Abstract: The present invention is a unique process and apparatus for making a new matrix material called a shearform matrix which results in transformation of the morphology of a feedstock. The process is characterized by increasing the temperature of a nonsolubilized feedstock carrier to a point where it will undergo internal flow, followed by ejecting a stream of the feedstock and then subjecting it to disruptive fluid shear force which separates it into separate parts or masses which have a transformed morphology. The shearform matrix may include other ingredients such as oleaginous material and actives.

Abstract: A method for improved atomization of molten metal having a melting point above 1000.degree. C. is taught. The atomization is carried out in close coupled atomizer. The melt to be atomized is supplied from a reservoir where it is heated to a temperature slightly above the melting point. The molten metal from the reservoir is guided to the atomization zone by a ceramic melt guide tube. The atomization is accomplished with the aid of a shallow draft atomizing nozzle. The melt in the melt guide tube is heated with the aid of an induction coil which is disposed thereabout and between the reservoir and the shallow draft gas nozzle.

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 molten fiber material flow is rendered into a plurality of fibers by means of a liquid jet such as water jet in place of a pressurized gas or air. The flow moves downwardly in a vertical direction while the water jet cuts it at an inclined angle. The water jet is formed by a single nozzle or plural nozzles of a flat-jet or round-jet type.

Abstract: There is disclosed a molten metal-atomizing apparatus which prevents the formation of a blocking in an ultra-high pressure atomizing of molten metal, and can produce finer metal powder. A vertical distance from the position of occurrence of a primary atomizing effect to a lower end of a jet injection port of a nozzle is 40% to 85% of a vertical distance from the lower end of the injection port to the position of intersection of jets.

Abstract: A spinning nozzle for dry spinning a spinning solution containing a metal compound and an organic polymer compound by a blowing method. In the spinning nozzle, an air nozzle 6 is provided having a rectangular-prism-like slit which is formed by opposing inner surfaces, extending in parallel to each other. The opposing inner surfaces each include a projecting portion, which are formed at the front side of a pair of cover plates 1,1, with each of the projecting portions having a knife edge portion at its free end. Spinning solution supplying nozzles are composed of a plurality of linear pipes and are arranged in the air nozzle 6 in such a manner that they are in parallel to the parallel surfaces of the cover plates and project from the edges of the the parallel surfaces. Air fed through a gas feeding port 5 and blown out as an air stream from the air nozzle 6, and streams of the spinning solution extruded from the spinning solution supplying nozzles form parallel streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a stream of molten material. The apparatus includes a melt container having a bottom wall in which is formed an aperture. A funnel is adapted and constructed to receive molten material from the aperture in the container, and includes a plurality of fluid-cooled metallic segments. The funnel segments define an inner funnel contour that decreases in cross-sectional area from the inlet end to the outlet end of the funnel. An electrically conductive coil surrounds the funnel, and has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of said funnel. A source of medium-frequency current in selective electrical connection with the coil. The method begins with the step of providing a predetermined quantity of molten material in a melt container. A metallic funnel is provided in fluid communication with the melt container, and includes a plurality of fluid-cooled funnel segments. The method also includes the step of providing an electrically conductive coil surrounding the funnel.

Abstract: A meltblowing die assembly features (a) intermittent operation, (b) modular valve actuator to selectively shut off polymer flow, (c) an in-line electric heater, and (d) meltblowing units arranged in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: A process and device for manufacturing ultrafine fibers and ultrafine-fibre mats from thermoplastic polymers with mean fibre diameters of 0,2-15 .mu.m, preferably 0,5-10 .mu.m, by a melt blowing technique. The polymer melt (12) flows through at least one bore (15) in a melt blowing nozzle (18). Immediately on emerging from the bore, gas is blown against the extrusion from both sides of the bore exit (15), thus breaking up the melt to form fibers. To this end, the gas is accelerated to supersonic speed in Laval nozzles (25, 26; 31, 32), disposed in mirror symmetry round the bore exits (15), and decelerated to just below the speed of sound in channels (27) with constant cross-section, or a cross-section which decreases in the direction of flow, fitted downstream of the Laval nozzles, and the melt (12) fed into the gas stream emerging from the channels (27).

