US3014235A - Method and apparatus for forming fibers - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 26, 1961 H, J, SNOW l 3,014,235

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR F'ORMING FIBERS Filed May 25, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet l M l 44 X HENRY J.' 5Naw.

Dec. 26, 1961 H. J. SNOW 3,014,235

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FIBERS Filed May 25, 1955 6 Sheets-Shea?l 2 INVENTORI HNHY l ENUW.

BY gz ,4TH/s.

Dec. 26, 1961 H. J. SNOW METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FIBERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 25, 1955 INVENTOR. HENRY .l 5 uw'.

ATTYS.

Dec. 26, 1961 H. J. SNOW 3,014,235

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FIBERS Filed May 25, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 L VEUT' @D @i ..Qlllil f! /qq 0/ 1E HENRY .l Bmw.

I E BY INVENTOR K Dec. 26, 1961 H. J. SNOW METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FIBERS '6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1955 l INVENToR: NRY .l 5 Uw.

Dec. 26, 1961 H. J. sNow METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FIBERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 25, 1955 United States Patent 3,614,235 METHD AND APPARATUS FOR FGRR/mWG FIBERS Henry J. Snow, Newark, Ohio, assigner to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 25, 1955, Ser. No. 510,884 21 Claims. (Cl. 18--2.5)

This invention relates to method and apparatus for forming fibers from heat-softenable materials and more especially to the formation of fibers from mineral materials such as glass, slag or fusible rock.

It is a well known practice to form fibers from molten glass or similar molten mineral materials by subjecting the molten material to high velocity blasts of steam or compressed air which draw or attenuate the streams of molten material to fibers. In the production of very fine glass fibers, a gaseous blast formed of intensely hot gases projected in a rectilinear path from a restricted orifice in the wall of a combustion chamber has been utilized as an attenuating force. In this method, solidified filaments or rods of glass are advanced endwise into the blast whereby the heat of gases of the blast heats the filaments or rods to attenuating temperatures and the softened or heated material drawn into fine fibers by the velocity of the gases of the blast.

More recently developments have been made of a character wherein a stream of glass or other heat-softenable fiber-forming material is delivered into engagement with a spinner or rotor arranged to revolve at a speed sufficient to project the fiber-forming material outwardly of the axis of rotation by centrifugal forces, causing the material to be formed into elongated bodies or primary filaments. The filaments or bodies so formed are engaged by a gaseous blast to draw out or attenuate the bodies or filaments to fibers.

Heretofore, the stream of glass or other heat-softened material is delivered into a spinner or rotor in a path substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the spinner or rotor, the material impinging upon a portion of the spinner or rotor or means carried thereby. The rotation of the spinner causes the glass or other material to be thrown or moved outwardly under the iniiuence of centrifugal forces and the material collected on the interior periphery of a band or wall of the spinner or rotor, the wall being provided with openings through which the material is projected or extruded by centrifugal forces forming the elongated bodies or primaries which are delivered into an attenuating blast.

The glass impinging upon an axial zone of the spinner is moved outwardly or laterally in all directions by centrifugal forces, resulting in forming the moving glass into a comparatively thin film, a condition fostering rapid cooling of the glass. The rapid cooling causes the glass to become highly viscous with a consequent decrease in its mobility and increasing the difficulties informing the viscous glass into primary filaments by centrifugal forces.

The present invention embraces a method of distributing heat-softenable fiber-forming material in directions outwardly or radially of a center or axis of rotation whereby improved distribution of the material is obtained at a zone from which primary fibers, filaments or elongated bodies of uniform character are formed from the material.

. An object of the invention embraces a method of forming primary fibers, filaments, or elongated bodies, of heatsoftenable liber-forming material through the utilization of centrifugal forces wherein the fiber-forming material is distributed from a central zone to a peripheral zone of a spinner by means or method steps including the use of gaseous forces` acting or operating independently of the rotation of the spinner or rotor.

3,014,235 Patented Dec. 1961 An object of the invention resides `in an arrangement of forming fibers from heat-softened fiber-forming material such as glassV through the utilization of a hollow rotor having peripheral openings through which the material is projected by centrifugal forces forming elongated v bodies which are attenuated to fibers-by a suitable medium and wherein the material is delivered to the zoneV An object of the invention is the provision of an im-Al proved method of delivering molten glass or other heatsoftened fiber forming material into a circular zone from which primary filaments or bodies are formed by centrifugal forces wherein the glass or other material is rapidly conveyed to the circular zone in a form or manner minimizing loss of heat and attaining improved dis-y tribution of the glass or other material at the said zone.

An object of the invention is an improved method offeeding comparatively large quantities of molten mineral material to a circular zone from which primary filaments or elongated bodies of thevmaterial are formed by centrifugal forces and the primary filaments attenuated to fibers whereby the rate of production of very fine fibers is greatly increased.

