Patent ID: 6103049
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: B26F,D06H,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of simultaneously cutting and sealing a fibrous work piece comprising:providing a fibrous work piece;introducing and mixing a sealant into a liquid prior to said liquid exiting a nozzle as a focused, high energy liquid jet;cutting said fibrous work piece by directing said focused, high energy liquid jet from said nozzle onto a surface of said fibrous work piece;sealing an edge of a kerf formed by said cutting of said fibrous work piece with said sealant carried in said focused, high energy liquid jet to encapsulate dust and short length fibers formed by said cutting of said fibrous work piece; andplacing portions of said fibrous work piece in compression adjacent where said focused, high energy liquid jet is cutting said fibrous work piece by directing at least one stream of high pressure air onto the surface of said fibrous work piece adjacent where said focused, high energy liquid jet is cutting said fibrous work piece to facilitate the formation of a clean edge on said kerf.