US3649232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for production of fibers from thermoplastic materials, particularly glass fibers
Assignee: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
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Filing: 1969-03-12
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1989-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The production of fibers from thermoplastic materials, particularly glass fibers, by projecting or applying a layer of the material from one or more streams in a viscous state, onto the external surface of a rapidly moving or rotating body, which is provided with priming points for starting the emission for individual fibers from the layer of the material by centrifugal force, until the fibers are in condition to be subjected to attenuating forces produced mechanically or by attenuating gaseous blasts. The priming points for the fibers may be provided mechanically by roughenings, ridges, snagging or hooking points, etc.; thermally by forming a plurality of points of different heat gradients; or pneumatically by forming orifices in the external wall of the moving body, through which gas under pressure is blown to start the formation of the filaments from the layer of viscous material.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Battigelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:30
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/04; C03B37/048; C03B37/05; C03B37/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing fibers from molten vitreous material which comprises a. projecting a supply of said material in the form of at least one continuous jet of the molten material, against a part of the external peripheral surface of a rapidly rotating body, by laterally deflecting a downwardly flowing stream of the material from its source to accelerate the velocity thereof and to convert the stream of material to a highspeed jet exceeding gravity in order to completely cover said surface with a renewable layer of said material, b. forming, on said peripheral surface, areas of differential physical characteristics to form priming points on said surface for a plurality of filaments of said material, said priming points causing concentrated quantities of material to initiate the projected filaments, c. rapidly rotating said body and thereby projecting by centrifugal force the plurality of separate filaments emanating from said priming points, and d. blowing an annularly shaped gaseous blast in a transverse direction against the centrifugally projected filaments to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and their evacuation from the field of centrifugal projection of the filaments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing fibers from molten vitreous material which comprises a. projecting a supply of said material in the form of at least one continuous jet of the molten material, against a part of the external peripheral surface of a rapidly rotating body, by laterally deflecting a downwardly flowing stream of the material from its source to accelerate the velocity thereof and to convert the stream of material to a highspeed jet exceeding gravity in order to completely cover said surface with a renewable layer of said material, b. forming, on said peripheral surface, areas of differential physical characteristics to form priming points on said surface for a plurality of filaments of said material, said priming points causing concentrated quantities of material to initiate the projected filaments, c. rapidly rotating said body and thereby projecting by centrifugal force the plurality of separate filaments emanating from said priming points, and d. blowing an annularly shaped gaseous blast in a transverse direction against the centrifugally projected filaments to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and their evacuation from the field of centrifugal projection of the filaments.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing fibers from molten vitreous material which comprises a. projecting a supply of said material in the form of a plurality of continuous jets of the molten material, against substantially uniformly displaced portions of the external peripheral surface of a rapidly rotating body, by laterally deflecting downwardly flowing streams of the material from their source to accelerate the velocity thereof and to convert the streams of material to high-speed jets exceeding gravity in order to completely cover said surface with a renewable layer of said material, b. forming, on said peripheral surface, areas of differential physical characteristics to form priming points on said surface for a plurality of filaments of said material, said priming points causing concentrated quantities of material to initiate the projected filaments, c. rapidly rotating said body and thereby projecting by centrifugal force the plurality of separate filaments emanating from said priming points, and d. blowing an annularly shaped gaseous blast in a transverse direction against the centrifugally projected filaments to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and their evacuation from the field of centrifugal projection of the filaments.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing fibers from molten vitreous material which comprises a. projecting a supply of said material in the form of a plurality of continuous jets of the molten material, against substantially uniformly displaced portions of the external peripheral surface of a rapidly rotating body, by laterally deflecting downwardly flowing streams of the material from their source to accelerate the velocity thereof and to convert the streams of material to high-speed jets exceeding gravity in order to completely cover said surface with a renewable layer of said material, b. forming, on said peripheral surface, areas of differential physical characteristics to form priming points on said surface for a plurality of filaments of said material, said priming points causing concentrated quantities of material to initiate the projected filaments, c. rapidly rotating said body and thereby projecting by centrifugal force the plurality of separate filaments emanating from said priming points, and d. blowing an annularly shaped gaseous blast in a transverse direction against the centrifugally projected filaments to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and their evacuation from the field of centrifugal projection of the filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of heating the centrifugally projected filaments with flames of low velocity following their projection from the priming points to enhance the attenuation effects exerted thereon.