Abstract: An encapsulated asphalt prill having an impervious, water-insoluble shell, and a process for making same are disclosed. The encapsulating material are preferably composed primarily of materials such as molten fatty acids, low melt polymers, waxes, elastomers (synthetic rubbers) or plastomers many of which are also used as blending agents to enhance the final use properties of the commercial asphalt end products.

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 centrifuging mineral fibers with a spinner, forming a veil of the mineral fibers moving in the direction of the axis of the spinner, directing toward the veil, from a position within the veil, organic material to cause intermingling of the organic material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled organic material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: A method for producing mineral fibers includes centrifuging mineral fibers from one or more rotary mineral fiber spinners to establish one or more downwardly moving veils of mineral fibers positioned above a collecting surface, centrifuging organic fibers from molten organic material using one or more rotary organic fiber spinners to establish one or more downwardly moving veils of organic fibers positioned above the collecting surface, the veils of mineral fibers being generally colinear with the veils of organic fibers, the veils of organic fibers alternating with the veils of mineral fibers to integrate the organic material and the mineral fibers, and collecting the integrated organic material and mineral fibers on the collecting surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for making granulated material from a viscous substance includes a vessel charged with the substance and having a discharge opening arrangement for discharging the substance onto a cooling surface. A belt travels across the vessel, the belt having openings arranged to periodically come into alignment with the discharge opening arrangement to allow the substance to fall onto the cooling surface. The discharge opening arrangement comprises a plurality of rows of discharge openings. Each row extends transversely of the longitudinal direction of belt travel, and the rows are spaced apart in that longitudinal direction. The vessel openings of each row are offset in the transverse direction with respect to the vessel openings of other rows. A collection arrangement collects residual substance falling from the belt and returns the substance onto the belt at a location upstream of the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for extending the life of spinners by means of reinforcement which includes a plurality of arms secured to the bottom wall of a spinner either individually or via an annular plate from which the arms extend. The reinforcement applies a radially inward force on a flange extending from the top or center of an outer sidewall of the spinner. The arms exert the radial force as the result of offset cams, due to a prestressed condition which is released after the reinforcement is installed in a spinner or otherwise. If the spinner includes both a center flange and an upper flange, the reinforcement may be installed to engage the center flange with gussets interconnecting the center flange and the upper flange at least at locations corresponding to the reinforcement to thereby provide reinforcement for both flanges.

Abstract: A process for preparing molded articles of a polyimide is provided the steps of melting and extruding, at 50.degree. to 100.degree. C., a polyimide precursor composition for extrusion molding of a polyimide which includes 30 to 60% by weight of a polyimide precursor (c) obtained by reacting an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride or its derivative (a) with an aromatic diamine or its derivative (b) in a good solvent of the polyimide precursor and then depositing the resultant polyimide precursor solution in a poor solvent of the polyimide precursor, 0.1 to 5% by weight of the poor solvent, and 35 to 69.9% by weight of the good solvent, and then heating the molded composition at 250.degree. to 500.degree. C. to imidate the same or its derivative (b) in a good solvent of the polyimide precursor and then depositing the resultant polyimide precursor (c) solution in a poor solvent of the polyimide precursor, 0.1 to 5% by weight of the poor solvent, and 35 to 69.

Abstract: A fiber manufacturing apparatus including a spinner, fixed to one end of a rotatable shaft and equipment for supplying at least one molten thermoplastic material to the spinner is provided. The spinner includes a radial wall and an outer peripheral wall. The radial wall extends radially out from the shaft and has 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. The spinner is operatively adapted to be radially balanced during the centrifuging operation. By being so balanced, the spinner is less likely to exhibit temperature induced deformation that introduces undesirable process variables during the fiber manufacturing process.

Abstract: Novel hollow beads are characterized in that they contain aluminium phosphates optionally containing boron. They can be produced by first drying, at from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C., reaction products of acid aluminium phosphates (and optionally boric acid) with amines, then comminuting them and finally subjecting them to a heat shock of from 200.degree. to 1200.degree. C. Such hollow beads can be used for a great variety of purposes.

Abstract: A molten substance is consolidated by being deposited onto a cooling belt which conveys the substance through a space formed between the belt and an overhead hood. The formation of exhaust dust from the substance is minimized by controlling heaters in the hood to vary the temperature along the space such that the saturation pressure in the space closely matches the vapor pressure of the substance as the substance travels through the space. Also, the hood is placed close to the cooling belt to minimize the velocity of vapors emitted from the substance within the space.

