Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: I have developed an agglomeration process by which granules are formed by the steps of: (a) injecting polymer having sufficient viscoelasticity, and (b) impacting particles on the polymer at the injection point. The present invention is advantageous because it overcomes the problems of previous granulation process and subsequent art processes by having a very low recycle rate and allowing for control of granule size. It is particularly useful for fertilizer granule formation using a ureaform polymer and particles comprised of ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Composite fibers useful for preparing diaphragms are prepared by (a) mixing a PTFE or PTFE copolymer dispersion or powder with a finely divided inorganic material and a fiber forming material, (b) shear heating the resulting mixture to a temperature at which sheared to PTFE or PTFE copolymer becomes flowable without showing signs of decomposition while removing the dispersion medium, if a PTFE or PTFE copolymer dispersion is used, (c) cooling the mixture to below 70° C., (d) mix shearing the mixture at below 70° C. to form composite fibers.

Abstract: An improved cotton candy machine melts sugar by inductively heating a spinning head and preferably a perforated spinner band on the spinner head. An induction heater is disposed in a machine base beneath the rotating spinner head and excites the band to a heat range for melting and spinning elongated molten strands of cotton candy from raw sugar. Electric heater strips, electric conduits, electric terminals, electric slip rings and electric spring-loaded brushes are all eliminated. Methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An anode is embedded in an electrolyte layer applied to the surface of a structure such as a pipe section to provide an ionic conductive path between the anode and structure to supply cathodic protection to the structure, where the natural environment may not provide a continuous electrolyte. The anode is comprised of a material normally used as a cathodic protection anode material, such as, an expanded valve metal mesh or ribbon having either an electrochemically active coating or noble metal coating, or a sacrificial anode metal alloy. The anode material is made continuous from one end of the structure to the other and may be connected to a common bus wire from one end to the other. The anode and structure to be protected are connected using wires to a DC power supply that causes cathodic protection current flow to the structure in the case of an impressed current system. No separate power supply is needed in the case of a galvanic or sacrificial anode system.

Abstract: The invention is lyocell fiber characterized by a pebbled surface as seen at high magnification and having a variable cross section and diameter along and between fibers. The fiber is produced by centrifugal spinning, melt blowing or its espunbonding variation. The fibers can be made in the microdenier range with average weights as low as one denier or less. The fibers have inherently low gloss and can be formed into tight yarns for making fabrics of very soft hand. Alternatively, the fibers can be formed into self bonded nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: Relatively viscous glass is fiberized in a rotary fiberization process at relatively high disk speeds and through relatively large diameter holes to form long, fine diameter glass fibers which preferably are rapidly solubilized in biological fluids. The method of forming the long, fine diameter glass fibers includes maintaining a ratio of the velocity of the external surface of the peripheral wall of the fiberizing disk to the velocity of the glass passing through the fiberizing orifices within a specific range (the disc/glass velocity ratio); maintaining a ratio of the velocity of the air exiting the air ring to the velocity of the glass passing through the fiberizing orifices within a specific range (the air-ring/glass velocity ratio); and maintaining a ratio of the BTU content of the fuel expended forming the hot attenuating combustion gases to the BTU content of a pound of molten glass being fiberized within a specific range (the attenuating combustion gases/glass heat content ratio).

Abstract: A method of addressing a sheet of a rotating element sheet material that has a reduced applied electric field requirement when a gyricon sheet using magnetic trapping is disclosed. A magnetic trapping gyricon sheet comprises a substrate with a plurality of rotatable elements disposed in the substrate. The elements comprise at least two portions, each portion having an associated optical modulation characteristic and the optical modulation characteristics of at least one portion are different from the optical modulation characteristic of at least one other portion. Importantly, one portion is magnetized, and the element also has an anisotropy for providing an electrical dipole moment. The electrical dipole moment renders the element electrically responsive such that when the rotating element is rotatably disposed in an electric field while the electrical dipole moment of the element is provided, the element tends to rotate to an orientation in which the electrical dipole moment aligns with the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming magnetized rotating elements for a rotating element display where all the elements are magnetized in the same orientation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one separator member. Each separator member has a diameter, two opposed surfaces and an edge region in contact with both of the surfaces. Further included is an apparatus for providing at least two liquid flows wherein each one of the liquid flows has an associated separator member and an associated surface on the associated separator member, and each one of the liquid flows is provided across the associated surface of the associated separator members. The liquid flow flows toward the edge region of the associated separator member. The liquid flows are each a flow of hardenable liquid material associated with an optical modulation characteristic, and at least one of the liquid flows containing a magnetic pigment.

