Abstract: A duct assembly is employed for directing a central air flow upwardly toward the rotating spinner assembly of a rotary-type fiberizer that produces a downwardly flowing column of fibers. The central air flow eliminates the low-pressure zone that normally occurs beneath the spinner assembly of conventional fiberizers. The cross-sectional profile of a lower portion of the duct is vertically elongated where the duct passes through the fiber column so as to facilitate the flow of the fiber column over the duct. A shielding member can be positioned to deflect the central air flow away from the spinner assembly and against the interior of the fiber column to insulate the spinner assembly from the relative cool air flow. In another embodiment, a conduit extends through the fiberizer spinner assembly and directs a cooling gas beneath the spinner assembly within the interior of the fiber column.

Abstract: Methods of modifying fibers, such as glass fibers, are disclosed. The modified fibers can be used, for example, in a lead acid battery.

Abstract: Disclosed are glass compositions and glass fibers formed from certain embodiments of the disclosed glass compositions. Certain embodiments of the glass compositions include, among other components, bismuth oxide. Certain embodiments of the glass composition include about 0.5–30% bismuth oxide of the composition by weight and silica oxide at about 54–70% of the composition by weight. Embodiments of the glass compositions may also include other components. For example, zinc oxide can make up about 0.01–5% of the composition by weight.

Abstract: Methods of modifying fibers, such as glass fibers, are disclosed. The modified fibers can be used, for example, in a lead acid battery.

Abstract: Disclosed are glass compositions, glass fiber compositions, glass fiber battery separators, glass fiber filter media, battery additives and active materials formed with glass compositions disclosed, glass fiber radiation shields, and glass fiber paper compositions. Certain embodiments include, among other components, bismuth oxide. Certain embodiments include about 0.5–30% bismuth oxide of the composition by weight and silica oxide at about 54–70% of the composition by weight. Embodiments may also include other components. For example, zinc oxide can make up about 0.01–3% of the composition by weight.

Abstract: Enhancement of cellulosic paper products with coarse diameter glass wool fibers (average diameter of from about 5.5 &mgr;m to about 11 &mgr;m) results in stronger, more air resistant, and less hygroexpansive paper products. Paper products comprising cellulose pulp and coarse diameter glass wool fibers are disclosed. Additionally disclosed are methods for making coarse diameter glass wool fiber enhanced cellulosic paper products.

Abstract: Low-boron, high-barium glass compositions and fine-diameter glass fibers for forming clean room HEPA and ULPA filters, are provided. The compositions and resulting glass fibers preferably comprise a low concentration, less than about 1 weight percent, of boric oxide, a relatively high concentration of barium, such as from about 5.5 to about 18 weight percent barium oxide, and a concentration of alkali oxide ranging from about 10 to about 14.5 weight percent. Alumina is preferably present in the glass fiber compositions and the resulting glass fibers in a range of from about 4 weight percent to about 8 weight percent, and calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are preferably present in a range of from about 1 weight percent to about 6 weight percent and from about 0 weight percent to about 3.5 weight percent, respectively. The glass fiber compositions also preferably include from about 2 to about 6 weight percent zinc oxide, from about 0.1 to about 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are glass compositions and glass fibers formed from certain embodiments of the disclosed glass compositions. Certain embodiments of the glass compositions include, among other components, bismuth oxide. Certain embodiments of the glass composition include about 0.5-30% bismuth oxide of the composition by weight and silica oxide at about 54-70% of the composition by weight. Embodiments of the glass compositions may also include other components. For example, zinc oxide can make up about 0.01-5% of the composition by weight.

Abstract: Low-boron, high-barium glass compositions and fine-diameter glass fibers for forming clean room HEPA and ULPA filters, are provided. The compositions and resulting glass fibers preferably comprise a low concentration, less than about 1 weight percent, of boric oxide, a relatively high concentration of barium, such as from about 5.5 to about 18 weight percent barium oxide, and a concentration of alkali oxide ranging from about 10 to about 14.5 weight percent. Alumina is preferably present in the glass fiber compositions and the resulting glass fibers in a range of from about 4 weight percent to about 8 weight percent, and calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are preferably present in a range of from about 1 weight percent to about 6 weight percent and from about 0 weight percent to about 3.5 weight percent, respectively. The glass fiber compositions also preferably include from about 2 to about 6 weight percent zinc oxide, from about 0.1 to about 1.

