Abstract: A device including one or more nozzles having a tubular fiber spinning needle and method for producing non-toxic polymer fibers and microfibrous and nanofibrous polymer materials made thereof on a small to large scale using a wide range of synthetic polymers and bio-based polymers. The device and method enable continuous in-line production of polymer fibers at a high fiber production rate energy efficiently and safely. The increased polymer fiber production rate is achieved by the at least one nozzle that enables a centrifugal force acting upon the tubular fiber spinning needle causing rotational motion of the tubular fiber spinning needle and higher polymer injection rates per nozzle.

Abstract: A device for texturizing strand material into a wool-type product includes outer and inner nozzle sections. The outer and inner nozzle sections interface and define a passage through which the strand material travels. At least a portion of the passage has a non-uniform diameter that increases in a direction moving away from an input end of the device.

Abstract: A method for producing filaments of polyacrylonitrile and an extrusion head for carrying out said method are provided, wherein the method comprises preparing a polyacrylonitrile polymer solution and passing said solution through an extruder plate that determines the formation of filaments, a central chamber being defined between the extruder plate and a floating plate connected to a vibrating system, said chamber being surrounded by a peripheral chamber into which the polymer solution is introduced under pressure. The polymer solution then passes through to the central chamber via small radial conduits that accelerate the material, and is subjected to vibration in the central chamber before passing through the extruder plate.

Abstract: A system for forming one or more barbs on a length of suture is provided. The system includes a suture nest and a punch apparatus. The suture nest defines a longitudinal passage configured for receipt of a length of suture. The suture nest includes at least one recess formed along the longitudinal passage and at least one opening corresponding to the at least one recess. The punch apparatus includes at least one punch member corresponding to the at least one opening in the suture nest. The at least one punch member is configured to be selectively received within the at least one opening in the suture nest.

Abstract: Noodles with hand-made quality consisting of thick and thin portions are processed by introducing a noodle belt between first and second cutting rolls 5 and 6 having first and second cutting blades 3 and 4 each formed by large and small diameter portions 3a, 4a and 3b and 4b, and spacers 7. The cutting rolls are relatively shifted in an axial direction such that the thick portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and spacer and the thin portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and small diameter portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing synthetic grass fibers for artificial turf. For said purpose, a plurality of strips formed from a divided film or a plurality of individually extruded monofilaments made of a polymer material are produced in an extrusion process. The strips or monofilaments are then stretched and wound individually or as a fiber bundle to form coils. According to the invention, in order to in particular influence the physical properties of the synthetic grass fibers in addition to the visual properties, the roughness of the surfaces of the strips or monofilaments is changed before or after the winding. For said purpose, the device according to the invention has a treatment apparatus, the means of which are suitable for changing the surface roughness of the strips or monofilaments.

Abstract: The quick heat ice cream scoop is an improved heat ice cream scoop that includes a ceramic heating element and an ergonomic grip. The ceramic heating element is built into the ice cream scoop and quickly heats up the ice cream scoop, and conversely shall quickly cool down when turned off. The ice cream scoop is mounted to an ergonomic grip that reduces hand fatigue of the end user while providing a location to store powering means for powering the ceramic heating element.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for forming a fiber optic cable is disclosed. A first pattern of a phase mark is formed at a first location in the fiber optic cable. A relational parameter between the fiber optic cable and the phase mask is changed and a second pattern of the phase mask is formed at a second location in the fiber optic cable. The second pattern is related to the first pattern via the change in the relational parameter between the fiber optic cable and the phase mask. A controller can be used to control the relational parameter.

Abstract: A system for forming one or more barbs on a length of suture is provided. The system includes a suture nest and a punch apparatus. The suture nest defines a longitudinal passage configured for receipt of a length of suture. The suture nest includes at least one recess formed along the longitudinal passage and at least one opening corresponding to the at least one recess. The punch apparatus includes at least one punch member corresponding to the at least one opening in the suture nest. The at least one punch member is configured to be selectively received within the at least one opening in the suture nest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber with 4T cross section, comprising four T-shaped lobes, each of said T-shaped lobes having a cap portion and a leg portion, the leg portion of each of said lobes intersecting at the center of the fiber, each of said lobes separating from each other, and the adjacent T-shaped lobes forming an open hollow portion. Moreover, parameters such as Denier, opening range of the hollow portion, hollowness ratio, and degree of variation of the cross section are specifically defined. The fiber of this invention has guide channels design and thus can preserve relatively large clearances. Accordingly, the fabrics woven by the fiber of this invention have the outstanding capabilities of absorbing moisture and relieving sweat and the effect of keeping warm without creating a muggy feeling.