Abstract: A fiberizer has a spinning head that is partitioned to create separate extrusion zones for fiber formation. Molten feed stock is allocated between the zones to promote a greater formation of fiber of having a narrow spectrum of fiber diameters.

Abstract: A drop former includes a supply vessel having bottom discharge openings for discharging a free-flowing viscous mass. An endless perforated belt rotates around front and rear guide drums such that a lower run of the belt travels toward the rear guide drum while passing across the discharge openings of the vessel to periodically open those openings and allow drops of the mass to fall onto a cooling conveyor. A collecting space is formed beneath the rear guide drum for collecting residual mass from the belt. A recirculation mechanism recirculates that collected residual mass back to a location adjacent the discharge openings.

Abstract: A method of integrating organic fibers with mineral fibers includes centrifuging organic fibers from molten organic material, using a rotating organic fiber spinner, directing the organic fibers into a downwardly moving veil of organic fibers and gases, with the veil having an inwardly converging shape as it moves downward, centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material using a rotary mineral fiber spinner positioned concentrically within the downwardly moving veil of organic fibers, directing the mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil of mineral fibers and gases within the veil of organic fibers, wherein the veil of mineral fibers intersects with the veil of organic fibers to integrate the mineral fibers with the organic fibers, and collecting the integrated mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming magnetized rotating elements for a rotating element display where all the elements are magnetized in the same orientation is provided. First, at least two planar streams of hardenable liquids flowing in substantially the same direction are provided. Each stream has an associated optical modulation characteristic and at least one stream has an associated optical modulation characteristic different from at least one other stream. At least one stream includes a magnetic pigment. The streams are then merged to form a reservoir containing side-by-side amounts of each liquid from each stream. A free jet is then formed containing side-by-side amounts of each liquid from the reservoir. Then a portion of the free jet is passed through a magnetic field which is oriented transverse to the direction of the free jet to magnetize the magnetic pigment. The rotating elements formed can be either spherical in shape or cylindrical in shape.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for making a dosage unit by direct tableting of shearlite particles. The present invention also includes the dosage unit itself. Shearlite particles, which are prepared by subjecting a feedstock material to liquiflash processing, can be directly fed from a shearlite device to a tableting apparatus without the necessity of any intermediate steps or additional ingredients to facilitate flowability or tablet formation.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for producing nano-scale particles using the interaction between a laser beam and a liquid precursor solution. There are two embodiments. The first embodiment includes the use of a solid substrate during the laser-liquid interaction. In this embodiment the laser beam is directed at the solid substrate which is immersed in the liquid precursor solution and rotating. The second embodiment includes the use of a plasma during the laser-liquid interaction. In the second embodiment, a mixture of a liquid precursor and a carrier gas is injected into a laser beam. Injection of the mixture can be performed either perpendicular or parallel to the laser beam. The apparatus for injecting the liquid precursor and carrier gas into the laser beam includes a plasma nozzle designed to allow the laser beam to enter the plasma nozzle so that the laser beam may irradiate what is flowing through the plasma nozzle to create a plasma flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: Twisting balls (10) for an electric-paper display are formed from a polarizable material and encapsulated in a protective shell (12). The balls (10) are disposed between first and second electrodes (14, 16) which generate an electric field. The electric field polarizes each ball (10) transforming each into a dipole electret having a first and second charged poles. At least one colorant (20) is applied to each of the balls (10) to obtain multichromal balls such that the charged poles are distinct from each other. The polarized multichromal balls may then be used in fabricating an electric-paper display by encapsulating the balls (10) in an array such that each ball is capable of rotating in response to a selectively applied electric field.