Abstract: A method for producing mineral wool of a material which is highly fluid at an elevated liquidus temperature in particular above 1,200.degree. C., with a viscosity of less than 5,000 poises at liquidus temperature, is proposed wherein the molten mineral material, after having destroyed all nuclei of crystallization, is supplied into a spinner (1') the peripheral wall (19) of which comprises a multiplicity of orifices with small diameters wherethrough said molten material is centrifuged to form filaments which, in a given case, are subjected to a supplementary attenuating effect of a preferably hot gas flow flowing along said peripheral wall (19) of said spinner (1') and generated by a concentric annular external burner (13). If fiberization of such a material is effected in the traditional way, a great proportion of unfiberized particles in the product will result.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing bismuth and bismuth alloy shot particles by a procedure whereby molten bismuth at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. above the melting point of the bismuth is used to form drops of molten bismuth which fall through a vessel containing a material more viscous than water with the method having a Reynolds Number less than about 100. Preferred materials are polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of about 4500 and 8000.

Abstract: A method for fiberizing mineral material with organic material includes centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material with a first rotating spinner, changing the direction of the mineral fibers to form a downwardly moving veil of mineral fibers, establishing a flow of molten organic material moving toward a second rotating spinner positioned within the veil, dividing the flow of molten organic material into a plurality of streams, directing, by means of conduits, individual ones of the plurality of streams toward the peripheral wall of the second rotating spinner, the conduits shielding the molten organic material from heat from the first rotating spinner, and centrifuging organic fibers from the molten organic material.

Abstract: A method for fiberizing mineral material with organic material includes centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material with a first spinner rotating about an axis, changing the direction of the mineral fibers to form a downwardly moving veil of mineral fibers, establishing a flow of molten organic material moving downwardly in a first conduit positioned within the veil, and directing the flow of molten organic material to a position beneath the spinner, dividing the flow of molten organic material into a plurality of streams, directing, by means of individual conduits, individual ones of the plurality of streams radially outwardly away from the first conduit, rotating the individual conduits about the axis, centrifuging organic fibers from the molten organic material by means of nozzles at the radially outward ends of the individual conduits, and directing the organic fibers into contact with the veil of mineral fibers.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus and method for flash flow processing by melt spinning. The invention includes a feed rate controller in combination with a spinner head assembly including a spinner head with a continuous perimeter for providing heat and centrifugal force to a material being processed. The spinner head assembly also includes a spinner drive connected to the spinner head for generating the centrifugal force. The material processing apparatus can also include support for supporting the spinner head assembly, where the feed rate controller is electrically connected to the support. The feed rate controller determines a detected load of material in the spinner head from data provided by the support, compares it to a preselected load for the material being processed and generates a feed rate control signal indicative of a difference between the detected and preselected loads. A feeder assembly supplies the feedstock material to the spinner head at a feed rate defined by the feed control signal.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of microparticles, and the product thereof, that includes dispersing a substantially water insoluble non-ionic or ionic polymer in an aqueous solution in which the substance to be delivered is also dissolved, dispersed or suspended, and then coagulating the polymer together with the substance by impact forces to form a microparticle. In an alternative embodiment, the microparticle is formed by coagulation of an aqueous polymeric dispersion through the use of electrolytes, pH changes, organic solvents in low concentrations (the minimal amount necessary to break up the dispersion), or temperature changes to form polymer matrices encapsulating biological materials.

Abstract: A process for producing fibers by spinning a resin by a centrifugal spinning process comprises supplying a resin solution having a viscosity from 50 to 200 Pa.s at the spinning temperature to a whirler plate and ensuring that the resin solution is under a sufficient pressure to completely fill the nozzles of the whirler plate as the fibers are being spun. The process is particularly suitable for producing fibers based on amino resins. In the apparatus the supply line for the resin is preferably located within the driveshaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.

