MÖBIUS STRIP FORMING DEVICE, FORMER THAT MAKES USE OF THE FORMING DEVICE AND TEXTILE STRING FORMING PROCEDURE.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DAVID VILANOVA FABREGA
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure MX434783B0
Abstract
Description
MOBIUS STRAP FORMING DEVICE, FORMING MACHINE THAT USES THE FORMING DEVICE AND TEXTILE CHAIN FORMING PROCEDURE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is a device for forming links in the form of a Móbius strip. A second object of the invention is a textile chain forming machine in which each link of the chain is a Móbius strip, thereby exhibiting excellent wear properties and withstanding very high loads, and which makes use of the forming device. Finally, a method for forming said textile chain using the forming device is also an object of the present invention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During the transportation of goods, it is often necessary to secure and / or lift very heavy loads to move them from one point to another. For this purpose, lifting cranes are typically used, which are attached to the loads using chains, usually made of metal. This type of metal chain has several drawbacks, making moving goods complicated and laborious. Specifically, metal chains are very heavy, which places an additional strain on cranes. Furthermore, they are highly susceptible to wear and tear. In addition to the heavy impacts they may suffer during use, they are usually exposed to the elements, which can lead to rust or other damage. When this happens, it can have serious consequences. An alternative to metal chains is fiberglass belts. These are made from highly resistant materials. Since they contain a combination of fibers in a single belt, they can offer much better performance than metal chains, allowing for the transport of heavier loads. Furthermore, these fiber tapes are much lighter, making them easier to use and transport. Finally, since they comprise a set of fibers on a single tape, if the tape wears out, the fibers break off one by one, in a highly visible manner. The tape can then be replaced, thus avoiding unforeseen accidents. On the other hand, it is worth highlighting the Móbius strip or loop, which is a surface with only one side and one edge. It has the mathematical property of being a non-orientable object. It is also a 7.77t\ ίη / ΖΖΠΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ ruled surface. This tape has been extensively studied over time, due to its very special characteristics and its applicability in a wide variety of fields. To form a Móbius strip, you start with a strip of a certain material, twist one of its ends 180° around itself, and finally join the two ends together. The present invention, described below, utilizes the properties of the Móbius strip to construct a textile chain that exhibits exceptional wear and load-bearing properties. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The first object of the present invention is a Móbius strip forming device, configured to construct a Móbius strip-shaped link from a textile strip of natural, synthetic or artificial fibers. To do this, the forming device comprises a rotating module with an inlet through which the end of the tape is introduced, an outlet for the tape, and an internal path through which the tape circulates, which goes from the inlet to the outlet. On the inner path, preferably at one end opposite the inlet, there is a widened area for the belt to rotate. The belt is introduced through the inlet and travels along the inner path until it reaches the widened area, where the end of the belt rotates 180° around itself, forming the characteristic curve of the Móbius strip. The belt then continues along the inner path until it reaches the exit of the turning module, with the outgoing end of the belt rotated 180° relative to the position in which it entered the turning module. Additionally, the Móbius strip forming device may include a gas injector positioned at the entrance to the turning module. The gas injector helps the strip advance more easily through the interior of the turning module. Furthermore, the Móbius strip forming device may comprise detection means, intended to detect the strip when it begins to exit the exit of the turning module, such that the strip is no longer fed to the device. The second object of the invention is a textile chain former, which comprises, firstly, a fixed structure, which acts as a support for the rest of the elements. Associated with the fixed structure, the former comprises a device for forming Móbius strips, the first object of the invention. It also comprises a series of elements that are set forth 2 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA below and which allow the formation of a chain in which each of its links is a Móbius strip. Specifically, the textile chain former comprises a tape supply assembly, preferably with a shuttle and a dispenser, both associated with the fixed structure, which are responsible for supplying the tape to the Móbius strip forming device. The dispenser supplies the necessary ribbon to form each link, so that it is close to the inlet of the turning module. The shuttle, in turn, facilitates the introduction of the ribbon through the inlet of the turning module. The shuttle may also include an additional gas injector, which supplies a directed gas