Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of bonding fibers, especially for the production of nonwovens by a wet-lay process, wherein a polymer dispersion, containing an anionic or nonionic dispersant, and an aqueous solution, containing a dissolved cationic precipitant, are combined to cause fiber formation from precipitated polymer particles, which apparatus includes a feed funnel spaced above the bottom of a homogenization vessel with both a nozzle for introducing the polymer dispersion and a metering device for the precipitant, which are so arranged and aimed into the funnel that in co-operation with a stirrer a vortex is produced in a column of liquid in the feed funnel, and fibers are formed and broken up while passing through a turbulence chamber, located at the bottom of the funnel, and a gap into a homogenization chamber.

Abstract: A press for the production of particleboard from a preformed mat of wood particles and a suitable binder has spaced apart frames aligned one after the other and first and second parallel press platens movable toward and away from each other. The improvement comprises motivating structure connected between the first press platen and at least some of the frames for moving that platen to an extended position toward the second platen and against the preformed mat to thereby close the press. Dimensionally stable support structure positioned between the press frames and the first press platen maintains that platen at its extended position while preventing bending or arching thereof. Actuator structure connected between the press frames and the second press platen moves that platen toward the first platen and against the preformed mat while maintaining the second platen substantially parallel to the first to thereby press the preformed mat.

Abstract: A method for making an air-laid batt of fibers which utilizes a plurality of scarfing rolls to remove material from the surface of the batt, wherein the batt is reformed between at least two of the scarfing rolls in order to produce a more homogeneous web.

Abstract: A process for the repeatable production of shaped particles of various geometries from polymer dispersions, melts or solutions, wherein first particles are expelled by means of a rotating disk and are introduced while still liquid, in a radially outward direction, into a liquid precipitant or fixant film and the particles are thereby coagulated or fixed and also given an additional structure and are transported away from the point of introduction.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a uniform web of dry fibers on a foraminous wire moving at speeds greater than 500 feet per minute including offset suction and air deflecting means within a fiber distributor for imparting a horizontal velocity component to the deposited fibers in the direction of the moving wire, also a method for depositing a uniform web of dry fibers onto a moving foraminous wire including imparting a horizontal velocity component to fibers deposited onto the wire in the direction of the wire by inducing a pressure gradient and baffling the air flow within a fiber distributor.

Abstract: A press for compacting comminuted material in the manufacture of pressedboard comprising a pair of steel pressing bands which are backed up in the pressing zone by roller bodies on endless chains carried through this zone between respective press platens and the bands. The chains have links which are folded into a zigzag configuration as they enter the zone and are drawn out into an extended configuration outside the zone.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing embossed, nonwoven fibrous products comprising the steps of subjecting a binder-treated fibrous dry laid web to a low cure treatment to obtain a moldable web with good physical integrity; embossing the low cure treated web; and fully curing the web.

Abstract: Granular solid particles, in particular hard, comminuted material of any given shape, are kept continuously in relative movement in a funnel-shaped container by means of a stream of liquid whereby they are rounded off. The rounded-off particles are suitable as filler material for wear-resistant coatings.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing dry-pressed molded articles from essentially dry, pourable ceramic metal or carbon-containing molding compound in a mold of one or more parts, it is proposed to generate a negative pressure through the mold wall in the hollow space of the mold and, by means of the pressure difference generated as a result, to propel molding compound which is under pressure, for example, atmospheric pressure, through an injection opening into the hollow space of the mold and to precompress the molding compound in the mold while deaerating the molding compound, and that subsequently, the pneumatically precompressed molding compound is compression molded into a molded article having the desired final density.

Abstract: Fly ash is agglomerated into pellets in order to render it environmentally harmless and suitable for dumping. The fly ash is mixed with water in an unclassified condition and formed into green pellets which are heated in a two-stage heating process. In the first heating stage carbon in the pellets is rapidly gasified while iron present is not reduced below Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4. In the second heating stage, the pellets are rapidly sintered. The whole heating process is less than 60 minutes and to permit this rapid heating, the pellets must be of sufficient porosity to withstand the rapid gasification of the carbon and the rapid sintering without breaking up.

