US2422234A

US2422234A - Method and apparatus for producing tubular fabric

Info

Publication number: US2422234A
Application number: US506235A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurice A Goldman
Original assignee: FIBRE PRODUCTS LAB Inc
Current assignee: FIBRE PRODUCTS LAB Inc; FIBRE PRODUCTS LABORATORIES Inc
Priority date: 1943-10-14
Filing date: 1943-10-14
Publication date: 1947-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1964-06-17

Description

M. A. GOLDMAN v June 17, 1947. 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 0 1;, 14, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 snets-sneet 2 M. A. 'GOLDMAN Filed Oct. 14, 1943 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC June 17, 1947.

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mm" MW aw June 17, I947 AGQLDMAN 2,422,234

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABliIC Filed 001:. 14, v 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 17, 1947. M. A. GOLDMAN 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC w m I1 "*1 if"?! 18' i.v 43 ///,V p 12? 1/ 135 2% 8/ w F4 5 June 17, 1947. M, A. GOLDMAN 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 001:. 14, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I June 17', 1947. M, GQLDMAN 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS Fok PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 001;. 14} 1943 -7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I III,

June 17, 1947. GQLDMANY 2,422,234

METHOD ND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBUL R FABRIC 7 Sheets Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 14, 1943 Patented June 17, 1947 METHOD AND PARATUS FOR rnonucm TUBULAR FABRIC Maurice A. Goldman, New Brunswick, N. J., assignor to Fibre Products Laboratories, Inc., New Brunswick, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application October 14, 1943, Serlal'No. 506,235

23 Claims. I 1

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producing tubular fabric adapted for various uses} and more particularly to provide porous vaxially'- corripressil'rl'ecores or tubes for supporting 'dye i-do :tiior fexample, cop-I tubes of the type illustrated and'describe'd' in my prior copending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 443,155, filed May 15, 1942, entitled Cop-tube or yam-support, now Patent No.'2,336,086, dated December 7, 1943.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing a tubular fabric having crossing strands of fibrous material bonded together at their intersections. I I

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing a self-supporting tubular fabric from flexible textile material.

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for bonding the crossing strands by impregnating one or more of the strands with a plastic. I I I Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing a self-supporting tubular fabric by impregnating one of the crossing strands with a plastic and treating the plastic to make the impregnated strand relatively rigid and resistant to deformation.

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing a tubular fabric of the type indicated by supporting a. plurality of strands of textile material spaced around a common axis,

winding a strip impregnated with a plastic aboutv the plurality of strands and treating the plastic to cause it to bond the strip to the strands at their intersections and render the impregnated strip relatively rigid and resistant to collapse or deformation.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated with means for curing and setting the plastic after the strands are arranged in crossing relationship on the mandrel.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated with means for advancing the fabric along the mandrel and feeding it off from l the end thereof. 7

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated with means for controlling the pitch of the coils of the helically-wound filling strip.

Another object is to t the type indicated 'whichisadapted to operate at high speed to continuously produce tubular fabric. v

- Anotherobject'i's to-provide'an apparatus of the I type indicated with-means for severing predetermined lengths of 'the tubular fabric toprovide cores or tubes for yarn.

Another object is to in operation, and adapted for use over long periods of time'witho'ut repair or replacement of its parts. 4

Further objects ofthe inventionare set forth in l I the following specification which describes the. methodof producing the fabric and a preferred form of constructionof the apparatus, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the main elements of t an apparatus incorporating the novel features of the present invention and showing a plurality of warp strands as being fed lengthwise of a cylin drical mandrel with a filling strip being wound helically about the warp strands;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Fig. 1 and showing the means for feeding the filling strip and treating it with a plastic;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus showing the common driving means for the man- 'drel and the plurality of feeding heads for advancing the fabric and controlling the pitch of v the coils of the helically-wound filling strip;

Fig, 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward portion ofthe first feeding head showing two of a plurality of feeding units in the head and illustrating each' unit as comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced feed-wheels for engaging the coils of the helically-wound filling strip;

Fig. 4-a is an enlarged view of the rearward portion. of the first feeding head showing the change-gear transmission adapted for varying the speed of rotation of the feed-wheels of the plurality of units; I I

' Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing the transmission gearing employed with each head or unit for simultaneously rotating the feed-wheelsof the pairs at different speeds; I

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4 showing the arrangement of the forward feed-wheels of the head which surround the mandrel;

Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view on line I-l of Fig. 4 showing the rearward feed-wheels of the head and their mounting in the head;

provide an apparatus of supporting dye-cops of textile 3 Fig, 8 is an end view of one of the feeding heads showing the change-gear transmission for rotating the feed-wheels at maximum speed;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the change-gears arranged for rotating the feedwheels at an intermediate speed and indicating the manner in which the gears may be adjusted to drive the feed-wheels at slow speed;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the rearward end of the apparatus showing the means for in- 3 termittently severing predetermined lengths of material in crossing relationship around a com- I I mon axis and bonding the crossing strands at their intersections to produce a continuous tubular fabric. The step of arranging the plurality of strands in crossing relationship may be accomplished by winding the strands helically in opposite directions circumferentlally of a fixed mandrel or by feeding eithera single filling strip warp strands extending lengthwise of the periphery of a rotating mandrel. Preferably a plurality of warp strands are guided to extend longitudinally in spaced, parallel relationship surrounding the periphery of the mandrel and a single filling strip of the material is wound helically about the warp strands to cause it to cross them at a predetermined angle. By varying the pitch' of the helical coils ofthe winding strip or by changing the direction in which the warp strands are guided along the periphery of the mandrel any desired angle of the crossing strands may be obtained. l 7

While any suitable material may be used for the warp strands and filling strip, with the particular tubular fabric herein illustrated and described both the strands and the strip preferably are composed of textile material. The warp strands may comprise roving of textile material such as cotton having a slack-twistto give it the necessary strength. Other fibrous materials may be used, however, and the method of the present invention further contemplates the use of warp strands in the form of a knitted, braided or woven sleeve or stockinette about which the filling strip is wound. The filling strip may be either in the form of a sliver or slack-twist roving of textile material such as cotton to render it extremely permeable by a plastic in a liquid state, yet provide the necessary strength to adapt it to be wound about the warp strands.

