Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention enable the production of glass fiber product from scrap glass fibers. The process includes: feeding the scrap glass fibers having an average length up to around 12 inches to a glass melting tank having a pool of molten fiberizable glass, melting the scrap glass fibers without the presence of non-vitrified glass forming materials in an oxidizing environment, conditioning the melt to a formable viscosity, and forming the glass fiber from the conditioned melt where for a given glass fiber product there is a near constant pull of the melted glass from the melter. The rate of feeding of the scrap glass to the melter is sufficient to maintain the pool of melted glass with a level within the range of .+-.0.35 inch (9 mm.) over a period of eight hours. The scrap glass fibers have a similar fiberizable inorganic composition to that of the desired glass fiber product and generally include fibers with organic-containing sizes and/or coatings.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a uniform airflow and thus uniform thermal conditions below a bushing in a continuous glass fiber forming operation. The method comprises passing the glass filaments through an enclosure and blowing a gaseous fluid through the enclosure co-current with the filaments at a substantially constant volume and velocity to draw air downwardly with the filaments from all directions below the bushing at a substantially constant volume and velocity which thus provides a more uniform airflow and temperature below the bushing. The downward airflow velocity is insufficient to attenuate the filaments. Suitable apparatus for accomplishing this result is also disclosed. This apparatus comprises an enclosure for the filaments having a pair of chambers, the glass filaments being passed through the inner chamber and gaseous fluid being flowed from the outer chamber to the inner chamber at a substantially constant volume and velocity to flow co-current with the glass filaments.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a uniform airflow and thus uniform thermal conditions below a bushing in a continuous glass fiber forming operation. The method comprises passing the glass filaments through an enclosure and blowing a gaseous fluid through the enclosure co-current with the filaments at a substantially constant volume and velocity to draw air downwardly with the filaments from all directions below the bushing at a substantially constant volume and velocity which thus provides a more uniform airflow and temperature below the bushing. The downward airflow velocity is insufficient to attenuate the filaments. Suitable apparatus for accomplishing this result is also disclosed. This apparatus comprises an enclosure for the filaments having a pair of chambers, the glass filaments being passed through the inner chamber and gaseous fluid being flowed from the outer chamber to the inner chamber at a substantially constant volume and velocity to flow co-current with the glass filaments.

Abstract: A marble feed system is disclosed for feeding glass marbles into a marble melt glass fiber forming bushing. The system comprises a storage container or hopper, a marble pre-melter, a glass fiber forming bushing, and a chute connecting the container or hopper to the pre-melter. The chute is specifically designed to prevent blockages of glass marbles due to bridging, oversized marbles and broken marbles during feeding. The novel design enables pure gravity flow of glass marbles without the need for external vibration of the feed system or other means of force feeding the marbles through the system.