Abstract: A filament guide assembly is provided with a support rod carrying a plurality of filament guides each for guiding a respective one of a plurality of filaments. A pair of support blocks mount the support rod at each end thereof to allow for (i) rotational movements between a raised position, wherein the filament guides are spaced from a respective one of the filaments, and a lowered position wherein the guides are in contact with the respective one of the filaments, and (ii) lateral shifting movements between an operative position, wherein the guides are aligned with the respective one of the filaments, and a rest position wherein the guides are laterally misaligned with the respective one of the filaments. Most preferably, the guide assembly is employed in combination with a finish oil applicator so that the guides bias the individual filaments into contact with finish oil nozzles thereof, and in so doing, ensure that positive contact between the finish oil nozzles and the filaments occurs.

Abstract: Novel bicomponent fibers have a polyamide domain and a contaminant-containing polymer domain which is embedded entirely within, and thereby completely surrounded by, the polyamide domain. The preferred bicomponent fibers have a sheath-core structure wherein the polyamide domain constitutes the sheath and the contaminant-containing polymer constitutes the core. Surprisingly, even though the core is formed of a contaminant-containing polymer (which is difficultly spinnable), the bicomponent fibers are readily spinnable and exhibit properties which are comparable in many respects to fibers formed from 100% polyamide. Preferably, the fibers are concentric sheath-core bicomponent fibers having an uncontaminated nylon-6 sheath and a core formed from nylon-6 having a relatively high level of contamination in the form of the cyclic dimer of caprolactam and/or nylon-6 derived from colored regenerated post-consumer nylon carpet fibers.

Abstract: A spin pot for spinning synthetic polymer fibers has a polymer filter, a spinneret downstream of the polymer filter, and an electroformed perforated screen positioned between the polymer filter and the spinneret. The screen is most preferably electroformed nickel and includes an annular non-perforated region which bounds a perforated central region. The electroformed perforations prevent debris that may become dislodged from the filter unit from blocking the spinneret orifices thereby creating undesired "slow-holes".

Abstract: Novel bicomponent fibers have a sheath domain and an core domain which is embedded entirely within, and thereby completely surrounded by, the polyamide domain. The core domain is annular and defines a longitudinally extending central void. The preferred bicomponent fibers have a sheath-core structure wherein the polyamide domain constitutes the sheath and a fiber-forming polyolefin polymer constitutes the core. The preferred trilobal bicomponent fibers will exhibit a modification ratio of between 2 to 4, an arm angle of between 7.degree. to about 35.degree., and a total cross-sectional void area between about 3 and about 10 percent. Each lobe of the fiber may optionally contain a lobal void space which, if present, is preferably radially elongate in cross-section.

Abstract: Fabrics containing melamine fibers are rendered more comfortable by carding the melamine fibers under vacuum so as to exhibit a narrower fiber diameter distribution (.delta..sub.d) and/or a narrower staple length distribution (.delta..sub.1) as compared to melamine fibers which are carded in the absence of vacuum. In addition, more comfortable melamine fiber-containing yarns are produced by spinning the staple fiber at a lower twist multiplier (TM) as compared to conventional melamine fiber yarns. Most preferably, the melamine fiber-containing fabrics and yarns will be blended with at least one other type of synthetic fibers, such as aramid fibers.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers have a primary core, and multiple secondary cores equidistantly radially spaced from one another and from the primary core. The primary and secondary cores are entirely embedded within (and thus completely encased by) a primary sheath. Optionally, the primary sheath may be entirely or partly surrounded by a secondary sheath. The primary and secondary cores may be spun from polymers having distinctly different or complementary properties which are surrounded by a sheath or sheaths formed of another polymer(s) which protects the cores.

Abstract: Novel bicomponent fibers have a polyamide domain and a contaminant-containing polymer domain which is embedded entirely within, and thereby completely surrounded by, the polyamide domain. The preferred bicomponent fibers have a sheath-core structure wherein the polyamide domain constitutes the sheath and the contaminant-containing polymer constitutes the core. Surprisingly, even though the core is formed of a contaminant-containing polymer (which is difficultly spinnable), the bicomponent fibers are readily spinnable and exhibit properties which are comparable in many respects to fibers formed from 100% polyamide. Preferably, the fibers are concentric sheath-core bicomponent fibers having an uncontaminated nylon-6 sheath and a core formed from nylon-6 having a relatively high level of contamination in the form of the cyclic dimer of caprolactam and/or nylon-6 derived from colored regenerated post-consumer nylon carpet fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the compatibility of random vinyl substituted aromatic/C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 conjugated diolefin polymer/asphalt mixtures comprising adding a modifier to said random vinyl substituted aromatic/C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 conjugated diolefin polymer/asphalt mixture selected from the group consisting of:(a) polymers containing an epoxy functionality(b) polymers containing a carboxyl functionality(c) monomers, oligomers, and polymers containing an amine functionality;(d) monomers, oligomers, and polymers containing an ester functionality; or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers and methods of producing the same are provided such that an inter-domain boundary layer is interposed between distinct domains formed of incompatible polymers so as to minimize (if not eliminate entirely) separation of the domains at their interfacial boundary. The polymer forming the inter-domain boundary layer therefore is provided so as to be compatible with the otherwise incompatible polymers forming each of the domains between which it is interposed.