Abstract: An apparatus for determining the stem content of a mass of plant leaves including a size reduction and classifying mechanism for separating the leaves into a stem and lamina portion and a means for introducing the leaves into the reduction and classifying mechanism. A dryer is utilized to reduce the moisture to a proper content for separation and classifying. The separated stem and lamina portions are transported to a scale mechanism which weighs the separated stem and lamina portions to permit calculation of the stem content of the leaf mass.

Abstract: A tension measuring apparatus measures the tension in a tow band being advanced under tension. The apparatus includes a sensing roll which is carried by a pair of torsion bars which carry strain gages. The apparatus occupies little space while defining relatively long moment arms for the torsion bars, so as to be highly sensitive, yet compact in design. The sensing roll can be swung between operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: Polyester polymer is extruded at different speeds through groups of parallel closely spaced orifices at relatively high spinning speeds. The resulting filament have high and low shrinkage regions substantially regularly spaced apart along their length. A yarn including a number of these filaments spontaneously develops crimp when relaxed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for cutting a tow of continuous filamentary material into staple fiber of mixed cut length, with some lengths being below 3/4 inch and some lengths above 3/4 inch. The improved cutter comprises asymmetric means for supporting at least the blades which cut the shortest filaments. It is preferred that the blade disposition within a quadrant of the cutting be similar to the blade disposition in the opposed quadrant. The apparatus facilitates cutting without blockage and/or blade breakage.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved yarn package, process and apparatus. The improved package has particular utility in automated processes for making melt spun yarn. Broadly, the invention comprises (a) a cross wound package of melt spun flat filament yarn that is characterized by the yarn's outer end being pile wound in a compact bunch on the cross wound package's surface, the yarn end comprising at least twenty pile turns, the pile turns comprising upstream pile turns and downstream pile turns, and wherein the upstream pile turns partly underlap the downstream pile turns; and (b and c) modifications to conventional process and conventional apparatus for winding yarns, in order to make such packages, particularly at speeds greater than 3000 mpm.

Abstract: A yarn of a synthetic, fibre-forming, polymeric material comprising a plurality of filaments having a substantially rectangular cross-section and having a birefringence assymetry across the width of the filaments, each of the filaments being twisted about the longitudinal axis of the filament in such a manner that the overall lateral dimension of the twisted filament corresponds substantially with the length of the rectangular cross-section of the filament.

Abstract: Provided is a process for forming and modifying a self-crimping polyester yarn comprising a plurality of polyester filaments having thick and thin regions along their lengths which are out of phase from filament to filament. The plurality of filaments are produced by first forming a plurality of combined streams of molten melt spun polyester by combining at least first and second extruded molten streams of fiber forming polyester travelling at different extrusion speeds to thereby form thick and thin regions in the combined streams out of phase from other combined streams. The combined streams are then quenched and thereby transformed into solid filaments in a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester.

Abstract: A cutting wheel for cutting continuous filamentary tow comprises first and second axially spaced carrier plates which are rotatable about a common axis. An annular row of cutter blades extends between the carrier plates, each blade having a radially outwardly facing cutting edge for cutting the tow. At least four connecting plates have opposite ends affixed to respective carrier plates to prevent mutual separation of the carrier plates in the axial and radial directions. Each connecting plate is aligned with an associated one of the blades and is positioned radially inwardly relative thereto and has a thickness substantially the same as that of the associated blade. The connecting blades as a group provide a substantial portion of the resistance against mutual separation of the carrier plates in the axial and radial directions. The blades as a group transmit a substantial portion of the torque between the carrier plates.

Abstract: A melt-extrusion process is disclosed for reducing the birefringence variability of melt-spun yarn made at high pack throughputs. It involves extruding polymer at an average mass-flow rate through a first group of orifices (defined by specific location in the spinnerette), that is greater than the mass-flow rate of polymer through a second group of orifices (also defined by location in the spinnerette). It is preferred that a spinnerette be used in which the dimensions of the orifices differ from group to group in a defined manner.

Abstract: A greige fabric containing a polyester yarn having high and low shrinkage regions along the filaments, out of phase from filament to filament, is bulked by shrinking the unrestrained fabric, then heating the fabric sufficiently to make the fabric elongate in the direction of the polyester yarn.

Abstract: Polyester reinforcement fibers are treated to improve adhesion to rubber by applying a dissolved aromatic urethane coating to the fibers followed by coating the fibers with a resorcinol-formaldehyde latex and then heating the fibers sufficiently to convert the aromatic urethane to an aromatic isocyanate and applying to and curing a layer of rubber on said treated polyester fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved partially oriented polyester yarn finish which consists essentially of from about 50 to about 90 weight percent of one or more high molecular weight ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers having an ethylene oxide content such that the ethylene oxide in the copolymer constitutes less than about 25 weight percent of the finish; from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of one or more alkyl chain based lubricants, a major amount of which has a smoke point within the range of from about 155.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.; and an emulsifying amount of base neutralized fatty acid such as potassium oleate.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester fibrous material for incorporation into rubber bearing an adhesive activator finish comprising as the active ingredient, an epichlorohydrin ether or ester derived from a polyhydric alcohol or polycarboxylic acid containing up to about 20 carbon atoms. Adhesive activated fibers of the invention can obtain a degree of adherence to rubber equal to or closely approaching adherence provided by epoxy adhesive activated polyester fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved multi-filament polyester fibrous material for incorporation into rubber which bears a topcoat comprising the combination of a dissolved, active isocyanate compound together with an endcapped silicone glycol copolymer. The multi-filament polyester material of the invention exhibits improved initial and long term adhesion to rubber and rubber articles prepared from the material of the invention exhibited improved endurance properties.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the formation of a high performance polyester multifilament yarn possessing a high strength and an unusually stable internal structure rendering it particularly suited for use in industrial applications at elevated temperatures. The filaments are melt spun and uniformly quenched under relatively high stress conditions to yield an as-spun filamentary material of relatively high birefringence which is passed in-line from the quench zone to a first draw zone provided at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the as-spun filamentary material, for example at ambient temperature, where it is drawn. Subsequent drawing follows to achieve at least 85 percent of the maximum draw ratio of the as-spun filamentary material.

Abstract: Molten polymer streams are separately metered to the individual capillaries of a combined orifice, rendering the yarn produced less dependent on the capillary dimensions.