Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling yarn coatings such as sizing are provided which includes nuclear radiation detectors which measure the attenuated radiation through processed yarn. Before and after radiation measurements are signaled to a computer which is programmed to generate a signal which controls squeeze rollers that adjust, according to specific size requirements. A second embodiment of the invention is provided for processing tire cord webs and utilizes digital line scan cameras in conjunction with the radiation detector sensors. Line scan cameras provide an opacity measure to determine yarn count and maintain an accurate density measurement even as lateral shifts in the web during processing occur.

Abstract: The invention provides an extruder die assembly for use in the production of fiber reinforced thermoplastic product which overcomes the problem of poor wetting of the fiber filaments. The die assembly also facilitates the production of fiber-reinforced products having high fiber concentration in the end product. The die assembly includes a cone-shape passage defined by decreasing radius from the inlet to the outlet. A plurality of pins are disposed within the passage. A thermoplastic melt is fed through the die assembly in the opposite direction to that of the fiber feed. As the fiber feed travels through the passage the pins spread the fibers helping to ensure that the molten thermoplastic thoroughly wets the fiber filaments.

Abstract: A method for continuously coating individual fibers of a fiber bundle with resin. The individual fibers are grouped at a single grouping pint defined by a first concave supporting surface. The fibers are directed through a resin bath while spreading the fibers apart on a convex surface in a regularly spaced arrangement to form a continuous coating of resin along at least a portion of the fibers. The convex surface is at least partially described by an arc rotated about a horizontal axis, and comprises at least a portion of a surface of maximum radius R which is symmetrical relative to a vertical plane of symmetry passing through the fiber grouping point.

Abstract: In the manufacture of coated optical fiber, fiber (21) is drawn from a preform (22) and is coated with one or preferably two layers (42,44) of light curable coating materials. Afterwards, the coating materials are cured. Increases in manufacturing line speed may be achieved if the cure speed of the coating materials is increased. This is accomplished by the simultaneous application of a magnetic field during irradiation of the curable coating materials to enhance the crosslinking of the coating materials by a free radical polymerization mechanism. Upon absorption of light, a photoinitiator in each composition cleaves to produce two free radical fragments in the spin paired or singlet state. The magnetic field has the effect of enhancing the production of spin parallel radicals which enhances the polymerization initiation of the coating material, thereby allowing an increase in the manufacturing line speed through drawing and coating apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a continuous fiber which includes (a) a coating composition container having an orifice in the bottom portion thereof; (b) means for introducing coating composition into the coating container; (c) a catch vessel positioned below the orifice in the coating container; (d) means for deflecting excess coating composition flowing through the container orifice into the catch vessel; (e) means for removing coating composition from the catch vessel and returning the same to the coating container; and (f) means for transporting a continuous fiber to be coated through the orifice and the coating composition in the coating container; wherein the orifice in the coating container is of sufficient diameter that the continuous fiber need have no contact therewith, and preferably, has no contact therewith.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for applying a moisture block compound to a stranded electrical conductor using a double twist buncher apparatus are disclosed. An oil, such as drawing oil, is applied to the outer layer of wires to prevent "rolling" of the moisture block compound to the exterior of the stranded conductor. An improved applicator is also disclosed for applying the moisture block compound to the core of the stranded conductor in a coating having a precisely controlled thickness.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved wiper head which includes a laminated wiper including a plurality of discrete layers of a fibrous material and means for bonding the layers to provide a unitary structure. A wiper holder is mounted adjacent an exit end of a tank and includes structure for supporting the wiper in a path of movement of the wire so that the wiper removes excess plating material from the wire.

Abstract: Crosshead deflector for extrusion wire coating, including a wire guide tube carried in a holder, which holder is mounted in the main bore of a main body; a radial passage enters the main bore to introduce molten plastic and the holder is formed to bring about even flow around the guide tube for application to the wire as it moves out of the tube.