Abstract: An encapsulating apparatus comprising a spinning cup adjustably rotatable about its central axis for forming droplets and projecting them radially outward, and one or more collection basins surrounding the bead forming spinning cup independently rotatable and positioned to collect the beads projected from the cup. The method for forming tissue microcapsules using the spin disk encapsulation apparatus wherein a supply mixture is introduced into a mixing chamber of the cup from a single, multiple or concentric needles. As the cup spins, the coated particles are propelled upward by the centrifugal force from the mixing chamber along the inner surface of the cup, projected radially outward, as beads, into the gelling solution in one of the selected basins.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of SiO.sub.2 granular material. Silicic acid is dispersed in a liquid to form a dispersion. The dispersion is stirred in a stirring tank with formation of a homogeneous liquid phase. The homogeneous liquid phase is maintained by stirring at a substantially constant rate until the granular mass develops, when the solids content of the dispersion is within the range of 65 to 80 weight percent. Moisture is gradually extracted to form a granular mass which is dried and sintered.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating bichromal balls includes a means for fabricating droplets from electrically conductive hardenable liquids. The liquids have different colors. A forward end of the hardenable liquids becomes unstable and breaks up into the droplets. Each droplet includes hemispheres of different colors. An RF signal generator produces electrical pulses which increase the instability of the forward end of the hardenable liquids. A capacitance in the conductive liquids causes current to flow from the signal generator to the hardenable liquids. A diameter of the droplets is reduced to form substantially spherical balls. Each of the balls includes hemispheres of different colors. The bichromal balls are collected.

Abstract: A method for producing cellulose beads which are high in sphericity and narrow in bead size distribution. Cellulose beads are produced by supplying a cellulose solution into a rotating vessel which is rotated at high speed by a rotary shaft and has outlets such as small holes and nozzles, flying droplets formed under a centrifugal acceleration of 10 to 1000 G through the outlets that have a diameter of 0.1 to 5.0 mm, and capturing the droplets with a coagulating solution to coagulate the droplets.

Abstract: A process is provided for making filled mineral fiber products which comprises applying mineral melt to a rotating fiberizing rotor and thereby throwing from the rotor as fibers and forming a substantially annular cloud of fibers, spraying binder into the annular cloud of fibers, carrying the fibers axially from the rotor towards a collector surface and collecting the fibers on the collector surface as a web. The process includes spraying into the substantially annular cloud a slurry which has specific gravity of at least 1.1, preferably at least 1.2, and which comprises a substantially stable liquid dispersion of particulate material in an aqueous binder.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus and method for processing a solid feedstock material through a melt spin process including a spinner head having a spinner head chamber defined by a parametrical processing wall through which the solid feedstock material is processed. The apparatus includes a device for rotating the spinner head about an axis of rotation to cause the feedstock material to be repelled towards and through the processing walls. A heating source separate from and exterior to the spinner head is included for heating the feedstock material to an elevated temperature to cause the melt spin processing as the feedstock material is projected through the processing wall.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multisegmented ball for an electrical twisting ball display device, which is made up of spheroidal balls rotatably disposed in an elastomer substrate. The ball is composed of segments arrayed substantially parallel to one another, each segment being adjacent to at least one other segment and to no more than two other segments, adjacent segments being adjoined to one another at substantially planar interfaces. The method for fabricating the multisegmented spheroidal balls comprises the steps of first providing a multiplicity of liquid flows, each liquid flow having an associated flow rate, each liquid flow being a flow of a hardenable liquid material associated with an optical modulation characteristic. The multiplicity of flows are then merged into a combined liquid flow where each one of the plurality of liquid flows is joined to at least one other of the plurality of liquid flows at a planar interface.

Abstract: A bichromal ball includes a first hemisphere. The first hemisphere includes a first pigment having a first color and a first polarity. The first pigment is added to a carrier fluid and polymer mixture during formation of the bichromal ball. A second hemisphere includes a second pigment having a second color and a second polarity. The second pigment is added to the carrier fluid and polymer mixture during formation of the bichromal ball. The carrier fluid and polymer mixture have a lower viscosity than the polymer alone. The carrier fluid is substantially removed after the first and second hemispheres are formed. The polymer is left along with the first and second pigments which form the bichromal ball. A diameter of the bichromal ball is reduced after the carrier fluid is substantially removed.