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for producing fine fibers from viscous thermoplastic material, comprising a. a rotary body constituted by a surface of revolution rotating about a vertical axis and provided with an external peripheral surface moving at high velocity having thereon areas of differential characteristics to form priming points for filaments of said material adapted to be projected centrifugally from said surface, said priming points operating to cause concentrated quantities of the material to initiate the projected filaments, b. means for deflecting towards said surface a stream of said material dropping downwardly along a line displaced from said axis and imparting thereto a high velocity exceeding that caused by gravitational force, to form a high velocity jet of the viscous material in sufficient quantity to cover said surface and to maintain thereon a continuously renewable layer of said material, c. means for rapidly rotating said body and the layer of viscous material thereon at high velocity to effect the ejection of a plurality of filaments of said material from said layer which are initiated at said priming points, in consequence of the centrifugal force experienced theReby, and d. means for blowing downwardly an annularly shaped gaseous blast against the filaments projected centrifugally in horizontal planes to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and to withdraw them from the field of operation of said body.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for producing fine fibers from viscous thermoplastic material, comprising a. a rotary body constituted by a surface of revolution rotating about a vertical axis and provided with an external peripheral surface moving at high velocity having thereon areas of differential characteristics to form priming points for filaments of said material adapted to be projected centrifugally from said surface, said priming points operating to cause concentrated quantities of the material to initiate the projected filaments, b. means for deflecting towards said surface a stream of said material dropping downwardly along a line displaced from said axis and imparting thereto a high velocity exceeding that caused by gravitational force, to form a high velocity jet of the viscous material in sufficient quantity to cover said surface and to maintain thereon a continuously renewable layer of said material, c. means for rapidly rotating said body and the layer of viscous material thereon at high velocity to effect the ejection of a plurality of filaments of said material from said layer which are initiated at said priming points, in consequence of the centrifugal force experienced theReby, and d. means for blowing downwardly an annularly shaped gaseous blast against the filaments projected centrifugally in horizontal planes to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and to withdraw them from the field of operation of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including means for heating said external surface comprising an annularly shaped combustion chamber with a discharge slot at the lower end thereof for delivering the heated gaseous blast onto said filaments adjacent to said surface to heat the latter and simultaneously to effect the attenuation of the filaments.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for producing fine fibers from viscous thermoplastic material, comprising a. a rotary body constituted by a surface of revolution rotating about a vertical axis and provided with an external peripheral surface moving at high velocity having thereon areas of differential characteristics to form priming points for filaments of said material adapted to be projected centrifugally from said surface, said priming points operating to cause concentrated quantities of the material to initiate the projected filaments, b. means for deflecting, towards equidistantly spaced zones of impact on said surface, a plurality of streams of said material dropping downwardly along lines displaced from said axis and imparting thereto a high velocity exceeding that caused by gravitational force, to form high velocity jets of the viscous material in sufficient quantity to cover said surface and to maintain thereon a continuously renewable layer of said material, c. means for rapidly rotating said body and the layer of viscous material thereon at high velocity to effect the ejection of a plurality of filaments of said material from said layer which are initiated at said priming points, in consequence of the centrifugal force experienced thereby, and d. means for blowing downwardly an annularly shaped gaseous blast against the filaments projected centrifugally in horizontal planes to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and to withdraw them from the field of operation of said body.