The filling strip preferably is impregnated and coated with a resin or plastic before it is wound about the warp strands on the mandrel. When the strip is in the form of a sliver it is twisted after impregnation and wound on a take-oil spool while wet. The impregnated and twisted sliver is thereafter immersed in a bath of the plastic as it feeds toward the mandrel. Preferably, the filling strip is in the form of a slack- 'twist roving and it maybe given several immersion in the plastic to insure thorough impregnation. It is to be understood, however, that 'or a plurality of strips around a plurality of the strip may be composed of. other materials besides textiles or composed of other types of filaments such as flax, hemp, or synthetic materials such as rayon or nylon and may have any degree of'twist so long as it is capable of being readily impregnated with a plastic. The

plastic may be of any hard setting type capable of being treated to cause it to set rapidly. A phenol formaldehyde resin, known by the trade name Bakelite, in a water phase is particularly well adapted for such use as it may be caused to set by merely extracting the water. The setting of the plastic may be accelerated by any suitable treatment such as passing it through a drying oven or ovens when Bakelite in a water phase is used. Preferably, the strip of slack-" twist cotton roving is immersed in successive baths of liquid Bakelite or a similar plastic and then passed through a preheatingoven to render the plastic sticky or tacky before it is wound about the warp threads.

As .the impregnated strip is wound helically about the warp strands extending longitudinally of the mandrel the tacky plastic migrates to the warp strands at the intersections to assist in the I bonding action at the intersections.

The warp strands and filling strip are continuously advanced along the mandrel and passed through drying ovens to cause the plastic to cure and. set whereby to bond the strip to the strands at their intersections, thus forming a tubular fabric. .The setting of the plastic also makes the helical filling strand relatively rigid and resistant to deformation and radial compression. During the winding of the strip and the setting of the pies.

tic to produce the tubular fabric the latter is continuously advanced and the rate of advance is positively controlled to maintain a predetermined constant pitch between the coils of the helical strip in the finished article.

The tubular fabric of crossing strands bonded together at their intersections may be slit longitudinally and folded flat for any use to which such sheet fabrics are commonly used; for example, as the mat or base for'linoleum, or for bags, screens, wall-lath, camouflage and the like. In the specific embodiment of the invention as herein illustrated and described the method is directed more particularly to the production ofporous,

self-supporting and axially-compressible tubes or cores such as illustrated in my copending application for letters patent for Cop-tube or yarnsupport. referred to above. In accordance with the present method, sections of the fabric of.

proper length for utilization as cop-tubes are severed from the continuous tubular, fabric as it is fled ofi from the rearward end of the mandre When yarn is to be dyed by the Franklin process, so called, the material is wound upon a sleeve or stockinette of fabric supported by an axiallycompressible metal core or spring to provide a porou cop or'package. A plurality of such dyecops are mounted in series on a supporting stringer and compressed axially so that the ends of adjacent cops abut and the yarn throughout the 4 length of the stringer will have substantially the same density and permeability. Several stringers are mounted in a suitable kie'r or vat and the dyeliquor or other treating fluid is circulated radially through the yarn. either outwardly from the stringer to the kier or inwardly from the kier to the stringer. Such a dye-cop and method of dyeing are illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent No. 996,761, to J. C. Hebden et al., issued July 4, 1911. The metal cores or helical springs used in the Franklin process of dyeing are expensive, usually being constructed of stainless steel to resist oxidation and prevent discoloration of the yarn. After being dyed the yarn is generally rewound on a paper or other as they are drawn oif from the spools 22. The

inexpensive core for shipping, or in some cases,

the dyed packages may be shipped on the metal cores and the latter returned to the dye house after the yarn has been unwound therefrom. Due to the weight and bulk of the metal cores, however, the cost of transportation of the dyed yarn and the expense of returning the tubes usually exceeds the cost of rewinding the yarn and this type of core has other disadvantages, for example loss of its use during trans-shipment.

Cores or tubes made in accordance with the present invention will perform all the functions of the metal spring cores heretofore used in the art and may be manufactured at low cost so that they may be discarded after a single use ifdesired. Usually the cost of the cores made by the method and apparatus of the present invention is less than the cost of rewinding the yarn, or the cost of transportation and return of themetal cores to the dye-house. For these reasons the coptubes of the present invention are more economical to use than the metal cores, eliminating the expense of rewinding the yarn or trans-shipping the metal cores with the extra handling involved. The present drawings illustrate a preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the steps of the method. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the apparatus comprises a horizontal mandrel 2 having a floating support in

heads

3, 4 and 5 mounted on the upper ends of pedestals 6. The rearward end of the mandrel 2 projects into the open end of a slotted frame 1 and its forward end extends beyond the head 5. Ribs 8 on the frame 1 project into slots 9 in the end of the mandrel'2 with their ends serving as keys to connect the mandrel and frame for rotationas a unit, see Fig. 11. A shaft I0 is fixedly attached to the end, of the frame I opposite from the mandrel 2, being journaled in spaced bearings supported at the upper end of a pedestal l2. Mounted fast on the shaft I 0 between the bearings is a sprocketwheel |3 which is driven from a drive-shaft 4 by a chain l5. The drive-shaft I4 is journaled in bearings in the pedestals 6 and I2 below the mandrel 2 and extends parallel thereto throughout the entire length of the latter. The driveshaft I4 is driven by a suitable prime mover l6, herein illustrated as an electric motor, through a reduction gearing unit I! and a chain I8 connecting sprockets l9 and 20 on the unit and shaft, respectively. The axially-alined mandrel 2, frame I and shaft l0 thus are adapted to be continuously rotated as a .unit by the electric motor l5.

Mounted to rotate in the slotted frame 1 are suitable spools 22, each carrying a plurality of strands S of fibrous material such as slack-twist roving wound thereon. To facilitate replenishment of the strands S the spools 22 are mounted to rotate on a removable spindle 23 extending between the sides of the frame I. The strands S are herein considered as in the nature of warp ends, being adapted to be drawn oil from the spools 22 between the ribs 8 of the frame 1 to extend longitudinally in spaced relationship around the periphery of the mandrel 2. Preferably, the strands S are guided between the teeth of a suitable circular comb 24, see Figs. 3 and 11, to position them in spaced parallel relationship 'the mandrel.

longitudinally f the mandrel 2 intervening bestrands S may feed in parallel relationship helically around the periphery of the mandrel 2 at any desired angle of lead, but in the embodiment of the invention as herein illustrated they are guided to feed in parallel relation to the axis of In either case the strands extend tween its periphery and the

heads

3, 4 and 5, later to be described in detail.