stream, allowing the ribbon to easily enter the interior of the turning module. Furthermore, the textile chain former comprises means for temporarily joining the ends of the belt to the link, to prevent it from coming undone once it has left the forming device, and joining means, also associated with the fixed structure, intended to join the belt to form a link once it leaves the turning module. The former also includes fastening elements associated with the fixed structure and movable relative to it, intended to hold the link maintaining its shape, once it has been removed from the rotation module, while the link is closed with the joining means. It also includes a cutting mechanism associated with the fixed structure, designed to cut and separate the link from the rest of the belt. In order to position the links that have already been formed and separated from the rest of the belt and to be able to connect them with the belt that will be introduced into the Móbius strip forming device, so that they form the chain, the textile chain former includes some fastening elements also associated with the fixed structure. Finally, the textile chain former includes a prestressing assembly, designed to apply a tensile force to the links so that the fibers of the tape that make up each link are rearranged, compacted, and aligned, improving the chain's properties. Finally, the third object of the present invention is a textile chain forming method, which makes use of the textile chain former described. In a first step of the process, the strip is fed to the rotation module of the forming device, with the end of the strip being rotated 180°, forming a first link in the shape of a Móbius strip. 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7ieiy\rA The tape's arrival at the exit of the turning module is then detected by the detection means. At this point, the tape supply ends. In a second stage, the end of the tape is joined to the rest of the tape, to prevent the first link from coming undone. In the third stage, the rest of the tape is pulled, by means of pulling means, over the first link, incorporating additional turns of tape over said first link, thus obtaining a more resistant structure with better properties. The first formed link is removed from the forming device, and the link remains held by the clamping elements, at which point, in a fourth step of the process, the link is separated from the rest of the belt by the cutting mechanism. At the end of all these steps, the first link of the chain would be formed. The ends of the tape are then joined to the link, and the first link is positioned so that it can be connected to the new tape to be introduced into the forming device, thus forming the chain. These steps can be repeated until a chain of the desired length is formed. The method may then additionally comprise a prestressing step of the chain in the prestressing assembly, thereby reorienting the fibers that make up the tape, thereby obtaining improved chain properties. Finally, the final joining of the ends of the tape on the link itself and a final tensioning stage takes place, which is carried out at a temperature between 10 °C and 150 °C depending on the physical properties of the chain that are desired to obtain. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1 A.- Shows a general view of the textile chain former. Figure IB.- Shows a plan view of the textile chain former. Figure 2.- Shows the movement of the forming device and the shuttle during the feeding of the tape to the turning module. Figure 3, - Shows a detailed view of the positioning of the joining means and the 4th clamp holding the first link. Figure 4, - Shows a detailed view of the movements of the link holding elements once it has left the forming device. Figure 5. - Shows a detailed view of the joining means approaching to join the link, as well as the cutting mechanism separating the link from the rest of the tape. Figure 6. - Shows a detailed view of the fastening elements while holding the first link. Figure 7. - Shows a side view of the prestressing assembly. Figure 8A.- Shows a top view of the forming device with the turning module closed. Figure 8B.- Shows a front view of the forming device with the turning module closed. Figure 9.- Shows an overview of the forming device with the turning module open. Figure 10A.- Shows a general view of the tape. Figure 10B.- Shows an overview of a link in the chain shaped like a Móbius strip, and a chain with a pair of links. Figure 11 - Shows a general outline of the fundamental stages of the process object of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with the aid of Figures 1A to 11. In figure 10A you can see a strip (100) that is going to be used, both in the forming device (20) of the Móbius strip, first object of the present invention, and in the textile chain former, second object of the present invention, to form a textile chain (200), of natural, synthetic or artificial fibers. This chain (200) has the particularity that each of its links (300) is a Móbius strip, which gives the chain (200) exceptional properties of resistance and load capacity. The first object of the present invention, the forming device (20) of Móbius strips, is represented in figures 8A, 8B and 9. Specifically, the forming device (20) comprises a turning module (1) with an upper half (13) and a lower half (23). In figure 9 both halves (13, 23) of the turning module (1) are shown separated, while in figure 8B both halves (13, 23) are shown closed. When both halves (13, 23) are closed, 5 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7ieiWrA formed the rotation module (1). The turning module (1) further comprises an inlet (8) for the belt (100) and an outlet (16) for the belt (100). Inside the turning module (1) there is an inner path, which can be seen in detail in Figure 9 and which goes from the inlet (8) to the outlet (16). On the inner path, at the end opposite the inlet (8), there is a widening (18) for turning the belt (100). In this way, when the upper half (13) and the lower half (23) of the turning module (1) are closed, the belt (100) is introduced through the inlet (8). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner path and the widening (18) for turning have the shape of the negative of the Móbius strip. The belt (100) runs along the inner path until it reaches the widening (18) where the end of the belt (100) turns 180° on itself, forming the characteristic curve of the Móbius strip. The belt (100) continues advancing along the inner path until it reaches the exit (16) of the turning module (1), the protruding end of the belt (100) being turned 180° with respect to the position in which it entered the turning module (100). The Móbius strip forming device (20) further comprises, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, a gas injector (11), positioned at the inlet (8) of the turning module (1). By expelling gas, the gas injector (11) helps the strip (100) to advance more easily through the interior of the turning module (1). Furthermore, the Móbius strip forming device (20) comprises detection means (12) intended to detect the strip (100) when it exits the outlet (16) of the rotation module (1). The detection means (12) are shown in Figure 8B. The second object of the invention is a textile chain former, which is represented in a general view in Figure 1A and a plan view in Figure IB. The textile chain former comprises, firstly, a fixed structure (19), which acts as a support for the rest of the elements. Associated with the fixed structure (19), the former comprises a device for forming (20) Móbius strips, the first object of the invention and represented in detail in Figures 8A, 8B and 9. In addition, it comprises a series of elements that are set out below and that allow the forming of a chain (200) in which each of its links (300) is a Móbius strip obtained from the forming device (20) described, as reflected in Figure 10B. Specifically, the textile chain former comprises a tape supply assembly, with a shuttle (2) and a dispenser (3), both associated with the fixed structure (19) and represented in Figures 1A and 1B, which are responsible for supplying the tape (100) to the device of 6 7.77t\ Lf\l77(\7ieiWrA made up (20) of Mobius strips. The dispenser (3), connected to supply rollers (17), shown in Figure 1A, provides the tape (100) that is necessary to form each link (300), so that it always remains close to the inlet (8) of the turning module (1). For its part, the shuttle (2) facilitates the introduction of the tape (100) through the inlet (8) of the turning module (1). The shuttle (2) also comprises an additional gas injector that supplies a directed gas stream, allowing the tape (100) to enter the interior of the turning module (1) with ease. Furthermore, the textile chain former comprises joining means (4), shown, for example, in Figure 4, also associated with the fixed structure (19), intended to join the tape (100) forming a link (300). The joining means (4) consist of a staple (41), shown in Figure 4, intended to hold the end of the tape (100) once it has adopted the Mobius shape to facilitate the joining. The former also comprises some fastening elements (5, 6, 7) associated with the fixed structure (19) and movable with respect to it, which are shown in detail in figure 4 or 5. Specifically a first pivot (5), a second pivot (6), represented in figure 4, and a finger with roller (7), represented for example in figure 5, intended to hold the link (300) maintaining its shape, once it has been extracted from the rotation module (1), while the link (300) is closed with the joining means (4). The former also comprises a cutting mechanism (10) associated with the fixed structure (19), intended to cut and separate the link (300) from the rest of the belt (100). The cutting mechanism (10) is shown in Figure 5. In order to position the links (300) that have already been formed and cut and to be able to link them with the tape (100) that is going to be introduced into the Mobius tape forming device (20), so that they form the chain (200) shown in Figure 10B, the textile chain former comprises fastening elements (9, 14 and 15) also associated with the fixed structure (19). Specifically, these fastening elements are drag means (9), shown in Figure 5, a lower fastening element (14), shown in Figure 6, and a chain fastening element (15), also shown in Figure 6. Finally, the textile chain former comprises a pre-tensioning assembly (24) as shown in Figure 7, intended to apply a tensile force to at least one link (300), or if the chain (200) comprises several links (300), to apply a tensile force on the formed links (300), so that a rearrangement of the fibers of the tape 7 occurs. 