Abstract: A apparatus of fabricating a multisegmented ball for an electrical twisting ball display device, which is made up of spheroidal balls rotatably disposed in an elastomer substrate. The ball is composed of segments arrayed substantially parallel to one another, each segment being adjacent to at least one other segment and to no more than two other segments, adjacent segments being adjoined to one another at substantially planar interfaces. The apparatus has a plurality of separator members, each separator member having two opposed surfaces and an edge region in contact with both of said surfaces. A liquid flow is associated with each separator member and one of the surfaces on the separator member. Each one of the liquid flows is provided across its associated separator members toward the edge region of the separator member. Each of the liquid flows is of a hardenable liquid material and has an optical modulation characteristic and a flow rate.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated pack of organic and mineral fibers includes centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material using a mineral fiber spinner, directing the mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil, generating an array of aligned organic fibers from a die and directing the organic fibers into contact with the mineral fibers to integrate the organic fibers with the mineral fibers, and collecting the integrated mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making comestible units. The comestible units made in accordance with the present invention can include active ingredients and are capable of dissolving in the mouth of the consumer within several seconds. They are particularly useful as antacids and as delivery vehicles for biologically active ingredients, especially those which are ideally combined with antacid ingredients.

Abstract: The disclosure is a more economical process for producing fibrets of superior quality by directing a dope comprising a cellulose derivative and a suitable solvent therefor into a coagulant and exposing it there to a shearing field to coagulate of the dope and form the fibrets. The fibrets, the solvent and the coagulant are then separated off. The suspension formed from the dope and the coagulant is alternately accelerated and decelerated in the shearing field at least once, preferably at least twice. This makes it possible to maintain a high average degree of turbulence over a long distance, so that a dope of high viscosity can be processed. In the apparatus for producing fibrets, the at least one nozzle (46-49) is disposed within a dispersing facility (40) comprising rotor (44) and stator (43, 45) and further comprising at least two sprockets (50-53), of which at least one sprocket (50) is part of the rotor (44) of the dispersing facility (40).

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of detergent compositions from a surfactant paste which is substantially in the solid phase at temperatures of 25.degree. C. and below comprises the steps of: (i) mixing the surfactant paste at a temperature above its softening point, the surfactant paste comprising at least 50% by weight of nonionic surfactant; (ii) forming the molten surfactant paste into drops on a cooling surface; (iii) forming solid pastilles by cooling the drops of molten surfactant paste; and (iv) removing solidified pastilles from the cooling surface.

Abstract: A system and method for producing fine powders. The system includes a rotary atomization device for forming a moving flow of a molten source material; a source of atomizing material; a nozzle for directing a jet of the atomizing material at the moving flow of molten source material for atomizing and for producing fine droplets of the source material; and a chamber for collecting the fine droplets.

Abstract: A spinner head is used for spinning and processing feedstock material. The spinner head includes spaced tubular heating elements which are covered by annular housing that forms a material processing wall. The annular housing contains radially spaced slots which provide a passage way for the material to be expelled from the spinner head. Each slot contains a flow restricting insert removably insertable therein. The inserts include radially extending grooves which channel the feedstock material as it exits the spinner head. The insert further include latches extending therefrom which secure the inserts in the spinner head upon rotation.

Abstract: For the production of particles from castings (10) of metals from the group of the lanthanides, aluminum, boron, chromium, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, niobium, cobalt, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, and their alloys, which have solidified in an oriented manner, especially for the production of materials from the group of magnetic materials, hydrogen storage elements (hydride storage elements), and battery electrodes, a melt of the metal is applied in a nonreactive atmosphere to the inside of an at least essentially cylindrical cooling surface (9) according to the principle of centrifugal casting. The cylinder rotates at high speed around a rotational axis, and the melt is cooled proceeding from the outside toward the inside with an essentially radial direction of solidification. The hollow casting (10) is then reduced to particles.

Abstract: A method of producing micron sized sulphur granules involving the following described steps. Firstly, heating sulphur until the sulphur becomes molten. Secondly, tempering water and inducing movement of the water at velocity. Thirdly, injecting an unbroken stream of the molten sulphur under pressure into the heated water moving at velocity. An explosive dispersion of the molten sulphur into fine sulphur granules occurs, enhanced by shear forces exerted by the movement of the heated water at velocity. The described method is capable of producing spherical sulphur granules within a broad range of 70 microns to submicron sizes. In the preferred ranges, spherical sulphur granules of less than 10 microns are be obtained.

