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WO1996012112A1 - Procede et dispositif de realisation d'epissures dans un materiau souple fusible et materiau episse - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de realisation d'epissures dans un materiau souple fusible et materiau episse Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996012112A1
WO1996012112A1 PCT/US1995/012190 US9512190W WO9612112A1 WO 1996012112 A1 WO1996012112 A1 WO 1996012112A1 US 9512190 W US9512190 W US 9512190W WO 9612112 A1 WO9612112 A1 WO 9612112A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
splices
tow
splice
splicing
heating element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1995/012190
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Dixon Neal
Jimmie Lee Cox
Kyle Eugene Morrison
Kenneth Roger Wilmoth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Chemical Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Chemical Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Chemical Co filed Critical Eastman Chemical Co
Publication of WO1996012112A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996012112A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/305—Decorative or coloured joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/22—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip
    • B29C65/221—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip characterised by the type of heated wire, resistive ribbon, band or strip
    • B29C65/222—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip characterised by the type of heated wire, resistive ribbon, band or strip comprising at least a single heated wire
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
    • B29C65/7847—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes using vacuum to hold at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/116—Single bevelled joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being bevelled in the joint area
    • B29C66/1162—Single bevel to bevel joints, e.g. mitre joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8161—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8221—Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8324—Joining or pressing tools pivoting around one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H69/00—Methods of, or devices for, interconnecting successive lengths of material; Knot-tying devices ;Control of the correct working of the interconnecting device
    • B65H69/08—Methods of, or devices for, interconnecting successive lengths of material; Knot-tying devices ;Control of the correct working of the interconnecting device by welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8161—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
    • B29C66/81611—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material by resilient material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/707—Cables, i.e. two or more filaments combined together, e.g. ropes, cords, strings, yarns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/709—Articles shaped in a closed loop, e.g. conveyor belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/31—Textiles threads or artificial strands of filaments

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming splices in flexible, fusible material and material spliced accordingly.
  • the invention is especially applicable to thermoplastic material such as elongated films, sheets, ribbons, and fibrous tow.
  • Elongated materials in the form of films, sheets, ribbons, tows, etc. obviously have many known uses.
  • film or sheet material is useful in the packaging art.
  • tow a bundle or band of many fibers of small diameter
  • Tow may be formed into semi—rigid rods of various densities and stiffness and used as filter material.
  • a splice needs to be made, because the associated machinery is designed to be operated on a continuous basis. If there should be a break in the feed of elongated material, time—consuming operations such as re hreading and returning to normal operating rate are required.
  • Interruptions in the continuity of the material may result from breaks in the material, equipment malfunction, or possibly change—over from one container to another. Therefore, for reasons of production efficiency, it can be important to attach a leading end of one length of elongated material to the trailing end of another length to insure continuity of operation.
  • tow containing such prior-art splices is generally allowed to pass through the various stages of the processing machinery, such as a plugmaker, etc. , and then the machinery is stopped and the product containing the splices is removed. After removal of the defective product or intermediate product, the processing machinery can be restarted.
  • processing machinery such as a plugmaker, etc.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of the splicing apparatus according to this invention showing two pieces of material ready to be spliced;
  • Figure 2 is an elevation view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 1, showing material after being spliced;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the splicing clamp
  • Figure 5 is an end view of the splicing clamp
  • Figure 6 is a section view taken along line 6—6 of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of a section of material spliced by the method and apparatus of this invention.
  • elongated, flexible, preferably resilient, fusible, relatively flat, band—like material having a diagonal splice with respect to its length which is more difficult for the untrained eye to detect than splices according to prior art as described herein.
  • elongated, flexible, fusible, relatively flat, band-like material made of crimped fibers of cellulose acetate having a diagonal splice with respect to its length wherein the total color difference between the material in said splice and the adjacent material is nearly undetectable to the untrained eye.
  • elongated, flexible, fusible, relatively flat, band—like material made of crimped fibers of cellulose acetate having diagonal splices with respect to the length wherein the average total color difference expressed in DE* CIELAB values is less than 3 between the material in the splices and the adjacent material as described herein.
  • elongated, flexible, fusible, relatively flat, band—like material made of crimped, cellulose—acetate fibers having diagonal splices with respect to its length wherein the average total color difference between the diagonal splices and the adjacent material is substantially less than the average total color difference between splices of prior art and the adjacent material as described herein.
  • elongated, flexible, fusible, relatively flat, band—like material made of crimped, cellulose—acetate fibers having diagonal splices with respect to its length which a) are significantly more blue in average CIELAB values than the splices of prior art and b) are more difficult for the untrained eye to detect than splices of prior art as described herein.