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for producing fine fibers from viscous thermoplastic material, comprising a. a rotary body constituted by a surface of revolution rotating about a vertical axis and provided with an external peripheral surface moving at high velocity having thereon areas of differential characteristics to form priming points for filaments of said material adapted to be projected centrifugally from said surface, said priming points operating to cause concentrated quantities of the material to initiate the projected filaments, b. means for deflecting, towards equidistantly spaced zones of impact on said surface, a plurality of streams of said material dropping downwardly along lines displaced from said axis and imparting thereto a high velocity exceeding that caused by gravitational force, to form high velocity jets of the viscous material in sufficient quantity to cover said surface and to maintain thereon a continuously renewable layer of said material, c. means for rapidly rotating said body and the layer of viscous material thereon at high velocity to effect the ejection of a plurality of filaments of said material from said layer which are initiated at said priming points, in consequence of the centrifugal force experienced thereby, and d. means for blowing downwardly an annularly shaped gaseous blast against the filaments projected centrifugally in horizontal planes to effect their attenuation into fine fibers and to withdraw them from the field of operation of said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises an annularly shaped combustion chamber above said rotary body having slots therein extending at least adjacent to the spaces between said zones of impact of said jets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first-mentioned means comprises a rotary disc adapted to receive the plurality of streams of said viscous material from their source, and deflecting members between said disc and rotary body to deflect them onto said external surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the rotary disc and rotary body are arranged coaxially, and the deflecting members are displaced circumferentially beyond the periphery of said external surface in a circle coaxial with said last-mentioned surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including heating means between the external peripheral surface of said rotary body and said blowing means, for directing flames of low velocity onto the filaments projected from the priming points on said external surface to enhance the attenuation effects exerted thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of oscillating the jet which is projected onto said surface to improve the distribution of the layer of material thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of developing said priming points for the sources of said filaments with points of different roughness characteristics on the external peripheral surface of the body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of developing said priming points for the sources of said filaments with points of differential heat gradients on the external peripheral surface of said body so that the filaments emanate from the hotter portions thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of developing sAid priming points for the sources of said filaments pneumatically, by creating points of differential pressure on the external peripheral surface of the body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a combustion chamber adjacent to said rotary body having a slot therein for discharging the gaseous blast against the filaments projected from said body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein said slot is discontinuous at least at the point where said jet of viscous material strikes the external surface of said rotary body, and is of decreasing cross section from the zone of impact on said body in the direction of rotation thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first-mentioned means comprises a rotary disc operating in a substantially horizontal plane for deflecting the dropping stream of said viscous material in a lateral direction onto said external surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, including pneumatic means between said disc and the external surface of said rotary body for controlling the force and zone of impact of said jet on said external surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including means for forming said priming points, comprising a plurality of perforations in said peripheral surface, a chamber in said rotary body adjacent to the interior of said surface, and means for blowing a gas under pressure from said chamber through said perforations against the inner surface of said layer of viscous material to start the filaments at said perforations.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said chamber constitutes only a small portion of the volume of said rotary body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said peripheral surface is of substantial height, and said blowing means is adapted to affect the perforations along the entire height of the peripheral surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said rotating disc is provided with a rim of saw tooth cross section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said rotating disc is provided with a rim of an undulating wave or sine-wave cross section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said rotating disc is provided with a rim of successively stepped cross section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said pneumatic means comprises a tuyere or blower.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said pneumatic means comprises an oscillating tuyere for varying the level of the zone of impact on said external surface of said lateral wall.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for deflecting said viscous material with great force comprises a blower jet adapted to be directed against stream of said viscous material dropping from its source, and means for controlling said blower jet to vary the direction and force of the jet of viscous material directed against said external surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein said controlling means comprises a tuyere through which said blower jet passes, and means for rocking said tuyere.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein said controlling means comprises a tuyere through which said blower jet passes, and pneumatic means communicating with the interior of said tuyere for actuating said blower jet alternately in an upward and downward direction along an axis perpendicular to that of the tuyere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |