Abstract: A glass fiber-forming feeder having a bottom wall having a network of internal passageways interconnecting the field of orifices extending therethrough, and a method for producing such bottom walls is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the breakage of glass fibers comprising: feeding a supply of molten glass through an orificed wall to form glass streams; attenuating the glass streams to form a plurality of glass fibers; gathering the glass fibers into glass strands; forming the glass strands into a wound package; determining when a break has occurred in the fibers; determining the location of such break; and positioning a stream of fluid at the orificed wall at the location of the break to inhibit further breakage of fibers that are adjacent to the location of the break.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to method and apparatus for forming glass fibers wherein a fiber forming feeder has a bottom wall comprised of a substrate and a control layer arranged to form reticulated indentations around the orifices therein to promote the movement of molten glass from a disrupted orifice to an adjoining orifice wherein attenuation is continuing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of producing glass fibers employing a tipped or tipless annular bushing plate from which fibers are drawn as an annular array. A cooling gas, such as air, is directed into contact with the bushing plate and with either, or both, the exterior and interior of the annular array.

Abstract: The present invention embraces apparatus and methods of forming mineral fibers, such as glass. Such invention comprising a mineral fiber forming bushing bottom wall comprising a plurality of tubular members attached together at adjacent sides to form a rigid structure adapted for flow of molten mineral material through the tubular members to form a layer of molten mineral material along the undersurface of the tubular members and rod members projecting below the undersurface of the tubular members. The rod members are attached to the tubular members and are adapted for flow thereon of the molten mineral material from the undersurface of the tubular members for attenuation into fibers.

Abstract: The present invention embraces an apparatus for, and methods of, forming mineral fibers, such as glass. Such invention comprising a mineral fiber forming bushing bottom wall comprising a base plate and elongated members projecting downwardly from the exterior undersurface of the base plate. The base plate is of a porous material such as a sintered, foamed or fusion bonded material to form a rigid structure adapted for flow of molten mineral material therethrough to form a layer of molten mineral material along the exterior undersurface thereof. The rod members are adapted for flow thereon of the molten mineral material from the flooded exterior undersurface for attenuation into mineral fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for finishing a plate having projections extending therefrom comprising reinforcing the projections of the plate with a material which can be removed without damage to the projections, cutting the projections to desired length, and removing the material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for introducing a first strand into a continuously moving second strand are provided by positioning the first strand in spaced relation along the length of the continuously advancing second strand, and laterally moving the first strand to engage the continuously moving second strand such that the first strand is continuously advanced with the second strand.

Abstract: A feeder is provided for supplying molten mineral material in the form of streams. The feeder comprises a bottom wall member, two side wall members and two end region members, each comprising an end wall portion and portions extending from the end wall portion on three sides thereof to form a bottom wall portion and two side wall portions, the bottom wall member and the side wall members being affixed to the bottom wall portion and the side wall portions, respectively.

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: Method and apparatus for introducing a first strand into a continuously moving second strand are provided by positioning the first strand in spaced relation along the length of the continuously advancing second strand, and laterally moving the first strand to engage the continuously moving second strand such that the first strand is continuously advanced with the second strand.

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: The present invention embraces a winder for collection of linear material into a wound package. The winder comprises a driven rotatable collet upon which linear material is collected as a package in a package collection region. The collet includes a temporary collection region adjacent the collection region.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for simultaneously winding two linear elements into strand packages.

Abstract: The present invention embraces method and apparatus for winding a linear element into a package.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for collecting linear material on wound packages including the steps of supplying linear material, rotating a first collet having a package collection region and a temporary package collection region, winding the linear material on the collection region of the first collet, rotating a second collet having a package collection region and a temporary collection region the second collet including a fixed member for engaging linear material during transfer of such material from the first to the second collet, laterally moving the advancing material along the first collet from the package collection region to the temporary collection region, contacting the linear material advancing to the first collet with the second rotating collet in the temporary collection region to engage the linear material on the member to move the linear material with it and thereby to begin collection of the material in the temporary collection region of the second collet to sever the