Abstract: A feeder system for the production of glass filaments is rendered dripless or non-dripless on demand by controlling the pressure of the air in contact with the streams and beads of the orificed discharge wall. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from idled orifices is desired.

Abstract: A feeder for the production of glass filaments is provided with a shallow layer of glass over the discharge wall in combination with a fluid filled cavity capable of being pressure regulated to render the operation dripless or non-dripless as desired. Preferably, the feeder is rendered non-dripless when the restart of filament formation from idled orifices is desired.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a novel apparatus and method for the manufacture of glass fibers utilizing a bushing confining a body of molten glass over an orifice plate which may or may not have depending tips. Interposed in the glass body is a plate or other device for reducing the pressure of the molten glass body over the orifice plate to a pressure no greater than atmospheric pressure. The orifices are of relatively large diameter incapable of imposing a substantial pressure drop on molten glass flowing therethrough. Each tip contains a pool of molten glass at no greater than atmospheric pressure and, during fiber attenuation, a forming cone is drawn from the pool in each tip. The cones are located in the tips, each cone is smaller than the surrounding tip and each cone is stabilized on the interior tip wall by an annular glass portion integral with the cone. The process is dripless, since upon fiber interruption at any given tip, the molten glass pool remains in the tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting breakage of glass fibers comprising illuminating the fibers with electromagnetic radiation and sensing a variation in the amount of radiation scattered by the fibers as an indication of a break of said fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the average diameter of a plurality of glass fibers, comprising illuminating the fibers with electromagnetic radiation, sensing radiation scattered by the fibers and generating a signal responsive to the amount of radiation sensed as an indication of the average diameter of the fibers; such signal can be used for measurement and/or control of the fiber producing process.

Abstract: The present invention embraces apparatus and methods of forming mineral fibers, such as glass. Such invention comprising a mineral fiber forming bushing bottom wall comprising a plurality of tubular members attached together at adjacent sides to form a rigid structure adapted for flow of molten mineral material through the tubular members to form a layer of molten mineral material along the undersurface of the tubular members and rod members projecting below the undersurface of the tubular members. The rod members are attached to the tubular members and are adapted for flow thereon of the molten mineral material from the undersurface of the tubular members for attenuation into fibers.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, processing heat-softened fiber-forming material comprising a bushing block. The bushing block has a wall defining a passage for accommodating flow of heat-softened material from a supply into a fiber-forming bushing. The bushing block further includes insulating means comprising an insulating space surrounding the wall and a radiation shield surrounding the insulating space.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softened fiber-forming mineral material, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments and particularly embraces a bushing block arrangement having one or more glass flow passages configurated to provide a minimum of contact of the bushing block with the glass in the flow passage or passages to stabilize the operating characteristics of a bushing or stream feeder, effect conservation of heat and improve bushing performance.