Abstract: A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.

Abstract: A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.

Abstract: A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.

Abstract: A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.

Abstract: Methods of forming compressed preform products formed from continuous fibers substantially evenly coated with a thermoplastic sizing composition are provided. Applying a thermoplastic sizing composition to continuous fibers during the formation of the fibers enables a preform to be formed without applying any additional sizing or binder compositions at later stages of the manufacturing of the preform. The thermoplastic sizing composition includes a thermoplastic material, and, optionally a silane coupling agent. The thermoplastic material in the thermoplastic sizing composition includes chemicals and/or compounds that are thermoplastic or possess thermoplastic properties. One or more preforms may be randomly inserted to a muffler cavity. Upon the application of heat, the preforms decompress and fill the cavity with fibrous material. Due to the ability to decompress the compressed preform product, the preform product can have a shape that is independent of the shape of the muffler cavity.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. It comprises the step of providing a muffler shell comprising one or more muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings adapted to communicate with the shell internal cavity. The process further comprises the step of providing a bag filled with fibrous material. The bag has a first side with one or more first perforations defining a first side total open area and a second side with either no perforations or one or more second perforations defining a second side total open area. The first open area is greater than the second open area.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. The process involves providing a muffler shell comprising first and second muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity when coupled together and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings communicating with the shell internal cavity.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. It comprises the step of providing a muffler shell comprising one or more muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings adapted to communicate with the shell internal cavity. The process further comprises the step of providing a bag filled with fibrous material. The bag has a first side with one or more first perforations defining a first side total open area and a second side with either no perforations or one or more second perforations defining a second side total open area. The first open area is greater than the second open area.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. The process involves providing a muffler shell comprising first and second muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity when coupled together and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings communicating with the shell internal cavity.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler with fibrous material as well as a muffler filled with fibrous material. The process includes a first step of providing a muffler comprising a closed outer shell having an inner cavity and a perforated pipe. The perforated pipe has a first end portion with at least one fill opening. A second step comprises feeding fibrous material into the outer shell inner cavity through the at least one fill opening in the perforated pipe to form a fibrous product in the outer shell.