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA (100) which constitutes the chain (200), improving its properties. The third object of the present invention is a method for forming a textile chain, in which the chain (200) comprises a series of links (300) and in which each link (300) is constructed from a textile strip (100) and has the shape of a Móbius strip. The method makes use of the textile chain former described above, and comprises the steps described below: The first stage consists of supplying the tape (100) to the rotation module (1) of the forming device (20). To do this, the forming device (20) enters a central position, as shown in Figure 2. The shuttle (2) is then activated. Specifically, a brake (21) on the shuttle is activated, which holds the tape (100) to be supplied, as shown in Figure 2. The shuttle (2) then advances to the inlet (8) of the turning module (1), as indicated on the right side of Figure 2, dragging the tape (100). The dispenser (3) comprising a holding element is then closed. At this stage, the end of the strip (100) rotates 180°, forming a first turn of the first link (300) with the characteristic shape of the Móbius strip. To facilitate the entry of the tape (100), an additional gas injector of the shuttle (2) and the gas injector (11) of the forming device (20), shown in figure 2, are activated. Both gas injectors expel a gas stream that facilitates the entry of the tape (100) through the inlet (8) of the turning module (1). In addition, at the same time the dispenser (3) advances to supply a determined quantity of tape into the turning module (1). By means of the detection means (12) of the forming device (20), indicated in Figure 8B, the tape (100) is detected at the exit of the turning module (1). This indicates that the tape (100) has flowed correctly into the turning module (1) and the gas supply can be stopped. In a second stage, the end of the tape (100) is joined to the rest of the tape (100), to prevent the first turn of the link (300) from coming undone, by means of the joining means (4). In a third stage, the rest of the tape (100) is dragged over the first link (300), incorporating additional turns of tape (100), between 2 and 10, over the first link (300). This gives much greater strength to each link. Figure 3 shows a general view in which the joining means (4) are moved to a position close to the forming device (20) and a clip (41) of the 8 means is activated. 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7iaiV\rA union (4) intended to keep the first link (300) with all the turns controlled, as shown in figure 3. Next, and once the strip (100), which already has the shape of a Mobius strip, is well secured, the rotation module (1) is opened, separating the upper half (13) and the lower half (23) of the rotation module (1), releasing the strip (100). Then, as indicated in figure 4, the fastening elements are introduced, specifically a first pivot (5) and a second pivot (6) to a determined position, moving until they are inside the first link (300). Figure 5 shows a general view of the textile chain former when another of the clamping elements, in this case a finger with a roller (7) is moved to a certain position, maintaining the shape of the link (300). The excess tape (100) is then collected in the dispenser (3). This ensures that the first link (300) of the chain (200) is of the correct length, between 60 mm and 600 mm. In the fourth stage of the procedure, the cutting mechanism (10) of the tape is activated, as shown in figure 5, separating the link (300) from the rest of the tape (100). In the fifth stage, the provisional union of the ends of the tape that make up the link (300) is carried out on the link (300), so that it does not come undone. Figure 6 shows the former as the pivots (5 and 6) that release the tension of the link (300) approach, and withdraw to their resting position. In the sixth step, the previous steps are repeated, forming a new link (300) linked to the first link (300), forming the chain (200). To do this, the lower clamping element (14) that holds the link (300) rotates 90°, in order to be able to link it with the next link (300). Next, the chain holding element (15) and the lower holding element (14) place the links (300) in a position indicated to carry out the pretensioning by means of the pretensioning assembly (24), shown in Figure 7, which is carried out with a load of between 5% and 40% of the breaking load of the belt (100). After pretensioning, the final joining of the ends of the belt on the link itself (300) is carried out, and a final tensioning of the chain is carried out. The final tensioning is carried out with a load between 25% and 80% of the breaking load of the belt (100) and at a temperature between 10°C and 150°C. The pretensioning and tensioning of the chain (200) allow to compact and align the fibers that constitute 9 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7ieiy\rA the tape (100) of the chain, and the fact of carrying out the final tensioning at a certain temperature allows obtaining the physical properties required for the chain (200). Figure 11 shows, in a schematic manner and as a summary, the fundamental steps of the process object of the invention, that is, formation of a link in the form of a Móbius strip from a textile strip, pretensioning, formation of the textile chain, stitching of the links and final tensioning.
