Clarence L Dieter

US Patent:

50173120, May 21, 1991

Filed:

Apr 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/043093

Inventors:

Thomas E. Peters - Boise ID
James D. Logan - Pullman WA
Eugene R. Bennett - Boise ID
Clarence L. Dieter - Boise ID
David J. Henckel - Boise ID

Assignee:

The Coe Manufacturing Company - Painesville OH

International Classification:

D04H 174
D04H 164

US Classification:

264 24

Abstract:

Apparatus for the manufacture of oriented chopped glass fiber mats from non-conductive fiber feed stock is disclosed. Apparatus includes means for increasing the conductance of the feed stock, electrically insulative transfer surface; means for establishing and maintaining a directional electric field to orient the chopped fibers, and a mat receiving surface to receive the oriented mat. The non-woven mat comprises a plurality of cut or chopped fibers having their longitudinal axes predominately disposed approximately parallel to a predetermined orientation axis lying in the plane of the mat. A preferred embodiment includes the incorporation of a glass fiber mat into a composite by applying a matrix resin to the mat in sufficient quantity to ensure the integrity of the composite. The process for manufacturing said non-woven oriented mats is also disclosed.