GB1035069A - Improved fibre mat at least partly formed from glass fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

A fibre mat composed partly of glass fibres comprises a band of fibres laid in zig-zag form from one side of the mat to the other successively in the direction of the length of the mat, the band comprising a plurality of parallel strips each formed of a strand of fibres arranged along the band in substantially flat overlying loops, the mat comprising strands of at least two different degrees of fineness. Continuous glass filaments 23 are drawn through the orifices of bushings 21 depending from glass melting tanks (not shown) and size is applied thereto by applicators 25, Fig. 2 (not shown). The filaments from each bushing are then grouped together to form sets of strands individually segregated as they travel within grooves in gathering shoes 27, 27b, varying numbers of filaments being grouped together to form strands of varying degrees of fineness. The sets of strands 28, 29 pass under grooved aligning shoes 31, around idler wheels 33 and around pull wheels 35, 36 driven by motors 38. The wheels 35, 36 each carry on an independently mounted oscillating back plate 42 a spoke wheel 39 to project the strands tangentially therefrom, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown). The groups 58 of strands from each wheel 35, 36 are accumulated in a mat 60 on a conveyer 61 of carbon steel chain construction. Adjustable shields 63 define the edges of the mat 60. The pull wheels 35, 36 are formed with slots through which the fingers of the spoke wheels 39 successively project. The size applied by the applicators 25 may be water or may be a primary binder and a powdered synthetic resin may be subsequently applied. The mat 60 passes from conveyer 61 to a further conveyer and thence through an oven for curing the binder, Fig. 1 (not shown). The varying degrees of fineness of the strands may be achieved by employing coarse glass fibre strands and finer strands of wool, cotton, rayonacrylics, vinylics, nylon, aluminium silicate, asbestos or glass. A composite mat may be thus formed with a plurality of bands, each comprising strands of one degree of fineness, or sets of strands of varying degrees of fineness. The mat may comprise distinct layers with various sizes or weights of strands in different layers but also in combination in the same layer. The ratio of finer to coarser strands in the mat preferably increases from the central plane outwards.