Abstract: A yarn coating applicator includes a pair of yarn guide blocks and an intermediate delivery plate. The guide blocks include an opening which may be in the form of a slot at the edge of the guide block. The plate includes a supply means, such as an inlet, for providing the coating fluid to the plate and channels by which the treatment fluid is conveyed to fluid reservoirs in the applicator. The openings in the guide blocks communicate with the reservoir hole in the plate to provide a yarn passageway through the applicator.

Abstract: A finish applicator includes one or more applicator plates stacked adjacent a guide plate and preferably between a pair of guide plates, at least one of the guide plates having an opening formed therein forming a yarn passageway and positioning the yarn in close proximity to, or in contact with an edge of the applicator plate. Alternatively, the guide plate and applicator plate may each have one or more openings formed therein which in registry form a yarn passageway when the plates are stacked. The opening in the guide plates may define retaining arms which maintain the yarn to be treated in close proximity to, or in contact with a treatment edge of each applicator plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to composite materials formed by thermoplastic materials reinforced by fibers, and to methods and apparatus for forming such materials, where the thermoplastic and fiber components are such as to impart to the composite materials enhanced strength as compared with materials made previously to this invention. An important distinguishing characteristic of the disclosure is that advancing heated fiber is directed to move in one direction and while a flow of heated thermoplastic material is directed to move in a direction opposite to and in intimate impregnating enclosure of the advancing heated fiber, so that shear forces arising between the advancing heated fiber and the directed flow of thermoplastic material promote wetting and impregnation of the fiber by the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A double-coating cup for applying two protective coatings simultaneously to an optical fiber includes a body having an bore formed therein and provided with a plurality of first and second coating-material inlet channels. A die holder is positioned in the bore in the body and the outer surface of the die holder has first and second slots formed therein positioned opposite the first and second coating-material inlet channels, respectively. The die holder also has first and second radial bores formed therein which communicate with the first and second slots, respectively. A guide die having a bore formed therein is positioned in the bore in the die holder and has a bore formed therein. First and second die nozzles and an intermediate die guide positioned therebetween are disposed in the die holder bore.

Abstract: A method for applying polymeric coatings to fibers is disclosed and claimed. The method involves solution casting a film atop a liquid bath and radially advancing the pre-cast film to a central point where the fiber to be coated is drawn through the film so that a uniform coating is applied about the entire circumference of the fiber. The polymeric film is maintained in a swollen state to ease processing and promote adhesion.

Abstract: In order to coat successive increments of length of an elongated strand material such as an optical fiber (22), for example, with a marking material, for example, a liquid coating material (40) is circulated through an input section (85) into an inner chamber (71) of a housing (62) and outwardly through an output section (87) to be returned to a reservoir (39). Elongated strand material is advanced through an entry portion into and through the inner chamber wherein it is contacted by the liquid coating material being circulated therethrough. Afterwards, each successive increment of length is advanced through an exit die (73) which causes the liquid coating material to be formed into a layer of predetermined thickness on the elongated strand material.

Abstract: An applicator trap guide is used to guide and coat newly synthesized synthetic filaments with a protective coating. The trap guide secures the filament against slippage while allowing rapid insertion of a filament into the trap guide and providing visual monitoring of the coating process.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously coating individual fibers of a fiber bundle with resin, which comprises a first concave support surface for grouping the fibers of the bundle substantially at a single grouping point and a second, convex, support surface at least partially described by an arc rotated about its horizontal axis, having a maximum radius R, which at least approximately satisfies the relationship expressed in the following formula: wherein r designates the radius of the arc at distance x from the plane of symmetry, passing through fiber grouping point (P): ##EQU1## and wherein L designates the length of a tangent to the second support surface which passes through grouping point (P), in the plane of symmetry, and .phi. designates the radian angle formed between the tangent and the vertical line.

Abstract: An optical fiber resin coating device having a nipple and a die which each have gradually tapering holes through which the optical fiber is drawn. The die and the nipple have adjacent parallel flat surfaces which are spaced to created a gap through which resin is supplied by pressuring to be applied to the optical fiber. The gap between the die and the nipple and the tapered holes within the die and the nipple are all designed to produce a resin coating which is even and contains no air bubbles, especially at high optical fiber drawing rates.

