<PICT:0915764/IV (b)/1> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/2> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/3> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/4> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/5> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/6> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/7> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/8> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/9> <PICT:0915764/IV (b)/100> <PICT:0915764/IV Apparatus for the production of strands, strips or bands from a web or layer of fibres (see Group IX) comprises a foraminous support for the web &c., means defining a plurality of spaced, generally parallel, elongated, permeable zones, and a fluid source to pass a fluid through such means and the support. As shown in Figs. 2, 2a, a layer 19 carried on a foraminous supporting member 20, e.g. a wire or plastic screen, is divided by liquid flowing in zones 23 generally in the direction of arrows 21, 22, but deflecting or eddying laterally at the surface of member 20 and component streams thereof divide the layer into bundles 25. The zones 23 may be defined by a slotted or apertured divider, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown) which may be stationary or move in synchronism with a moving layer 19 and member 20. In a modification, Figs. 5 and 5a, the layer 19 is initially superposed on wedge members 50, supported on the carrier 20, which assist the dividing action of fluid forces 24. In the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and 8, a layer 19 is passed through drafting rolls 57, 58, 59 and then transported between an endless, foraminous support 61, driven by rolls 62, 63, and supported on rolls 66 and 67, and endless dividing belts 65 guided by driven, grooved rolls 66, 67. The layer is divided by liquid streams flowing from rows of spray heads or nozzles 74 and passing through the spaces between adjacent belts on their lower run. Suction boxes 76 assist the dividing and compacting action as well as the removal of liquid from the strands. In another apparatus, Figs. 9 and 10, a card web 90 is conveyed from drafting rolls 91, deposited on an endless, foraminous, support belt 96 and carried into contact with a rotating, perforated, dividing drum 93 which is driven directly or through the belt 96 and through rows of apertures 106 in which issue streams of fluid under pressure and emanating from nozzles 105 on a header 103. Strands 25 formed by the streams are carried over a suction box 107 before formation into yarns. In a modification of the latter apparatus, Fig. 25, a drafted web 144 is deposited on an endless, foraminous, fluid-permeable, supporting member 134 and carried thereby over guide rolls 135 and into contact with the periphery of a drum 130 comprising annular rings 133 supported and maintained in predetermined, spaced, parallel positions by grooved, single or compositely assembled rollers 131. Water is supplied under pressure to a header 146 provided with nozzles 147 from which streams are projected and, in passing through the drum 130, web 144 and support 134, effect division of the web and formation of strands 148, the bundling and/or compacting thereof being assisted by the rings 133 which may be of isosceles trapezoidal cross-section, Figs. 26 and 26a, b and c (not shown). The layer or web may be supported upon dividing or "rearranging" V-belts. Thus, as shown in Fig. 11, a drafted card web 112 is positioned upon endless belts 113 which may have a triangular or truncated-triangular crosssection, Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown) and are trained around adjustable tensioning guide roll 123 and grooved support rolls 114, 115, 116. The belts also pass over guide rolls 118, 119, which carry an endless screen or foraminous belt 120 further supported by rollers 118a and 119a and trained around roll 121 and adjustable tensioning roll 122. Nozzles 124, 127, and 129, which may co-operate with aligned suction boxes 126, 128 and 130, pass fluid streams in three separate zones through the moving assembly of belts, web and screen. As shown in Fig. 15, a web 330 is passed between a stationary, slotted, dividing or fibre re-arranging plate 335 and a moving foraminous support 332. Overhead nozzles, Fig. 14 (not shown) which may co-operate with suction boxes 339 pass fluid streams 338 through slots 336 and the web and its support, the strands forming under the lands of the plate. The web may be supported upon a foraminous member with suction applied to elongated parallel zones. Thus, as shown in Fig. 17, the drafted web 330 is supported by a screen 343 travelling on rollers 344 and 345 and passing directly over a slotted plate 349 constituting the upper surface of a suction box 351. The web is divided and progressively formed into ribbons, partially rounded strands, Fig. 20, and fully compacted strands 346. As shown in Fig. 22, an aqueous suspension of mixed fibres supplied from a tank 388 to a forming zone 394 above a sluice 395 drains on to a foraminous carrier screen 396 to produce a wet, non-self-supporting fibrous layer 397 which is continuously advanced into a "re-arranging" zone similar in function to that shown in Fig. 6. Specifications 836,397 and 896,002 are referred to.