Claims
1A Möbius strip forming device (20), comprising a rotation module (1) with an inlet (8) suitable for one end of a strip (100), an outlet (16) suitable for the strip (100) and an inner path from the inlet (8) to the outlet (16), and a widening (18) suitable for the rotation of the strip (100) being located in the inner path, the widening (18) being adapted for the rotation of the end of the strip (100) 180° about its longitudinal axis, and wherein the device (20) further comprises a gas injector (11) placed at the inlet (8) of the rotation module (1) intended to drive the strip (100) through the inner path of the rotation module (1).
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising detection means (12) attached to the rotation module (1), intended to detect the end of the strip (100) at the output (16) of the rotation module (1).
3. A textile chain forming machine, intended to form a chain (200) with links (300) in the form of a Möbius strip, characterized in that it comprises: - a fixed structure (19), - the forming device (20) for forming links (300) in the form of a Möbius strip of claim 1, attached to the fixed structure (19), - a supply assembly (2, 3) for supplying a strip (100) to the rotation module (1) of the forming device (20), - joining means (4) attached to the fixed structure (19) and movable with respect to it, intended to join the end of the strip (100) leaving the forming device (20) with the rest of the strip forming a link (300), and - a cutting mechanism (10) attached to the fixed structure (19), intended to cut and separate the link (300) from the rest of the strip (100).
4. The forming machine of claim 3, further comprising a prestressing assembly (24) intended to apply a tensile force to the links (300) of the formed chain (200). 7.77t\ Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA 5. A textile chain forming process using the forming device (20) of claim 1, comprising the steps of: - supplying a band (100) to the rotation module (1) of the forming device (20) and rotating the end of the band (100) 180°, forming a first link (300) in the form of a Mobius strip, - joining the end of the band to the band (100), - cutting the band (100), - temporarily joining the ends of the band (100) in the link (300), and - forming a new link (300) by repeating the previous steps and by linking it with the first link (300), forming a chain (200).
6. The procedure of claim 5, comprising the steps of pre-tensioning the chain (200) comprising at least one link (300) and permanently joining the ends of the band (100) to the link (300) itself.
7. The procedure of claim 6, further comprising a final chain tensioning stage (200).
8. The procedure of claim 5, further comprising a step subsequent to the step of temporarily joining the end of the band to the band (100) to pull the remainder of the band (100) on the first link (300), of incorporating at least one additional loop of the band (100) on the first link (300).
9. The method of claim 5, wherein while the belt (100) is being supplied to the rotation module (1), a gas is injected to actuate the belt (100). 10 - The procedure of claim 5, which, after the first stage of supplying the band (100) to the rotation module (1), comprises a stage of adjusting the link length (300).
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the chain pretensioning step (200) is performed with a load of up to 40% of the breaking load of the belt (100). 7.77t\ ίη / ZZΖΠZ / E / YΙΛΙ 12.- The procedure of claim 7, wherein the final tensioning stage of the chain (200) is carried out with a load of between 25% and 80% of the breaking load of the belt (200).
13. The procedure of claim 5, wherein the step of temporarily joining the end of the band (100) to the link (300) is performed by sewing.
14. The procedure of claim 7, wherein the final tensioning stage of the chain (200) is carried out at a certain temperature, between 10 °C and 150 °C.