longitudinally extending filaments for reinforcement and strength in the longitudinal direction of the fabric. As shown in FIGS. la and 2a. a suitable transverse beam means 161 may extend across the front end of the apparatus and may carry upstanding spools 162 of the filaments 160 which are to extend longitudinallyof the fabric. A selected number of transversely arranged spoolsl62 is provided as shown in FIG. 2a and from which-the'longitudinal filaments 160 are drawn to extend through the filament dispensing portion 27 and the filament stabilizing portion 28 to the winding machine at the far end i of the apparatus. Each longitudinal filament 160 is guided into the plane of the top lays 47 by suitable filament guides 163 provided on the end plate means 39 Thus as the longitudinal filaments 160 extend into the filament dispensing portion 27 the transversely laid filaments 67 will be wound over and under the longitudinal filaments 160.

As the longitudinal filaments pass over the bonding applicator means for deposit of adhesive material at intersections of the transversely arranged filament 67, the intersections of the longitudinal filaments 160 and filaments67 may also receive an applicator of adhesive bonding material at such intersection of filaments.

Operation of apparatus 25 will be readily understood from the above description. As the ball-cable means are advanced, the filament dispensing means commences transverse movement and begins to lay filaments generally crosswise of the cable means. Each top dispensing filament spool crosses over the top of the plane defined by the spaced cable lays 47 and then passes around the cable lay 47 and underneath said plane as the dispensing means reverses its direction of travel. The geometry of the filament carrier means and the track means permits the filaments to be dispensed and looped around the cable means without slack or unwanted tension in the filaments between the cable lays 47. Because the cable means is advancing during crosswise laying of the filaments, each filament is drawn into changing angular relationship with respect tothe crosswise path travel of its dispensing spool. The angle ultimately formed by the filament with the cable laywill depend upon the relative speeds of the filament carrier means and the advancing cable means. Such relative speeds determines the shape of the open mesh of thescrim fabric. Filament stabilizing portion 28 is sufficiently long with respect to the spacing between the cable lays 47 that an angle of 45 may ultimately be formed with the cable lays by the filaments so that the open mesh network of the fabric may be essentially square formed at 45 to the longitudinal axis of the fabric.

It should be noted that thefilaments are not coated with adhesive or bonding material and that in the crosswise laying of the filaments, crossing filaments lay one upon the other and are not woven. Preferably the adhesive applicator means deposits adhesive bonding matewidths may be-readily divided by slitters placed intermediate the edges of the fabric to provide strips having widths less than ten feet and twelve feet with minimum wastage. For example a 10 foot width may be divided into longitudinal strips of 5 feet and 5 feet; or 6 feet and 4 feet; or 7 feet and 3 feet. The 12 foot maximum width may be divided into longitudinal strips of 6 feet and 6 feet; 7-feet and 5 feet; 8 feet and 4 feet; 4 feet and 4 feet; and 9 feet and 3 feet. Thus a wide range of intermediate lesser. widths becomes available by adjusting the width of the machine as described above.

It should be noted that the spacing of the filaments 67 is accurately positively determined and maintained by utilization of the ball type cable to define its margins rial only at the intersections of the overlying filaments.

The adhesive applicator means positively applies the bonding material at the intersection by the coaction of the overlying fabric hold-down roll 136 and the configuration of the annular ribs 122 together with the eccentric mounting of the applicator roll 120. Bonding at the intersection by the heated adhesive material is immediately accomplished so that when the fabric reaches the cutting wheels the open mesh network will be stabilized dimensionally by the bonded intersections. I

The apparatus of this invention is adjustable in width and is adapted to make scrim fabric'ha'ving a maximum width of ten feet or twelve feet. Such maximum fabric of the fabric to be formed and which holds the spacing of the looped filament ends in proper relation on the cable. It should also be noted that the filament dispensing means on one filament carrier are longitudinally offset from the filament dispensing means on an adjacent carrier-SS to facilitate uniform distribution of the filaments along the cable means as the cable means passes through the filament dispensing portion. It will be understood that the number of filament dispensing devices on each carrier 55 may be varied and that the number of filament carriers 55 may be changed depending upon the type of the scrim fabric desired.

It is also important to note that the scrim fabric made by the apparatus method of this invention is flexible and pliant and sufficiently dimensionally stable to be handled as a sheet of material. Thus the scrim fabric may be fed between two adjacent sheets of-paper material and bonded to be the surfaces of the material by coating the paper surfaces in well known manner. Such a process of making reinforced paper sheet material has advantages of rapid manufacture and minimum trouble shooting during the manufacture of the reinforced sheet. The flexibility of scrim fabric made of the present invention also permits its use in sheet material where pliability and flexibility is desired while providing reinforcement to such pliant and flexible sheet material. Such plianey is desirable in towels, wiping cloths, and sheet material used for similar purposes. In addition the flexibility and plianey of a product embodying scrim fabric made by the present invention such as large wrappings for lumber or large articles not only provides the necessary strength but also permits convenience. and facile handling of the wrapping to provide a snug and tight fitting attractive wrapping appearance.

