Splice for use during the thermal stabilization of a flat multifilament band of an acrylic fibrous material comprising at least two segments

Claim 1

In a process for the thermal stabilization of a substantially flat multifilament band of an acrylic fibrous material wherein the ends of at least two discrete band segments are joined and continuously are passed in a successive manner in the direction of their length through a heated thermal stabilization zone while maintaining the original fibrous configuration of the same substantially intact for a residue time sufficient to render said band black in appearance, and non-burning when subjected to an ordinary match flame; the improvement comprising joining the ends of at least two of said band segments by (1) surrounding an end of each band segment with a fabric which is capable of withstanding the heated thermal stabilization zone having a weave configuration through which heat of reaction is permitted to dissipate with a portion of said fabric extending beyond each enclosed end of said band segment to form a substantially flat fabric extension, (2) sewing said fabric to each band segment in the area were said band is enclosed by said fabric with a thread which is capable of withstanding the heated thermal stabilization zone while maintaining the enclosed portion of said band in a substantially flat configuration, (3) overlapping a pair of said substantially flat fabric extensions in the absence of any substantial overlap of the acrylic fibrous material of each band segment with each of said band segments extending in an opposite direction, and (4) sewing together said overlapped substantially flat fabric extensions with a thread which is capable of withstanding the heated thermal stabilization zone to join said band segments of acrylic fibrous material in the absence of any substantial overlap of the acrylic fibrous material of each band segment.