US1995696A - Strand and material formed from the same - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1935. y R. N. wALLAcH STRAND AND MATERIAL FORMED FROM THE SAME Filed March 24, 1932 INVENTOR i065? All/,41mm

BY mm M6 ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 26. 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAND AND MATERIAL FORMED FROM THE SAME Roger N. Wallach, Briarcliff Manor, N. Y., as-

sgnor to Sylvania Industrial Corporation, Fredericksburg, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application March 24, 1932, Serial No. 600,974

9 Claims. (Cl. 117-452) The invention relates to an article of manu- Strips of a suitable width are out from sheets facture made of a cellulosic material, and more or rolls and wound, convolved, folded, plaited or particularly to a new and distinctive type of braided, and twisted around themselves or asuitfabric and the material from which it is fashable core to form a strand or thread of comparaioned. tively large cross-section as regards the thickness 5 Bands of cellulose material adapted for emof the original strip, and of marked resiliency and broidery, weaving, knitting, and the like are disdurability. The strands thus formed may be closed in the Brandenberger Patent No.1,406,148, woven, braided or otherwise worked to form a dated February '7, 1922. The bands disclosed fabric.

lll' therein are formed by cutting bands of non- The strands may be used either in their natural 1o fibrous cellulosic material to the dimensions recolor or dyed, or the nished fabric may be dyed. quired for the final product and by folding the In the weaving or braiding any design or patresulting cut band onto itself so as to obtain two tern may be obtained by methods known in texlongitudinal edges by the folding operation, tile weaving, or a suitable design may be printed l5 which edges are other than the edges obtained upon the nished fabric. A fabric thus formed l5 by cutting the band. has been found to Ibe particularly suitable as a;

The present invention distinguishes from prior rug or floor covering in that it possesses a very practice in that a new strand is formed which is attractive appearance, lays well without buckling stronger,-and of greater body and resiliency, and or warping, and is highly resistant to wear.

26 which may be utilized in the manufacture of a For a fuller understanding of the nature and 20 fabric, e, g. oor covering, having a distinctively objects of the invention reference should be had novel appearance and a high wear-resistance to the following detailed description taken in surface. Further distinguishing features will be connection with the accompanying drawing, in evident from the following description. which:

It is an object of the invention to provide a Fie. 1 representsastrip formed fromacellulosic 25 thread or strand, produced from a cellulosic mamaterial from which the threads or strands o'f terial, possessing the requisite flexibility, strength the present invention are prepared; and durability s'o that it may be woven. braided Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of a strand formed or otherwise worked into a fabric, rug or the like. by. tightly twisting the strip of Fig. l about its It is a further object of the invention to provide` longitudinal aXS; 30 a material, for example a rug or floor covering Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of a strand of a which is woven, braided or otherwise formed from cellulosic material formed by twisting the strip threads or strands composed of cellulosic matem of Fig. l about an axis which lies at an angle to rial and characterized by a high resistance to the longitudinal axis of the strip;

wear and an attractive appearance. Fig. i represents a portion oi' a strand made by 35 Other objects of the invention will in part be folding the strip of Fig. 1 along certain longiobvious and will in part appear hereinafter. tudinal lines and accomplishing a twist around The invention accordingly comprises an article the longitudinal axis thereof; of manufacture possessing the features, proper- Fig. 5 illustrates a strand formed of the folded 4o ties, and the relation of elements which will be strip of Fig. 4 twisted about an axis which lies at 40 exemplified in the article hereinafter described an angle to the longitudinal axis of the strip. and the scope of the application of which will be Fig. 6 illustrates a strand formed by convolutindicated in the claims. l ing the strip of Fig. l and subsequently twisting In the practice of the invention, a strand or the convoluted strip;

thread from which my novel material or article Fig. l represents a strand containing a core of 45 is woven, or otherwise formed may be made from extraneous material, the strip of Fig. l being a non-fibrous cellulosic material such as material twisted therewith; formed from viscose, regenerated cellulose, Fig. 8 illustrates a strand composed of two methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and other cellustrips of the shape of the strip of Fig. 1, the

lose ethers; cellulose esters as cellulose-acetate strips being of contrasting colors and twisted toand other cellulose derivatives, which may be in gether to obtain a barber-pole effect;

sheet form or in rolls. 'Ihe above materials will Fig. 9 represents a cross-section of the untwistbe hereinafter referred to in both. the descriped portion of. the strand of Fig. 5 taken on the tion ofthe invention and the claims as celluline 9-*9,1ooking in the direction of the arrows; losic material. Fig. 10 represents a cross-section of the strand of Fig. 6, taken on the line 10-10 to show the manner in which the strip is convoluted;