Adjacent one side of the mandrel 2 means are provided for feeding a strip T of fibrous material, such as cotton sliver or roving, to cause it to be coiled about thewarp strands S as the mandrel 2 rotates, see Fig; 1. As explained above, a cotton sliver may be impregnated with the plastic and thereafter twisted and wound on a supply spool 21 while wet. In the preferred form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the strip T in the form of a slack-twist roving is wound on the spool 21 and impregnated and coated with the plastic as it feeds therefrom to the mandrel 2. The spool 21 is mounted to rotate in a suitable frame 28 and the strip T is drawn off from the spool and directed by suitable guides 29, 30 and 3| through a trough 34 containing the liquid resin or plastic to cause it to be impregnated therewith as it is fed between suitable nip-rolls 35. The strip T may be immersed as many times as is necessary to thoroughly impregnate it with the plastic and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the strip is directed by similar guides 29, 30 and 3| to cause it to be immersed successively in the plastic in two additional troughs 36 and 31 and to be squeezed between the nip-rolls 3-8 and 39 to remove surplus plastic therefrom.

The impregnated strip T then is guided to a reel 4| to wind a plurality of turns of the material thereon and from the reel the strip is guided to the periphery of the mandrel 2. The reel 4| is carried by an axial shaft 42 mounted to rotate in spaced bearings 43, being enclosed in an oven 44 having an electrical heating unit 4 5 of suitrotated by any suitable driving means to advance the strip T at a linear'speed proportionate to the peripheral speed of the mandrel 2. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the reel-shaft 42 has a wormwheel 48 mounted fast thereon which meshes with a worm 49 on a shaft 50 driven from the drive-shaft I4 by bevel gearing shown at 5| in Fig. 2. A pulley 52 at the opposite end of the reel-shaft 42 drives a belt 53 which, in turn, drives pulleys 54 on the drive-shafts for the several sets of nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39. Between the pulleys 54 of the adjacent sets of nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 idler pulleys 55 are provided. The belt 53 is also guided by a pulley 56 and-a spring-pressed idler-pulley 51. It will be apparent that with the proper ratio between the worm-wheel and worm 48, 49 and pulleys 52, 54 the reel 4| and nip-rolls 35, 38, 39 can be driven at the required rate of speed to feed the strip T at a linear speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of the mandrel 2.

/ moisture therefrom.

of the mandrel 2 at a predetermined controlled rate of speed so that the fllling strip is coiled about the warp strands in a continuous helix.

Between the

heads

3, 4 and are drying ovens- 58 and 59 of any suitable type which act to accelerate the curing and setting of the plastic carried by the impregnated strip by evaporating the The operating mechanism in each of the

heads

3, 4 and 5 is adapted to engage and positively advance the coils of the strip T as they are wound about the warp strands S and the operating means in the different heads cooperate to maintain the coils compressed in an axial direction between the

heads

3 and 4 while the plastic is being cured, and finally to extend or more widely space them between the heads 4 and 5'while the plastic is being set. All the

heads

3, 4 and 5 are of similar construction, each comprising a stationary annular housing 68 and a rotatable element 6| mounted therein surrounding the mandrel 2, see Figs. 4, 4-0 and 6. The station-- ary housing 68' may comprise annular sections 64, 65 and 66 connected by screws 61 and 68 and the section '68 has a reduced tubular extension 69 and a depending base 18 which seats on andis secured to the top of its respective pedestal 6.

The rotatable element 6I is in the form of a sleeve mounted for rotation on spaced roller bearings 1I and 12 in the tubular extension 59 of the housing 68 with a radial flange or disk 13 at its inner end for rotation in th housing proper. The inner race of the roller bearing 1I seats against an annular shoulder 16 on the I sleeve of the rotatable element 6i and the outer tween their inner and outer races. The sleeve portion of the rotatable element 6| projects outwardly beyond the tubular extension 69 of the housin 68 and mounts a sprocket-wheel 8i and gear 82. The sprocket 8| and gear 82 are keyed and D are adapted to engage the coils of the I strip T wound on the mandrel 2 to feed them longitudinally thereof as the wheels rotate. The

pitch or distance between adjacent teeth 92 on the wheels 88 corresponds to the pitch or distance between adjacent coils of the strip T as it winds onto the mandrel 2 and by constructing each wheel in two sections .98and 9I each coil will be engaged at eight points spaced around the periphery of the mandrel as shown in Fig. 6 to determine its position thereon. Between the

sections

98 and 9| of the feed-wheels 88 of each unit A, B, C and D is a spur-gear 93, of less diameter than that of the wheel and the wheelsections and gear are connected by pins 94 and screws 95, see Fig. '7, to cause them to rotate unit A, B, .C and D is mounted to rotate on a pin or shaft 96 extending between the sides of asaunit. The wheel 88 and gear 93 assembly of each atits outer end overlying the end thereof, see

or otherwise secured to the sleeve portion of the rotatable element BI and are held against axial movement thereon by a ring 83 attached to the end of the sleeve with the hub of the sprocket abutting the end of the inner race of the bearing 12. A chain 84 connects the sprocket 8| with a sprocket 85 on the drive-shaft I4, see Fig. 3, to continuously drive the rotatable element Si in synchronism with the mandrel 2.

Enclosed within the head 3 are a plurality of feed units A, B, C and D mounted on the radial flange 13 0f the rotatable element 6| in angular spaced relationship around the periphery of the mandrel 2, see Fig. 6. Eachfeed'unit A, B, C and D comprises a pair of feed-

wheels

89 and 89, see Fig. 4, arranged with their axes spaced longitudinally of the mandrel 2 and adapted for lindrical periphery of the mandrel 2. The teeth Figs. 4 and 5. The brackets 91 and'98 are attached to the flange 13 by means of screws IM and I82.

the brackets 91 and 98, thus acting as a brace therebetween. The outer free ends of the brackets 91 and 98 of the plurality of units A, B, C and D are preferably connected to a ring I by means of screws I86, see Fig. 4, to reenforce the structure. 7

As shown in detail in Fig. 7, the pin or shaft 96 mounting the feed-wheel 88 and ar 93 assembly extends through bushings I88 and I89 mounted in elongate slots H8 in the brackets 91 and 98, the bushings being urged to slide in a direction toward-the center of the head 3 under The spring III for each bushing I88-or I89 surrounds the the compression-of coil springs III.

on the threaded portion of the screw II2 to adjust the tension of the spring I I I andthen locked in adjusted position by a locknut I I4.

