Abstract: The invention is particularly related to the problems of dispersing fiber to obtain a uniform distribution. The invention includes tapered ducts oriented at an appropriate angle relative to the horizontal for redirecting and decreasing the speed of an air stream containing fiber therein such that the fiber precipitates from the air stream and falls gently to form a uniform fiber bed in a bin.

Abstract: A rate control system to deliver a constant throughput for batt forming equipment that forms the batts by maintaining a pressure gradient across fibers deposited on a rotating condenser screen, the weight of a moving fiber batt is continuously measured as it passes over an inclined slide mounted on load cells. This measurement is converted electronically to a rate value which is then used with the pressure gradient signal to control the delivery of fiber to the condenser screen by adjusting the speed of the feed rolls used to feed the fiber to the condenser screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleanly and consistently cutting certain nonwoven fabrics, specifically spunlaced fabrics. The apparatus comprises a pin bar doff knife having one or more rows of closely-spaced, pointed, parallel pins attached perpendicularly to a bar. When the pin bar doff knife is tensioned against a spunlaced fabric to be cut, the pins act to disentangle individual fibers making up the fabric. The result is a very clean fabric cut when used on either lightweight or heavyweight spunlaced fabrics. In particular, the pin bar doff knife produces consistent cuts in heavyweight spunlaced fabrics made of polyester fibers and/or aramid fibers having very high fiber stiffness.

Abstract: A gate/loading arrangement which balances applied gate force betweem the edges of tow being crimped in a stuffer box crimper. A single hinged gate has been replaced with two or three equal sized gates and force is applied to the gates from an air cylinder through a pivotal linkage.

Abstract: A spinneret assembly which includes a filter bed holder containing a filter element. The filter element increases in porosity from its center to its periphery.

Abstract: The addition of a circumferential groove in the inner peripheral surface of the ring gasket made of cold-flowable metal induces diametrical expansion of the gasket during compression.