Fig. 11 illustrates a portion of a fabric adapted for a floor covering and formed by weaving strands of a cellulosic material, the strands used to form the warp being of a color contrasting with the strands used to form the weft;

Fig. 12 illustrates a portion of a fabric or floor covering formed by weaving the strands of a cellulosic material as the weft and using an extraneous material as the warp or vice versa.; and

Fig. 13 illustrates a fioor covering formed by braiding the cellulosic strands around threads or strands of extraneous material.

With specific reference to Fig. 1, reference numeral 11 designates a strip of cellulosic material defined by lateral edges 12 and 13 and longitudinal edges 14 and l5. While these edges have been shown as being straight and at right angles to one another, this is not essential to the formation of the thread or strand since the shape and size of the strip may be varied within comparatively wide limits and excellent results still obtained.

There are many methods of utilizing the strip 11 in the manufacture of strands or threads. Figs. 2-8 inclusive illustrate some of the various types of strands obtainable.

The strand 16 of Fig. 2 is formed by twisting the strip l1 across its breadth so that the line of twist follows the longitudinal axis of the strip designated by the dotted line 17. By way of illustration, a portion 18 of the strand 16 is shown in Fig. 2 as untwisted to illustrate the manner in which the strand proper is formed.

The twisting of the strand need not be confined to a line along the longitudinal axis but may be at an angle thereto. For instance in Fig. 3, a strand 19 is shown wherein a strip 1l has been twisted along an axis lying at an angle to the line 17 (Fig. l) an untwisted portion of the strip being designated at 21.

It is preferable to fold the strip l before twisting and obtain strands of the types shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In either case, a strip 1l is suitably folded as for instance by folding along the line 17 and then doubling each of the folded portions back upon itself. The folding and doubling produces a strip having a cross-section as that shown in Fig. 9 which has been enlarged for clarity of description. A strip so formed may be twisted around its own longitudinal axis to form the strand 22 of Fig. 4.'or it may be twisted on a line lying at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the strip to form the strand 23, illustrated in Fig. 5.

In forming the thread or strand of Fig. 6, the sheet of material l1 is rolled or convolved upon itself starting with either longitudinal edge 14 or longitudinal edge 15. One longitudinal edge 14 of the sheet may be folded back and forth to produce a plurality of pleats to form the nucleus of a core and the material is then wrapped around it in a series of convolutions. The material is wrapped to form a substantially compact mass but a sufficient amount of slack to provide an air space between the adjacent layers may be left if desired to increase the irldescence of the strand.

The completed thread or strand 24, shown in Fig. 6, is of considerable thioknessas regards the original strip 11 and in cross-section is substantially circular as shown in Fig. 10, although it is to be understood that it may be pressed or rolled into any particular shape in cross-section that may be desired. The strand may then be twisted if desired so that the outermost longitudinal edge 15 forms a helix with respect to the body of the strand.

If desired, the strand 24 may be differently formed in that it is not wound around a longitudinal edge such as edge 14 of the sheet 11, but is wound around a core. This core may be of stiff material or it may be flexible. Preferably, the core is formed from an extraneous material which may be a textile material, for example a twine of cotton, jute, hemp, wool or silk, or a metallic wire or strand, but the core may consist of a strand of a non-fibrous cellulosic material produced as described above.

In Fig. 7, a strand 25 is shown which is prepared by twisting a strip 11 around a core 26 of extraneous material of the type described in connection with the strand of" Fig. 6. The material used, for instance, a metal wire, is laid along the line 17 of the strip 11 and the strip twisted about the wire, or it may be placed in other positions upon the strip l1 and the strip wrapped therearound as a tape.

The threads or strands thus formed need not be of one color, but may be formed of a plurality of colors as exemplified by the strand 27 of Fig. 8. Two strips 1l of different colors or shades are twisted together so that each band assumes the form of a helix and a barberpole effect is produced, each band 28 being located between differently colored bands 29.

