Abstract: Apparatus for the production of glass filaments is provided comprising a feeder for supplying streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments, means for attenuating the streams into filaments and an environmental control means adapted to remove heat from the fiber forming region comprised of a plurality of fin-like members positioned between the streams of molten glass being attenuated into filaments, the first end of said members being permanently secured to a first cooling manifold and the second end of said members being releasably positioned within tapered notches in a second manifold.

Abstract: A heating unit for converting batch mineral material to molten glass is disclosed. The unit includes a receptacle for the flowable material, heating elements for supplying heat to the flowable material, and movably mounted bus bars for supplying electrical energy to the heating elements, where the bus bars are movable to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the heating elements.