Abstract: A method of inserting a fill yarn on an air jet loom includes propelling a fill yarn with one or more air jets from the insertion side to the exit side of the loom, where the yarn comprises a strand of individual filaments, the strand having a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape, and where the flat spots provide increased drag for propulsion by the air jets.

Abstract: A method of collecting strand includes rotating a collet to wind the strand into a package, traversing the strand from end to end of the package so that the strand is wound in a helical pattern on the package, contacting the package with a roller bail at edge portions at each end of the package, pressing the package with the roller bails, thereby causing the strand to flatten as it is wound in the edge portions to create a strand having periodically occurring flat spots, and controlling the flattening of the strand by controlling the pressure of the roller bails on the package. The flattening of the strand can also be controlled by controlling speed of the traverse of the strand.

Abstract: A self supporting, helically wound package of yarn suitable for being payed out by withdrawing the yarn without collapse of the package is disclosed. The yarn comprises a strand of individual filaments, the strand having a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape. The package has edge portions positioned axially at the ends of the package, and the flat spots are positioned in the edge portions of the package.

Abstract: A fiber insulation product comprising hollow fibers. Each hollow fiber may be composed of at least two different thermoplastic insulating materials, such as glasses, having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with each of the hollow fibers being an irregular-shape exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material. An apparatus for making hollow fibers for such a product is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making an insulation product of hollow fibers whereby molten insulation material is centrifuged through a plurality of orifices and gas is directed into the molten insulation material through a plurality of gas conduits, wherein each gas conduit directs gas into one of the portions of the molten insulation material being centrifuged through one of the orifices to form a hollow fiber having a hollow bore formed therethrough. The hollow fibers are combined to form the insulation product.

Abstract: A woven fabric of warp yarn and fill yarn uses a strand of individual filaments for the fill yarn, where the strand has a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape, where the effect of the flat spots is differentiated fill yarn in the woven fabric.

Abstract: In a method for producing hollow mineral fibers such as glass fibers, molten glass is supplied to a rotating glass spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner rotates so that molten glass is centrifuged through a first tube positioned at least mostly inside the peripheral wall of the spinner in an orifice to form fibers. Gas is introduced into the interior of the molten glass to form hollow glass fibers. A second tube positioned inside the first tube includes an inlet in the wall of the first tube, wherein the orifice and first tube are adapted to allow gas to be introduced through the inlet from outside the peripheral wall. The hollow glass fibers are then collected to form a product such as a mat.

Abstract: A fiber insulation product comprising hollow fibers. Each hollow fiber may be composed of at least two different thermoplastic insulating materials, such as glasses, having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with each of the hollow fibers being an irregular-shape exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material. An apparatus for making hollow fibers for such a product is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing composite strands. The apparatus comprises a heated bushing for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous first fibers; a drawing device adapted to draw the streams into the first fibers; supply equipment for supplying one or more second fibers of a second material; one or more applicators for applying a size to the first and second fibers; and a device for gathering the first and second fibers into one or more composite strands. The composite stands are made by drawing glass fibers from the bushing; applying sizing to the glass fibers and the second fibers; contacting the fibers with a heated contact plate to dry the fibers; and then commingling the fibers to form one or more composite strands.

Abstract: In a method for producing hollow polymer fibers, molten polymer is supplied to a rotating polymer spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner rotates so that molten polymer is centrifuged through a first tube extending through the peripheral wall of the spinner to form fibers. Gas is introduced into the interior of the molten polymer to form hollow polymer fibers. The hollow polymer fibers are then collected as a product such as a mat. The hollow polymer fibers produced by the method are microfibers having an average outside diameter of from about 2.5 microns to about 62.5 microns.

Abstract: A strand deflector widens the band of fibers from a continuous strand mat pull wheel. The strand deflector defines a plate having a surface with discontinuities such as a pattern of transverse parallel grooves or oblique intersecting grooves. The plate is disposed below the pull wheel and is coupled to and oscillates with the spoked wheel disposed within the pull wheel. The band of fibers impinges upon the plate at a acute angle and is deflected, broadening the width of the band, typically from four to five inches to ten to twenty inches. Higher throughputs and faster line speeds are thus possible for continuous strand mat production lines.

Abstract: A feeder for the production of hollow glass filaments is comprised of tip assemblies wherein a tube positioned in the stream defining member is in communication with the gas in the fiber forming region immediately below the dischrge wall to form a gas filled void in the stream and filament.

Abstract: A feeder system for the production of glass filaments is provided with a shallow layer of molten glass over the discharge wall in combination with a flow control means adapted to regulate the depth of the layer to provide dripless and non-dripless operation as desired. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from the idled orifices is desired.

Abstract: A tapered fiber and method and apparatus for making is provided in which the fiber has an increasing cross-sectional dimension in one direction along a portion of its length, and a decreasing cross-sectional dimension in the same direction along the same portion of its length.

Abstract: A method and appartus for making non-circular mineral fibers, and the fibers produced thereby, comprises flowing a stream from a body of molten mineral material through a non-circular orifice, and quenching the mineral material in the stream to form a mineral fiber having a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making non-circular mineral fibers, and the fibers produced thereby, comprises flowing a stream from a body of molten mineral material through a non-circular orifice, and quenching the mineral material in the stream to form a mineral fiber having a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method for making mineral fibers comprising discharging molten glass as primary molten streams from orifices and joining at least one primary stream to an adjacent primary stream to form a coalesced stream of different cross-sectional shape from that of the orifices, and hardening the coalesced stream into a glass fiber having a cross-sectional shape similar to the shape of the coalesced stream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for fluidically attenuating streams of material into filaments wherein the blower is designed according to a number of parameters to provide a stream of working fluid at sonic velocity.