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing the atomization of liquid metal is disclosed. A nozzle for atomizing liquid metal having a cylindrical plenum, and a melt guide tube extending axially therethrough to a melt exit orifice. The plenum defines an inner chamber coupled with an atomizing gas orifice spaced from the exit orifice and configured to provide an annular jet of atomizing gas converging in an atomizing zone extending below the exit orifice The plenum having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall defining the inner chamber therebetween. The inner sidewall extends below the exit orifice so that the inner sidewall is spaced from the atomizing zone. A cylindrical sleeve extends through the outer sidewall to a first end in the inner chamber. A camera mounted in the sleeve has a field of view extending from the first end. A transparent window is mounted to seal the first end. The sleeve is positioned so the field of view extends through the atomization zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for making metal powders has a supply tank (2) for the molten starting material, at least one exchangeable pouring funnel (11, 13), at least one atomizing nozzle (12, 14) and at least one fall shaft (7) disposed thereunder for the solidification of the metal powder product. A chamber (1) enveloping the supply tank and the pouring funnel is disposed on the fall shaft (7). To be able more easily to change the pouring funnel or funnels, the chamber (1) has in the area of the pouring funnel a closable lateral opening (15), at which a lock chamber (16) for the introduction of the at least one pouring funnel (11, 13) is placed. A car (24) is held on tracks (18, 19) and can be driven into the chamber (1) and fully retracted into the lock chamber (16), and on its bottom is fastened a number of atomizing nozzles (12, 14) corresponding to the number of the pouring funnels (11, 13). The pouring funnels (11, 13) can be set downwardly onto the cars.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of powders or spray deposits is provided in which a metal or metal alloy stream is broken up into atomized droplets by primary jets of atomizing gas. In order to remove further heat from the atomized droplets, secondary jets are positioned adjacent the primary jets for directing cooling fluid in the form of cryogenic liquified gas at the atomized droplets. The apparatus permits the formation of coarser powders, powders from alloys with a wide solidus/liquidus gap in a shorter atomizing chamber, or spray deposits with increased yield of deposited material.

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 cooling liquid is injected into and supplied to a cooling tubular body along its inner periphery to form a cooling liquid layer flowing down the inner peripheral surface of the body while revolving. A molten metal is then injected into the cooling liquid layer from the inner peripheral side thereof to divide, rapidly cool and solidify the stream of molten metal with the cooling liquid layer and obtain a metal powder. Since the metal powder is continuously obtained upon flowing down the tubular body along with the cooling liquid, the liquid can be continuously removed from the powder by suitable means, and the power can be subsequently dried continuously.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing as least a jet of liquid material, preferrably olten metal. The pulverizing capacity is increased by disposing a plurality of ultrasonic actuators to generate a superimposed ultrasonic field having a very high energy density in at least one nodal area. The liquid material is pulverized in a pressurized gaseous fluid to induce an increased energy transfer for the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for producing flexible fibers of superconducting material receives melted material from a crucible for containing a charge of the superconducting material. The material is melted in the crucible and falls in a stream through a bottom hole in the crucible. The stream falls through a protecting collar which maintains the stream at high temperatures. The stream is then supplied through the downwardly directed nozzle where it is subjected to a high velocity air flow which breaks the melted superconducting material into ligaments which solidify into the flexible fibers. The fibers are collected by blowing them against a porous cloth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus of the type for forming a nonwoven web from a fiber forming thermoplastic polymer resin which includes a reservoir for supplying a quantity of melted fiber forming thermoplastic resin, a pump for pumping the molten resin to a fiber forming die, and a die for forming a discrete resin stream to flow therefrom. The die includes a first fluid passageway for forming a stream of fluid, such as air, in contact with and substantially surrounding the formed flow of resin for a predetermined distance within the die and a fluid interrupt system for selectively cycling the flow of resin on and off and clearing the resin from the fiber forming die. A receiving belt collects the fibers formed from the resin flow beyond the first fluid passageway spaced at a predetermined distance from the die.

Abstract: A meltblowing die assembly features (a) intermittent operation, (b) modular valve actuator to selectively shut off polymer flow, (c) an in-line electric heater, and (d) meltblowing units arranged in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of heat processing particles of glass. A first current of a mixture of a combustible gas and a gas capable of oxidizing the combustible gas is introduced into a substantially cylindrical chamber from its lower end. The combustible gas is ignited to form a flame in which the gases have a speed of less than 10 m/s. The resulting flame creates a heat processing zone in the chamber. A quenching zone is provided by a second current of gas introduced into the chamber adjacent the chamber side wall such that it swirls around the flame. Particles of glass are then introduced at the lower end of the chamber and these particles contact the flame in the heat processing zone and are then directed to the quenching zone where they are hardened and from which they are collected.

