Abstract: A continuous rod of a product such as a cigarette filter material is coated with a treating liquid by being passed axially through a cylindrical applicator zone comprising a permeable cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall being concentrically enclosed within a reservoir and manifold zone connected to a source of liquid. The feed supply for the liquid additive can be pressurized and/or heated, so that application of the additive can be in either liquid or vapor form. The process and apparatus of this invention may be used alone or in conjunction with prior art homogeneous applicators and processes.When used to apply a plasticizer to a rod of continuous filament tow, e.g. for use in producing cigarette filters, annular regions of varying concentrations of the plasticizer are produced in the rod. A relatively dense region of plasticized fiber can be produced on the outside of the filter. Filter rods having wrapping paper uniformly adhered about the periphery of the rod can be produced.

Abstract: A bale of goods, particularly textile goods, and method of forming the same includes covering the bale of goods with a cover and then strapping the bale with at least one tensioned strap which encompasses the bale. A restraining tape extends generally transversely over the strap and is affixed (preferably by means of adhesive) to the strap and to portions of the cover laterally adjacent to the strap. The restraining tape thereby positionally and attachably secures the strap to the bale and defines a zone of the strap in which the strap may be severed to minimize outward lashing thereof thereby promoting a greater measure of safety to personnel.

Abstract: A skinless hollow fiber of a cellulose ester material is formed by providing an aqueous coagulation bath having a tube-in-ring jet immersed therein and extruding a spinning solution comprising at least one cellulose ester material and a solvent therefor directly into the bath through an annulus surrounding the tube of said tube-in-ring jet while simultaneously allowing a portion of the liquid in the bath to be autogenously aspirated through an opening in the tube, located below the surface of the liquid in the bath, and through the tube thereby forming a lumen in the extruded fiber and then drying the extruded fiber.

Abstract: A system for monitoring each of multiplicity of variables in the operation of a filter rod making machine includes sensors located at various points on the machine. These sensors measure the value of such variable parameters as the width of the tow, the alignment of the wrapping paper, the speed of the rollers and the level of plasticizer. Each measured value is compared against preset limit values in a microprocessor. If a variable is detected to be outside a range of acceptable values, an indication of this fact is displayed on a monitor. In response to this indication, an operator can decide whether to override the limit value or take corrective action. If corrective action is to be taken, the microprocessor causes a diagnostic chart to be displayed. This chart provides the operator with a sequence of troubleshooting steps that can be taken to isolate the source of a possible problem and perhaps correct it before there is a need to arrest the operation of the machine.

Abstract: Textile fibers are crimped by rotating opposed crimping rolls about spaced rotary axes to force-feed the fibers through a nip defined by the rolls and into a stuffer box. A pair of cheek plates are pressed against the ends of the rolls such that a front face of each cheek plate retains the fibers against lateral displacement from the nip, and such that the center of each cheek plate is offset relative to the nip in a direction toward one of the rotary axes. Lubricant is pumped through a passage extending centrally through each cheek plate and onto the front face thereof.

Abstract: A continuous rod of a product such as cigarette filter material is coated with a treating liquid by being passed axially through a cylindrical applicator zone comprising a permeable cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall being concentrically enclosed within a reservoir and manifold zone connected to a source of liquid. The feed supply for the liquid additive can be pressurized and/or heated, so that application of the additive can be in either liquid or vapor form. The process and apparatus of this invention may be used alone or in conjunction with prior art homogeneous applicators and processes.When used to apply a plasticizer to a rod of continuous filament tow, e.g. for use in producing cigarette filters, annular regions of varying concentrations of the plasticizer are produced in the rod. A relatively dense region of plasticized fiber can be produced on the outside of the filter. Filter rods having wrapping paper uniformly adhered about the periphery of the rod can be produced.

Abstract: In the crimping of textile fibers, opposed rolls are rotated to force-feed the fibers through a nip defined by the rolls and into a stuffer box. A pair of cheek plates are pressed against the ends of the opposed rolls such that a front surface of each cheek plate engages ends of both rolls adjacent the nip to retain the fibers against lateral displacement from the nip. Atomized lubricating liquid is sprayed toward an inlet of the nip and against portions of the ends of the rolls approaching the nip, and against backsides of the cheek plates.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) produced by direct esterification of a mixture containing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid in a mole ratio ranging from about 1.05 to about 1.35 dl/g, with at least about 325 parts of an antimony catalyst per million parts of polymer product, can be treated to reduce its acetaldehyde content and acetaldehyde generation rate and increase molecular weight to the levels required for the production of beverage bottles. After heat treatment to produce a crystallinity of at least about 10 percent, the PET can be used in molding after substantially conventional pre-drying and drying steps in air at the molding facility. The invention thus allows beverage bottle grade PET to be produced and prepared for molding without the conventional step of solid state polymerization or stabilization, saving energy, time, production costs and capital investment.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved feedstock package for a spiraling machine. The package comprises filamentary yarn having a twist of less than 5 tpi wound around a king spool. In contrast to prior art cone packages, the invention significantly reduces package distortion and threadline breakage in high speed spiraling operations employed in, for example, making reinforced plastic hose. Preferred embodiments include the yarn being greige yarn and the package rotational speeds on the spiraling machine being at least 1,400 rpm.

Abstract: A winder for filamentary material includes a cutter/aspirator which severs a filament and sucks-in same under negative pressure. The filament travels through a stiff tube while the cutter/aspirator and tube are lowered toward a filament throw-on device as a filled package is being replaced. The stiff tube is connected to a saddle which is mounted on a driven endless belt. The belt travels across an open side of a vertical chamber. A waste duct communicates with the chamber to create a negative pressure therein which is communicated through the belt and to the tube. As the tube is lowered, it is maintained continuously in communication with said chamber to conduct the filament to waste.