Abstract: A apparatus and process of forming electrospun fibers including the steps of supplying a substantially homogeneous mixture of a solvent and a polymer which can be formed into an electrospun fiber; electrospinning the polymer into a fiber in an enclosed chamber; monitoring the humidity in said chamber; and changing the partial pressure of solvent evaporation to thereby modify the morphology of the thus formed fibers.

Abstract: A rotary tool such as a helix drill and an end mill for example, is manufactured by forming a blank by an extrusion process, and then sintering the blank. During the extrusion, a mixture is passed through a die which provides a cylindrical shape to the outer peripheral surface of the mixture. A plurality of jaws are disposed downstream of the die for conducting the mixture. Each jaw includes a helical ridge for engaging the outer surface of the extrudate to cause a helical groove to be formed therein which constitutes a chip flute in the tool. During the extrusion, the jaws are moved away from the mixture to terminate formation of the chip groove, whereby a shank portion of the tool is formed.

Abstract: A spinning-drawing-texturing machine for producing crimped threads is described, comprising a spinning device, a drawing device, a texturing device, and a take-up device. A plurality of threads spun by the spinning device is assigned to the drawing device, the texturing device, and the take-up device. According to the present invention, the drawing device and the texturing device are arranged in a processing module and the take-up device in a winding module underneath the spinning device. The processing module and the winding module are erected side by side and form one long side of the machine. This ensures a configuration divided by functional groups, which facilitates operation and increases operational reliability.

Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and a process for the manufacture of continuous fibers by mechanical attenuation. It is especially useful in obtaining a strand composed of a mixture of filaments of differing cross sections in constant and definite proportion. This is obtained by employment of a bushing having a lower surface comprising a multiplicity of fiberizing centers of varying configurations, each fiberizing center being formed by a zone perforated by a group of orifices from which at least one filament can be attenuated in a stable manner. The strands produced are particularly adapted for the reinforcement of plastic materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a glass fiber strand in which a plurality of molten glass filaments spun from adjacent nozzle ports in a nozzle plate are adjoined to one another so as to form a single glass fiber having a non-circular cross-sectional shapes such as oval, elliptic, cocoon-shaped and polygonal shapes. The method can employ a nozzle plate provided in the underside thereof with a plurality of recesses in each of which a plurality of nozzle ports are opened, so that the molten glass filaments from these nozzle ports are adjoined to each other so as to form the single glass fiber having a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: Bulk production of carbon fibers by a spinning process incorporating the exposure of the fibers to a level of electron plasma to achieve the curing to carbonization stage as desired. Fibers are also broken into shorter lengths for particular uses.

Abstract: A tapered fiber and method and apparatus for making is provided in which the fiber has an increasing cross-sectional dimension in one direction along a portion of its length, and a decreasing cross-sectional dimension in the same direction along the same portion of its length.

Abstract: A method and appartus for making non-circular mineral fibers, and the fibers produced thereby, comprises flowing a stream from a body of molten mineral material through a non-circular orifice, and quenching the mineral material in the stream to form a mineral fiber having a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making non-circular mineral fibers, and the fibers produced thereby, comprises flowing a stream from a body of molten mineral material through a non-circular orifice, and quenching the mineral material in the stream to form a mineral fiber having a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method for making mineral fibers comprising discharging molten glass as primary molten streams from orifices and joining at least one primary stream to an adjacent primary stream to form a coalesced stream of different cross-sectional shape from that of the orifices, and hardening the coalesced stream into a glass fiber having a cross-sectional shape similar to the shape of the coalesced stream.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable materials, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments from the streams of material and more particularly effecting successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations of the streams of glass by directing streams or jets of liquid for cooling or quenching the streams of glass at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for establishing successive kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers or filaments, and delivering or conveying by the quenching streams of liquid or other streams of liquid powdered or particulate materials or metals for combining with, coating or reacting with the glass of the streams at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for producing combined metal and glass fibers or filaments or coating the glass fibers or filaments with metals or other materials and utilizing electric current potential applied to the streams of liquid entraining metal or other particulate materials for establish

