| 摘要 |
<p>A process and apparatus for spreading fibers in a fibrous tow (14) provides a fiber spreader (10) for spreading a tow of fibers (14) moving in a machine direction (16) having a plurality of spaced pins (20), where the spacing between the pins (20) is variable relative to the machine direction (16), and the position of the pins (20) is variable relative to the machine direction (16). Variation of the spacing and position of the pins (20) during motion of the pins (20) in contact with a tow (14) moving generally in the machine direction (16) provides a spread tow (22) of lower, more uniform areal weight for further use in product applications. Variation in pin spacing and fiber spreading results from rotation of at least one pin relative to another after the pins (20) are inserted into a tow (14). Alternate techniques for fiber spreading and additional features for stress relief of fibers during the fiber spreading operation are disclosed.</p> |