Abstract: A two stage process for the production of polybenzimidazoles and a novel polybenzimidazole produced there by is provided wherein a mixture of an aromatic tetraamine, e.g., 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminobiphenyl and a free dicarboxylic acid, e.g., isophthalic acid, is heated with agitation in a first stage to a temperature above the melting point of the tetraamine until the viscosity of the mixture rises as indicated by an agitator torque of at least 1.5 times that before the rise in viscosity. The agitation is then discontinued and the reaction mixture is allowed to foam while heating is continued. The foam is then allowed to cool to a friable mass and is crushed to a ground prepolymer which is heated with agitation in a second stage until the desired polymer is obtained. The novel polybenzimidazole produced is the reaction product of phenylindandicarboxylic acid and 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminobiphenyl.

Abstract: A method of sizing thermoplastic foamed cigarette filter rods and apparatus therefore. The apparatus comprises a rotating drum member having a plurality of stationary heated block members mounted about the periphery thereof. The block members are positioned such that a specific gap is created through which the thermoplastic polymeric filter rods are rolled and compressed to a uniform circumference.

Abstract: A doffing/donning apparatus is used in combination with a row of winders each of which winds filamentary material upon a tube carried by a rotary spindle of the winder to form a package. The apparatus comprises a carrier mounted for movement generally parallel to and above the row of winders. A column is mounted on the carrier for horizontal movement. A package exchange arm is mounted on the column for up-and-down movement and is alignable with the winder spindle so that the package can be transferred to the package exchange arm. A tube exchange arm is mounted on the column for up-and-down movement and is alignable with the spindle so that a tube on the tube exchange arm can be transferred to the spindle. A shuttle is spaced horizontally from and vertically above the row of winders, and includes a package transfer arm and a tube transfer arm. The package exchange and tube exchange arms are moved along the column to the level of the shuttle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed process and apparatus suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter rods having high tow utilization in terms of pressure drop per unit rod weight without producing substantial tow density variations. In accordance with this invention, it has been discovered that in a process for manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow, wherein said tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet positioned adjacent a compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, that filter rod pressure drop and weight variations are reduced by aspirating at low pressures and more specifically, at fluid pressures of not more than about 3 pounds per square inch gauge and by causing the aspirating fluid, at its point of contact with the continuous filament tow, to flow substantially in a direction axial to that of the tow.

Abstract: The present invention provides microporous hollow fiber with improved structural and performance characteristics and a process and apparatus for preparing the improved fiber. The microporous hollow fiber possesses substantially uniform wall thickness, cross-sectional dimensions and porosity. Such characteristics are obtained by melt spinning hollow fiber precursor under defined conditions in a substantially vertically upward direction and subjecting the precursor to a symmetrical quenching step which may be achieved using a hollow annular structure surrounding the precursor. The structure, which is connected to a source of gas, has one or more openings on its inner surface that distribute the gas against the precursor in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed processes and apparatus for the manufacture of cigarette filter rods. In accordance with this invention it has been discovered that in a process of manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow, wherein said tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet positioned adjacent a compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, that filter rod pressure drop and weight variations are reduced by causing the opened and deregistered tow to contact a drag inducing tow width and direction controlling means positioned substantially intermediate said mechanical forwarding means and said aspirating jet.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved feedstock package for a spiraling machine. The package comprises filamentary yarn having a twist of less than 5 tpi wound around a king spool. In contrast to prior art cone packages, the invention significantly reduces package distortion and threadline breakage in high speed spiraling operations employed in, for example, making reinforced plastic hose. Preferred embodiments include the yarn being greige yarn and the package rotational speeds on the spiraling machine being at least 1,400 rpm.

Abstract: Sintered bauxite particles having defined physical and chemical properties are disclosed as being surprisingly eminently suitable as filtration media for molten polymer, such as polyester polymer. Broadly, the particles have a roundness of at least 0.8, and an API standard mesh size of at least 12; in addition, such particles inherently contain significant amounts of ferric oxide. It is preferred that the sintered bauxite particles (i) be microcrystalline, and therefore sintered under critical conditions; (ii) exhibit high crush strength; (iii) be compaction and fracture resistant up to pressures of 6000 psi by defined permeability tests; and (iv) have an API standard mesh size not greater than 70. Also, the sintered particles may have a microporous internal structure and surface.Also disclosed is an improved annular melt-spinning pack, including a bed of sintered bauxite particles, and means for preventing the bed of free-flowing particles from being deformed during use of the pack.

Abstract: An improved stuffer box crimping apparatus of the type in which tow is fed into a rectangular cross-section crimping chamber off-set from the bite of a pair of feed rolls, the apparatus employing a crimping chamber wherein one wall is predominantly formed by a single doctor blade and an opposite wall is formed by a portion of the rotating surface of one of the cylindrical feed rolls of the feed roll pair, the doctor blade being pivotally mounted on the feed roll nearest the tip portion of the doctor blade. The cross-sectional area of the crimping chamber diminishes toward the exit portion thereof, whereby crimped filamentary material within the crimping chamber is subjected to both back pressure and a constant forwarding action by the rotating surface of the cylindrical feed roll. The pivotal mounting of the doctor blade provides precise clearance and allows the volume of the crimping chamber to adjust in accordance with tow variations.

Abstract: There is disclosed an object test procedure and apparatus for measuring web strength during carding. The test method determines the amount of air flow, transverse to the web, required to break a portion of the web under inline dynamic carding conditions. The test has utility in monitoring borderline conditions in production carding processes and as a research tool for evaluating proposed variants of man-made staple fibers.