Abstract: A fiber manufacturing apparatus including a spinner, mounted on one end of a rotatable shaft, and a source supplying two streams of at least one molten thermoplastic material to the spinner. The spinner includes a radial extension, a radial wall, and an outer peripheral wall. The radial extension is mounted to and extends radially out from the shaft. The radial wall is mounted to and extends radially out from the radial extension. The radial wall includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery. The peripheral wall is disposed around the outer periphery of the radial wall and has a plurality of orifices for centrifuging fibers from at least one molten thermoplastic material. During the operation of the spinner, the radial extension directs one stream of molten thermoplastic material through at least one flow hole to the lower surface of the radial wall and to orifices of the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus for thermo flow melt spinning having temperature control characteristics. The apparatus includes a spinner head with a chamber that has a continuous perimeter for centrifugal force and a heater element substantially continuous with the perimeter for providing heat to the head. The spinner head includes means for rotating and a power source connected to the heater element. The apparatus includes temperature detecting means integral with the heater element to detect a processing temperature and generate a temperature detection signal accordingly. Also included is a power controller for controlling the power source in accordance with the temperature detection signal. The processing temperature may be controlled such that a substantially constant temperature is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for producing nano-scale particles using the interaction between a laser beam and a liquid precursor solution. There are two embodiments. The first embodiment includes the use of a solid substrate during the laser-liquid interaction. In this embodiment the laser beam is directed at the solid substrate which is immersed in the liquid precursor solution and rotating. The second embodiment includes the use of a plasma during the laser-liquid interaction. In the second embodiment, a mixture of a liquid precursor and a carrier gas is injected into a laser beam. Injection of the mixture can be performed either perpendicular or parallel to the laser beam. The apparatus for injecting the liquid precursor and carrier gas into the laser beam includes a plasma nozzle designed to allow the laser beam to enter the plasma nozzle so that the laser beam may irradiate what is flowing through the plasma nozzle to create a plasma flow.

Abstract: A mechanism for making granulated material from a viscous substance includes a vessel charged with the substance and having a discharge arrangement such as a slit through which the substance can flow onto a cooling surface. A belt disposed above the cooling surface is passed across the slit of the vessel. The belt has openings arranged to periodically come into alignment with the slit to allow the substance to flow therethrough. The belt is a thin metal belt strengthened by sleeves projecting from respective ones of the openings in a direction away from the vessel.

Abstract: A spinner head for a cotton candy machine includes an electrically insulative upper head with at least one integral extending spacer sleeve having a bore therethrough. The spinner head also includes a cap, a sugar melting heater, and a perforated band surrounding the heater. A fastener extends through the sleeve securing the cap to the upper head. The upper head preferably includes a depending hub about the head's axis of rotation, having a bore therethrough, and a depending sleeve defining said bore therethrough offset from the axis. The spinner head preferably includes a lower head having a hub oriented about the axis of rotation, an integrally formed flange with a bore therethrough and a depending sleeve with a bore therethrough offset from the axis.

Abstract: A multisegmented, highlight color ball for an electrical twisting ball display device made up of spheroidal balls rotatably disposed in an elastomer substrate. The ball is composed of segments arrayed substantially parallel to one another, each segment being adjacent to at least one other segment and to no more than two other segments, adjacent segments being adjoined to one another at substantially planar interfaces. Each segment has an optical modulation characteristic, the optical modulation characteristics of adjacent segments being different from one another. The segments include: a central segment having a thickness; a first interior segment, situated adjacent to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a second interior segment, situated opposite the first interior segment with respect to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a first exterior segment; and a second exterior segment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming a polyester polymer into particles. More particularly, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming crystalline, uniform pellets from an amorphous polyester melt. The polyester pellets have utility, for example, as feedstock for a process for producing higher molecular weight polyesters.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes establishing a stream of mineral fibers, directing polymeric fibers toward the stream of mineral fibers to cause intermingling of the polymeric material, and applying heat to the polymer fibers so that some of them become softened to the extent that they lose their fibrous form and become attached to the mineral fibers as non-fibrous particles, whereas some of the polymer fibers retain their fibrous form.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming a polyester polymer into particles. More particularly, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming crystalline, uniform pellets from an amorphous polyester melt. The polyester pellets have utility, for example, as feedstock for a process for producing higher molecular weight polyesters.

