Abstract: A strand collecting apparatus and method of the type in which the strand is split into bundles and advanced by, and wound onto, a rotating collet is disclosed. The strand is traversed linearly of the axis of rotation of the collet by the rotation of a rotating strand traverse. The strand traverse is oscillated in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the collet, and a strand splitter oscillates in phase with the strand traverse to guide the strand into engagement with the strand traverse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity of materials is provided. A test specimen is placed intermediate a hot plate and a cold plate, and a heat flow sensing means is placed intermediate the material to form two portions of the test specimen. A guarded hot plate measurement of the heat flow to the hot plate enables calibration of the sensitivity of the specimens and the heat flow sensing means. The apparatus is then calibrated for measurement of other specimens of like physical properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the entanglement of a first strand and a moving second strand are disclosed. A member having a passageway therethrough for the passage of the second strand is adapted for the circumferential positioning of the first strand. Means are provided for repositioning the first strand from the member into circumferential entanglement with the second strand by reducing the circumference of the member.

Abstract: A twister apparatus and method in which filamentary material is wound onto rotating bobbins are provided. A guide rail reciprocates within a range for distributing the filamentary material onto the bobbins, and the guide rail range itself is reciprocated along the height of the bobbins to distribute the filamentary material over a plurality of portions of the bobbins. Means for measuring the yardage of the filamentary material onto the bobbins is provided. Means responsive to a predetermined yardage for determining the presence of the guide rail within one of a plurality of predetermined portions of the bobbins is provided. There is also provided means for discontinuing the movement of the guide rail at a preselected position within the range of reciprocation of the guide rail.

Abstract: A testing method and apparatus for measuring the frictional force between abrasive surfaces and a fibrous mat are disclosed. The measure of the frictional force gives an indication of the looseness of the bonding of the fibers on the surface of the mat.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for supplying glass to glass melters, the glass specifically being glass bodies in the form of marbles or balls. The marbles are fed by gravity from a hopper to melting units therebelow through flexible supply chutes. Between the hopper and the supply chutes are ejector chutes for ejecting pieces of broken marbles prior to reaching the flexible supply chutes, to avoid jamming therein. The ejector chute has at least one elongate opening extending the length thereof and of a size to pass through broken marbles.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a size to a strand comprises a reservoir for storing the size, an applicator surface on which the strand contacts the size, and a conduit to deliver the size from the reservoir to the applicator surface as a film. Means is provided for altering the configuration of the conduit to alter the thickness of the film.

Abstract: A mathematical model for estimating the mass flow rate of a fluid stream free falling from an overhead orifice by measuring the stream's diameter is presented. The model is particularly applicable for determining the mass flow rate of a free falling stream of molten glass typically supplying a glass wool centrifuge commonly used in the manufacture of glass fiber insulation. A method for automatic control of the molten glass flow to a typical glass forming operation based upon the model is also presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of depositing material into a moving receptacle is disclosed. A traveling discharge device moves across a receptacle while discharging material into the receptacle. The discharge device uses the receptacle itself as its frame of reference and thus can compensate for imperfections in both the speed and the path of the receptacle.

Abstract: Roving or beaming method and apparatus are provided in which a combined strand is produced from feeder packages. The passage of the strands from each feeder package is sensed, and the cessation of passage of strand from any one of the feeder packages results in the addition of a strand from an auxiliary package. Where strands are unwound from hollow feeder packages the auxiliary strand can be inserted into the interior of a feeder package for engagement with one of the feeder strands being unwound.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of packaging a linear fibrous element in a rotated perforated cannister by withdrawing air from the cannister through its bottom wall to move air through the package during package formation to prevent freedom of movement to the element in the package and simultaneously withdrawing air uniformly from all sides of the cannister through its perforated sidewalls to reduce air turbulence in the cannister to promote ordered collection of the fibrous element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the art of manufacturing glass fibers by the rotary process. A flow controller is located immediately downstream of the rotor means, stabilizing the fiber veil flow parameters. Mass addition to the boundary layer along the flow controller profile is employed to maintain the flow controller temperature and reduce the occurrence of fibers striking the controller.

Abstract: A die for impregnating yarn is provided with a die insert having a minimum inside diameter. An inlet duct opening into the die has walls with length L, the walls sloping at an angle within the range of from about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees. The length of the inlet duct is within the range of from about 10 to about 25 times the minimum inside diameter of the die insert. The maximum diameter of the inlet duct is within the range of from about 15 to about 35 times the minimum inside diameter of the die insert.

Abstract: A strand collecting apparatus and method of the type in which the strand is advanced by, and wound onto, a rotating collet are disclosed. The strand is traversed linearly of the axis of rotation of the collet by the rotation of the strand traverse, and a strand guide means oscillates in phase with the strand traverse to guide the strand into engagement with the strand traverse. The oscillation of both the strand guide means and the strand traverse is sensed, and the oscillation of the strand guide means or the strand traverse is altered responsive to the sensing to maintain the oscillation of the strand guide means in phase with the oscillation of the strand traverse.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for supplying streams of molten glass including: a feeder with a chamber having an opening for supply of glass marbles for conversion to a molten body; a bottom wall for the chamber having orifices for discharging the molten glass as streams; means for heating the feeder; and a surface above the molten glass effective to reflect radiation so that reflected radiation is concentrated in a chamber where unmelted glass is present during melting.

Abstract: A nozzle is disclosed in which streams of fluid are discharged from an apertured chamber into a skirt. The skirt has vanes to facilitate stream-like non-turbulent flow of the fluid. The skirt walls are divergent to allow for expansion of the fluid.

Abstract: A heating unit for converting batch mineral material to molten glass is disclosed. The unit includes a receptacle for the flowable material, heating elements for supplying heat to the flowable material, and movably mounted bus bars for supplying electrical energy to the heating elements, where the bus bars are movable to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the heating elements.