The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 25, 1980
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1979
Fredo E Schlachter, Johannesberg, DE;
Glaswerk Schuller GmbH, Wertheim Main, DE;
Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for promoting the fiberization of continuous lengths of thermoplastic materials such as glass. Prior attempts to reduce fiber breakage, bushing flooding and facilitate fiberization utilized steam or a decomposable gas or gas mixture which was exposed to the heat radiating from the bushing in order to form a treatment medium. However, the prior art was plagued with poor gas distribution in the fiberization zone and thermal degradation of the structural elements constituting the treatment medium distribution system caused, in part, by the high radiant heat levels experienced proximate the bushing. The present method and apparatus comprises conducting a pressurized fluid and a vaporizable treatment liquid to a heat exchanger comprising a mixer tube located close to the bushing and a delivery tube. Radiant heat from the bushing causes the liquid to vaporize and mix with the pressurized fluid forming a treatment vapor. The vaporization of the liquid tends to cool the mixer tube reducing the thermal structural degradation of the mixer tube. The treatment vapor is conducted to the delivery tube which is removed from the radiant heat of the bushing and which has a plurality of orifices directing the vapor towards a distributor wall. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the distributor wall is formed with a plurality of openings which allow the treatment vapor to be induced into the column of filaments being formed in the fiberization zone. In a second, more preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger is mounted on a framework which is movable relative to the bushing and the fiberization zone and is provided with a distributor wall which is inclined towards the bottom of the bushing. The distributor wall may be provided with a plurality of guide vanes which direct the treatment vapor towards the filaments being drawn. Modifications to the structure of the apparatus are also disclosed.