GB2193154A

GB2193154A - Reinforced laminate

Info

Publication number: GB2193154A
Application number: GB08700752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: C J W Van Rensburg
Original assignee: EAST AFRICAN PACKAGING IND LIM
Current assignee: EAST AFRICAN PACKAGING IND LIM
Priority date: 1986-07-31
Filing date: 1987-01-14
Publication date: 1988-02-03
Also published as: GB8618748D0; GB8700752D0

Abstract

A laminate comprises two sheets of fibrous material such as paper adhered together and having interposed between them a mesh or net which reinforces the laminate. An apparatus for producing a reinforced laminate comprises means for supplying a mesh or net to a nip (28) and means for supplying two sheets, of fibrous material to the nip on either side of the mesh or net whereby the sheets may be adhered together with the mesh or net interposed between them. The apparatus may further comprise means for guiding a plurality of lines as they advance to the nip to form the lines into the mesh or net. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Reinforced laminate The present invention relates to a reinforced laminate.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a laminate comprising two sheets of fibrous material adhered together and having interposed between them a mesh or net which reinforces the laminate.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a reinforced laminate, comprising interposing a mesh or net between two sheets of fibrous material and adhering the two sheets together.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for producing a reinforced laminate, comprising; means for supplying a mesh or net to a nip; and means for supplying two sheets of fibrous material to the nip on either side of the mesh or net whereby the sheets may be adhered together with the mesh or net interposed between them.

The nip is conveniently provided between a pair of rollers.

The apparatus preferably further comprises means for guiding a plurality of lines as they advance to the nip to form the lines into the mesh or net.

The means for guiding the lines may comprise a plurality of guide devices, one for each line, and means for relatively moving the guide devices so as to lay some of the lines across other of the lines as they advance into the nip.

More preferably, the means for guiding the lines comprises means for relatively moving the guide devices in two mutually opposite directions. In particular, the means for guiding the lines may comprise means for moving the guide devices along an endless path having two portions along which the guide devices move in mutually opposite directions.

More particularly, the guide devices may be carried by an endless chain two runs which move in mutually opposite directions in use of the apparatus.

Preferably the means for supplying the lines comprises a plurality of line supply means and means for carrying the line supply means along an endless path, the line supply means and the guide devices being adapted to all be carried about a common axis in a common time period i.e. at the same average angular velocity.

Preferably the means for carrying the line supply means along an endless path comprises a rotatable member, such as a ring, on which the line supply means are mounted.

The line supply means may comprise a plurality of reels or spools from which the line may be unwound.

The lines may be in the form of yarn, thread, monofilament, cord or string.

The fibrous sheet material is preferably paper.

The invention is further described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a front view of part of the apparatus, showing a rotating ring, an endless chain and tensioning devices of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a side view of a yarn-tensioning device carried by the chain; and Figure 5 is a front view of an eye hook.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus shown therein comprises a ring 2 which rotates with a shaft 4. The ring is provided with means (not shown) for mounting forty four yarn reels or spools 6 (hereinafter referred to as "spools''), the yarn spools being freely rotatable on the their axes relative to the ring.

The shaft 4 passes through a fixed T-section framework 7.

The sprockets 8 and 10 are mounted on the shaft 4 for rotation therewith.

To either side of the sprockets are provided, mounted on the fixed framework 7, two further sprockets 12 and 14. An endless chain 18 passes around the sprockets 12 and 14 and also engages the sprocket 8.

The sprocket 12 is mounted on a shaft on which is also mounted a sprocket 16, which rotates with the sprocket 12.

An endless chain 20 passes around the sprockets 10 and 16 and also engages an idler sprocket 21 mounted on the framework 7.

The ring 2 carried eighty eight eye hooks 22 associated the yarn spools 6.

The chain 18 carried eighty eight guide devices 24 for the yarn from the yarn spools 6, the guide devices each comprising a support bracket and a tensioning crew.

The apparatus further comprises a pair of rollers 26 arranged immediately in front of the sprockets 8, 12 and 14, a nip 28 being defined between the rollers.

In use of the apparatus, yarn 30 is supplied from each yarn spool 6 through a respective pair of the eye hooks 22 to a respective pair of the guide devices 24 and thence passes into the nip 28 between the rollers 26.

A respective sheet of paper 32 is also passed around each roller 26 into the nip 28.

To at least one of the sheets of paper 32 adhesive is applied by means not shown to the side of the sheet which faces the other sheet of paper in the nip 28.

The shaft 4 is rotated. Consequently the ring 2, carrying the yarn spool 6 and the sprocket 8 also rotates. The rotation of the sprocket 8 causes the chain 18 to travel around the sprockets 12 and 14. In consequence the upper run of the chain moves in the opposite direction to the lower run of the chain. The yarns guided by the guide devices on the upper run of the chain are laid across the yarns guided by the guide devices on the lower run of the chain as the yarns advance into the nip 28, whereby the yarns are formed into a mesh or net 34. The two sheets of paper 32, passing into the nip 28, are also pressed together by the rollers 26 and adhered together with the mesh 34 interposed therebetween thereby to form a reinforced laminate 36.

The laminate so formed may be wound into rolls or cut into sheets.

The yarn may be for example polished polyester/cotton yarn, conveniently 21 mm yarn.

The paper may be conventional natural sack kraft paper.

Laminates formed from yarn and paper as referred to in the preceding paragraph are strong and stiff and well suited for use for packaging.

Claims

1. A laminate comprising two sheets of fibrous material adhered together and having interposed between them a mesh or net which reinforces the laminate.

2. A laminate according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sheets of fibrous material is paper.

3. A laminate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mesh or net is formed by lines, some of which are laid across the others.

4. A laminate according to claim 3, wherein the lines from which the mesh is formed are yarn, thread, monofilament, cord or string.

5. A method of producing a reinforced laminate, comprising interposing a mesh or net between two sheets of fibrous material and adhering the two sheets together.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the sheets of fibrous material is paper.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mesh or net is formed by lines, some of which are laid across the other only immediately prior to or as they are being in terposed between the two sheets of fibrous material.

8. A method according to any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the mesh is formed from yarn, thread, monofilament, cord or string.

9. Apparatus for producing a reinforced laminate, comprising; means for supplying mesh or net to a nip; and means for supplying two sheets of fibrous material to the nip on either side of the mesh or net whereby sheets may be adhered together with the mesh or net interposed between them.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the nip is provided between a pair of rollers.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising means for guiding a plurality of lines as they advance to the nip to form the lines into the mesh or net.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the means for guiding the lines comprises a plurality of guide devices, one for each line, and means for relatively moving the guide devices so as to lay some of the lines across other of the lines as they advance into the nip.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means for guiding the lines comprises means for relatively moving the guide devices in two mutually opposite directions.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means for guiding the lines may comprise means for moving the guide devices along an endless path having two portions along which the guide devices move in mutually opposite directions.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the guide devices are carried by an endless chain having two runs which move in mutually opposite directions in use of the apparatus.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein means for supplying the lines comprises a plurality of line supply means and means for carrying the line supply means along an endless path, the line supply means and the guide devices being adapted to all be carried about a common axis in a common time period.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means for carrying the line supply means along the endless path comprises a rotatable member on which the line supply means are mounted.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the rotatable member is a ring.

19. Apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein line supply means comprises a plurality of reels or spools from which the line may be unwound.

20. A laminate substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of producing a reinforced laminate substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Apparatus for producing a reinforced laminate substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.