  • elongated, flexible, fusible, relatively flat, band—like material made of crimped fibers of cellulose acetate having diagonal splices with respect to its length which is nearly undetectable to the untrained eye and which is significantly lighter in average CIELAB DL* values compared to splices of prior art as described herein.
  • a method of splicing fusible, preferably resilient material comprising the steps of superimposing two sections of the material in a non-parallel, crossed relationship, tensioning the sections in a controlled manner at or above a selected tension and heating to its fusion temperature a compressed strip of the superimposed sections along a line which substantially bisects the superimposed sections to create a subsequent diagonal splice of between 20 and 70 degrees with respect to the lengthwise dimension of the material wherein the tensioning causes the newly spliced material to withdraw from the line as described herein.
  • a method of splicing fusible material comprising the steps of superimposing two sections of the material in a substantially parallel relationship, tensioning the sections in a controlled manner above a selected tension, and heating to its fusion temperature a compressed strip of the superimposed sections along a line wherein such strip is not perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension of the material and a subsequent substantially diagonal splice of between 20 and 70 degrees with respect to said lengthwise dimension is created wherein the tensioning causes the newly spliced material to withdraw from said line as described herein.
  • apparatus for splicing flexible, fusible, relatively flat material comprising a) a splicing clamp having a heating element and a cooperating pressure member which are adapted to be clamped on superimposed portions of the material, b) supporting means for holding material to be spliced in crossed, superimposed position across the clamp, c) means for tensioning the material across the clamp, d) means for heating the heating element, whereby upon closing the splicing clamp and heating the heating element the material fuses together and separates from the element under tension to form two separate spliced lengths of material.
  • the elongated material referred to herein may be in the form of a film or sheet, fiber bundle, ribbons, tow, etc.
  • the present invention is found to be particularly useful in splicing tow of thermoplastic polymeric material such as, for example, cellulose esters, polyesters and polyolefins.
  • thermoplastic polymeric material such as, for example, cellulose esters, polyesters and polyolefins.
  • tow of cellulose acetate which is commonly composed of numerous continuous filaments of 1.6 to 8 denier (1.8 to 8.9 decitex) per filament.
  • Such tow is usually crimped and commonly ranges from 24,000 to 100,000 (2.67 to 11.1 kilotex) total denier in a generally flat band.
  • the tow can be crimped crosswise of its lengthwise dimension in a manner well known in the art, such that it is resilient in the lengthwise direction.
  • the present invention is utilized by grasping the two ends of the tows, superimposing them in a crossed fashion upon a support, applying tension, compressing and heating the tows along a line where they are superimposed until they are fused, and using the tension applied to the tows to separate them when fused in such a manner that a splice is formed.
  • Figure 1 illustrates two lengths of flexible, fusible tow 10 and 12 which are to be spliced on a line within the area where they are superimposed, or crossed.
  • Tow 10 comprises an end portion 14 and a main portion 16.
  • tow 12 comprises an end portion 18 and a main portion 20.
  • the end portions normally are broken or otherwise terminated ends which are to be discarded after the completion of a splice.
  • the main portions are to be spliced so as to make a continuous, or at least an extended length of tow.
  • the lengthwise dimension is, of course, the longitudinal or elongated dimension, while the crosswise dimension is generally perpendicular thereto.
  • Tows 10 and 12 can be at least partially supported on table 22, across splicing clamp 24. Tows 10 and 12 are held stationary by suitable clamps 26 and 28 respectively, which may suitably be vacuum clamps as subsequently described or other suitable clamping means, including a combination of vacuum clamp plus a mechanical pressure device. Tow ends 14 and 18 are placed in tensioning means 30 and 32 which may suitably be fluid jets which exert a drawing or tensioning force on the tows in directions away from the clamps 26 and 28.
  • the fluid jets may conveniently be Venturi or other type jets, e.g., Beck Ringjet Airmover, available from D. N. Beck & Company, Ltd. , London. Novel means for clamping and tensioning the tow are provided. In both cases, flows of air through suitable fluid jets are used. Both the vacuum clamps and fluid jets can be actuated manually at will. Vacuum may be communicated to vacuum clamps 26 and 28 by suitable means, e.g., a suitable vacuum creating means and conduit system.
  • the vacuum clamp consists of at least one suitably mounted porous screen upon which the tow or other material is supported while being held in place by the pull of the vacuum.