Abstract: A hot dip metal strip coating apparatus includes at least one roll submerged in a bath of molten coating metal for guiding the strip through the bath. The submerged rolls are mounted on the ends of support arms by bearings including a pair of substantially flat metal surfaces disposed in planes parallel to and spaced from the horizontal axis of the roll shaft, with the planes of the flat surfaces intersecting one another at an angle within the range of about 60.degree. to about 135.degree.. The flat bearing surfaces are oriented to contact the roll shaft tangentially, with the load in the strip and the flat bearing surfaces supporting the roll during coating and the bearing permitting the free flow of liquid metal between the bearing and shaft on each side of the tangential line of contact of each flat surface with the shaft.

Abstract: Drawn optical fiber is provided with at least one layer of a coating material. The coating material typically is a UV curable material and provides the optical fiber with mechanical and environmental protection. It has been found that the temperature at which the optical fiber is cured has a pronounced effect on the modulus of the cured coating material. In order to provide a coated optical fiber of which the coating material has a desired modulus, the temperature of the coating material during cure is controlled by controlling the amount of energy of infrared wavelength which impinges on the coating material.

Abstract: The method of impregnating and the apparatus for impregnating a thin cord with a medicinal solution with the cord to be used in the dental field as an appliance for gingival retraction in conjunction with the teeth of a human being. The cord is immersed in a bath of the medicinal solution, moved from the bath to a squeezing roller assembly so that the medicinal solution evenly permeates the cord, removing excess solution, drying the cord and winding the cord on a wind-up reel prior to being dispensed to the consumer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a superconducting magnet comprising the steps of applying a bonding agent on a length of a superconductor by passing the superconductor through a bath of the bonding agent to thereby coat the superconductor with the bonding agent. The superconductor coated with the bonding agent is simultaneously wound to form a winding which is then hardened by heating for example to form a rigid winding without voids.

Abstract: In the gas jet wiping of galvanized wire strip or tube the gas jet wiping nozzle and, preferably a reactive gas containment vessel used for modifying the surface coating on the wire, are made in two or more non-annular parts which when abutted together form an annulus. The parts may be releasably held together in their abutted annular form until the wire, strip or tube requires to be rethreaded, then the parts can be separated from one another transversely of the direction of travel of the wire, strip or tube through the nozzle or containment vessel. The threading of the wire, strip or tube through an annular nozzle or containment vessel is thereby avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous manufacture of high temperature superconducting wires is disclosed. A core on which the superconductive ceramic substance is caused to directionally solidify from the melt is drawn through the melt in such a manner as to obtain an oriented microstructure conductive to high critical current carrying capacity. This also produces a macrostructure with appropriate mechanical strength and flexibility independently of the superconducting substance chosen.

Abstract: There is provided cross-head type die apparatus for applying a substantially concentric insulating layer to a conductor passing therethrough. Die assembly elements of novel structural combination are disposed within the substantially cylindrical cross-head such that they are in axial alignment with each other and the cross-head. In particular, a die insert or die tip has a front portion which tapers inwardly to substantially a point and includes an outlet orifice to guide the conductor along a passline towards a die orifice. A flow guide has a respective internal surface which tapers rearwardly to form a die orifice on its front surface. Cooperatively tapered surfaces securely fit the flow guide and the die tip within the cross-head axial bore such that a space is formed between the internally tapered surface of the flow guide and the front portion of the die tip. The die orifice and the outlet orifice of the die tip are axially aligned due to their respectively tapered fits within the cross-head.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for producing fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials having substantially reduced amounts of breakage of the fibers and substantially increased tensile strength. In the preferred embodiment, relatively large diameter rollers are used to guide the filaments through a slurry bath of powdered resin, and spray header means are provided in the slurry bath to forcefully contact the filaments with the resin in the slurry.

