Don L Christensen

US Patent:

53805763, Jan 10, 1995

Filed:

Jan 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/006504

Inventors:

Don C. Christensen - Dublin CA
Milton F. Custer - Byron CA

Assignee:

Hexcel Corporation - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

B32B 512
B32B 712

US Classification:

428109

Abstract:

A composite pre-slit tape useful as a protective carrier system for storing and handling high modulus fibers and processes for protecting such fibers are disclosed. An exemplary composite pre-slit tape includes a plurality of generally elongated and collimated pre-slit laminates oriented in a single plane and releasably bonded to a removable continuous backing layer which is in the form of a long thin tape. Each pre-slit laminate includes an adhesive layer located adjacent the continuous backing layer and a fiber supporting layer located adjacent the adhesive layer. In use as a fiber protective carrier, each pre-slit laminate is bonded to a fiber bundle of a plurality of collimated fibers arranged in a single layer. Each fiber is bonded along its length to the supporting layer of the pre-slit laminate. The combination of secured fibers and pre-slit laminate can be fed directly to a loom for forming woven fabric.