  • a rib extends across and above the screen at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the tow such that the tow is pulled onto the screen in at least two places, thereby wrapping partially around the rib thereby enhancing the holding power of the vacuum.
  • vacuum clamps 26 and 28, jets 30 and 32 and splicing clamp 24 are arranged on support 22 in such manner that the splice to be formed in the tow (shown in phantom lines in Figure 3) is at an angle of greater than 20° and less than 70° with respect to edge or longitudinal dimension of the tow. This, then, means that the angle "a" between the crossed tows 10 and 12 should be between 40° and 140°.
  • FIG. 4 A preferred type of splicing clamp is best illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
  • This illustrated splicing clamp 24 includes a lower member 40 which is provided with heating element 42 attached thereto at 44 and 46. Heating element 42 is conveniently electrically heated by means (not shown) using resistance heating techniques well known in the art. Heating element 42 is preferably partly contained in groove 48 of lower member 40 to prevent any possibility of misalignment with pressure member 50 when the splicing clamp is closed.
  • Splicing clamp 24 also comprises an upper member 52 which is pivoted at 54 to lower member 40. An open position is illustrated at 56 and a closed position is illustrated at 58. Upper member 52 carries pressure member 50 which is adapted to cooperate with heating element 42 to form a clamp.
  • Pressure member 50 is preferably contained in a slot 60 in upper member 52 and is biased by one or more springs 62 (or by other means such as compressible, resilient material) so that substantially uniform contact and pressure are achieved when the splicing clamp is closed.
  • the construction of the splicing clamp 24 should be sufficiently precise that heating element 42 and pressure member 50 correctly align themselves when the clamp is closed to position 58.
  • Handle 64 is provided for manually opening and closing the splicing clamp in the preferred embodiment. It is preferred that the heating element and pressure member be constructed of materials such that the material being spliced does not stick to them.
  • Suitable material for the pressure member 50 includes suitable fiberglass sheets or tapes impregnated with Teflon polymer, sheets or blocks made from Teflon polymer, sheets, tapes or blocks made of TorIon poly(amide—imide) materials, suitably coated ceramics or metals, etc.
  • Suitable material for the heating element 42 includes nickel—chromium alloy or other suitable materials. Also, in some cases separation of the material at the line of fusion may be enhanced by the use of a small, conventional electric vibrator 70 attached to any part or parts of the splicing clamp and/or other components.
  • both the tensioning means 30 and 32 and the clamping means 26 and 28 would be activated.
  • a suitable air jet is used for each of the tensioning means and a vacuum clamp is used for each of the clamping means.
  • Tow ends 10 and 12 are placed in turn in the opening of each tensioning means 30 and 32. The first end so placed, either tow end 10 or 12, is then located over and in contact with the heating element 42 and is then placed in contact with the appropriate clamping means 26 or 28.
  • the second tow end 10 or 12 is then placed in the opening of the other tensioning means 30 or 32 and then guided by hand over the first tow end 10 or 12 so that the edges of the tow bands line up substantially with each other and also line up over the heating element 42.
  • Such alignment is not difficult to accomplish but is important in order for the subsequent splice to extend at a diagonal substantially from one side of the newly joined material, such as a tow band, to the other.
  • the second tow end is then placed in contact with the second clamping means 26 or 28. With the completion of these placements, both tow ends 10 and 12 will be clamped in the desired locations and the tension will be obtained automatically. A brief final visual check will assure that the alignment over the heating element 42 has been maintained.
  • the splicing clamp is closed to position 58, either manually or by a suitable closing mechanism, to bring pressure to bear on the criss ⁇ crossed tow ends 10 and 12 between the heating element 42 and the pressure member 50.
  • a suitable device such as a microswitch, is operated in order to activate the heating element 42 and the material which has been compressed over the heating element 42 is heated.
  • fusion temperature refers to that temperature (or temperatures) at which the material, such as tow ends 10 and 12, softens and flows together to unite to form a splice 51 and, under the influence of the previously established tension, to retract spontaneously from contact with the heating element 42 and the pressure member 50 as shown in Figure 3.
  • the two main portions 16 and 20 of the resilient material such as crimped fibrous tow, non—crimped ribbon or tape, etc., have been spliced as shown by splice 51 and have spontaneously retracted to the position shown in Figure 3.
  • the operator can manually remove the newly spliced material (main portions 16 and 20 plus splice 51) and can place it in a suitable location, such as in a container or in a bin that is associated with a baling operation or in position to be wound onto a spool, bobbin, etc.
