Abstract: A method for forming a high-velocity gas stream stably, which comprises jetting out a gas having an oxygen content of 0 to 2% by volume under pressure from a jet opening having an inside wall made of a platinum-group metal and maintained at a high temperature. This method effectively prevents the consumption of a jet opening made of a platinum-group metal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing fibers from a heat-softening material in which the heat-softening material is heated to a viscous melt, and directly and continuously flowed out while its sectional shape being rendered substantially circular. High speed gas streams having a component in the tangential direction of the circular sectional surface of the melt and a component which approaches the central axial line of the melt towards the flowing direction of the melt and then departs from the central axial line are jetted out onto the melt that has been flowed out. The high speed gas streams cause the melt to rotate around its central axial line and transform it into a substantially conical shape whose cross section gradually decreases towards its flowing direction in a first zone. In a second zone subsequent to the first zone, the melt is caused to advance in the form of fiber from the tip of the cone in the flowing direction and outwardly in the radial direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing fibers from a heat-softening material in which the heat-softening material is heated to a viscous melt, and directly and continuously flowed out while its sectional shape being rendered substantially circular. High speed gas streams having a component in the tangential direction of the circular sectional surface of the melt and a component which approaches the central axial line of the melt towards the flowing direction of the melt and then departs from the central axial line are jetted out onto the melt that has been flowed out. The high speed gas streams cause the melt to rotate around its central axial line and transform it into a substantially conical shape whose cross section gradually decreases towards its flowing direction in a first zone. In a second zone subsequent to the first zone, the melt is caused to advance in the form of fiber from the tip of the cone in the flowing direction and outwardly in the radial direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing fibers from a heat-softening material in which the heat-softening material is heated to a viscous melt, and directly and continuously flowed out while its sectional shape being rendered substantially circular. High speed gas streams having a component in the tangential direction of the circular sectional surface of the melt and a component which approaches the central axial line of the melt towards the flowing direction of the melt and then departs from the central axial line are jetted out onto the melt that has been flowed out. The high speed gas streams cause the melt to rotate around its central axial line and transform it into a substantially conical shape whose cross section gradually decreases towards its flowing direction in a first zone. In a second zone subsequent to the first zone, the melt is caused to advance in the form of fiber from the tip of the cone in the flowing direction and outwardly in the radial direction.

Abstract: A humidity-sensitive sensor, especially useful on the window of an automobile with the sensor on the inside surface of the glass. The sensor has a pair of spaced electrodes and a humidity-sensitive coating composed of a hydroscopic resin extending over the pair of electrodes. The resin can be an acrylate resin or a methacrylate resin, and preferably is a resin which has a volume change of at least 10% in response to a 50% change in humidity. Dispersed in the resin are electrically conductive particles, preferably in an amount of from 20 to 60% by volume of the amount of resin. The sensor, prior to its use in an operating device, is preferably exposed to a high humidity condition and a low humidity condition at least thirty times in order to stabilize it.