Molded fabric and methods of manufacture
US8070903B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/192
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A novel molded fabric is made by bringing a first patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements positioned on a first side of a contact boundary extending throughout the thickness of the fabric being molded, together with a second patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements, over-lapping the first group of discrete disjoint elements, on the opposite side of the contact boundary, and joining the elements together at their tip portions. Various techniques are disclosed for maintaining separation of overlapping cross-over portions of the thread elements crossing each other during joining the terminal portions together, so that they simulate woven cloth. First and second rolls can carry the elements in molten form within cavities in the roller surfaces or patterns of solid elements within first and second matrices, can be joined together at the nip of the rolls by heat or chemical means to produce substantial savings in fabric manufacture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.