Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a band of rectangular cross section having at least two layers of material. The apparatus includes means for advancing a first band along a predetermined linear path and means for guiding a second band into layered alignment with the first band. The apparatus further includes a roll around which the second band is partially wrapped prior to contacting the first band, the second band having an initial tangential contact position with the roll along a line on the surface thereof extending generally axially with respect to the roll. The roll is tiltable in a plane defined by the axis thereof and the initial tangential contact position of the second band, whereby the lateral take-off position of the second band may be controlled by tilting the roll so as to guide it into aligned juxtaposition with the first band to form a layered, substantially rectangular tow band.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for spinning filaments from a material such as cellulose acetate dope. The filaments are spun from a spinnerette at the top of a vertically elongated spinning cabinet. Gas is first directed parallel to the filaments as they are spun. A short distance down the cabinet, gas is directed radially inwardly toward the filaments. The two flows of gas merge and flow parallel to the filaments to the bottom of the cabinet, where the gas is withdrawn radially outwardly from the filaments.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for filtering particles and gels from cellulose ester dope by passing the dope in plug flow through a tubular filter so as to cause particles and gels to migrate towards the center of the stream and shear forces along the filter walls to reduce the viscosity so that the boundary layer will exude through the filter walls. The concentrate containing the particles and gels is thereby separated from the filtrate.

Abstract: Tows of fibers are wrapped around a mandrel or a central fiber core to form a cylindrical filter. At least one belt is located in position to make essentially linear contact with the cylindrical filter, and the at least one belt is driven so as to draw the tows of fiber onto and wrap the mandrel or the central fiber core and so as to move the cylindrical filter axially relative to the mandrel or with the central fiber core.

Abstract: Rapid cut-off apparatus for high speed moving yarn whereupon any excessive force exerted upon the yarn causes the apparatus to be triggered into a yarn cut-off operation with the apparatus being accelerated to the speed of the moving yarn upon frictional engagement of the cut-off blade of the apparatus with the yarn.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a continuous strand into predetermined lengths, wherein a cutting head having an array of cutting blades rotates around its axis, a strand winding device rotates around an axis intercepting the axis of the cutting head for positioning and winding continuous strand around the array of cutting blades, a toroidal strand guide member is spaced equidistant from the strand winding device to control the travel of the continuous strand to the strand winding device and cutting head, and a strand cut-off device is operative at time of tie-up of the continuous strand to the apparatus for severing the connection of the continuous strand from an air doffer used in the tie-up operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting a strand into predetermined lengths, wherein a cutting head having a plurality of cutting blades forming a cutting zone rotates around one axis and a strand winding device rotates around an axis intercepting the other axis and at a significantly higher rate of speed than the cutting head so that the strand is received and stored in cutting position in the cutting zone in the form of multiple crossing windings prior to cutting, and pressure is applied against the windings and toward the cutting blades to cut the strand into such predetermined lengths.

Abstract: Device in a tow baler for transferring accumulated layers of filamentary tow, which are temporarily stored in an accumulating chamber and supported on a horizontally slidable hold-up slide, from the accumulating chamber to the tow baling chamber below without undesirably sliding and entangling the tow layers as the hold-up slide is slidably withdrawn from beneath the accumulated layers.

Abstract: An ends-down sensor device for detecting breakage or absence of a cabinet end of filamentary yarn, involving a cylindrical roller seated upon a fixed center post with the center of gravity of the roller causing it to rotate relative to the center post in one direction and activate a suitable signal device when a cabinet end breaks or becomes missing; and upon a cabinet end frictionally engaging the cylindrical roller, causing the roller to rotate relative to the center post in the opposite direction and deactivate the signal device.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for tying-up yarn to and for forming a transfer tail on one or more textile yarn package tubes mounted on the same yarn winder mandrel, each yarn package tube having a groove and a corner, which is formed in one of the side walls of the groove, with which the apparatus cooperates to make the tie-up and to form the transfer tail.

Abstract: In a transfer tail apparatus of the type disclosed in the Newman et al. U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 524,902, filed Nov. 18, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No.