Abstract: A duct assembly is employed for directing a central air flow upwardly toward the rotating spinner assembly of a rotary-type fiberizer that produces a downwardly flowing column of fibers. The central air flow eliminates the low-pressure zone that normally occurs beneath the spinner assembly of conventional fiberizers. The cross-sectional profile of a lower portion of the duct is vertically elongated where the duct passes through the fiber column so as to facilitate the flow of the fiber column over the duct. A shielding member can be positioned to deflect the central air flow away from the spinner assembly and against the interior of the fiber column to insulate the spinner assembly from the relative cool air flow. In another embodiment, a conduit extends through the fiberizer spinner assembly and directs a cooling gas beneath the spinner assembly within the interior of the fiber column.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing one or more physical properties of wet-laid or dry-laid fiber mats, such as a glass fiber, cellulosic or polymeric fiber mats are disclosed and fiber mats made according to such processes. Certain embodiments of the methods involve vibrational compression of a wet-laid or dry-laid fiber mat. In some embodiments the methods produce a fiber mat having increased apparent density and/or tensile strength as compared to a mat that has not been vibrationally compressed. Exemplar fiber mats suitable for use in the disclosed methods include, for example, glass, polyolefin, ethylene terephthalate, or cellulose fibers, or mixtures thereof. Glass, cellulosic or polymeric fiber mats that are structurally improved by the disclosed methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a wireless telephone (14) and a personal computer (18) having a wireless telephone interface (24). The wireless telephone (14) is equipped with a personal computer (PC) function key (22) for activating PC controlled functionality. More particularly, when the PC function key (22) is activated, the wireless telephone (14) signals the PC it is ready to receive PC controlled functions. Thus, a menu of options may be transmitted from the PC (18) to the wireless telephone. The user clicks the desired selection to activate or interact with the corresponding program on the personal computer (18).

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a wireless telephone (14) and a personal computer (18) having a wireless telephone interface (24). The wireless telephone (14) is equipped with a personal computer (PC) function key (22) for activating PC controlled functionality. More particularly, when the PC function key (22) is activated, the wireless telephone (14) signals the PC it is ready to receive PC controlled functions. Thus, a menu of options may be transmitted from the PC (18) to the wireless telephone. The user clicks the desired selection to activate or interact with the corresponding program on the personal computer (18).