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: Centrifugal spinning apparatus includes an annular, usually cup-shaped, spinning member which has a smooth interior surface extending towards the spinning end thereof which has spinning points formed thereon and grooves which extend across the end from the interior surface to the points to direct material in liquid form thereto.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for application in powder coating processes are produced by melt atomisation of thermosettable mixtures. The product is characterised by improved particle size distribution and by a generally rounded particle shape.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product comprises centrifuging mineral fibers with a spinner, forming a veil of the mineral fibers moving in the direction of the axis of the spinner, directing toward the veil, from a position within the veil, polymeric material to cause intermingling of the polymeric material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled polymeric material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: A spinner head is used in combination with a machine for processing and spinning feedstock material. The spinner head includes a base and a cover spaced from the base. A plurality of discrete closely spaced elongate heating elements are positioned between the base and the cover forming a barrier through which the feedstock material may be processed. The heating elements may be individually heated to a temperature sufficient to process the feedstock material therein. The spinner head is rotated to expel the feedstock material through the spaces between the heating elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning materials, such as thermo-flow materials, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spinner head which is rotatable about an axis. The spinner head includes a heater assembly having an annular heater element, a removable controlled orifice band having a plurality of openings through its thickness and positioned around and in close proximity to the heater element and an annular support ring positioned around the controlled orifice band for holding the heater element and band within the spinner head.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing a flat textile structure in which two melts of at least two polymer materials are changed to the form of fibers with the aid of a spinning device and in which fibers are then combined and then solidified. The spinning device consists of a spinning rotor and the polymer materials employed have an charge difference of at least ten unit charges. The two materials are first melted separately from one another. Each melt, by means of a distributor device, is then fed to a group of outlet openings of a spinning rotor unmixed. The fibers emerging from the outlet openings are then stretched and combined to form a common flat structure with the flat structure then being charged triboelectrically by an aftertreatment.

Abstract: A spinner head for flash flow processing includes a closed base and a top having an opening for introducing feedstock and a substantially cylindrical wall extending between the base and top forming a chamber. The substantially cylindrical wall has an inner and an outer surface, the outer surface provided with relief formed to accommodate fixation of a heating element for the uniform supply of surface heat to the inner surface. The wall also includes a plurality of openings extending from the inner to outer surface, each of which forming a substantially non-tortuous path for passage of product therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning materials, such as saccharides and non-saccharides, is provided. The apparatus includes a spinner head which is rotatable about an axis. The spinner head includes a heating element which defines a narrow, elongate opening extending about the axis of rotation. The heating element defines an annular wall of the chamber against which material is propelled when the spinner head is rotated. The opening provides a substantially non-tortuous path in which the material is subjected to flash flow and then projected from the chamber into a basin. A helical heating cable may be used as the heating element and to provide a substantially continuous spiral opening of uniform height. The gaps between turns of the heating coil may be determined by comb-like elements which engage and maintain the turns in selected positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing filaments from meltable material utilizing centrifugal force includes a hollow body (2) rotating at high speed, whose bottom (5) the meltable material strikes from above in the solid state. The wall of the hollow body, shaped as a cylindrical casing, is formed by a heating device (4) which includes metal elements running in a rectangular and helical fashion, such that the interstices of the helix form the discharge openings for the molten material.

Abstract: Method and device for producing a flat textile structure in which a melt of a polymer material is changed to the form of fibers with the aid of a spinning rotor. The still sticky fibers are impacted with a mixture of hot gas particles; the particles are then ionized in a high-voltage electrical field for longer duration of the filter effect.

