US4105484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared apparatus for producing a fused fabric
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1977-05-16
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1997-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A fluid is passed in contact with the surface of a fabric on the surface opposite that exposed to sufficient infrared radiation to fuse at least a portion of the synthetic thermoplastic fibers which comprise at least a portion of the fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Newton
- 👤 Gerald A. Romanek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:54
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; B; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0822; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/14; B29C65/1403; B29C65/1412; B29C65/1429; B29C65/1464; B29C66/00; B29C66/69; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/729; B29C66/7294; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29K2105/0854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
Apparatus comprising, in combination, infrared heating means, conveying means suitable for transporting a fabric adjacent to and spaced a distance from said infrared heating means, suitable for transporting the fabric so that the surfaces of the fabric are unrestricted, and suitable for grasping the edges of the fabric, and fluid-contacting means for forcing a fluid in contact with the surface of the fabric immediately opposite the surface of the fabric positioned adjacent to and spaced a distance from said infrared heating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus comprising, in combination, infrared heating means, conveying means suitable for transporting a fabric adjacent to and spaced a distance from said infrared heating means, suitable for transporting the fabric so that the surfaces of the fabric are unrestricted, and suitable for grasping the edges of the fabric, and fluid-contacting means for forcing a fluid in contact with the surface of the fabric immediately opposite the surface of the fabric positioned adjacent to and spaced a distance from said infrared heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus comprising, in combination, infrared heating means, conveying means and fluid-contacting means, said conveying means suitable for transporting a fabric, having a first surface and a second surface, between said infrared heating means and said fluid-contacting means and suitable for transporting the fabric so that the surfaces of the fabric are unrestricted, said infrared heating means positioned adjacent only the first surface of said fabric and suitable for exposing said fabric to infrared heat, and said fluid-contacting means positioned adjacent only the second surface of said fabric and suitable for directing the fluid toward the second surface of said fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus comprising, in combination, infrared heating means, conveying means and fluid-contacting means, said conveying means suitable for transporting a fabric, having a first surface and a second surface, between said infrared heating means and said fluid-contacting means and suitable for transporting the fabric so that the surfaces of the fabric are unrestricted, said infrared heating means positioned adjacent only the first surface of said fabric and suitable for exposing said fabric to infrared heat, and said fluid-contacting means positioned adjacent only the second surface of said fabric and suitable for directing the fluid toward the second surface of said fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the conveying means is a tenter frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fluid-contacting means for forcing a fluid in contact with the surface of the fabric is suitable for directing air across the width of and toward said surface and at an acute angle relative to said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fluid-contacting means comprises an elongated enclosure extending across the conveying means in a direction normal to the movement of the conveying means, said enclosure having an air inlet and an air outlet and said air inlet being connected to a source of compressed air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the infrared heating means has an inlet end and an outlet end, the fluid contacting means is positioned near the outlet end of the infrared heating means and the air outlet of the fluid-contacting means is positioned so that the air is directed countercurrent to the direction of the movement of the surface of the fabric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the air outlet of the fluid-contacting means comprises a plurality of openings, each of said openings extending approximately the length of the elongated enclosure and having vanes suitable for adjusting the direction of air flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fluid-contacting means is suitable for directing air essentially perpendicular to the surface of the fabric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fluid-contacting means comprises an enclosed chamber having at least one air inlet and having an essentially flat perforated surface positioned substantially parallel to the surface of said fabric through which air exits said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flat perforated surface of said chamber is a screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |