Patent ID: 8117815
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: B32B,D04H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a cohesive elongated network of fibers comprising: providing a first starting material comprising a first tow of filaments forming a first ribbon; providing a second starting material comprising a second tow of filaments forming a second ribbon; drawing said first starting material through a first pair of rollers and a second downstream pair of rollers of a drafting component, said first pair of rollers being spaced about 50 mm to about 240 mm from said second pair of rollers, said second pair of rollers having a second rotational speed that is faster than a first rotational speed of said first pair of rollers, thereby stretching and breaking said filaments of said first tow of filaments to form a first cohesive elongated network of fibers formed by said stretching and breaking said filaments of said first tow of filaments; drawing said second starting material through a third pair of rollers and a fourth downstream pair of rollers of said drafting component, said fourth pair of rollers having a fourth rotational speed that is faster than a third rotational speed of said third pair of rollers, thereby stretching and breaking said filaments of said second tow of filaments to form a second cohesive elongated network of fibers formed by said stretching and breaking said filaments of said second tow of filaments; and combining said first cohesive elongated network of fibers and said second cohesive elongated network of fibers.