The feed-wheel 88 of. each unit A, B, C and D u is driven by a gear ,I I8, see Figs. 4 and 7, mounted to rotate on a pin or shaft II9 extending between the spaced brackets 91 and 98 in parallel relation to the shaft 96. The shaft I I9 extends through bushings I28 and I2I mounted to slide in slots I22 in the brackets 91 and 98. Straps I23 and I24 at the outer sides of the brackets 91 and 98; see Figs. 4 and '7, connect the ends of the shafts 95 and I I9 to adapt the wheel 88 and gears 93 and H8 for movement as a unit radially of the head 3. As shown in Fig. 7 the shafts 96 and H9 are held against axial movement by cotter pins I25 extending through their ends and the.

bushings I88, I89 and I28, I2I are held in their spaced relation to the sides of the wheel 88 and gear H8 by collars I26. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the gear H8 is driven by a gear I21 keyed to a shaft I28 Joumaled in the bearings in the v Preferably, a spacing tie-rod I83 extending between the wheels -88and' 89 connects .the brackets are concentric to the axis of the shaft to permit the gear II8 to swing around the gear I21 when the wheel 88 moves radially toward or away from the periphery of the mandrel 8.

The feed-wheel 89 of each unit A,B, C and D also is of two-part construction and mounts a gear I38 between its sections similar to the wheel 88. The feed-wheel 89 is provided with more teeth Isl on itsperiphery than the wheel "to compensate for a reduction in pitch between its teeth corresponding to the reduced pitch of the coils of the strip T between the

wheels

88 and 88, see Fig. 4. Each wheel 89 Is mounted to rotate on a shaft I32 extending between the spaced

brackets

88 and 98. The gear I38 is driven through a compound gear I83 mounted on a shaft I38 and the shafts I32 and I34 are connected by straps I35 for movement as a unit in slots I88 and I 31 in the brackets 91 and 98 under the action oi springs III which are arranged to operate in the manner as previously described with reference to the wheel 88. Compound gear I88 is driven from a gear I38 keyed to the shaft I28 at the side of the gear I21, see Figs. and 6. through the gears I39 and I48 to drive the feedwheel 88 at a slower rate of speed than that of the wheel 88. The gears I39 and I48 are mounted on shafts MI and I42 extending between the spaced brackets 91 and 98 and the arrangement is such that change-gears may be substituted in the train to drive the feed-wheel 89 at any desired speed ratio with respect to the wheel 88 corresponding to the number of teeth I80 and 92 on the respective wheels. As illustrated in Fig. 5, collars I88 fast on the shaft I 28 and shafts MI and I82 hold them against axial movement in the brackets 91.and 98.

Mounted for rotation in the housing 88 of the head 8 is a ring-gear I 48 having external spurteeth I88 and internal worm-teeth I45, see Figs. 4 and 6. The worm-teeth I45 of the ring-gear I88 mesh with the teeth of the gears I21 of the several units A, B, C and D. It will be noted that the gears I21 of the plurality of units A, B, C and D mesh with the worm-teeth I45 at points spaced 98 apart so that each tooth 92 and I8I on the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 driven from the gears I21 will be in advance of the corresponding tooth on the preceding feed-wheel a distance equal to a quarter of the pitch between teeth due to the increasing lead of the worm whereby the teeth on the wheels will engage each coil in the helix of the strip T. Attached to the opposite sides of the ring-gear I44 are bifurcated brackets I41 mounting anti-friction rollers I48, see.

Figs. 4 and 6. The rollers I48 bear against annular shoulders I49 and I58 on the housing 88 at opposite sides of the ring-gear I44 to restrain the latter from lateral displacement. Also car- 10 to the shaft I84 adjacent its opposite end is a sleeve I89 formed with 'a grooved collar IN and carrying a clutch-member I88 keyed to the sleeve. A shifting fork I82 is mounted fast on a rock-shaft I83 which also carries a hand-lever I84 fast thereon. Theshifting fork I82 is slotted at its ends for engaging'trunnions I12 projecting from the side of a ring I13 in the groove of the collar I8I, see Fig. 8. Loosely mounted on the shaft I84 adjacent the sleeve I59 is a driving member I88, see Fig. 4-41, formed with a conical clutchface I88 for cooperation with the clutch-member I88 on the sleeve and carrying asprocket-wheel I81. The driving member I85 is adapted to be driven continuously from an auxiliary motor I88, see Fig. 3, by a chain I89 connecting its sprocketwheel I81 to a sprocket-wheel I18 on the motor shaft. The driving member I85 and sleeve I59 are normally held in axially-spaced relationship by a spring I1 I, shown in Fig. 4-0., but the sleeve may he slid axially by the shifting fork I 82 to engage the clutch-member I88 with the driving member. Such engagement of the clutch elements is for the purpose of rotating the ringgear I44 and driving the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 under manual control while the rotating element M of the head 3 is idle during the initial operation of advancing the coils of the filling strip to feed the warp strands into the head.

A gear I14 keyed to the sleeve I59 meshes with a compound gear I15, see Figs. 4-01. and 8, mounted to rotate on a stud I18 projecting from the base 18 of the housing 88. Mounted to rock on the stud I18 is a pair of triangularly-shaped plates I11 and I18 carrying a stud I19 for mounting a compound gear I88 therebetween. One

, element of the compound gear I88 meshes with ried by the ring-gear I44 are anti-friction rollers Mounted on the forward end. of the shaft I54 isa gear I58 having teeth in mesh with the externalspur-teeth I 88 on the ring-gear I44. Splined the gear I15. The plates "1- and I18 carry a stud I8I mounting a reversing gear I82. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the plates I11 and I18 are provided with alined holes I84. I and I88 which overlie quadrants I81. having tapped holes I88, I89 and I98. Screws I9I are adapted to be inserted in the holes I84, I85 and I88 and screwed into any one of the three tapped holes I88, I89 and I98 to lock the rockable plates I11 and I18 in any one of three positions of adjustment. When the rockable plates I11 and I18 are locked in the neutral or inoperative position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 9 by inserting screws I9I through the holes I84, I85 and I-88 in the plates and screwing them into the intermediate holes I89 in the quadrants I 81, the shaft I54 is disconnected from any driving means. Preferably, the shaft I54 is positively locked against rotation when the plates I11 and I18 are adjusted to neutral position by meansof a member I92 having gear-teeth engageable with the teeth on one element of the compound gear I88 and clamped in fixed position by a screw I93 whereby to hold the ring-gear I44 against rotation, see Fig. 9.

