Abstract: A conveying mechanism 11 conveys a mat material M along a first conveying path 11A and then downwardly along a second conveying path 11B while holding the material M between first and second conveyor belts 20, 30. The second conveying path 11B oscillates about a fulcrum defined by a downstream point 23A on the first conveying path 11A. A reciprocating mechanism 70 causes a substantially horizontal reciprocating motion of the discharge end of the mat material M from the second conveying path 11B, and also imparts a force which urges the discharge end in the reversal direction to accelerate said discharge end on reversal. In this manner, the collection of cotton takes place evenly across the folded areas of the piled-up material M, thereby increasing the effective width and reducing the amount of edge trimming from the folded areas.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for drying/curing a dry material such as a mat of fibrous or powder material as may be used for building purpose as well as a non-dry material such as a thermosetting resin are disclosed. The disclosure relates to the sealing function during the drying/curing step. The apparatus comprises a heating and blowing mechanism for drying/curing a mat as it is being conveyed by a conveyor mechanism including pair of upper and lower conveyors, and shield mechanism for shielding between the conveyor mechanism and the heating and blowing mechanism. The shield mechanism includes wire brushes on blowing boxes of the heating and blowing mechanism for abutment against caterpillar plates of forward runs of respective conveyors to seal between the caterpillar plates of the forward runs and the blowing boxes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing short inorganic fibers is disclosed. A molten inorganic raw material is supplied to a rotating rotor which rotates at high speed. A gas stream delivery port jets a gas stream in surrounding with the rotating rotor. That surface of the rotating rotor which is in direct contact with a melt is formed with a deposited layer of high temperature, erosion resistant coating material.