  • the fusion temperature referred to above is not necessarily the melting temperature of the material. Since the material on both sides of splicing clamp 24 is under tension, fusing and separation may occur prior to the material reaching a completely molten state. We believe that it is likely that greater tension being used for any given situation means quicker separation possibly at a lower temperature. However, with our novel splicer, the operator does not have control of the separation or retraction of the newly formed splice from the grip of the heating element 42 and the pressure member 50. This separation or retraction occurs spontaneously whenever the fusion conditions are reached.
  • the tow is subjected to heat for too long a time interval resulting in one or more of the following: oxidation, discoloration, charring, darkening, unacceptable amount of thickening, sticking to the heating element 42, and/or coating of said heating element.
  • oxidation, discoloration, charring, darkening, unacceptable amount of thickening, sticking to the heating element 42, and/or coating of said heating element When the tension is too great, crimped tow is difficult to handle in placing it in the correct criss-cross position for splicing.
  • the crimped tow tends to become stringy due to separation of the individual fibers from each other in places across the tow and also there is a strong tendency to produce splices which do not capture substantially all of the fibers, thus allowing sections of fiber to be heat—severed but not connected to other fibers at the splice.
  • the tow also is "worked” excessively by excessive tension, causing too much increase in width of the tow band.
  • the maximum acceptable tension range for fibrous tow of 35,000 total denier was found to be 25 to 100 grams with 40 to 75 grams being the most effective overall and the most convenient in terms of handling the tow.
  • the general relationship between total tow denier and tension range can be expressed in grams per denier and used to estimate the desirable tension ranges for crimped tows at higher and lower total tow deniers. In a typical splicing operation, the following conditions may exist:
  • Air pressure used for 40 psig venturi tensioning jets (2.81 kg/cm 2 )
  • Width of pressure 3 mm member 50
  • Example 1 These experiments involve crimped tows of cellulose acetate fibers of various deniers per filament. When criss-crossed tows are being used, some excellent splices are made which have low visibility but poor consistency. In these experiments, the tow is clamped by mechanical means; the tension is established by attaching weights to the tow bands; the pressure means 50 in the drawings is 0.5 inches wide (1.25 cm) and the timer for the heating element 42 is generally set at a time interval that believed to be sufficient to form a splice. The overall results indicate that it is sometimes possible to produce low-visibility splices but without a major improvement in reproducibility and predictability.
  • Crimped cellulose acetate tow of 3.0 denier/ filament (3.3 decitex) with a total denier of 35,000 (3.9 kilotex) obtained from regular production is provided for this experiment.
  • the vacuum clamps (26 and 28) and the tensioning means (jets 30 and 32) are placed in position to create a 45—degree orientation between the tow and the wire as shown in Figure 1.
  • Various experimental conditions (voltage, tow tension, timer settings for operation of heating element 42, etc.) are tested with partial success in attempting to produce low—visibility splices. Some poor splices and "taffy-pull" defects are produced.
  • a "taffy-pull” defect is characterized by polymer which softens or melts sufficiently to become involved in the splicing process and which tends to bridge across with thin thread—like formations from the tow sections to be joined by splice 51 over to the tow sections on the other side which are to be discarded after forming the splice 53.
  • These "taffy—pull” defects can also stick to the heating element 42.
  • the vacuum clamps (26 and 28) and jet—tensioning means (30 and 32) are found to be very effective in holding and tensioning the crossed tows.
  • placement of the tows in the correct positions, clamping and tensioning are accomplished much more quickly, accurately and conveniently than with mechanical clamps and weights. The following operation conditions are used in a series of experiments:
  • Example 2 After the experiments in Example 2 are run making a fairly large number of acceptable splices, there is an irregularly increasing tendency to produce "taffy—pull” defects.
  • the splicer is equipped in the same manner as was described for Example 2 and has the same heating element 42 (nichrome wire, in this case) with which the 55 low—visibility splices are made.
  • the problem continues to become more severe as additional splices are made.
  • An increasingly rough feel on the wire can be detected by running a fingernail along the surface. Cleaning the wire with solvent produces only temporary short—term relief from "taffy—pull” defects.
  • a new wire is installed, and it is found that up to 100 or more satisfactory low—visibility splices can be made using various standard crimped tows of cellulose acetate fiber.
  • Angle "a” ( Figure 1) is set at 60 degrees and no problems are encountered in making low—visibility splices.
  • Angle "a” is set at 120 degrees.
  • the two tow bands are placed one above the other and aligned with the wire (heating element 42) to create a splice angle of
  • Thickness measurements can vary with the variability of the product and the type of instrument used, but the relative values should be reasonably reproducible. In all cases, the tension applied is in the range of 0.0010 to 0.0025 grams per denier.
