Abstract: A profiled gasket (40) for flanged joints of a lined piping assembly. An embodiment of a piping assembly includes first (10) and second (20) piping sections each terminated with a flange (15,25) and including a inner liner (12,22) having a flared portion extending radially outward along the flanges. The flared portions each define a convex liner end surface forming a gap therebetween having a narrow portion and a wider portion at the interior flow path of the piping assembly. In some embodiments, the gap may be generally V-shaped. The profiled gasket is disposed between the first and second flared portions to fill the gap when the flanges are drawn together so as to reduce or prevent accumulation of material in the gap. In one embodiment, the gasket includes a generally V-shaped portion. In further embodiments, the gasket may include recessed side surfaces which may be concave and rounded or angled in cross- sectional profile.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling falling staple fiber is disclosed. The apparatus employs air pressure within the sampler housing which is substantially equivalent to the air pressure within the fiber chute to be sampled, in combination with a rod-like sample probe having a smooth, convex fiber-sampling section at one rounded end and, opposite thereto, a mounting means engagement end, with at least one protrusion mounted on said fiber-sampling section at or near said rounded end.

Abstract: Static tow inverting apparatus for inverting the overlap of overlapping layers of a continuous length filamentary tow band of textile material deposited onto the surface of a moving conveyor in relaxed condition for treatment, such as in the thermal heat setting treatment of a band of tow which has been subjected to a mechanical crimping operation. The tow inverter comprises a pair of stationary plates which are disposed above the surface of a moving conveyor to receive a continuous length of tow in a plurality of overlapping layers thereon. The opposed surfaces of the spaced plates define a downwardly curving passageway for gravitational conveyance of the overlapping layers of tow through a reversing direction of movement to deposit the same on the surface of the moving conveyor with preceding layers of tow overlying succeeding layers of tow in the direction of movement on the conveyor.