Abstract: In the production of fibers by blast drawing in which primary filaments are produced from a liquid stream, reduced to fibers and drawn on passing through a draw nozzle by drawing gas streams flowing substantially parallel to the primary filaments, the improvement which comprises surrounding the drawing gas streams over at least part of their length and inside the draw nozzle in the direction of flow by parallel boundary gas streams having at most the same flow velocity as the drawing gas streams.

Abstract: A method for making acoustical tile having a pattern of raised portions and portions in relief on the tile surface is provided by contacting deformable, acoustical tile fiber composition pulp with a hollow embossing roll containing the pattern in reverse and interstices communicating from the surface of the roll into the hollow interior of the roll; pressing the roll against the deformable pulp with sufficient force as to dispel the pulp; vent air, between the roll and the pulp surface, through the roll and produce the reversed pattern of the roll upon the pulp surface; and releasing the pulp from the surface of the roll by rotation of the roll.

Abstract: Solid products of spheroidal shape and having a maximum diameter of 1 to 5,000 microns are prepared starting from a mixture of at least two immiscible, mutually chemically inert liquids, one of which is in the form of a molten solid, said liquids being prsent in the mixture in a ratio such that one forms the dispersed phase while the other is the continuous phase, at least the liquid forming the dispersed phase being one which solidifies on cooling.

Abstract: A process, with the associated apparatus, forms molded articles from binder-containing organic fibres. The process uses pressure to achieve temperatures of more than 100.degree. C. The material is preferably in the form of fibrous mats containing up to 50% heat-hardening binder and having a processing moisture content of more than 5% and preferably 10 to 25%. The compression of the material structure takes place in a single mold stroke, optionally accompanied by additional shaping. With the mold closed, steam pressure is produced during the minimum curing time of the binder in a closed, material-containing volume. The mold is maintained at a superatmospheric pressure. Additional steam can be introduced before or during this time.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the preparation of a self-sustaining hydrophobic backing layer which also possesses excellent electrical conductivity so that it can serve as an intermediate layer between the current distributor and the active layer of a complete oxygen cathode. Said backing layer is formed by a simple process in which an intimate liquid dispersion containing finely divided carbon black and not more than equal parts by weight of PTFE particles ranging in size from about 0.05 to about 0.5 microns is dewatered and shaped into a thin layer which is thereafter lightly pressed and consolidated at elevated temperatures. Preferably, the carbon black is an acetylene black of a particle size range between 50 and 3000 Angstroms and the weight proportion of same is greater than the PTFE.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming strands from moldable confectionary substance has two cooperating nip rollers which are each provided in their circumferential surfaces with axially alternating circumferentially complete grooves and ridges, the ridges of each roller entering into and sealing the grooves of the other roller. A device is provided for supplying a ribbon of moldable confectionary substance to the nip between the rollers so as to be formed into strands in their respective grooves.

Abstract: A central station of a belt-type particleboard press, serving to compact a prepressed mat of wood particles and binder prior to its conversion into particleboard in a final station, comprises a multiplicity of mutually identical frame elements with aligned windows traversed by a pair of platens bracketing upper and lower stretches of two conveyor belts between them, these belt stretches entraining the mat along a horizontal path. The frame elements form supports spaced along the path, each support consisting of one or more such elements and carrying a group of hydraulic rams acting upon the upper platen to place the mat under a pressure which peaks in an upstream zone, decreases in an intermediate zone and levels off in a downstream zone of its path.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a containment vessel having a sidewall and a bottom plate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottom plate and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, and release means associated with the sidewall to inhibit deposition of the particulate metal on the sidewall.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for the production of particulate metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to a bottom plate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottom plate, the nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between the vesel and the external source of metal, the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal, a source of atomizing gas flowing through the nozzle means into the vessel, and means for removing depositions in the bore including a source of purging gas directable into the bore.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to a bottom plate, a source of metal external to said vessel and nozzle means carried by said bottom plate, said nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between said vessel and said external source of metal, the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of said vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent said source of molten metal. Further, the apparatus comprises a source of atomizing gas flowing through said nozzle means into said vessel and means for redirecting said atomizing gas flowing into said vessel into said central bore to remove deposition in said bore.