Abstract: Apparatus for the production of glass filaments is provided comprising a feeder for supplying streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments, means for attenuating the streams into filaments and an environmental control means adapted to remove heat from the fiber forming region comprised of a plurality of fin-like members positioned between the streams of molten glass being attenuated into filaments, the first end of said members being permanently secured to a first cooling manifold and the second end of said members being releasably positioned within notches in a second manifold.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of glass filaments is provided comprising a feeder for supplying streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments, means for attenuating the streams into filaments and an environmental control means adapted to remove heat from the fiber forming region comprised of a plurality of fin-like members positioned between the streams of molten glass being attenuated into filaments, the first end of said members being permanently secured to a first cooling manifold and the second end of said members being releasably positioned within tapered notches in a second manifold.

Abstract: A method for producing fibers from molten mineral material in which the heat sink provided by air induced to flow in the direction of the bushing by the moving fibers is replaced during a period of fiber forming interruption by a secondary flow of air directed toward the bushing during the interruption.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mixing molten glass as it flows from a bushing block into a bushing is disclosed. The bushing block is divided into a plurality of sections and the glass is flowed in a plurality of streams for intermixing prior to entry into the bushing.

Abstract: Improved construction for bushings used to produce glass fibers is provided. Such bushings commonly have thin side and end walls of precious metal defining a glass-melting chamber, with a bottom in which fiber-forming tips are located. Refractory material is located around the side and end walls. When the bushings are heated to operating temperatures, the metal walls tend to expand more than the refractory material and, particularly with larger bushings, the walls can buckle and crack since full expansion of the walls is prevented by the refractory material. To overcome this, it has been found that the bushings can be constructed with space between the metal walls and the refractory, with the space equalling the difference in expansion of the two materials. The space is formed by layers of heat-removable material, such as wax which melts out as the bushings are heated.