Abstract: A cleaning process involving expanding carbon dioxide from an orifice into a thermally insulated chamber to form small carbon dioxide particles, retaining the small carbon dioxide particles in the insulating chamber until the small carbon dioxide particles agglomerate into large snowflakes, entraining the large snowflakes in a high velocity vortex of inert gas to accelerate the large snowflakes and directing a stream of the inert gas and accelerated large snowflakes against the surface of a substrate to be cleaned. This process may be carried out with apparatus including means to direct a stream of small carbon dioxide snow particles into an expansion chamber, means to agglomerate the small carbon dioxide particles into large carbon dioxide snowflakes in the expansion chamber, and means to accelerate the large snowflakes with a high velocity inert gas stream.

Abstract: An improved method for making a metal powder employs improved apparatus comprising, in combination, a fluid-cooled hearth for receiving metallic material which defines an alloy and which is to be melted, a plasma heat source adapted to melt the metallic material, a powder metal producer, and means to introduce the molten metallic material from the hearth into the powder metal producer. The fluid-cooled walls of the hearth resolidify a portion of the molten metallic material to form a skull as a barrier between the hearth and additional molten alloy produced within the hearth. This method and apparatus restricts introduction of impurities into the molten alloy which is later introduced into the powder metal producer. In one form, a fluid-cooled pouring trough, as a stream control device, can be disposed between the hearth and the powder producer to receive molten metal from the hearth and to introduce it into the powder metal producer.

Abstract: The process for the production of superfine polymer fibre novwoven fabrics is based on spinning out radically the molten polymer at supply pressure in a rotating nozzle head (6) through a plurality of discharge opening (27) to form fibres and deflecting in the axial direction the not yet completely solidified fibres at a radial distance of 10 mm to 200 mm from the discharge holes (27) by an outer gas stream (8) and afterwards depositing them as nonwoven fabric (15) on a circulating, air-permeable carrier (12). In addition to the outer gas stream (8) an inner gas stream (24) emerges at a lower velocity from a plurality of axial boreholes (23) in the nozzle head (6) at a smaller radial distance than the discharge holes (27). Owing to the centrifugal sweeping forces at the rotating nozzle head (6) a rotationally symmetrical flow field then developes with a predominantly radial velocity component, the temperature of the gas being equal to or greater than the nozzle head temperature.

Abstract: A valve for an extraction device of a molten metal or molten alloy atomizing chamber comprises a valve member which is rotatably mounted in a pipe. The peripheral edge of the valve member has a groove in which is located a rubber seal. A protecting member is located in the pipe upstream of the valve member with respect to the flow of an atomizing gas and metal particles through the pipe. The protecting member is positioned such that when the valve member is in the open position the protecting member is immediately upstream of the peripheral edge of the valve member to prevent metal particles impinging upon and wearing the rubber seal. The protecting member is also supplied with cooling gas and is arranged to direct the cooling gas through passages over the surfaces of the valve member to prevent the seal overheating.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly and method for delivering swirls of a thermoplastic melt to a substrate operate on the principle of contacting a thermoplastic spun filament with swirling air to impart a circular swirling expanding cone pattern to the filament. The swirling filament is deposited on a substrate or collector as circular beads.

Abstract: Melt blown die apparatus are provided for producing a fibrous web from a polymer material. The apparatus includes a die and a primary gas assembly for providing a pressurized gas at the exit end of the die. The primary gas assembly includes a tubular chamber for receiving and distributing the pressurized gas along the first dimension of the die. The tubular chamber includes a pressure control diverter for providing a substantially even gas pressure distribution across the first dimension of the die. This apparatus can be operated at exit air flow rates of up to about 200 pounds of air per pound of polymer at a polymer flow rate of about 4.0 pounds per linear die inch per minute. Constructions are provided for minimizing bending moments and for providing thermal and structural stability to the apparatus.

Abstract: A novel process for rapid solidification of ceramic melts combines certain features of cooling by atomization and by contact with chilling surfaces. The material to be solidified is divided into fine liquid droplets that are propelled by a rapid flow of gas toward a rapidly moving chill surface, striking the surface with sufficient velocity to flatten each drop into a flat flake like shape. Apparatus for the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly applicable to making very fine grained, or even amorphous, ceramic materials that can be powdered and then sintered into strong, tough ceramic structures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a film comprising a vinylidene chloride interpolymer, wherein the vinylidene chloride interpolymer having polymerized herein vinylidene chloride in an amount of from about 75 to about 95 percent by weight of interpolymer and from about 25 to about 5 percent by weight of interpolymer of at least one monomer copolymerized therewith, is prepared by extruding said interpolymer through an extrusion die to form an extrudate; passing the extrudate through a cooling means; blowing a blown tubular bubble by expanding the cooled extrudate sheet around a trapped gaseous medium, said bubble having an effective blow-up ratio before deflation such that the bubble after deflation has a desired final blow-up ratio; and conveying the tubular bubble through a deflator means to collapse the bubble into a two-layer film, wherein the film has a final blow-up ratio of between about 2.5 to about 3.

Abstract: Sulphur is obtained to the desired granulation and at the same time cooled by means of a directed hollow cylindrical jet of melted sulfur, on either side of which, i.e., both inside and outside the cylinder of molten sulfur, there are two jets of cold water, the jets being directed onto a disk which is able to turn freely. The jets of water and sulfur strike the disk between the middle of the disk and its outer edge and make it turn, while at the same time the sulfur hardens into granules. The turning spins the granules off the disk. The fact that there are two jets of water leads to a better particle size of the sulfur and, because there is a better contact between the water and the sulfur, prevents any hardening of the sulfur upon the disk.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for atomizing metal melts by disintegration of a vertical tapping stream of the melt with the aid of horizontal media jets of pressurized gas. The media jets are formed by two slot-shaped nozzles or row of nozzles separate from each other. The jets are oriented to flow at an angle beta between the media jets. A zone is established between the media jets just prior to the intersection of the tapping stream with the media jets. The tapping liquid is drawn back into the zone by the media jets action.

Abstract: A method is described for forming hollow particles, or shells, of extremely small size. The shell material is heated to a molten temperature in the presence of a gas that is at least moderately soluble in the shell material, to form a solution of the molten shell material and the soluble gas. The solution is atomized to form a multiplicity of separate droplets that are cooled while in free fall. Cooling of a droplet from the outside traps the dissolved gas and forces it to form a gas bubble at the center of the droplet which now forms a gas-filled shell. The shell is reheated and then cooled in free fall, in an environment having a lower pressure than the gas pressure in the shell. This causes expansion of the shell, to form a shell having a small wall thickness compared to its diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of encapsulated bodies employing a dropping tank for a fluid to form the cores of the encapsulated bodies and a reaction tank containing a solution capable of forming gel skins upon contact with the core material in communication therewith. Double-walled cylindrical nozzles are arranged in a lower part of the drop tank, the inner and outer walls of the double-walled cylindrical nozzles being coaxial. A pressurized air feed pipe is in communication with an upper part of the dropping tank. The peripheral walls of the reaction tank are in the form of a double-walled cylinder whose upper peripheral portion of its inner wall contains a screen. A liquid feed pipe and a capsule discharge port are provided in communication with the interior of the reaction tank through lower parts of the double-walled cylinder. A liquid discharge port also is provided in communication with an annular spacing of the double-walled cylinder through its outer wall.

Abstract: For the continuous automated production of powders that are well suited for hot pressing, i.e. those consisting essentially of spherical or cubic particles, of high-temperature resistant polymers without damage to the polymer structure in the course of the production process, a concentrated solution of the polymer in an aprotic polar solvent is continuously expressed into a twisting cone of hot aqueous precipitant. In doing so, short irregular wormy formations form, which are united to a fleece-like web, washed with aqueous solvents and finally with water, dried and comminuted. The plant provided for carrying out the process requires comparatively little space, since it does not include treatment tanks for extraction and drying.

Abstract: A method for producing power by atomizing a stream of molten material by contact with a swirling annular gas stream having an angular to axial velocity ratio sufficient to cause some of the gas to flow in the axially opposite direction from that of the gas stream.

Abstract: A die tip of a meltblowing die is mounted on the die body to provide a residual compressive force in the die tip nosepiece thereby resisting internal extrusion pressures.

Abstract: A spray head attachment adapted for use with a flow metering device such as a metering gear head is effective to discharge a plurality of spiral spray patterns of hot melt adhesive, in elongated strands or fibers, onto the backing sheet of a hygienic article. The spray head attachment includes a manifold having adhesive passageways connected to outlets of the metering gear head, air passageways connected to a source of pressurized air and recirculation passageways connected to a source of hot melt adhesive. Outlets of the adhesive and air passageways, and inlets of the recirculation passageways, are formed on a discharge surface of the manifold in groups or arrays, so that nozzles mounted to the manifold are each connected to one array of adhesive, air and recirculation passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing adhesive in an elongated strand or fiber in a controlled, spiral pattern upon a substrate comprises a dispensing device having a nozzle formed with an adhesive delivery passageway and an air delivery passageway both of which terminate at the base of the nozzle. A nozzle attachment in the form of an annular plate is mounted to the base of the nozzle by a cap. The annular plate is formed with a throughbore which receives hot melt adhesive from the adhesive delivery passageway and ejects an adhesive bead through a nozzle tip formed on the outer side of the plate opposite the nozzle. An annular groove formed in the outer side of the plate facilitates drilling of air jet bores therein at an angle relative to the throughbore and adhesive bead ejected therefrom.

Abstract: A process and apparatus useful for preparing a porous, particulate sulfur by combining a coherent molten sulfur stream with a coherent water stream to provide an aqueous slurry of a porous, particulate sulfur having a uniform particle size distribution. In the process, a molten sulfur stream is passed through a substantially downwardly oriented, rectangular slot to provide a sheet of molten sulfur, and said sheet of molten sulfur is sheared by directing at least one sheet of water thereat, at a velocity and flow rate sufficient to disrupt said sheet of molten sulfur and provide solid sulfur particles having a substantially uniform size. The solid sulfur particles are recovered, as an aqueous slurry thereof, and separated from said slurry by substantially removing the water therefrom.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a powder of amorphous ceramic or metallic particles in a high pressure autoclave. The substance in the liquid state is pressed out of a nozzle (7) upwards in vertical direction. An acoustic levitation field acts on the area in front of the nozzle orifice (12) and an inert cooling gas is made to flow turbulently in this area so that the droplets sprayed out of the nozzle are rapidly cooled and get solidified to grains. The powder can be directly machined by pressing and sintering into objects of the desired shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming discrete granules from a flow of molten plastic material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tube having an end surface through which the molten material flows and a discharge plate having an opening therethrough disposed adjacent the tube. The discharge plate is movable with respect to the end surface of the tube. A pressure medium accumulating region is disposed adjacent the end surface of the tube. In operation, the molten material flows through the tube and into the opening of the discharge plate. The end surface of the tube and the discharge plate move into and out of contact on a periodic basis such that the tube and discharge plate function as a valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter screen for the air outlet of an apparatus used to produce solid sulphur particles from a stream of molten sulphur supplied to the apparatus. According to the invention the filter screen comprises a plurality of closely spaced resiliently deformable filter elements arranged across the air outlet. The advantage of this arrangement is that sulphur particles collected on the resiliently deformable filter elements can be easily removed by causing the filter elements to vibrate. The filter elements may take the form of coil springs arranged adjacent one another about the air outlet.

Abstract: The polymer granular melt (1) is whirled out of a rotating nozzle head (6) through a plurality of exit holes (24) with fibre formation (32) and the fibres formed (9) are deposited on a collecting surface (12) in web form (15). This polymer melt is introduced into the nozzle head (6) under a preliminary pressure of 1 bar to 200 bar, preferably 1 bar to 50 bar. Furthermore, the fibres (32) are deflected by a high-speed gas stream (7, 8) in a radial direction at a radial distance of 10 mm to 200 mm from the exit holes (24) and, in the course of being deflected, are simultaneously drawn and stretched. The melt streams (32) exiting from the exit holes (24) can be additionally drawn by gas streams (26, 34) exiting in the vicinity of the exit holes (24) at the nozzle head (6) with a predominantly radial component before coming under the influence of the axial deflecting gas stream (7, 8).

Abstract: A method for spraying liquids involving a flow of gas which shears the liquid. A flow of gas is introduced in a converging-diverging nozzle where it meets and shears the liquid into small particles which are of a size and uniformity which can be controlled through adjustment of pressures and gas velocity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing superfine powder in spherical form with a diameter of about 5 to 30 microns in a Laval nozzle system. The material to be powdered is melted in a crucible, and is then superheated after it emerges from the crucible.