By removing the screwsv I9I and rocking the plates I11 and I18 in counterclockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 8 one element of the compound gear I88 is brought into meshing engagement with the gear 82' on the sleeve of the rotatable element 8| of the head 3, see Fig. 4-11. The ring-gear I44 will then be rotated by the shaft I54 to give an added increment of rotative movement to the feed-

wheels

88 and 89.

When the plates I11 and I18 are rocked in clockwise direction to the position indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 9 the gear I82 is brought into meshin engagement wtih the gear l l 82 on the sleeve of-the rotatable element 6I The shaft I54 and ring-gear I44 then will be rotated.

in the opposite direction from that with the previously-des'cribed arrangement whereby to cause the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 to be rotated with a reduced increment of movement. It will be understood that gears I15 and I80 are adapted to bechanged for others of different size to give any particular speed ratio desired.

The head 4 is of a construction identical with ,that described with reference to the head 3 but arranged in reversed relationship so that the feedwheels 89 of each unit A, B, C and D first will engage the-coils of the helically-wound strip T to feed them into the head and the feed-wheels 88 will engage the coils to feed them out from the head so as to maintain the coils in extended relationship on the mandrel 2 while the plastic is becoming hardened or set, see Fig. 12.

The head 5 has the same construction and arrangement of parts as the head 4 except that each of the several units A, B, C and D is provided with the feed-wheels 88 alone. Conse-- quently, the coils of the strip T are maintained in their extended relationship by the feed-wheels as from the time they leave the head .4 until they are discharged from the rearward end of the mandrel 2.

, As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 10, a reciprocating cutter 200 is provided at the rearward end of the mandrel 2 for severing units of predetermined length from the continuous tubular fabric as it is fed from the mandrel 2, The cutter 200 may be of any suitable type, and is herein illustrated pending through a suitable slot in the table, see

Fig. 10. The carriage 203 is adapted to be actuated in timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel 2 by a lever 2I I pivoted intermediate its ends and having a fork 2I2 at one end engaging a pin 2I3 in the depending lug H0. The opposite end of the lever 2II carries a follower 2| 4 engaging the periphery of a cam 2I6 having a lobe 2H and a dwell-portion 2I8 each of which extends through approximately 180of its circumference. A spring 2 I 9 connected between the lever 2| I and table 209 acts to slide the carriage in one direction and maintain the follower 2I4 in engagement with the periphery of the cam 2 I6.

The cam 2I6 is mounted .fast on a shaft 220 which is driven from the drive-shaft I4 through reduction gearing to actuate the carriage 203 in l the proper timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel 2. The reduction gearing comprises intermeshing bevel gears 222 and 223 on the driveshaft I4 and a. shaft 224 suitably journaled in a bearing on the table 209. A worm 225 on the shaft 224 meshes with a worm-wheel 226 mounted on the cam-shaft 220 to continuously rotate the cam 2I6 at a relatively slow rate of speed. One embodiment of the apparatus having been described in detail its mode of operation is explained as follows:

the teeth of the circular-"comb or guide, 24, see

Fig. 11-, and then drawn forwardly between the ribs 0 to extend along the periphery of the mandrel 2. The filling strip T is drawn off from the supply spool 21, see Figs. 1 and 3, carried around.

the guides 29, 30 and 3|,and throughthe nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 to cause it to feed through the liquid plastic in the successive troughs 34, 36 and 31. Several turns of the strip T impregnated with the liquid plastic are then wound around the reel M and the end of the strip extending therefrom is attached to the strands S on the mandrel 2.

To initially feed the filling strip T through the

heads

3, 4 and 5 the mandrel 2 is turned manually to cause the strip to wind around the warp strands S. Simultaneously the warp strands S are slid forwardly along themandrel to engage the first few coils ofthe filling strip T with the teeth 92 of the feed-wheels, of the units A, B, C and D in the head 3. After the leading coils of filling strip T are advanced to a position to be engaged by the teeth 92 of the feed-wheels 88 the hand-lever I64 is actuated manually, see Fig. 4a, to rock the shifting fork I62 and slide the sleeve I59 axially to engage its clutch-member I60 with the clutch-face I66 on-the driving member I65. The driving member I driven by the motor I68 through the chain I69 then will rotate the sleeve l59 and shaft I 54 splined thereto. The gear I58 at the end of .the shaft I54 in mesh with the spur-teeth I46 on the ring-gear I44 will rotate the latter relatively of the feedunits A, B, C and D in the head 3, see Fig. 4. Such rotation of the ring-gear I44 will cause the worm-teeth I45 on its interior to drive the gears I 21 of the units A, B, C and D in mesh therewith which, in turn, will drive the gears II8 and 93 to rotate the feed-wheels 88., Upon rotation of the feed-wheels 88 their teeth 92 will engage the 2 leading coils of the strip T and advance them along the mandrel 2 toward the feed-wheels 89.

The operation of winding the strip T around the warp-strands S is continued until the leading coils of the wound strip T are engaged by the feed-wheels 89 in the head 3.

Preferably, the coils of filling strip T are compacted slightly or closed together between the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 by rotating the wheel 88 ata faster rate than that of the wheel 89. This The apparatus is prepared for operation by the coils relatively ofthe warp'strands as the tubular fabric is delivered from the machine. Furthermore, the closing of the coils of the strip T and the undulation of the wrap strands S tend to loosen the coils on the mandrel 2 and increase the area of contact of the strip with the strands.

The feed-wheels 89 of the several-units A, B, C

' and I30 to advance the coils of the strip T along the mandrel 2. The feed-wheels 09 of the units A, B, C and D are driven at a slower rate of speed than the feed-wheels 88 but are provided .with a greater number of teeth corresponding to at the same time cooperating to control their spacing as indicated in Fig. 12.

The warp strands S and filling strip T will be 13 advanced along the mandrel 2 and fed through the

heads

4 and 5 in the manner explained with reference to the head 3. It will be noted that when the hand-lever I64 is operated to shift the sleeve I59, as before explained, the gear I14 on the sleeve will be moved therewith but not to a sufliclent extent to disengage it from the compound gear I15, see Figs. 4a and 8. Upon release of the hand-lever I64 at any of the

heads

3, 4 and 5 the spring I1| will automatically slide the sleeve I59 on the shaft I54 to release the clutch-face I66 from the clutch-member I66 on the driving member I65. During the manual operation of starting the feeding action in the apparatus the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 may be moved away from the periphery of the mandrel 2, but

when released they will be pressed yieldingly to-- ward the mandrel by the springs I I I. In the head 4, which is of reverse arrangement from that of the head 3, the coils of the filling strip T will be extended to their original pitch or spacing between the feed-

wheels

89 and 88 and the feedwheels in the

heads

4 and 5 thus will positively control the pitch of the coils to maintain them in their proper relationship.