Abstract: Low-boron, high-barium glass compositions and fine-diameter glass fibers for forming clean room HEPA and ULPA filters, are provided. The compositions and resulting glass fibers preferably comprise a low concentration, less than about 1 weight percent, of boric oxide, a relatively high concentration of barium, such as from about 5.5 to about 18 weight percent barium oxide, and a concentration of alkali oxide ranging from about 10 to about 14.5 weight percent. Alumina is preferably present in the glass fiber compositions and the resulting glass fibers in a range of from about 4 weight percent to about 8 weight percent, and calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are preferably present in a range of from about 1 weight percent to about 6 weight percent and from about 0 weight percent to about 3.5 weight percent, respectively. The glass fiber compositions also preferably include from about 2 to about 6 weight percent zinc oxide, from about 0.1 to about 1.

Abstract: A fully automated, microprocessor controlled, fiber baling apparatus for converting loose, discontinuous fibers into compressed, high-density fiber bales is disclosed. The fiber baling apparatus produces fiber bales having preselected and substantially identical masses with weight tolerances below one percent of the total bale weight. The fiber baling apparatus includes a conveyor located downstream of a fiber-forming chain, a baler having a first hopper, a second hopper mounted on a scale and a compression assembly, a bagger/strapper assembly, a bag sealer, and a bale lifting system. The fiber baling apparatus separates the fibers into separate mat portions rather than operating to form bales from a continuous stream of fibers. The separate mat portions of fiber are transported by conveyor to the baler and the fiber mat portions are weighed, precompressed, and fully compressed into fiber bales.

Abstract: A liquid-impregnated flexible sheet includes high capillarity pores for retaining the impregnated fluid. The fluid may be an oil having a boiling point and vapor pressure sufficient to promote vaporization of the oil at room temperature. The vaporizable oil can function as a corrosion inhibitor making the sheet useful for wrapping metallic articles. A surfactant may also be added to the sheet to enhance corrosion inhibition. The sheet comprises a homogenous mixture of a polyolefin-based component and an inert filler. The sheet may be used alone or as one component of a composite that includes materials that have other desirable properties. The composite may be assembled into a container, such as a gun case.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics and methods and apparatus for their manufacture are disclosed. The fabrics have excellent mechanical strength and hand, and have a substantial uniformity of constituent fibers even at low basis weights. The fabric comprises chopped fibers of a synthetic polymeric thermoplastic material, which serve as binder fibers, and chopped fibers of a synthetic polymeric material which need not be a thermoplastic, which serve as bonded fibers. No extraneous binder materials need be present in the fabric. During manufacture, the binder fibers are uniformly dispersed in an aqueous liquid with the bonded fibers. The fibers are wet laid to form a web which is subsequently dried. During drying, the web is physically supported to prevent fracture. Also, during drying, the web is heated sufficiently to cause the binder fibers to bond to the bonded fibers, thereby forming the finished fabric.

Abstract: A battery separator comprises a fibrous mat which is filled with a mixture of very fine mineral powder and a binder resin. The mat may be either woven or nonwoven and the filler material generally comprises silicon materials. The binder in selected from a group of organic resinous or plastic materials, such as latex. The separator may further comprise a second attached mat of mineral or organic fibers or ribs. Further, the separator may be crimped or embossed if desired.

Abstract: The separator (20) comprises a mat of glass micro-fibers and a binder. The binder is an aqueous mixture of colloidal silica particles and a sulfate salt. The mat is impregnated with the binder, compressed, and dried into a rigid state that makes the separator easy to handle. The binder is formulated to release the mat from the compressed state contacted by the sulfuric acid electrolyte between the electrode plates (24, 26) of the battery. The mat expands against the electrode plates to provide the separator-to-electrode contact that is necessary for proper battery performance. The silica particles of the binder then facilitate oxygen transport between the battery electrodes (24, 26).

Abstract: A duct assembly is employed for directing a central air flow upwardly against the rotating spinner of a conventional fiberizer mechanism that produces a downwardly falling veil of fibers. The central air flow eliminates the low-pressure zone that normally occurs beneath the spinner assembly of conventional fiberizers. The central air flow is sufficiently cool to rapidly reduce the temperature of the fiber veil thereby to increase the tensile strength and elongation of the paper sheets produced from the fibers.