Patent ID: 9206534
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: B32B,D02J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of continuously producing an opened fiber bundle for a cleaning member from a fiber bundle while conveying the fiber bundle in a machine direction, said method comprising the steps of: applying a tensile force to the fiber bundle; relaxing the tensioned fiber bundle to open the fiber bundle, thereby forming a belt-shaped fiber bundle; and blowing air in a direction intersecting with the machine direction of the belt-shaped fiber bundle through an air outlet of an air feeder, the air outlet extending in a width direction transverse to the machine direction, to further open the belt-shaped fiber bundle and widen the belt-shaped fiber bundle in the width direction, wherein the air outlet has, in the width direction, an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion is disposed downstream in the machine direction compared with the inner portion, and the air outlet blows air in a direction inclined upstream in the machine direction and at an acute angle relative to a plane of the belt-shaped fiber bundle.