Abstract: A paper based particulate absorbent material and method of manufacture using shredded paper along with water and a binder mixture. In the first step of the process the waste paper is subjected to a size reduction treatment. In the second step, the paper is mixed with water and optionally a binder. The material exits the mixing apparatus which can be fully dried to produce a particulate absorbent material. This material can be used for litter material, box packing material, caulking filler and floor sweep. The product can be made to be similar in appearance to commercially available litter materials but is lighter, dust-free, biodegradable and extremely absorbent. The packing material can be made to bend but not crease. Further, the product is extremely economical since it is made out of waste paper.

Abstract: A biodegradable mulch product comprising sheets or finely divided particles of cellulosic fibrous material bonded together with a bonding agent comprising a water-based bonding adhesive and compressed to form a laminar layer, said compressed laminar layer being cut into mulch-size pieces that simulate natural tree mulches in appearance, density and rate of biodegradation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solenoid including an electrically conductive coil and a plunger located axially within the coil. The plunger is moved in an axial direction within the coil when the coil is energized. The motion of the plunger in the axial direction in the coil at a position such that, when the plunger is moved to the position by energizing the coil, the force exerted by the plunger is linear with respect to the electric power supplied to the coil.The present invention also provides yarn tensioning apparatus employing a number of yarn tensioning devices using such a solenoid. A control system, including a special device for sensing the tension exerted on the yarn, allows each of the yarn tensioning devices in the apparatus to be individually and automatically controlled. The present invention also provides a method for individually controlling the tension exerted on each yarn either manually or automatically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solenoid including an electrically conductive coil and a plunger located axially within the coil. The plunger is moved in an axial direction within the coil when the coil is energized. The motion of the plunger in the axial direction in the coil at a position such that, when the plunger is moved to the position by energizing the coil, the force exerted by the plunger is linear with respect to the electric power supplied to the coil.The present invention also provides yarn tensioning apparatus employing a number of yarn tensioning devices using such a solenoid. A control system, including a special device for sensing the tension exerted on the yarn, allows each of the yarn tensioning devices in the apparatus to be individually and automatically controlled. The present invention also provides a method for individually controlling the tension exerted on each yarn either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for splicing lengths of synthetic fiber tow. The tail of one length of tow and the lead portion of another length are each separated into an equal number of bundles. Bundles from the lead portion are overlapped with bundles from the tail portion to form overlapped pairs of bundles, which pairs are confined in a pair of separate, spaced-apart, open-ended passageways. Then, the overlapped pairs in each of the pairs of passageways are subjected to a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jets of gaseous fluid oriented generally perpendicular to the length of the overlapped pairs. This causes fibers in the pairs of bundles from the lead portion and the tail portion to become entangled to form a splice between the lengths of full tow. With certain tows it is preferred that the direction of the jets in one of the passageways of each of the pairs of passageways is opposed to the direction of the jets in the other passageway of each of the pairs of passageways.

Abstract: An air processing apparatus is disclosed having a feed roll pulling yarn from a source and feeding it to an air entangler at a feed rate. The yarn is entangled by a high pressure air stream in the air entangler, and a delivery roll pulls the yarn from the entangler at a delivery rate. The rolls are driven independently and independent controls are provided to independently vary the feed rate and the delivery rate to achieve a desired overfeed or underfeed of the yarn. A display shows the ratio of the feed rate to the delivery rate. A slub making apparatus feeds yarn to the entangler from a second source of yarn and includes a tensioner for tensioning the yarn as it is fed to the air entangler. An actuator selectively releases tension on the yarn from the second source so that it is rapidly overfed and the air entangler produces a slub in the entangled yarn.

Abstract: An air processing apparatus is disclosed having a feed roll pulling yarn from a source and feeding it to an air entangler at a feed rate. The yarn is entangled by a high pressure air stream in the air entangler, and a delivery roll pulls the yarn from the entangler at a delivery rate. The rolls are driven independently and independent controls are provided to independently vary the feed rate and the deliver rate to achieve a desired overfeed or underfeed of the yarn. A display shows the ratio of the feed rate to the delivery rate. A slub making apparatus feeds yarn to the entangler from a second source of yarn and includes a tensioner for tensioning the yarn as it is fed to the air entangler. An actuator selectively releases tension on the yarn from the second source so that it is rapidly overfed and the air entangler produces a slub in the entangled yarn.

Abstract: A reinforcing element for cementitious or plastic material is disclosed which comprises a bundle of a plurality of strands of reinforcing material, the strands in the bundle being generally coextensive and being interconnected in a limited area intermediate their ends to provide brushes of substantially unentangled strands on each side of the intermediate area. There is also disclosed a method of making such elements which includes the steps of preparing a length of yarn comprising a plurality of reinforcing strands interconnected at substantially regular, spaced apart areas, the strands intermediate said interconnected areas being substantially unentangled. The yarn is then cut to produce elements having an interconnected area flanked by lengths of substantially unconnected fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interentangling ends of multi-filament yarn and tow which involves subjecting the overlapped ends to jets of gaseous fluid to interentangle the ends. The method involves employing a plurality of jets, one of which tends to rotate at least one of the filaments, and the other of which tends to move the filaments transversely. The jets act on the filaments when they are in motion from a previous jet. The apparatus provides a chamber for containing the overlapped ends and for defining the jets.

Abstract: A continuous yarn structure comprising at least one yarn element formed from a plurality of continuous filaments or a plurality of staple fiber lengths, the yarn structure comprising periodically repeating lengths of high bulk, substantially unentangled continuous filaments or staple fiber lengths alternating with lengths of compacted continuous filaments of staple fiber lengths in which substantially all filaments or fiber lengths are mutually entangled throughout the volume of the compacted lengths.Also disclosed is a method for producing such yarn. The method comprises the steps of feeding at least one multiple filament yarn element or multiple staple fiber element under tension to a first treatment zone having a predetermined cross-sectional area; continuously directing a fluid at the yarn element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel of the element, the fluid being applied at a pressure of at least about 100 p.s.i.