Abstract: In order to form separate particles from a flowable mass, the flowable mass is fed through a pipe and extruded through holes formed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The pipe is oscillated by an agitator in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis to cause the extruded mass to be sheared-off in the form of particles. Stop members can be positioned adjacent respective sides of the pipes to be contacted by the pipe and thereby define change-of-direction points for the pipe during its oscillation. The agitator may include piezoelectric ceramics attached to the stop members.

Abstract: A rotary fiberizer includes a spinner for centrifuging fibers from molten material along a path generally coplanar with the spinner, and a pair of opposed annular blowers positioned on opposite sides of the path of the centrifuged fibers, with the blowers having an interior face which is oriented toward the path of the centrifuged fibers, and the blowers having an exterior face which is oriented away from the path of the centrifuged fibers. An induced air conduit associated with each of the blowers is adapted to supply air to the path of centrifuged fibers, and the exterior faces of the blowers contain blower openings to discharge attenuation gasses into the induced air conduits to attenuate the centrifuged fibers.

Abstract: The method for forming fibers by introducing molten material into a spinner having a peripheral wall having a plurality of orifices and centrifuging the molten material through the orifices to create fibers, discharging gases from an opening in a first annular blower, the first blower positioned radially outward from the spinner, and where the gases from the first annular blower converge radially inwardly with respect to the spinner axis to partially attenuate the fibers and influence the flow path of the fibers towards a direction parallel to the spinner axis, and discharging gases from an opening in a second annular blower, the second blower being positioned radially outward from the first blower, and where the gases from the second annular blower converge radially inwardly with respect to the spinner axis to complete the attenuation of the fibers and influence the flow path of the fibers.

Abstract: A method of producing a fibrous product is disclosed. Molten material is introduced into a rotating spinner which includes a peripheral wall having a plurality of orifices. The molten material is centrifuged through the orifices to create fibers. The fibers are directed generally downwardly and away from the spinner. The fibers are intercepted on a folded conveyor so that the fibers are draped over the folded conveyor. The fibers form first and second suspended portions which are oriented generally vertically. The folded conveyor and intercepted fibers are moved away from the spinner. The first and second portions of the suspended fibers are raised to a generally horizontal orientation by unfolding the conveyor, thereby producing a generally planar fibrous product.

Abstract: In a method for producing hollow mineral fibers such as glass fibers, molten glass is supplied to a rotating glass spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner rotates so that molten glass is centrifuged through a first tube positioned at least mostly inside the peripheral wall of the spinner in an orifice to form fibers. Gas is introduced into the interior of the molten glass to form hollow glass fibers. A second tube positioned inside the first tube includes an inlet in the wall of the first tube, wherein the orifice and first tube are adapted to allow gas to be introduced through the inlet from outside the peripheral wall. The hollow glass fibers are then collected to form a product such as a mat.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a rotary cup for forming beads and projecting them radially outwardly, and one or more collection basins surrounding the bead forming cup. The cup is adjustably rotatable about its central axis, and the collection basins are independently rotatable and positioned to collect the beads projected from the cup. The coating apparatus further includes an elevation adjustment system for axially adjusting the alignment of the cup with respect to the selected collection basins. The rotational speeds of the cup and the collection basins are selected so as to minimize the impact of the beads against a gelling solution in the collection basins. In use, a supply mixture is introduced into a mixing chamber of the cup. As the cup spins, the coated particles are propelled upwardly by the centrifugal force from the mixing chamber along the inner surface of the cup, and are projected radially outwardly, as beads, into the gelling solution in one of the selected basins.

Abstract: An anhydride-containing thermoplastic resin such as a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer is processed in a vented extruder in the present of a nitrogenous chemical blowing agent to both imidize at least a portion of the anhydride groups and remove volatile residues such as unreacted styrene monomer from the resin.