After the warp strands S and filling strip T have been initially fed through the

heads

3, 4 and 5 the gear-train'shown in Fig. 9 may be adjusted to one of its three'positions to cause the feedwheels 88 and 89 of the units A, B, C and D to be driven at the proper speed. For the purpose of illustration letit be assumed that the geartrain is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 8. The plates I11 and I18 then will be held in position by the screws I9I extending through the holes I84, I 85and I86 and screwed into the tapped holes I88 of the fixed quadrants I81. The gear I86 thus will be meshed with the gear 82 on the sleeve of the rotatable element 6| while the gear I is meshed with the gear I 14 on the sleeve I59. The apparatus then is ready for automatic operation.

By means of suitable control mechanism the prime-mover I6 may be energized and, operating through the reduction gearing unit I1 and the chain I8 and sprockets I9 and 26, the drive-shaft I4 will be rotated therefrom. The drive-shaft I4, in turn, will rotate the mandrel 2 through the chain I5 and sprocket I3. Simultaneously the rotating elements 6| in the

heads

3, 4 and 5 will be driven from the shaft I4 through the chains 84 and sprockets 8| and 85 to rotate in synchronism with the mandrel 2.

Rotation of the mandrel 2 will cause the filling strip T to coil about the warp strands S spaced around its periphery and the rotation of the driveshaft I4 will be transmitted through the bevel gear unit 5|, shaft 56, and Worm 49 and wheel 48,-see Fig. 2, to rotate the reel 4| at the proper speed to feed the strip to the mandrel. The pulley 52 at the opposite end of the reel-shaft 42 from the worm-wheel 48 will drive the belt 53 which, in turn, will drive the pulleys 54 on the shafts for the nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 in synchronism with the reel 4|. The strip T thus will be drawn oil from the supply spool 21 and fed continuouslyby the nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 and the reel 4| to avoid excessive strain thereon and thereby prevent rupture of the strand. During the feeding of the strip T it will' be directed by the series of guides 29, 36 and 3| to cause it to be immersed in the liquid plastic in the successive troughs 34, 36 and 31 to be thoroughly impregnated with the plastic. The impregnated strip T is passed through the drying oven 44 as it strands.

14 I I winds on the reel 4| and a portion of moisture therein will be evaporated therefrom to render the plastic sticky or tacky. A portion of the tacky plastic on the strip T being wound around the warp strands S will migrate to the latter at the intersections, thus tending to bond the coils of the strip to the strands.

Simultaneously with the winding of the strip- T the warp strands S and previously-wound coils of the filling strip will be advanced longitudinally of the mandrel 2 by the feed-wheels 88 on the rotating element 6| of the head 3. As the element 6| of the head. 3 rotates about its axis the units A, B, C and D will revolve therewith bodily in synchronism with the rotation of the mandrel 2. During the rotation of the units A, B, C and D the gears I21 meshing with the worm teeth I on the interior of the ring-gear I44, see Figs. 4 and 6, will be rotated in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, due to the relative move-- ment between the gears I21 and the ring-gear I44, to thereby rotate the shafts I28 to which the 7 gears are splined. The rotation of the gears I21 will be transmitted through the gears H8 and 93 to rotate the feed-wheels 88 of the units A, B, C and D, see Fig. 4, and the teeth 92 on the wheels will advance the coils of the strip '1 along the periphery of the mandrel 2. As the coils of the vstrip T are advanced they will cause the warp strands S to undulate or gather therebetween in the manner indicated in Fig. 12 to give a greater area of contact of the strip with the strandsand prevent slippage of the strip with respect to the Due to the slight expansion in the diameter of the coils of the filling strip T due to their being closed together slightly, the strip and strands S will be prevented from binding on the mandrel 2 so as to slide freely therealong.

Rotation of the shafts I28 of the units A, B, C and D in the head 3 also will be transmitted through the gears I38, I39, I46, I33 and I36 to rotate the feed-wheels 89 at a slower rate of speed than that of the gears 88. As before explained, the feed-wheels 89 of the units A, B, C and D have a greater number of teeth I3I than the Wheels 88 so that they will feed a many coils of the strip T out of the head 3 as are fed in by the wheels 88, but the coils will have a lesser pitch or closer arrangement in the space between the wheels.

While the rotation of the units A, B, C and D has been explained as being relative to the ringgear I44 it will be understood that the latter is also driven when the gear-train is adjusted as shown in Fig. 8. The compound gear I86 will be driven by the gear 82 on the sleeve of the rotatable element 6| of the head 3 and through the compound gear -I15 will drive the gear I14 on the sleeve I59 splined tothe shaft I54. The gear I58 at the end of the shaft I54 meshing with the spur-teeth I46 on the ring-gear I44 will rotate the latter whereby to give an added increment of rotation to the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 of the units A, B, C and D. By removingthe screws I9! and rocking the plates I11 and I18 to theintermediate or neutral position shown in full lines in Fig. 9 the compound gear I86 will be disconnected from the gear 82 on the sleeve 'of the rotatable element 6|. The ring-gear I44 then will remain stationary to drive the feed-

wheels

88 and 89 at an intermediate speed. With this adjustment of the gear-train as shown by full lines in Fig. 9, the gears are locked against turning by meshing the teeth on the member I92 with the teeth of the gear I86 and tightening the screw I83. By removing the screws HI and rocking the plates I11 and I18 to the position indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 9 the gear l82 will be broughtinto meshing engagement with the gear 82 on the sleeve of the rotatable element The gear 82 then will drive the gears I82, I80, I15

and I" to rotate the shaft I54 and ring-gear I44 in the opposite direction from that first described to drive the feed-wheels l8 and .09 of the units A, B, C and D with a reduced increment or at low speed. Thus, the change speed transmission gearing may be adjusted to cause the strip T to wind around the warp strands S with three dif ferent degrees of pitch to regulate the spacing of the-coils.

As the warp strands S and filling strip T are advanced alongthe mandrel 2 the coils of the strip are engaged and controlled by the feedwheels 88 and 89 in the

heads

4 and 5 in the manner as previously explained. The coils of the strip T will be expanded axially in the head 4 r to their original pitch distance and fed outwardly from the head 4 by the feed-wheels 88. The headi is provided with the feed-wheels 88 only which engage and control the feed of the coils of the strip T along the mandrel 2 and cooperate to maintain the coils in their extended relationship.

l. i w w '7' 2l8 between-its lobe riage will be slid across the pathof the tubular fabric at a relatively high rate of speed to quickly-sever each length from, the tubular fabric.