It will be understood tht scrim fabric made with longitudinal filaments provides a fabric in which the longitudinal filaments lie between the crosswise laid filaments as shown in FIG. 20. In making such fabric, the longitudinal filaments may or may not be coated with adhesive throughout their length. In the event the filaments are coated and aligned with intersections of crossing filaments, the applicator roll may be made inoperative. Such a fabric may be stiffer in the longitudinal direction because of the coating of the longitudinal filaments.

It will be understood that the material of the filaments may be compounded -to provide heat sealing "characteristics. In such event. the intersections of the crossingfilaments may be readily bonded together by theapplication of heat to the intersections only. Such omitted and heated roll means may be employed to impart heat to such intersections. I

It should also be noted that the tensioned cable means provides a rounded surface about which the filaments are wrapped and that such rounded configuration minimizes and substantially eliminates breaking or cutting of the filaments as they are wrapped around the cable means. While the cable means are tensioned and the filaments are wrapped around the cable with a minimum or no tension in the filaments, it'will be understood that the cable means avoids the presentation of a rigid non-yielding member such as a bar or metal band having relatively thin sharp edges against which the filaments are laid. It will be further understood that the tensioned cable means maybe made of material other than metal cable, such as for example, rubber belts with rounded edges.

As described above, wrapping of the filaments about the tensioned cable means is performed in a manner in which the filaments are placed under little or no tension while they are in the filament dispensing portion of the frame means. Upon movement of the filaments into the second frame stabilizing portion with the endless cable means held between the parallel V-belts, the filaments are placed under some tension which facilitates abutting contact of the crosswise laid filaments at the intersections thereof to stabilize the pattern in the second frame section and to facilitate the bonding of the filaments at the intersections. 7

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus described above which come within the spirit of this invention and all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby. I

I claim:

I. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric comprising longitudinally and diagonally disposed filaments. the combination of:

a frame structure including an elongate filament dispensing first frame portion and an elongate filament stabilizing second frame portion;

flexible tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure;

filament dispensing means including a plurality of transversely spaced dispensing spools for dispensing longitudinal filaments into a horizontal plane defined by said tensioned cable means;

a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending carrier members supported on opposite sides of said horizontal plane. each carrier member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools, the axes of said spools being inclined toward said horizontal plane and directed rearwardly to the path of movement of said carrier members.

means for feeding filaments from the longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools close to said plane.

said carrier members being movable transversely of said first frame portion around said tensioned cable means to distribute said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments dispensed from said carrier members and with said longitudinal filaments lying thereacross;

means for driving said tensioned cable means and for driving said transversely movable filament dispensing carrier members at correlated speeds to provide a fabric of selected open mesh pattern;

means for stabilizing the relationship of said longitudinal and diagonally disposed filaments in said second frame portion;

means for securing said overlying filaments to each other;

and means at the end of said second frame portion for releasing "said filaments from said tension cable means to form a sheet of unwoven scrim fabric having longitudinal and diagonal filaments secured in intersecting relation.

2. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric, the combination of:

a frame structure providing a filament dispensing first frame portion and a filament stabilizing second frame portion;

tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure and defining a plane;

filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame portion,

said filament dispensing spools each having an inclined axis directed toward said plane,

means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane.

said carrier members being movable transversely thereof around said tensioned cable means to distribute along the length of said first portion said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments laid in one direction intersecting filaments laid in the opposite direction;

spaced ball means on said tensioned cable means to retain dispensed filaments in selected longitudinal spaced relation throughout the length of said frame structure;

means for driving said tensioned cable means and said transversely movable filament dispensing means at correlated speeds to provide a fabric of a selected open mesh pattern;

means for securing said overlying filaments to each other at said intersections adjacent the end of said second frame portion;

and means for releasing said filaments adjacent to said tensioned cable means at the end of said second frame portion to form a sheet of unwoven scrim fabric.

3. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric, the combination of:

filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame portion;

said filament dispensing spools each having an inclined axis directly toward said plane,

means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane,

means at said second frame portion constructed to impart tension to said filaments as the filaments move through the second frame portion;

said tension imparting means including a pair of ver tically disposed endless V-belts having parallel opposed belt lays grasping therebetween said tensioned cable means,

and a plurality of longitudinally spaced diametrically opposed pairs of idle wheels eooperable with said belt lays;

4. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabrie, the combination of:

tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure and defining a plane; t

filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinal extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame position;

said longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools on each carrier member being longitudinally offset with respect to the filament dispensing spools on an adjacent carrier member,

the axis of each dispensing spool being inclined rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the carrier member,

means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane,

said carrier members being movable transversely thereof around said tensioned cable means to distribute along the lcngth of said first portion said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments laid in one direction intersecting filaments laid in the opposite direction;