Abstract: The surface quality and luster of galvanized wire produced by the gas jet wiping method and cooled by jets of a cooling fluid may be improved by exposing the wire to a reactive gas atmosphere containing sulphide or chloride radicals after the wire has passed through the gas jet wiping nozzle and before it is contacted by the cooling fluid. The wire is exposed to the reactive gas atmosphere for a sufficient length of time to form a protective surface coating of metal sulphide or chloride.

Abstract: A yarn finish applicator includes a body providing a yarn contact surface including a slot with two side walls and a bottom. A passage extends to the slot through the body member so that finish is supplied to the slot by flowing through the passage. Heating capability is provided in the body member for heating the finish as the finish flows to the yarn in the slot.

Abstract: Apparatus in which glue is applied to an endless thread by running the thread successively through the bore of a nozzle needle and a nozzle aperture and, when the nozzle needle is retracted from a valve seat, coating the thread with glue which has been forced out of a surrounding chamber. The thread, together with this coating, passes through the nozzle bore. As soon as the nozzle needle is advanced up against the valve seat in the nozzle element, the glue feed ceases and coating ends, so that the thread takes with it at most only very small quantities of glue remaining in the nozzle bore and an exact cutoff of the glue coating is obtained. When the glue is injected around the thread, that is, when the glue is brought together with the thread under a specific pressure exerted on all sides, it is possible to obtain a substantially uniform coating of the thread surface with glue which allows all improved bonding of the thread over its length to the sheet-like structure.

Abstract: An in-line filament cleaner and adhesive applicator for an optical fiber (10) which is to be wound onto a canister (22) used as a missile data link, for example, has a first tank (14) containing a cleaning solvent (16), a second tank (18) containing a liquid adhesive (38), and pulleys (24, 26, 28, 34, 36) for moving the fiber (10) through tank (14) to be cleaned along an air path for drying, and through tank (18) where adhesive is applied. An adhesive thickness gauge (20) insures adhesive does not exceed a given maximum and a guid tube (40) directs the adhesive coated fiber at a predetermined angle for winding on the canister (22).

Abstract: A slotted yarn finish applicator in which yarn contacts the bottom of a slot provided with a passage through which finish is metered. The bottom surface of the slot is modified to include uniformly distributed depressions to improve performance.

Abstract: A machine suitable for fabricating a core material of resinated filaments has a frame having attachment points for filaments arranged linearly and a number of rods spaced apart and substantially parallel to the attachment points. The rods have one or more holes capable of receving a filament, and the rods are capable of displacement parallel to the plane of the attachment points. There is also a filament supply for passing filament from the attachment points via the rods, and a set of formers having pins capable of being located between the separated filaments following displacement by the rods. By operation of the machine and successive insertion of former, a shaped openwork structure of resinated filaments may be fabricated and which may be cured to produce the core material.

Abstract: A yarn finish applicator in which finish is metered to a slot running from top to bottom of the applicator. The configuration of the body of the applicator its slot and the passage supplying liquid to the slot provides a slot configuration that is relatively insensitive to the yarn threadline alignment within the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for color coding and dyeing or otherwise marking a light wave conductor optical fiber includes a dyeing stage and a drying stage; the conductor is unreeled from a spool for passing through the stages, the marked conductor is taken up by another spool or the like, and a downstream drive is coupled to the conductor for moving it at a particular speed through the dyeing and drying stages. An upstream drive mechanism is also coupled to the conductor upstream from the dyeing stage for pulling the same from the supply spool, and includes a drive controlled towards the same speed as the downstream drive and a compensating roller to ensure sufficient tension in the conductor so that the upstream and downstream speeds are similar.

Abstract: Apparatus for the impregnation of a continuous length of multifilament or multifiber yarns with a molten thermoplastic polymeric resin includes a pair of convex/concave (mating) surfaces for spreading the multifilaments or multifibers apart during their immersion in a bath of the molten resin. The shape, configuration and location of the surfaces facilitates homogeneous impregnation, particularly with highly viscous metls, to produce a uniform and thorough encapsulation of the filaments or fibers.