  • Model 436 micrometer with a contact surface of 0.25 inc (6.35 mm) diameter 1.
  • polyester tow results with polyester tow are not fully satisfactory from the standpoint of low visibility.
  • the splices have sufficient strength, but are strongly "one—sided". By the term “one—sided”, we mean that, on one side, the diagonal splice shows very little, if any, darkened or burned polymer but, on the other side, there was a definite, easily observed, formation of significantly darker, apparently burned or charred, polymer projecting outward from the splice.
  • the polypropylene ribbon also makes strongly "one—sided" splices. One side is reasonably satisfactory from the standpoint of low—visibility. However, the other side had a definite, easily observed, formation of polymer projecting irregularly outward from the diagonal splice.
  • Crimped cellulose acetate tow, white in color and containing titanium dioxide pigment, of 35,000 total denier (3.9 kilotex) of 3.0 denier per filament (3.3 decitex) is obtained for an evaluation of color and lightness/darkness characteristics of prior—art splices compared to our novel splices.
  • the prior—art splices are made according to the method described by Duram in Defensive Publication T913,005.
  • Our novel splices are prepared as described in Example 4. These tests are made on a Model CS—5
  • the DH* values for hue are significantly different for the novel diagonal splices versus the prior—art splices when compared to the adjacent material which do not have splices.
  • the following table summarizes the CIELAB values obtained when each of the five prior—art splices (Batch A) and each of the four novel splices (Batch B) are compared to the substantially adjacent material in the tow band which does not contain a splice. Values represent color differences compared to the material selected from the standard. Standard: Original Cellulose Acetate Crimped Tow Not Containing a Splice Batch A
  • CIELAB difference of 1.0 is considered to be the level at which the human eye begins to detect differences.
  • the measurement of color is complex and no absolute generalizations are appropriate.
  • the references we have cited provide considerable detail the instrumentation and calculations related to CIELAB values. Increasingly large CIELAB differences tend to be increasingly easier to see. Color differences are preferably measured as an average using at least two splices in which at least one CIELAB value is determined per splice.
  • CIELAB values herein are determined on an Applied Color System "Chroma-Sensor” spectrophotometer, Model CS—5, using a D65 illuminant, 10 degree observer and a 3mm port, in a manner described in the instrument's user manual ["ASC Chroma Sensor—5 Operation Manual” (4200—0097), copyright 1989, Applied Color Systems, Inc.], well known by those skilled in the art. Also of interest are the reference book “Computer Colorant Formulation by Rolf Kuehni, Lexington Books, D. C.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif de réalisation d'épissures diagonales dans un matériau souple fusible (16, 18), ainsi que le matériau épissé au moyen dudit procédé. Ce procédé consiste à placer le matériau en position de chevauchement, à le tendre au niveau de la zone à épisser et à réchauffer une bande du matériau sous tension jusqu'à sa température de fusion, ce qui fait fondre et sépare le matériau au niveau de la bande. Un oeil non exercé ne peut pratiquement pas détecter l'épissure.
PCT/US1995/012190 1994-10-13 1995-09-25 Procede et dispositif de realisation d'epissures dans un materiau souple fusible et materiau episse Ceased WO1996012112A1 (fr)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997028079A3 (fr) * 1996-01-19 1997-10-16 Du Pont Procede et dispositif de fusion de fils

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1710460A1 (de) * 1968-02-24 1971-10-28 Glanzstoff Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verschweissen der Enden von Garnen und Faeden aus thermoplastischen Kunststoffen
US4050974A (en) * 1977-01-24 1977-09-27 Jules Borrin Method of reducing interliner remnant
WO1992002356A1 (fr) * 1990-08-06 1992-02-20 Eastman Kodak Company Procede et appareil de formation d'epissures dans une matiere souple fusible et matiere ainsi epissee

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1710460A1 (de) * 1968-02-24 1971-10-28 Glanzstoff Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verschweissen der Enden von Garnen und Faeden aus thermoplastischen Kunststoffen
US4050974A (en) * 1977-01-24 1977-09-27 Jules Borrin Method of reducing interliner remnant
WO1992002356A1 (fr) * 1990-08-06 1992-02-20 Eastman Kodak Company Procede et appareil de formation d'epissures dans une matiere souple fusible et matiere ainsi epissee

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997028079A3 (fr) * 1996-01-19 1997-10-16 Du Pont Procede et dispositif de fusion de fils

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