Claims

1. IN AN APPARTUS FOR MAKING NON-WOVEN SCRIM FABRIS COMPRISING LONGITUDINALLY AND DIAGONALLY DISPOSED FILAMENTS, THE COMBINATION OF A FRAME STRUCTURES INCLUDING AN ELONGATE FILAMENT DISPENSING FIRST FRAME PORTION AND AN ELONGATE FILAMENT STABILIZING SECOND FRAME PORTION, FLEXIBLE TENSIONED CABLE MEANS EXTENDING ALONG BOTH FRAME PORTIONS ON EACH SIDE OF SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FILAMENT DISPENSING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURITY OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED DISPENSING SPOOLS FOR DISPENSING LONGITUDINAL FILAMENTS INTO A HORIZONTAL PLANE DEFINED BY SAID TENSIONED CABLE MEANS A PLURITY OF PARALLEL LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CARRIER MEMBERS SUPPORTED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE, EACH CARIER MEMBER HAVING A PLURITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FILAMENT DISPENSING SPOOLS, THE AXES OF SAID SPOOLS BEING INCLINED TOWARD SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE AND DIRECTED REARWARDLY TO THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER MEMBERS, MEANS FOR FEEDING FILAMENTS FROM THE LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FILAMENT DISPENSING SPOOLS CLOSE TO SAID PLANE SAID CARRIER MEMBERS BEING MOVABLE TRANSVERSELY OF SAID FIRST FRAME PORTION AROUND SAID TENSIONED CABLE MEANS TO DISTRIBUTE SAID FILAMENTS IN OVERLYING DIAGONAL RELATION WITH FILAMENTS DISPENSED FROM SAID CARRIER MEMBERS AND WITH SAID LONGITUDINAL FILAMENTS LYING THEREACROSS MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID TENSIONED CABLE MEANS AND FOR DRIVING SAID TRANSVERSELY MOVABLE FILAMENT DISPENSING CARRIER MEMBERS AT CORRELATED SPEEDS TO PROVIDE A FABRIC OF SELECTED OPEN MESH PATTERN, MEANS FOR STABILIZING THE RELATINSHIP OF SAID LONGITUDINAL AND DIAGONALLY DISPOSED FILAMENTS IN SAID FRAME PORTION, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID OVERLYING FILAMENTS TO EACH OTHER AND MEANS AT THE END OF SAID SECOND FRAME PORTION FOR RELEASING SAID FILAMENTS FROM SAID TENSION CABLE MEANS TO FORM A SHEET OF UNWOVEN SCRIM FABRIC HAVING LONGITUDINAL AND DIAGONAL FILAMENTS SECURED IN INTERSECTING RELATION.

2. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric, the combination of: a frame structure providing a filament dispensing first frame portion and a filament stabilizing second frame portion; tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure and defining a plane; filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame portion, said filament dispensing spools each having an inclined axis directed toward said plane, means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane, said carrier members being movable transversely thereof around said tensioned cable means to distribute along the length of said first portion said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments laid in one direction intersecting filaments laid in the opposite direction; spaced ball means on said tensioned cable means to retain dispensed filaments in selected longitudinal spaced relation throughout the length of said frame structure; means for driving said tensioned cable means and said transversely movable filament dispensing means at correlated speeds to provide a fabric of a selected open mesh pattern; means for securing said overlying filaments to each other at said intersections adjacent the end of said second frame portion; and means for releasing said filaments adjacent to said tensioned cable means at the end of said second frame portion to form a sheet of unwoven scrim fabric.

3. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric, the combination of: a frame structure providing a filament dispensing first frame portion and a filament stabilizing second frame portion; tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure and defining a plane; filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame portion; said filament dispensing spools each having an inclined axis directly toward said plane, means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane, said carrier members being movable transversely thereof around said tensioned cable means to distribute along the length of said first portion said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments laid in one direction intersecting filaments laid in the opposite direction; means at said second frame portion constructed to impart tension to said filaments as the filaments move through the second frame portion; said tension imparting means including a pair of vertically disposed endless V-belts having parallel opposed belt lays grasping therebetween said tensioned cable means, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced diametrically opposed pairs of idle wheels cooperable with said belt lays; means for driving said tensioned cable means and said transversely movable filament dispensing means at correlated speeds to provide a fabric of a selected open mesh pattern; means for securing said overlying filaments to each other at said intersections adjacent the end of said second frame portion; and means for releasing said filaments adjacent to said tensioned cable means at the end of said secOnd frame portion to form a sheet of unwoven scrim fabric.

4. In an apparatus for making non-woven scrim fabric, the combination of: a frame structure providing a filament dispensing first frame portion and a filament stabilizing second frame portion; tensioned cable means extending along both frame portions on each side of said frame structure and defining a plane; filament dispensing means including a plurality of parallel longitudinal extending carrier members each carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools at said first frame position; said longitudinally spaced filament dispensing spools on each carrier member being longitudinally offset with respect to the filament dispensing spools on an adjacent carrier member, the axis of each dispensing spool being inclined rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the carrier member, means for feeding filaments from said spools close to said plane, said carrier members being movable transversely thereof around said tensioned cable means to distribute along the length of said first portion said filaments in overlying diagonal relation with filaments laid in one direction intersecting filaments laid in the opposite direction; means for driving said tensioned cable means and said transversely movable filament dispensing means at correlated speeds to provide a fabric of a selected open mesh pattern; means for securing said overlying filaments to each other at said intersections adjacent the end of said second frame portion; and means for releasing said filaments adjacent to said tensioned cable means at the end of said second frame portion to form a sheet of unwoven scrim fabric.