Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments. The apparatus comprises a feeder (20) for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous filaments, a drawing device (40) adapted to draw the streams into the filaments, and heat removal apparatus (50) located adjacent to the feeder for transferring energy in the form of heat away from a filament forming area adjacent to the feeder. The heat removal apparatus includes first and second manifolds (52a, 54) through which a cooling fluid circulates, a plurality of fins (56) having first and second ends (56a and 56b) and interface material (58). The first ends of the fins are associated with the first manifold and the second ends are positioned adjacent to the second manifold. The first ends may be fixedly connected to the first manifold. The interface material is interposed between the second manifold and the second ends to provide a path for energy in the form of heat to flow from the fins to the second manifold.

Abstract: A glass fiber attenuation apparatus and process wherein molten glass is supplied from a molten glass body to an orifice plate at substantially atmospheric pressure to prevent molten glass flow through an orifice at which attenuation has ceased, thus permitting continuation of the attenuation process despite breakouts at individual orifices. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of cooling the orifice plate undersurface to a non-wetting temperature and delivering molten glass to the orifice plate at a pressure less than the internal, surface tension-generated pressure of any bead formed on the undersurface of the orifice plate upon attenuation cessation at that orifice.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a system for at least partially drying or curing wet glass strand as it is being wound into a package wherein streams of heated gas, such as air, are directed into contact with the outer layer of strand being collected on a rotating collet. Preferably, the streams of gas have a specific orientation with respect to the layers of strand and are supplied at predetermined temperatures and velocities to maximize the drying effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for producing fibers from heat softened mineral material, such as glass. More specifically, this invention relates to an orifice plate for a glass fiber drawing bushing of the type having a flat undersurface and a plurality of orifices formed therethrough with the improvement comprising at least two sets of grooves formed on said undersurface, said grooves extending in intersecting relationship to divide said undersurface into a plurality of sections, said orifices being located within said sections. The grooves can have a width in the range of from aout 0.1 mm to about 1.2 mm and a depth in the range of from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. The orifice plate can comprise rod members at the intersections of the grooves with said rod members projecting beneath said grooves.