The follower 2 on the lever 2| I then will ride: onthe lobe 2l'I--of the cam 2l8 for a predetermined interval while another length of the tubular fabric is being fed from the mandrel 2. After the cam 2l8 has rotated throughout the length of the lobe 2" the spring 2! will rock the lever 2 in clockwise direction to return the carriage 203to its original position, during which movement the cutter 202 will sever another length from the tubular fabric. Thus the cam M8 and spring 2I8 are caused to operate the lever 2| land carriage 203 alternately in opposite directions in timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel 2 to cause the knife 200 to sever predetermined lengths from the continuous tubular fabric. s

It will be observed from fication that the present invention provides a 5 method of and apparatus for producing tubular fabric of crossing strands of textile material The feed-wheels 89 in the head 3 act to feed.

the coils of the strip T therefrom and to the feedwheels 89 in the head 4 and since both these sets of feed-wheels are driven at the same rate of speed they will maintain the same number of coils in the space therebetween. As the coils of the strip T are initially contracted along the mandrel 2 in the head 3 they will continue to be contracted between the

heads

3 and 4 toundulate the warp strands S therebetween as illustrated in Fig. 12. During the advancement of the coils of the filling strip T along the mandrel 2 between the

heads

3 and 4 they will pass through the drying oven 58 which accelerates the extraction of moisture from the plastic to cause it to cure and partially bend the filling strip T to the warp strands S.

The feed-Wheels 88 of the

heads

4 and 5 are rotated at the same rate of speed to maintain the coils of the strip'T in the extended relationship in which they are discharged from the head 4, as indicated in Fig. 12. During theadva'nce of the coils of the strip T along the mandrel 2 between the

heads

4 and 5 they will pass through warp strands, cure and set the plastic to produce.

a tubular fabric and sever predetermined lengths thejdrying oven 59 to further accelerate the exstrip T and that portion which migrates to the warp strands S will positively bond the strands to the strip at the intersections to produce a self-supporting tubular fabric.

During the feeding of the tubular fabric'along the mandrel 2 the carriage 203 mounting the cutter 200 is' actuated intermittently to sever predetermined lengths of the fabricfor use as coptubes or for other purposes. The carriage 203 is operatedby the drive-shaft l4 driving through the bevel gears 222 and 223, shaft 224, worm 225 and wheel 226 to rotate the shaft 200 at a slow rate of speed. The cam 2H5 on the shaft 200 engaging the follower 2M on the lever 2H efiects oscillation of the latter to reciprocate the carriage 203 on the table 209. During each forward sliding movement of the carriage 203 the cutter 200 while rotated at high speed by the motor 204 will contact the tubular fabric at the end of the mandrel 2 to sever predetermined lengths therefrom. Dueto the sharp angle of the cam hydraulic transmissions, may be substituted for bonded together at their intersections. t also will be observed that the invention provides for bonding the crossing strands at their intersections by impregnating one of the strands with a liquid plasticand treating the plastic to cause it to cement. the crossing strands together. It

further will be observed that'the invention provides for feeding the tubular fabric along a supporting mandrel and controlling the coils of at least one of the crossing strands to maintain a predetermined pitch between adjacent coils. It still further will be observed that the invention providesfor continuously producing tubular fabric in an apparatus which operates automatically to feed warp strands'longitudinally of a central support or mandrel, wind or wrap a filling strip impregnated with a plastic about the from the finished fabric. While the preferred method and a preferred .form of apparatus are illustrated and described herein it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the steps of the method and in the construction of the apparatus without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

For example, other forms of variable speed drives for rotating the ring-gear, such as variable speed the change-speed gearing illustrated and described. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. The method of making a porous tubular article of manufacture whichcomprises supporting a plurality of strands of textile material in the form of a cylinder and extending longitudinally thereof, winding a strip of textile material helically around the cylinder of: textile material with the coils spaced apart ther'ealong, while impregnating the strip of-textile material with .a plastic to cause it to migrate to the cylinder of textile material. to bond the strip thereto.

2. The method of making a porous tubular article of manufacture which comprises arrangan and dwell 2 l8 the ear the foregoing speci- 17 sections of the strip therewith to lend the strip to the strands.

3. The method of making a porous core or tube for supporting a textile package which comprises arranging a series of strands of textile material in spaced relationship about a common axis and extending longitudinally thereof, impregnating a strip of textile material with a liquid plastic,

and winding the impregnated strip helically around the strands, with the. coils spaced at a distance apart said plastic of the impregnated strip migrating to the [strands at their intersections, and treating the plastic to cause it to bond the strip to the strands at their intersec tions while renderingthe strip relatively stifl yet grate to the strands at the intersections of the strip therewith, treating the impregnated strip to cause it to bond the strip and'strands at their intersections and render the strip relatively stiff yet resilient, and cutting lengths from the continuous' tubular fabric to produce the finished articles.

5. The method of making porous cores or tubes for supporting textile packages which comprises arranging a, series of strands of textile material in spaced relationship about a common axis extending longitudinally thereof, impregnating a strip of textile material with a plastic, continuously winding the impregnated strip around the spaced strands with the coils spaced at a distance apart to cause the plastic to migrate from the strip to the strands at the intersections, continuously advancing the wound coils of the strip and the strands to cause the strip to be, wound helically around the strands, treating the plastic to cause the strip to be bonded to the strands and to render the strip relatively stiff yet resilient, and cutting oif lengths from the continuous tubular fabric to produce the finished articles.

6. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel held against axial displacement, means for feeding textile material along the mandrel surrounding its periphery incontact therewith and extending longitudinally thereof in spaced-apart relationship, means for winding a strip of textile material around the material surrounding the mandrel with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart, and means for applying an adhesive to the strip to bond it to the textile material around which it is wound.

'7. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel held against axial movement, means for feeding textile material along the mandrel surrounding its periphery in contact therewith and extending longitudinally thereof in spaced-apart relationship, means for winding a strip of textile material around the material on the mandrel with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for impregnating the strip with a plastic, and means for treating the plastic to cause it to bond the strip to the material around which it is wound. I I

8. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel mounted to rotate without 18 I axial displacement, meansfor rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of fibrous material surrounding the mandrel in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinal- I 1y thereof for rotation therewith, means for feeding a strip of fibrous material to the mandrel to cause it to be. wound around the plurality of strands with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for advancing the strands and strip lengthwise of the mandrel, and means for applying an adhesive'to the strip to bondthe crossing strands and strip together at their intersections.

9. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel mounted to rotate without axial displacement, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material to the mandrel in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinallythereof forcause the strip to be bonded to the strands at their intersections.

10. In an apparatus of the typeindicated, a cylindrical mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material longitudinally of the mandrel, means for guiding the strands along the mandrel to maintain them in spaced apart relationship, means for rotating the mandrel and strands, means for feeding a, strip of fibrous material to the rotating mandrel to cause it to be wound around the plurality of strands with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for advancing the strands and strip longitudinally of the mandrel, means for impregnat ing the strip with a plastice to cause it to migrate to the plurality of strands, at the intersections, and means for heat treating the plastic to bond the strands together at the intersections to pro-' the strands and strip longitudinally of the mandrel, meansfor impregnating the strip with a plastic to cause it'to migrate to the plurality of strands at their intersections with the strip, and

the rotating mandrel to cause it to be wound helically around the plurality of longitudinallyextending parallel strands with the coils spaced 12. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a s

' 19 at a distance apart, means for advancing the strands and strip longitudinally of the mandrel, means for impregnating the strip with a plastic to cause itto migrate to the plurality of strands at their intersections with the strip, and means for heat treating-the plastic to bond the strip to the strands at the intersections and render the strip relatively stiff to produce a self-supporting porous tubular fabric on the mandrel.

13. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

plastic to cause it to migrate to the warp strands at their intersections with the strip, and means for heat treating the plastic to bond the warp strands and filling strip together at the intersections and render the filling strip relatively stiff whereby to produce a self-supporting porous tubular fabric on the mandrel. p

14. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of warp strands of textile material to the mandrel for rotation therewith, means for guiding the strands in spaced relationship around the periphery of the mandrel extending longitudinally thereof, means for feeding a filling strip of textile material to cause it to wind around the warp strands in helical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for advancing the strip and strands longitudinally 'of the mandrel, means for impregnating th'e filling strip with a plastic to cause it to migrate to the warp strands at their intersections with the strip, and means for treating the plastic to bond the warp strands to the filling'strip at the intersections and render the strip relatively stifi whereby to produce a self-supporting porous tubular fabric on the mandrel.

. 15. In an apparatusof the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel,- means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of fibrous material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel, means for feeding a strip of fibrous materialto the mandrel to cause it to be wound helically around the strands with the coils spaced at a distance apart as the mandrel rotates, means for applying an adhesive to bond the strands to the strip at their intersections therewith, and means engaging between the spaced coils of the strip and continuously advancing them at a constant rate relative to the rotation of the mandrel whereby to cause the strip to be disposed in a helix of predetermined pitch between coils.

16. In anapparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a, plurality of strands 1 of textile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel, means for feeding a strip of textile material to the mandrel to cause it to be wound around the strands by the rotation of the mandrel with the coils spaced at a distance apart, means for applying an adhesive to bond the strands to the strip at their intersections therewith to produce a porous fabric, and

20 rotary feed-wheels formed with projections adjacent the periphery of the mandrel for engaging the coils of the strip to advance the fabric along the mandrel and dispose the strip in a helix with a predetermined pitch between coils.

17. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of th mandrel, means for feeding a strip of textile material to the mandrel to cause it to be wound around the strands by the rotation of the mandrel with the coils spaced at a distance apart, means for applying an adhesive to bond the strands to the strip at their intersections therewith to produce a porous fabric, and a plurality of rotary toothed wheels arranged in spaced relationship around the periphery of the mandrel for engaging the coils of the strip as they are wound on the mandrel to advance the fabric therealong.

18. In an apparatus ofthe type indicated, a mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel to cause them to cross thereon, at least one of said strands being wound I helically on the mandrel with the coils spaced at a distance apart, means for applying'an adhesive to bond the crossing strands at their intersections to produce a porous fabric, and separate means rotatable for engaging the wound coils of one of the strands at points spaced longitudinally of the mandrel to shift the coils thereon to regulate their spacing therealong.

19. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

cylindrical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel, means for feeding a a strip of textile material to the mandrel to cause it to be wound around the strands by the rotation of the mandrel with the coils spaced at a distance apart, means for app ying an adhesive to bond the strands totheir strip at the intersections therewith to produce a porous fabric, and a plurality of sets of feed-wheels spaced longitudinally of the mandrel for engaging the coils to control their spacing therealong.

20. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding flexible textile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel for rotation therewith, means at the side of themandrel for feeding a strip of fibrous material thereto for feeding flexible textile material surrounding the mandrel and extending longitudinally thereof for rotation therewith, means at the side of the mandrel for feeding a strip of fibrous material thereto to cause it to be wound around the textile material in helical coils spaced at a distance apart to produce a porous fabric, means '21 for impregnating the strip with a plastic, means for advancing the fabric along the mandrel, and drying ovens enclosing the mandrel for accelerating the setting of the plastic as the fabric is advanced along the mandrel.

22. In an apparatus ofthe type indicated, a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means 'for feeding strands of flexible textile material setting of the plastic'and render the strip relatively stifl while the coils are maintained in predetermined relationship by the toothed wheels.

23. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means 'for feeding flexible textile material along the mandrel for rotation therewith, means at the side of-the mandrel for feeding a strip of fibrous material thereto to cause it to be'wound around the textile material :by the rotation of the mandrel 22 with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart,

' means for impregnating the strip with a plastic,

a plurality of sets of toothed feed-wheels adjacent the mandrel engaging between the coils of the strip as they are wound around the mandrel to control the pitch of the winding, and a plurality of drying ovens enclosing the mandrel between the sets of feed-wheels.

A. GOLDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 2,093,206 Muller Sept. 14, 1937 1,990,248 Parker Feb. 5, 1935 2,087,303 Rosch et al July'20, 1937 459,536 Simon Sept. 15, 1891 940,779 Bayne et al. Nov. 23, 1909 1,838,819 Flaws Dec. 29, 1931 1,585,905 Madden et a1 May 25, 1926 1,970,599 Franke Aug. 21, 1934 1,976,522 Rose Oct. 9, 1934 2,336,086 Goldman Dec, 7, 1943 1,149,224 Sill Aug. 10, 1915 2,308,825 Rawlings Jan. 19, 1943