US4466819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing a continuous glass filament mat
Assignee: Owens Corning
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Filing: 1983-08-11
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Granted: 1984-08-21
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Expires: 2003-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments at increased throughput while maintaining desirable tensile strength characteristics by means of a fluidic distribution system employing diagonally opposed Coanda effect surfaces having extensions therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael P. Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:31
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/06; D; D04; D04H; D04H3/00; D04H3/002; D04H3/004; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P40/00; Y02P40/50; Y02P40/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: (a) feeder means for supplying a plurality of streams of molten glass; (b) pull roll means for drawing streams into said filaments; (c) means for orienting said filaments as a planar band; (d) a collection surface for collecting said filaments as said mat; and (e) distribution means for receiving said band from the pull roll means comprising: a first blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas; a second blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas, said second blower means being spaced from said first blower means, said filaments advancing from said pull roll means between said first and second blower means; a first control surface having a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward an edge of said mat, said first control surface being associated with said first blower means; and a second control surface having a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward the other edge of said mat, said second control surface being associated with said second blower means, said tapered, receding arcuate sections being diagonally opposed to direct said gaseous streams to orient said advancing filaments as a diverging planar array for collection as said mat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: (a) feeder means for supplying a plurality of streams of molten glass; (b) pull roll means for drawing streams into said filaments; (c) means for orienting said filaments as a planar band; (d) a collection surface for collecting said filaments as said mat; and (e) distribution means for receiving said band from the pull roll means comprising: a first blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas; a second blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas, said second blower means being spaced from said first blower means, said filaments advancing from said pull roll means between said first and second blower means; a first control surface having a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward an edge of said mat, said first control surface being associated with said first blower means; and a second control surface having a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward the other edge of said mat, said second control surface being associated with said second blower means, said tapered, receding arcuate sections being diagonally opposed to direct said gaseous streams to orient said advancing filaments as a diverging planar array for collection as said mat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said diverging planar array is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the band entering said distribution means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of the receding arcuate sections is provided to establish the flow of the stream of gas associated therewith according to the Coanda effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the radius of curvature of the receding arcuate sections is within the range from about 1 inch to about 4 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diverging planar array has a width equal to or greater than the width of the collection surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the receding arcuate sections are oriented to distribute the filaments across substantially the full width of the mat being formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising lateral control surfaces extending along the length of said arcuate sections and said fingers to provide additional control over said filaments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
The methods of forming a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: drawing streams of molten material into continuous filaments; orienting said filaments as a substantially planar band of substantially parallel bundles of filaments; contacting said band with a substantially planar gaseous streams; moving said planar gaseous streams along first and second control surfaces having diagonally opposed tapered, receding arcuate sections at the distal end thereof, said arcuate sections each having a finger projecting downwardly therefrom to provide an extended path along which the end most filaments are directed, the velocity of the gaseous streams and the radius of curvature of the arcuate sections being adapted to direct the filaments along the curvature of the receding arcuate sections to direct the filaments laterally outwardly along a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the band of bundles of filaments to form a diverging planar array of filaments; and collecting said filaments as said mat on a continuously advancing collection surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
The methods of forming a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: drawing streams of molten material into continuous filaments; orienting said filaments as a substantially planar band of substantially parallel bundles of filaments; contacting said band with a substantially planar gaseous streams; moving said planar gaseous streams along first and second control surfaces having diagonally opposed tapered, receding arcuate sections at the distal end thereof, said arcuate sections each having a finger projecting downwardly therefrom to provide an extended path along which the end most filaments are directed, the velocity of the gaseous streams and the radius of curvature of the arcuate sections being adapted to direct the filaments along the curvature of the receding arcuate sections to direct the filaments laterally outwardly along a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the band of bundles of filaments to form a diverging planar array of filaments; and collecting said filaments as said mat on a continuously advancing collection surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said filaments of said diverging array are arranged as individual filaments and/or as bundles of said filaments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the width of the diverging planar array of filaments is greater than or equal to the width of the advancing collection surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said diverging array defines a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the path of advancement of said mat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: (a) means for supplying a planar band of substantially parallel bundles of filaments; (b) a collection surface for collecting said filaments as said mat along a path of advancement; and (c) distribution means for receiving said bundles of filaments comprising: a first blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas; a second blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas spaced from said first blower means; a first control surface terminating in a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward an edge of said mat, said first control surface being associated with said first blower means; and a second control surface terminating in a tapered, receding arcuate section, said second control surface being associated with said second blower means, said tapered receding arcuate sections being diagonally opposed to each other to direct said gaseous streams to orient said advancing filaments as a diverging planar array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for producing a mat of continuous glass filaments comprising: (a) means for supplying a planar band of substantially parallel bundles of filaments; (b) a collection surface for collecting said filaments as said mat along a path of advancement; and (c) distribution means for receiving said bundles of filaments comprising: a first blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas; a second blower means adapted to supply a stream of gas spaced from said first blower means; a first control surface terminating in a tapered, receding arcuate section, said arcuate section having a finger extending therefrom to direct some of said filaments toward an edge of said mat, said first control surface being associated with said first blower means; and a second control surface terminating in a tapered, receding arcuate section, said second control surface being associated with said second blower means, said tapered receding arcuate sections being diagonally opposed to each other to direct said gaseous streams to orient said advancing filaments as a diverging planar array.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-21 | 1988-02-20 | 1988-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-21 | 1992-02-20 | 1992-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-02-20 | 1996-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |