Method of making, supplying and applying chemical treatment to glass fibers

Claim 1

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the delivery of the composition to the applicating zone for application of the composition to the glass filaments is precisely controlled so that the composition solids are uniform throughout the length of the glass filaments.

Claim 2

A method of providing flexibility and a high degree of preciseness in a closed system delivery of a reversible-shear-thinning gel composition used to size glass fibers, comprising the steps of: a. introducing the composition through a strainer into a collapsible container until the container is full and void of air, said container having a tubing and a control valve thereon, to allow the composition to be subsequently withdrawn therefrom; b. closing the container so that the composition is protected from the contaminates, oxidation, and bacteria; c. advancing the closed container to a central pumping station comprising a manifold and a plurality of positive displacement pumps; d. supplying the manifold with sufficient composition from the closed container by controlling the valves on the tubing wherein the composition is not exposed to the elements; and e. controllably pumping the composition from the manifold Via said positive displacement pumps to an applicating zone, wherein glass fibers upon formation come into contact with an applicator that applies the composition uniformly to the fibers; so that as the composition is first exposed to the atmosphere via the applicator as in step (e) it is consumed substantially immediately by the advancing glass fibers.