Abstract: An apparatus and process for the production of a composite thread of glass and of organic material wherein continuous filaments of thermoplastic organic material are mixed in the form of a sheet with a bundle or sheet of glass filaments, with the speed of the thermoplastic filaments during their penetration into the bundle or sheet of glass filaments being greater than the speed of drawing of the glass filaments.

Abstract: An extrusion head (14) for producing yarn from a heat-plasticized material, including at least one body (16) defining a chamber (15) for distributing plasticized material over a plate (38) having extrusion openings formed therein. The chamber is supplied by an upper side channel (19) and comprises a downwardly decreasing cross-section of downward flow over at least a portion (24) of the vertical length of the chamber. This decrease is arranged to generate compressive and shear stresses over time in the plasticized material between the side supply channel (19) and the bottom of the chamber (27), said stresses being respectively substantially the same regardless of the path taken by said plasticized material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a composite thread formed by the association or blending of continuous glass filaments and continuous filaments thermoplastic organic matter. The thermoplastic filaments are, while in the form of a sheet, blended with a cluster or sheet of glass filaments after having been heated to a temperature in excess of their transformation temperature, stretched and then cooled in their stretched state.

Abstract: The process of manufacturing a thermoplastic organic material containing reinforcing fibers and optionally mineral materials and organic additives by combining the fibers and materials in an extruder, and introducing at least some of the organic material into the extruder in the form of continuous filaments or fibers.

Abstract: Drawing, from a first installation, organic filaments in the form of one or more layers which converge toward a same point, and drawing, from a second installation, glass filaments which are joined together to form at least one strand. Guiding structure is provided to laterally introduce the glass strand into the area defined by the organic filaments before it is combined with the filaments at their point of convergence. A blowing device (48, 36) is also provided either outside or inside the area defined by the organic fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a strand composed of organic filaments and glass filaments for use in the production of composite materials. This apparatus comprises at least one die, which is supplied with molten glass, and at least one drawing head, which is supplied under pressure with organic thermoplastic material, and from which are simultaneously drawn continuous filaments that are combined to form a composite strand. The drawing head comprises a central passage through which filaments of glass are drawn, and is shielded by a hood. The top of the hood includes an opening situated in the centerline of the passage, and the bottom of the hood is formed of a wall which surrounds the drawing head and extends below the level of the bottom of the head. The drawing head is connected with a device for cooling the organic filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for the direct production of a composite yarn or ribbon of continuous reinforcement fibers and a thermoplastic organic material. The process includes drawing reinforcement fibers from molten glass, driving or extruding a thermoplastic organic material, converging the paths followed by the reinforcement fibers and the organic material toward one another, and joining the organic material and fibers in at least one composite yarn or ribbon. An apparatus for conducting this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is described for deflecting a continuous yarn moving along a first to a second path to lay flat on a surface of an upstream roll of a pair of rolls at least adjacent a cutting zone defined by the circumferential contacting surfaces of the rolls of a cutting machine. The first path of movement is above and in a zone between the sides of one roll, the blade-carrying roll, which may comprise either the upstream or downstream roll, and the yarn is deflected at such time that it is being drawn at an operational speed of movement and at a speed equalized with the drawing speed of movement of other yarns.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting threads into predetermined lengths. The device has a first rotatable smooth faced drum and a second rotatable blade bearing drum having a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced cutting blades on the outer periphery thereof. Centrifugal force responsive means comprising fins connected to a deformable ring are positioned between the blades and on rotation of the drums act to press a thread onto the smooth faced drum. The blades are connected to the blade bearing drum only at their ends.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for cutting continuous strand or roving, particular strands of mineral material such as glass, into short lengths is disclosed. The apparatus employs a rotatable drum equipped with a large number of radially disposed cutting blades, the drum cooperates with a supporting device for supporting the strand as it is cut. Ejector bars are maintained in position on the drum between adjacent cutting blades by elastic mounting members that receive the ends of the ejector bars. The elastic mounting members cause the ejector bars to compress the strand against the support drum as the strand is being cut and, in conjunction with centrifugal force arising from rotation of the drum, to eject the cut pieces of strand from the cutting drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting threads, particularly threads formed of mineral substances such as glass, are disclosed. A rotating drum carrying a plurality of radially extending cutting blades operates in conjunction with a rotating support drum which carries and supports the thread for cutting by the cutting blades. Ejector elements carried by the cutting drum and positioned in the spaces between the cutting blades are urged radially outwardly by centrifugal force and compress the thread against the surface of the support drum. The ejector elements then serve to strip cut sections of the thread from between the blades as the cutting blades move away from the support drum. Compressed air is supplied to the spaces between the cutting blades to remove waste material resulting from the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting threads, particularly threads formed of mineral substances such as glass, are disclosed. A rotating drum carrying a plurality of radially extending cutting blades operates in conjunction with a rotating support drum which carries and supports the thread for cutting by the cutting blades. Ejector elements carried by the cutting drum and positioned in the spaces between the cutting blades are urged radially outwardly by centrifugal force and compress the thread against the surface of the support drum. The ejector elements then serve to strip cut sections of the thread from between the blades as the cutting blades move away from the support drum. Compressed air is supplied to the spaces between the cutting blades to remove waste material resulting from the cutting operation.