Abstract: A method for making a granular product including sodium silicate and its water of crystallization, having a specific weight of from 0.5 to 1.2 and completely soluble in water at ambient temperature includes the step of granulating a pseudoplastic mass of sodium silicate having a free water content of between 5 and 12% by weight under hot conditions in an air-steam environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for the apportioned release or metered dosing of flowable substances, including a distributor having a movable endless sleeve with a plurality of continuous openings for the passage of the substances, with the distributor having a distribution channel that is fed with these substances and has an inlet with a plurality of bores connected with an outwardly open recess that extends transversely to the direction of movement of the sleeve with the substances being deposited in portions or doses, via the recess, downwardly through openings in the sleeve, upon means for transporting, wherein within and along the distribution channel, a distribution conduit is arranged which includes an exit remote from the recess, with a flow of the substances occurring through the exit transversely to the distribution conduit.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus for flash flow processing by melt spinning includes a feed rate controller in combination with a spinner head assembly including a spinner head with a continuous perimeter for providing heat and centrifugal force to a material being processed. The spinner head assembly also includes a spinner drive connected to the spinner head for generating the centrifugal force. The material processing apparatus can also include support for supporting the spinner head assembly, where the feed rate controller is electrically connected to the support. The feed rate controller determines a detected load of material in the spinner head from data provided by the support, compares it to a preselected load for the material being processed and generates a feed rate control signal indicative of a difference between the detected and preselected loads. A feeder assembly supplies the feedstock material to the spinner head at a feed rate defined by the feed control signal.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing particles of polymer by heating the polymer having an inherent viscosity not exceeding about 0.6 dl/g when measured at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. in chloroform or hexafluoroisopropanol, dividing the heated polymer into particles, and then solidifying these particles such that substantially no fibers are formed among the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for pelletizing ultra high melt flow crystalline polymers to produce dust-free, uniform ultra high melt flow crystalline pellet products. The process comprises feeding polymer into melting/mixing means, resulting in molten polymer. The molten polymer is transferred to a droplet forming means that produces droplets of the molten polymer. The droplets collect on a continuously moving cooling conveyer and solidify to form dust-free, uniform ultra high melt flow crystalline polymer pellets. Further, the process produces ultra high melt flow crystalline polymer pellets which are uniformly compounded.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for the metered delivery of flowable or fluent material masses comprises a drum member rotatable about a substantially horizontal lengthwise axis. A cylindrical shell of such drum member contains a multiplicity of openings. A cell wheel is rotatably arranged within the drum member. The lengthwise axis of the cell wheel and the lengthwise axis of the drum member are arranged parallel and eccentric to one another and, optionally, these lengthwise axes can be moved relative to one another. Beneath the drum member there is arranged a transport device for receiving metered portions of the material mass. The cell wheel is provided with lamellae cooperating with an inner surface or wall of the drum member, and such drum member, while leaving free or unobstructed a lower region, is surrounded by a container for the material mass.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing organic fibers by means of a centrifugal spinning process. The fiberizing disc and the molten material introduction nozzle are designed to prevent the molten material from escaping the disc prior to being fiberized. The heater for heating the material in the disc is designed to accommodate the lower melt temperature of the material to be fiberized. Also, means are provided for diverting the flow of fibers from the disc to cause the fibers to be more precisely or uniformly deposited. The fibers are substantially immediately cooled upon exiting the fiberizing disc, resulting in a fiber structure that is at least about 60% amorphous.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifuging fibers from molten material comprises a spinner having a peripheral wall comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer, a plurality of orifices extending through the inner layer for the passage of molten material therethrough, and a plurality of cavities extending through the outer layer, the cavities generally corresponding to the orifices, the cavities having being sufficiently large so that a) fiber forming cones form where the orifices join the cavities and b) the fibers formed from the cones can exit the cavities without contacting the sides of the cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pellets in which a medium to be pelletized is delivered to a distribution box, the distribution box intermittently expelling discrete portions of the medium outwardly to form droplets. A conveyor moves the droplets away from the distribution box, the droplets solidifying into pellets as they travel along the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reception of fibers under fibering machines to obtain a mat of mineral wool. It proposes assigning to each fibering machine its own collecting zone, the surfaces of the collecting zones increasing in the direction of the increase of base weight. The invention also proposes a device characterized by the presence of two reception drums for three fibering machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating hemispherically bichromal balls, comprising a separator member having opposing first and second surfaces located and an edge region in contact with both surfaces, and delivery means for flowing first and second colored hardenable liquid material over the first and second surfaces, respectively, so that the liquid materials arrive at the edge at substantially the same flow rate and form a reservoir outboard of the edge region. The reservoir comprises side-by-side regions of different colors which do not intermix. Further means is provided for propelling the first and second liquid materials away from the separator member and out of the reservoir into a fluid medium as a plurality of side-by-side bichromal streams whose forward ends become unstable and break up into droplets which form into spherical balls, each of the balls comprising hemispheres of differently colored hardenable liquid, and means for collecting the bichromal balls.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the manufacture of mineral fibers, in particular glass fibers, by use of a fiber-drawing process using internal centrifuging in a centrifuger. The peripheral strip is pierced by a large number of outlet orifices and the radiation emitted superficially by the peripheral strip is measured in order to determine the temperature of points of the peripheral strip and the vertical coordinate of each of the points measured.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spheroidal particulate inorganic material of an inorganic particulate material such as spheroidal cement or slag whose respective particles are of a substantially spheroidal shape and have smooth surfaces having improved flowability and filling properties. The spheroidal particulate material is produced by subjecting the respective particles of the particulate inorganic material to a high temperature flame treatment and rapid cooling in air, or by dispersing fine particles of the inorganic material and an organic or inorganic binder in a non-aqueous solvent to form a slurry and granulating the slurry. Compositions containing the spheroidal particulate inorganic material are used in civil engineering works and construction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing organic fibers by means of a centrifugal spinning process. The fiberizing disc and the molten material introduction nozzle are designed to prevent the molten material from escaping the disc prior to being fiberized. The heater for heating the material in the disc is designed to accommodate the lower melt temperature of the material to be fiberized. Also, means are provided for diverting the flow of fibers from the disc to cause the fibers to be more precisely or uniformly deposited. The fibers are substantially immediately cooled upon exiting the fiberizing disc, resulting in a fiber structure that is at least about 60% amorphous.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding the fiber column produced by a rotary fiber manufacturing unit and intermingling additive particles with the fibers. A rotating bell-shaped shell is mounted beneath the rotary disc of the manufacturing unit so that the lower portion of the shell is in the path of the fiber column, causing the column to be outwardly deflected. Additive particles are introduced from within or beneath the shell and are radially directed into the fiber column. Liquid binder may be introduced to the fibers and water may be directed onto the inner surface of the shell to cool the shell to prevent curing of binder coming in contact with the shell. The fibers may be glass fibers and the particles may be foamed resin, fibers or particles of various types.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for atomizing a liquid to form a fine powder. The method includes the steps of mixing the liquid with a first fluid medium jet and projecting this first fluid medium jet into a barrier means which comprises a solid body or a second fluid medium jet projected by a nozzle in a direction substantially opposite to the first fluid medium jet. The first fluid medium jet containing fine particles diverges away from the barrier means, thus increasing contact surface between the first fluid medium jet and the liquid and increasing the intermixing therebetween.

