Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming glass fibers. The invention comprises flowing streams of molten glass from a stream feeder through orificed projections depending from the feeder floor, directing gas upwardly into contact with the streams of molten glass at a velocity and in an amount effective to convey away from the streams sufficient heat to render the glass of the streams attenuable to fibers without appreciably disturbing the ambient gas above the streams in the region between the orificed projections and attenuating fibers from the streams of molten glass.

Abstract: A mineral fiber-forming bushing is disclosed in which sidewalls containing at least one opening extend continuously downwardly from the bushing bottom wall to define a forming chamber beneath the bushing. A fluid is directed toward the bushing bottom wall and the exit of the fluid through the opening is controlled. The control of fluid flow can control the local environmental conditions both within the forming chamber and on the bushing bottom wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming glass fibers. The invention comprises flowing streams of molten glass from a stream feeder through orificed projections depending from the feeder floor, directing gas upwardly into contact with the streams of molten glass at a velocity and in an amount effective to convey away from the streams sufficient heat to render the glass of the streams attenuable to fibers without appreciably disturbing the ambient gas above the streams in the region between the orificed projections and attenuating fibers from the streams of molten glass.

Abstract: This invention embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable fiber-forming material, such as glass, involving treatment of a surface of a feeder from which flow streams of the heat-softened glass through the establishment of an environment at the surface in which a heat-decomposable gas is heat decomposed providing a gas resulting from the decomposition of a character promoting separation of the glass from the surface thereby minimizing or eliminating the tendency for the material to flood at the feeder surface, effecting pressure through the heat-softened glass in a supply chamber, transferring glass from the chamber to the stream feeder, and effecting pressure through the heat-softened glass in the feeder to prevent or eliminate permeation or filtering of the gas formed by heat decomposition through the material of the feeder into the softened glass thereby enhancing the uniformity of glass streams flowing from the feeder.