Abstract: A novel process for rapid solidification of ceramic melts combines certain features of cooling by atomization and by contact with chilling surfaces. The material to be solidified is divided into fine liquid dropletes that are propelled by a rapid flow of gas toward a rapidly moving chill surface, striking the surface with sufficient velocity to flatten each drop into a flat flake like shape. Apparatus for the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly applicable to making very fine grained, or even amorphous, ceramic materials that can be powdered and then sintered into strong, tough ceramic structures.

Abstract: For a process for the manufacture of powders from molten materials by atomizing the melt to particles by means of fluid media and cooling the particles as they fall, a melting chamber (3) is provided which has a melting system (4) disposed in the melting chamber (3) and an atomizing tower (8) is provided which is associated with the atomizing system (9) and attached to the melting chamber (3). For the production of powders of finest particle size with high purity and uniformity, a plurality of nozzles (11, 12, . . .) which can be aimed in their holders at the molten stream, are used for projecting a low-boiling liquefied gas under a pressure of 50 to 700 bar against the molten stream (23) entering the atomizing tower (8).

Abstract: A method and system for forming a composite mixture of at least two materials, at least one of which is a metal or metal alloy. The materials in a molten state are supplied via inlet channels to a mixing region so as to indirectly impinge on each other and then to flow through an outlet channel to a cooling system, such as a casting or mold device or a device for providing rapid solidification thereof. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the outlet channel to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the inlet channels is arranged to be less than 32 and the ratio of the distance from the input side of the outlet channel to the input of the cooling system to the diameter of the outlet channel is arranged to be greater than 5.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for attenuating glass fibers. Primary glass is delivered into a primary, high temperature, high velocity gaseous blast to produce fibers that are attenuated while carried by said primary blast. While the fibers are above the minimum glass attenuation temperature, the fiber containing primary blast is subjected to thin, closely spaced, high speed jets that deliver fuel and oxidant at a higher speed and less rate of mass flow than said primary blast essentially normal to the primary blast to increase the attenuation of the fibers and the temperature of the primary blast at one or more stations spaced downstream from the location where primary glass is delivered to one side only of said primary blast. The side of jet application may be the same or differ from one said station to another said station.

Abstract: Gas atomization nozzle for producing metal powder from a molten bath. The nozzle is characterized in that the angle of convergence of the gas to the metal stream can be varied and total volumetric flow of gas through the nozzle can be varied and precisely controlled.The nozzle is characterized by having a generally cylindrical shaped housing containing means to tangentially direct gas introduced from outside the housing to a recess in the inner wall of the cylinder with the tangential gas passages having means to adjust the total volumetric flow of atomizing gas through the nozzle. Disposed in the inside of the cylindrical housing juxtaposed to the recess and in combination therewith is a flow direction insert and a flow direction plate, the flow direction insert being variably positionable in relation to the flow direction plate to control the width of the spray zone.

Abstract: Superabsorbent articles in the form of soft, nonwoven fibrous webs are produced from aqueous fiber-forming polymer solutions by forming the polymer into water soluble filaments, contacting the filaments with a primary air stream having a velocity effective to attenuate and to partially dry the filaments, contacting the attenuated filaments with a secondary air stream having a velocity effective to fragment the filaments into fibers and to transport the fibers to a web-forming zone while also further attenuating and drying the fibers, collecting the fibers in reticulated web-form in the web-forming zone and curing the web to a water insoluble state. The temperature and air stream velocities are controlled with respect to ambient humidity and water content of the fiber during the fiber and web formation such that the fibers are collected without sticking. Collection is preferably on a wire belt followed by transport through a curing oven to compacting rolls and web take-up.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying heated hot melt adhesive in elongated strands or fibers in a controlled, spiral pattern upon a substrate comprises a spray gun having a nozzle formed with an adhesive delivery passageway and an air delivery passageway both of which terminate at the base of the nozzle. A nozzle attachment in the form of an annular plate is mounted to the base of the nozzle by an end cap. The annular plate is formed with a throughbore which receives hot melt adhesive from the adhesive delivery passageway and ejects an adhesive bead through a nozzle tip formed on the plate. An annular groove formed in the plate facilitates the drilling of air jet bores therein at an angle relative to the throughbore and adhesive bead ejected therefrom.