Abstract: Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for making a continuous fiber product by gathering a plurality of fibers into a strand in contact with a pad wheel that is driven with a low voltage, variable speed motor or drive, and controlling the RPM of the motor in response to a breakout detector. Other embodiments further include accelerating the RPM of the motor and pad wheel at a desired ramp-up rate following the resumption of desired fiberization.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and an idler roll. The improvements include one or both of a shield having an air jet at or near its upper end, the shield being upstream of the blade roll and spaced from the blade roll, a lower end of the shield being spaced from the working surface, the air jet communicating with a source of compressed air, to prevent a buildup of fuzz or chopped item(s) upstream of the blade roll, and a shield having an air jet at or near its upper end, the air jet being located close to the working surface and the shield angling or curving downward from a location spaced from the working surface beginning between about an 8 O'clock and a 10 o'clock position on the backup roll and transitioning generally downward ending at a location below and spaced from the idler roll to protect the idler roll from chopped item(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.