While the strands of Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive have been described as being twisted, it will be realized that they may be formed in other ways, for instance by plaiting or braiding a plurality of strips together. Such combinations need not be confined to strips of one color, but the strips may be of various colors whereby attractive and pleasing effects are obtained.

The strands, thus formed, may be of any suitable length and thickness, depending upon the purpose for which they are to be utilized. For instance in forming a light weight pliable fabric, a thread of comparatively small diameter would be used whereas in forming a rug or floor covering wherein the weaving is rather coarse, the threads or strands would be of a larger size. If the threads are not wound too tightly, the successive layers of material together with the air spaces which are formed between them by the loose winding, form a succession of iridescent layers which add to the attractiveness.

The threads or strands of cellulosic material formed in any of the above described ways, may be woven into a fabric. A portion of such a fabric is illustrated in Fig. 1l. In this example, the warp 3l and the weft 32 are both formed of strands of cellulosic material, which results in a durable, relatively stiff fabric particularly suitable as a rug, mat or like floor covering. As shown the warp strands 3l differ in color from the weft strands 32 thereby giving an attractive design. This feature may be extended to the use of strands of various colors in the weaving of designs and patterns containing many colors by methods well known to the textile art. Or a material may be formed of strands of one color and dyed or printed upon after completion.

Fig. 12 illustrates a rug or mat formed by using either a warp or weft of cellulosic material, this warp or weft being used in combination with a weft or warp of an extraneous material such as a textile material, for example a'cotton twine, wool, silk, rayon, linen, fiax, jute, ramie and the like, or other suitable material e. g. reed. willow, metal wire, paper and the like or combinations thereof. For instance, in Fig. 12, the weft strands 42 are cotton and the warp strands 41 are cellulosic material strands.

Fig. 13 shows a braided fabric formed from warp strands 51 of cellulosic material and braiding strands 52. The warp and braiding strands may both be cellulosic material,` or one may be of an extraneous material as above described.

'I'he foregoing procedures provide threads, or strands of cellulosic material which may be formed from strips of odd-sized and waste material and possess the requisite tensile strength, resiliency, flexibility and resistance to wear as to be particularly suitable for the fabrication and utilization as a floor covering. The threads or strands may be usedeither in hand looms or in mechanical looms,'the lengths and cross-section of the threads being varied as desired for the particular purpose.

The methods herein described of twisting the cellulosic strips produce strands which are not only resilient in the direction of their crosssection but are also expansible and contractible along their longitudinal axes, the twisted layers having a tendency to slip along one another. Thus when the twisted strands are woven, braided or otherwise worked, the article formed has an inherent resiliency.

This resiliency also helps to preserve the shape of the article since it assists in bringing the strands back into their original positions after they have been displaced.

Rugs and floor coverings produced as described have a distinctive brilliant and attractive appearance, possess exceptional wearing properties, and resist tearing and mechanical stress. They can be made moisture-resistant, which feature renders them exceedingly superior to straw, cane, rattan and the like for seat, floor and upholstery coverings. When made from celluloseacetate, they have the added advantage of being substantially non-inflammable.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is mtended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of` the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. v

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a resilient, relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a folded and twisted strip formed of a non-fibrous cellulosic material, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

2. As an article of manufacture, a lresilient relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven,-

braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a. folded and twisted strip of regenerated cellulose, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

3. As an article of manufacture, a resilien relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a convoluted and twisted strip of a non-fibrous cellulosic material, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

4. As an article of manufacture, a resilient relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said* strand comprising a convoluted and twisted strip of regenerated cellulose, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

5. As an article of manufacture, a resilient relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a folded and twisted strip formed from a non-fibrous cellulosic material and an extraneous material, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

6. As an article of manufacture, a resilient, relatively plastic strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a narrowed folded and twisted strip of a non-fibrous cellulosic material surrounding a flexible core, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

7. As an article of manufacture, a strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a, folded and twisted strip of regenerated cellulose wound around a core comprising a twisted strip of regenerated cellulose, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

8. As an article of manufacture, a strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a folded and twisted strip of regenerated cellulose wound about `,a core comprising a flexible metallic wire, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

9. As an article of manufacture, a strand adapted to be woven, braided or otherwise made into a fabric, said strand comprising a plurality of narrowed folded and twisted strips of a nonbrous cellulosic material wound about a core, the layers of said strand being free to slip relative to one another and having air spaces therebetween.

ROGER N. WALLACH.

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