Abstract: Apparatus for forming a spliced yarn includes a yarn conduction member with an intermingling jet disposed forwardly thereof. The yarn conduction member has respective yarn conduction channels through which the first and second yarns are conveyed to the intermingling jet. The axis of each yarn conduction channel from the inlet to the outlet of the member is a straight line, with no bends or deviations. The yarn conduction member has a knife blade disposed adjacent to a respective yarn conduction channel. Each knife blade has a passage defining a cutting edge and a solid portion disposed between the passage and the tip of the blade. The first and second knives are insertable into and retractable from the channel to which they are adjacent. In the inserted position the passage in the knife aligns with the channel into which it is inserted, while in the retracted position the solid portion of the blade interdicts the passage to prevent movement of a yarn therethrough.

Abstract: A method for producing a spliced yarn comprising alternating predetermined lengths of a first and a second yarn and to the yarn are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process. The yarn includes discontinuous and, optionally, continuous filaments.

Abstract: A waveguide sensing element has a substrate having an input opening adapted to house an input optical fiber and an output opening adapted to house an output optical fiber. The input optical fiber transmits electromagnetic radiation, and the output optical fiber emits the electromagnetic radiation. The waveguide sensing element also has a guiding layer disposed adjacent the substrate. The guiding layer has a beveled end face. The angle of the bevel is chosen so that the guiding layer selects only those modes within a given range--i.e., high order modes. This increases the spectral absorption measurement sensitivity as compared to a waveguide sensing element which uses the complete mode spectrum. Such a highly sensitive waveguide sensing element has been found to be particularly useful as an internal reflection spectroscopic sensing element.

Abstract: An integral structure is provided for chemical processing and manufacture, in which a plurality of laminae are joined together and having inlet and outlet ports connected by a three dimensionally tortuous channel. Chemicals are introduced through the inlet ports and processed along the channel, with desirable product withdrawn through the outlet ports. The laminae are of materials selected to be compatible with the chemical process, from the group consisting of elements of groups III, IV or V of the Periodic Table, ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites and metals. Processes of manufacture of the apparatus and processes utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed herein.