Abstract: Fleece materials are coated, in particular on both sides, with a viscous liquid by applying the viscous liquid to at least one side of a web from at least two dies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a charge used in molding a fiber reinforced part. Continuous strands of fibers are impregnated with resin and then cut into segments of predetermined lengths. The segments are collected so that the resin impregnated fiber segments are piled together to form the charge. In one embodiment, the fibers are collected in a controlled manner to provide preselected fiber orientation for the molded part. Also a cutter mechanism is provided for cutting resin impregnated fiber strands pulled over a first rotating drum.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing a bubble-free coating on a fibre, more particularly on an optical fibre. A fibre to be coated is fed into a pressure chamber (61) via an inlet duct (56) with a restricted inlet opening (57) and leaves the pressure chamber (61) through an outlet opening (41) of a nozzle (40). Liquid coating material is supplied to the pressure chamber (61) at such a pressure that the coating material rises in the inlet duct (56) up to a certain level to form a convex meniscus (D). By flushing the surroundings of the inlet opening (57) with a gas having a kinematic viscosity which is lower than that of air, the drawing speed at which the applied coating is still bubble-free can be considerably increased.

Abstract: An embodiment assembly for the impregnation of a continuous length of fibers comprises a convex surface and a non-convex surface over which the length of fibers is drawn under tension. The pressure of impingement on the surfaces alternately separates and consolidates the fibers in sequence during their impregnation with the resin, to obtain a complete and homogeneous impregnation.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying liquid to a running yarn in a textile machine comprises a hollow body providing a manifold for the liquid and an elongate tube extending horizontally across the manifold. The tube is retained in a bore in the body by a yarn guide which is detachably secured to the body and the bore in the tube communicates with a groove yarn path provided by the yarn guide via a bore in the yarn guide of larger diameter than the bore in the tube. The constant supply of liquid to the yarn is provided by the controlled flow of liquid along the tube whose length is at least 100 times the diameter of the bore therein. A height adjustable weir in a liquid supply tank supplies liquid to the manifold at a predetermined pressure. The yarn path has a plurality of yarn contact points to ensure complete application of liquid by the yarn.

Abstract: Threads, films or thread bundles which are transported from top to bottom, can be wetted with liquids by means of a device consisting of a system releasing the liquid, conduits and a storage container as well as suitable transporting means for the liquid, whereby the system releasing the liquid has at least two slotted nozzles positioned one above the other and opposite each other, having a horizontal slot and whereby rods are attached at the slot ends which, seen from above, form an angle with the slot of from 100.degree. to 170.degree., preferably from 115.degree. to 160.degree..

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing a bubble-free coating on a fibre, more particularly on an optical fibre. A fibre to be coated is fed into a pressure chamber (61) via an inlet duct (56) with a restricted inlet opening (57) and leaves the pressure chamber (61) through an outlet opening (41) of a nozzle (40). Liquid coating material is supplied to the pressure chamber (61) at such a pressure that the coating material rises in the inlet duct (56) up to a certain level to form a convex meniscus (D). By flushing the surroundings of the inlet opening (57) with a gas having a kinematic viscosity which is lower than that of air, the drawing speed at which the applied coating is still bubble-free can be considerably increased.

Abstract: A split coating head assembly for elongated strands, the assembly comprising first and second mounting blocks with first and second die components respectively mounted therein, the die components defining therebetween a coating chamber which is in communication with a pressurized source of coating material, the die components forming upper and lower apertures for drawing of the strand vertically therethrough, and through the coating chamber.

Abstract: Coating apparatus for coating a cable with bitumen which is self-contained except for apparatus for supplying a heated fluid to the coating apparatus. The coating apparatus includes a tank for receiving bitumen and has pipes therein to which heated fluid at a temperature sufficient to melt solid bitumen is supplied by external fluid heating apparatus and in which the heated fluid circulates. The cable passes through the apparatus in a trough to which liquid bitumen is supplied by a rotating cylinder partially immersed in the liquid bitumen and connected, for liquid bitumen delivery, to the trough by a pivotable chute. A tiltable cradle receives solid bitumen and dumps it into the tank where it is melted. A wiper in the form of a tensioned, elongate elastic body is wrapped by at least one turn around the cable where it leaves the coating apparatus and an elastic tab engages the cable adjacent the cable inlet to divert liquid bitumen which may flow toward the inlet.