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable materials, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments from the streams of material and more particularly effecting successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations of the streams of glass by directing streams or jets of liquid for cooling or quenching the streams of glass at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for establishing successive kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers or filaments, and delivering or conveying by the quenching streams of liquid or other streams of liquid powdered or particulate materials or metals for combining with, coating or reacting with the glass of the streams at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for producing combined metal and glass fibers or filaments or coating the glass fibers or filaments with metals or other materials and utilizing electric current potential applied to the streams of liquid entraining metal or other particulate materials for establish

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable materials, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments from streams of the material and particularly a method of and apparatus for effecting successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations of streams of the material at the region of formation or attenuation of the streams to fibers or filaments, and cooling or quenching the streams at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for establishing successive kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers or filaments.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable materials, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments from streams of the material and particularly a method of and apparatus for effecting successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations of streams of the material at the region of formation or attenuation of the streams to fibers or filaments, and cooling or quenching the streams at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for establishing successive kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers or filaments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for fabricating multimode optical fiber waveguides having reduced modal dispersion as a result of deliberate enhancement of mode coupling in the waveguide. The axial alignment and/or the diameter of an optical fiber waveguide is varied by means of one or more modulated heat sources, such as, for example, a microflame jet or CO.sub.2 laser, directed against the fiber waveguide. By controlling the modulation of the heat source, the spatial distribution of the geometrical perturbation pattern can be controlled, thereby producing controlled mode coupling in the fiber waveguide.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for treating a web of fibrous material, usually paper, to render it particularly suitable for making filter plugs for cigarettes, including at least one first pair of meshing rotating rolls provided with longitudinal grooves alternating with longitudinal ribs, which engage the paper and stretch it longitudinally in closely spaced successive narrow transverse areas to loosen and expose fibers without impairing the longitudinal continuity of the paper, and at least one second pair of meshing rotating rolls provided with circumferential grooves alternating with circumferential ribs, which engage the paper and groove it in a direction parallel to its travel while also stretching it transversely to further loosen and expose fibers without impairing the transverse continuity of the web. Preferably the apparatus also includes means for moistening the paper in advance of its passage through the rolls and for drying it after its passage therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing synthetic tow for stretch-cut spinning process. The synthetic tow is produced by changing the coagulation condition after delivery from the spinnerets so the weak points are distributed in individual filaments in a particular condition defined by variation of uneveness of breaking strength. The coagulation condition of each filaments in the two is positively changed according to periodic changes in the filament's passage by contacting a deviation bar disposed in the filament's passage.

Abstract: This invention discloses the structure of, and the method and apparatus for making, improved metal-matrix composites. Each of the composites comprises a strain-hardenable metal matrix, and a plurality of high-strength, high-modulus, elongated reinforcing members arranged in spatial relationship therein. Each of the members is effectively bonded to the surrounding matrix at selected, discrete surface regions along its length so as to locally strain the matrix around the discretely bonded regions upon the composite being suitably stressed. When thus locally strained, the matrix is spatially selectively and differentially strain-hardened and strengthened near the bonded regions. The spheres of influence of the straining and strain-hardening in the matrix near the bonded regions on one member are caused to significantly overlap similar spheres of influence near the neighboring members.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing synthetic tow for stretch-cut spinning process. This synthetic tow is produced by changing the coagulation condition after delivery from the spinnerets so the weak points are distributed in individual filaments in a particular condition defined by variation of unevenness of breaking strength. The coagulation condition of each filaments in the tow is positively changed according to periodic changes in the filament's passage by contacting a deviation bar disposed in the filament's passage.