Abstract: A chill block melt spinning apparatus produces flake-type powder of the smallest magnitude by centrifugal disintegration of molten metals and alloys. Molten metal or alloy is delivered to a rotating cup which centrifugally forces the metal to exit the cup tangentially in a sheet which breaks up into streams and then into a series of droplets. Rotating chill cylinders are radially spaced from the rotating cup. The cylinders receive the streams or droplets of semi-solidified metal and provide a fresh surface for each droplet to chill the droplets, forming ultra fine flakes while deflecting the flakes downward into a collecting area. The cylinders have a concave outer surface which corresponds to the shape of the rotating cup to provide an equidistant travel path from the rotating cup to a deflection contact surface for the radially travelling droplets.

Abstract: A method for producing composite staple fibers whereby resin matrix and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers (e.g., vapor growth carbon fibers and/or potassium titanate whiskers) are processed. A resin material and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers having a fiber diameter of 1 .mu.m or less are blended, heated, and mixed to prepare a molten polymer containing dispersed reinforcing fibers. The molten polymer is spouted out of small apertures in a high speed rotator to form filaments. Hot gas is blown onto the spouted filaments to form composite staple fibers. Instead of using the spouting step and the hot gas blowing step, one can spin the molten polymer from spinning apertures into filaments, and simultaneously blow hot gas onto the filaments at a high flow velocity from gas discharging holes arranged near the spinning apertures to draw and cut the filaments into the staple fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for producing submicron and smaller metal alloy pacles using a main chamber having a longitudinal axis and a feeder for introducing a quantity of molten alloy under pulsed gas pressure in a direction generally radial to the axis. The feeder has a gas stream for forming metal droplets from said alloy. A gas accelerator directs axially flowing gas against the droplets from the feeder in the chamber. The accelerator directs the droplets in an axial direction to a substrate located along the axis and in the direction of flow from the accelerator to receive the droplets at a predetermined distance from the feeder, whereby the particles are produced.

Abstract: A heat-resistant alumina fiber mat contains an accumulated mass of alumina staple fibers and continuous alumina filaments. The accumulated mass is sewn with the continuous alumina filaments. A process for producing a heat-resistant alumina fiber mat includes accumulating a precursor of alumina staple fibers to obtain an accumulated mass, sewing the accumulated mass with continuous filaments to give a sewn mass and then sintering the sewn mass. The continuous filaments may be continuous alumina filaments or a precursor thereof.