Abstract: The starting material consists of a multistrand elastic tape (7) which is fed by the apparatus (11) and then separated by the successive separators (20, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33) into two arrays (35, 36) of four individual elastic strands. Each individual strand passes into a longitudinal groove of an adhesive application unit (37, 38), the strands passing out completely coated with hot melt liquid adhesive at high temperature. Adhesive bonding to the flexible sheet (1) moving in the direction of the arrows (2) is effected as soon as contact is made with the said sheet.A diaper pantie is obtained which on each side of the absorbent pad has a plurality of elastic strands disposed side by side.

Abstract: In providing a dried insulation layer upon conductor, a covering fluid layer is initially provided by apparatus in which the layer is formed from composite material comprising magnetically permeable particles homogeneously mixed with a fluid carrier. The fluid layer is formed by passing the conductor through a reservoir of the material and then vertically through a die orifice. The reservoir of fluid applies pressure at the die orifice and this pressure is adjustable to vary the rate at which the material passes through the orifice and thus varies the diameter. This pressure is controllable by adjusting the height of the reservoir above a die orifice or by adjusting gas pressure acting downwardly upon the material. The diameter of the layer is advantageously monitored after it is dried and variation in monitored diameter from that desired effects a change in pressure to alter the diameter towards that desired. The diameter of the layer may, however, be monitored with the layer in fluid form.

Abstract: An arrangement for coating a fibre, more particularly an optical fibre, comprising a housing (31) with a pressure chamber (61) which is in communication with a connection (63) for the supply of liquid coating material. A fibre to be coated is supplied via a guide duct (59) in a tubular guide member (55), traverses the pressure chamber (61) and leaves the device (11) via an outlet opening (41) in a nozzle (40). The tubular guide member (55) is made of an elastically deformable material. By means of two spindles (79), the end of the tubular guide member (55) can be adjusted so that the coating is centered with respect to the fibre and a coaxial location of fibre and coating is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined continuous plating apparatus for hot-dip plating and vacuum deposition plating characterized in that the outlet of the gas reduction annealing furnace of a conventional continuous hot-dip plating apparatus and the inlet of the seal roll chamber of a known continuous vacuum deposition plating apparatus are connected through a pressurized chamber in order to prevent invasion of hydrogen-containing reduction gas into the vacuum deposition chamber, whereby is prevented the possibility of the hydrogen-containing gas causing an explosion should air leak into the vacuum deposition chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnating strands of fibers with resin are disclosed. The resin is recirculated through the interior of a substantially closed container. The strands are pulled through the interior of the container in essentially a straight line manner. The fibers in each strand are spread by running them across a plurality of transversely extending bars in the interior of the container while the fibers are immersed in the resin.

Abstract: The procedure for manufacturing thin profiled strips, made up of continuous unidirectional fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin, consists of impregnating a lap (1) of parallel fibers with resin particles, achieving resin fusion, forming the profiled strip and of cooling the latter.The lap (1) of fibers is dipped into a bath (26) of resin particles, mechanically impregnated with the particles, by feeding it for instance around rollers (15, 16, 17) immersed in the resin particles and the excess particles are removed to obtain the desired resin to fiber content ratio.Use of profiled strips obtained, in particular for outwardly reinforcing tubes or for producing moulded items.

Abstract: Finish liquid is applied to a bundle of running filamentary material by running the bundle of filamentary material in monolayer form through a passage and conducting finish liquid under pressure through at least two side-by-side capillaries each having a diameter less than 0.06 inches. The finish liquid is discharged through outlet ends of the capillaries and onto the running monolayer of filamentary material. Preferably, the capillaries are separated by a divider wall which terminates short of the outlet ends of the capillaries, whereby those outlet ends define a slot through which the finish liquid is discharged. The slot preferably has end portions which are narrower than a center portion of the slot.