Apparatus for severing and depositing glass fibers

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing continuous glass strand comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for combining the filaments into a glass strand; rotary means for attenuating the molten glass streams into continuous glass filaments and linearly feeding the strand to a primary collection region; a movable interim collector for receiving fed strand; strand severing means carried by the interim collector; means for moving the interim collector to a location between the rotary feed means and the primary collection region effective for collection of fed strand; and means for withdrawing the interim collector from its strand receiving location with a load of strand during continued feeding of strand by the rotary means, such withdrawing means moving the interim collector in a direction effective to bring the strand severing means into severing engagement with strand caused to hang from the interim collector by withdrawal of the interim collector from the path of the fed strand.

Claim 3

Apparatus for producing continuous glass strand mat comprising: means for supplying molten streams of glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into glass strands; a surface for collection of the glass strands; a pulling wheel spaced above the surface for attenuation of the molten glass streams and linear advancement of the strands into the collection surface; means for rotating the pulling wheel; means for advancing the collection surface in the direction of the axis of rotation of the pulling wheel; a movably mounted chute for interim collection of strand fed from the pulling wheel; strand severing apparatus at the forward end of the chute comprising side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining extensions projecting beyond the forward end of the chute, a strand severance backing surface disposed generally normal to and laterally of the projections, the surface having a groove disposed transversely of the extensions, a circular blade having a cutting edge movable along the groove into severing engagement with strand disposed transversely of the groove; means for moving the chute into a strand receiving position between the pulling wheel and the collection surface for interim collection of fed strand at start-up of the pulling wheel; means for withdrawing the chute after the pulling wheel has begun to feed the strand, the withdrawing means moving the chute in a direction generally opposite the direction of projection of the extensions to cause fed strand to hang from the chute and extend through spaces between the extensions and across the groove at the support surface; and means for reciprocating the circular blade along the groove to sever the strand, the extensions being sufficiently close to the path of the blade to limit lateral movement of the strand in the zone of severance and thereby assist in severance of the strand.

Claim 4

Apparatus for producing continuous glass strand mat comprising: means for supplying molten streams of glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into glass strands; a surface for collection of the glass strands; a pulling wheel spaced above the surface for attenuation of the molten glass streams and linear advancement of the strands into the collection surface; means for rotating the pulling wheel; means for advancing the collection surface in the direction of the axis of rotation of the pulling wheel; a movably mounted chute for interim collection of strand fed from the pulling wheel; strand severing apparatus at the forward end of the chute comprising side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining extensions projecting beyond the forward end of the chute, a strand severance backing surface disposed generally normal to and laterally of the projections, the surface having a groove disposed transversely of the extensions, a circular blade having a cutting edge movable along the groove into severing engagement with strand disposed transversely of the groove; means for moving the chute into a strand receiving position between the pulling wheel and the collection surface for interim collection of fed strand at start-up of the pulling wheel; means for withdrawing the chute after the pulling wheel has begun to feed the strand, the withdrawing means moving the chute in a direction generally opposite the direction of projection of the extensions to cause fed strand to hang from the chute and extend through spaces between the extensions and across the groove at the support surface; and means for reciprocating the circular blade along the groove to sever the strand, the extensions being sufficiently close to the path of the blade to limit lateral movement of the strand in the zone of severance and thereby assist in severance of the strand.

Claim 5

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the chute is a longitudinal open topped container and the extensions project in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chuTe.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the chute is tilted upwardly during withdrawal and thereby position the extensions to point upwardly during strand severance.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 3 in which the chute is tilted between 30* and 60* from the horizontal.