Another object of the invention resides in an apparatus arranged or adapted to deliver fiber-forming `material into engagement with a spinner or rotor by means operative independently of the rotor or spinner.

Another object of the invention resides in the utiliza-` tion of a gas stream or gaseous blast forconveying molten glass or other fiber-forming material to a peripheral wall of a spinner or rotor for centrifulging flowable material into elongated bodies or primary filaments wherein a plurality of streams of fiber-forming material is delivered into the spinner, the spinner embodying partitions,`walls of the spinner or rotor. v Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operal y tion and function of the related elements and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

of nozzle;

FIGURE 1 is a semidiagrammatic vertical sectional view illustrating a form of novel apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2; I

FIGURE 4 is an elevational viewillustrating one type of nozzle or orifice construction for forming a material FIGURE 7 is an elevational view showing still another shape of nozzle;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form of novel apparatus for distributing fiberforming material;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view illustrating another form of material distributing and primary filament Vforming means;

' FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View illustrating a modified form of rotor or spinner construction;

FIGURE 1l is a vertical sectional View through the apparatus illustrating a method and means of applying coating material to the attenuated fibers;

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 1212 of FIGURE ll;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE l1 embodying means for changing or modifying the direction of movement of the attenuated fibers;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a method of distributing fiber forming material from a plurality of streams of the material;

FIGURE 15 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 15--15 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a vertical sectional view illustrating another form of material distributing means of the invention;

FIGURE 17 illustrates a modified form of material distributing means;

FIGURE i8 is a sectional view illustrating another form of means for distributing material;

FIGURE 19 is a View similar to FIGURE 13 embodying a means of applying supplemental attenuating forces to the fiber-forming material, and

FIGURE 2O is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another form of means for distributing fiber forming material.

The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly usable for forming bers from heat-softenable materials, such as glass, fusible rock or slag, wherein primary filaments, primaries or elongated bodies of the material are formed by centrifugal forces and are engaged and attenuated by high velocity gaseous blasts into comparatively fine fibers. It is to be understood that the method and apparatus of the invention, while having particular utility in the formation of fibers from heat-softenable mineral materials, may be used for other purposes.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, there is illustrated a forehearth 12 connected with a melting furnace (not shown) in which glass batch or other heat-softenable fiber-forming mineral material is reduced to a flowable state or condition providing a supply of the molten material 14 in the forehearth 12 as shown in FIGURE l. Disposed beneath and secured to the bottom wallof the forehearth 12 is a feeder or bushing 16 which receives molten glass 14 or other material from the forehearth 12 through a passage 17. The feeder 16 is formed with an orifice or outlet 18 through which a stream 20 of glass is discharged or delivered.

f Disposed adajcent to and beneath the forehearth 12 is a frame or supporting means 24 which is formed orassociated with a hollow boss portion 26 in which suitable bearings (not shown) are mounted which journally support a shaft 30 for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. The lower end of the shaft 30 is threaded as at 32 to receive a hub portion 34 of a rotatable member, rotor or spinner 35. The rotor is adapted to rotate with the shaft 30 through the threaded inter-connection between the shaft and the hub 34 or other means for fixedly securing the shaftto the rotor.

The shaft 30 is equipped with pulleys or sheaves 31 driven by belts 33 from a motor 36 carried by the frame 24 whereby the rotor or spinner 35 is rotated at a cornparatively high speed.

The rotor or spinner is formed with a bottom Wall '37 and upper cone shaped wall 38, the walls 37 and 38 being integrally joined to a cylindrical wall or peripheral band 4t) as shown in FIGURES l and 2. The bottom Wall 37 of the rotor is preferably formed with a central opening or open area 42 to facilitate the passage of gases out of the rotor and to substantially equalize or balance the stresses in the lower and upper walls 37 and 3-8 set up by high speed rotation at elevated temperatures and thereby minimize distortion of the rotor.

The peripheral band or cylindrical wall 40 is formed with rows of small openings or apertures 44 through which heat-softened fiber-forming material is carried outwardly or projected in the form of elongated bodies, primary filaments or primaries 45 from material delivered interiorly of the spinner or rotor by centrifugal forces set up or established by reason of the rotation of the spinner or rotor. The region of the perforated wall 40 provides a circular zone from which the primaries or elongated bodies are formed.

Disposed adjacent and surrounding the rotor 35 is a means such as a burner 50 of the internal combustion type for producing a gaseous blast or blasts for drawing Vor attenuating the bodies or primary filaments into fine fibers. The burner is preferably generally annular in configuration and is constructed with a metal casing or housing 53, the interior being lined with high temperature refractory 5S, the interior Wall surfaces of the refractory defining an annularly shaped zone or cornbustion chamber 5S.

Pipes or ducts 60 spaced circumferentially of the burner are adapted to convey or deliver a fuel and air mixture into the combustion chamber 58 where the mixture is substantially completely burned. The mixture being supplied through each of the tubes or ducts 60 passes through a plurality of comparatively small channels or perforations 62 provided in a wall of the burner, the perforated wall portion'forrning a fire screen to prevent preignition of the mixture in the supply tubes 6i).

The fuel and air mixture is introduced into the chamber 58 under comparatively low pressure of from three to ten pounds per square inch. The burning gases in the combustion chamber or confined zone 58 undergo great expansion, heating the Walls of refractory to incandescence and accelerating combustion and flame propagation in the chamber.

The lower Wall of refractory defining the combustion chamber is formed with a restricted orifice or passage 64 through which the intensely hot burned gases or products of combustion from the burner chamber '58 are projected, delivered or discharged as a high velocity gaseous blast. The orifice or passage 64 is preferably of annular character and is disposed substantially concentric with the peripheral band 4t) of the spinner. The temperature of the gases forming the high velocity blast may be 3000" F. or more, a temperature well above the softening temperature of glass.

The primaries or bodies 45 of fiber-forming material are delivered outwardly and endwise into the gases of the blast adjacent the orifice 64, the force of the high velocity blast attenuating the material of the primaries to fine fibers 66 which move downwardly in a generally cylindrical pattern or formation referred to herein as a beam of fibers 68.

Any suitable lgaseous fuel such as butane, methane or propane,.may be utilized as the combustible of the mixture burned within the chamber 58. As shown in FIG- URE 3 the elongated bodies or filaments, moving outwardly of the rotor or spinner, travel in a path resulting from centrifugal forces of the rotation of the spinner and the drag or retarding inliuence of the ambient air or atmosphere. These forces cause the bodies 45 to move in curved paths as indicated in FIGURE 3.

The arrangement is inclusive of a means or method for delivering a stream of glass or other fiber-forming material into engaging relation with the inner surface or zone of the wall or peripheral band 4G of the rotor or spinner. In order to obtain satisfactory formation of elongated bodies or primary filaments of the material, the material must be delivered into contact with the peripheral band of the spinner in a minimum of time and in a manner to prevent substantial loss or transfer of heat from the stream in its movement to the inner wall of the spinner.

In the arrangementillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4, the material is delivered or distributed from the stream to the peripheral wall of the spinner by means of a fluid or gas stream. As particularly shown in FIGURE 2, a tube or gas conveying duct 70 extends through the hub of the spinner 3S. The lower extremity of the tube 70 is -formed with a nozzle construction 72 having an orifice or passage 74 through which gas under pressure is delivered.

The tube 70 is connected with a transversely extending tube 73 which is connected with a supply of compressed air or other gas under pressure, the tubes conveying the compressed air or gas to the nozzle construction 72.. A cooling jacket 21 may be provided adapted to receive a circulating cooling fiuid such as water conveyed into the jacket through an inlet pipe 23 and discharged through an outlet pipe 2S.

The nozzle construction 72 is disposed in relation to the glass stream 20 so that the jet or blast of air or other material distributing medium engages the terminus zone of the glass stream and entrains, conveys or carries the glass radially of the axis of the rotor or spinner to impinge the Iglass on or against the inner surface of the peripheral wall or band 4G thereof. The air or other gas stream discharged from the nozzle 72 atomizes or separates the glass into small bodies which are dispersed over the width of the wall 40 so as to cover the openings 44 in the rotor wall 40 with molten glass. The glass or other material delivered against the spinner wall forms a film or layer 80 which, under the influence of centrifugal forces, spreads over the area of the band 40 and over the openings 44 in the wall 40. By this method a supply of molten or fiowable glass or other fiber-forming material is maintained within the spinner at the peripheral zone thereof so that primary fibers or elongated bodies 45 of uniform character may be continuously formed from all of the openings 44 during rotation of the spinner and operation of the glass distributing means or gas stream projected from the orifice 74.

The nozzle from which the air or gas stream is projected is relatively stationary in the apparatus shown in FIGURES l and 2, and hence the glass is conveyed in a Y and travels at a high rate of speed under the influence' of the high velocity of the gas stream or blast. Through this method the molten glass is moved in the shortest path into engagement with the spinner in a minimum amount of time with a minimum of heat loss or transfer of heat to the ambient air.

The rotor or spinner is rotated at speeds upwards of 3000 r.p.m. or more and the centrifugal forces act ing on the film or layer of glass or other material at the inner surface of the band of the spinner spreads or flows the glassover the peripheral band to attain a substantially uniform thickness even though the glass from the stream 20 is projected in a rectilinear path toward the peripheral wall of the spinner.

It has been found that compressed air provides an inexpensive and effective material distribution means. However, other gases or forces may be used for the purpose. For example hot gases ofcombustion may be projected from the tube 70 through the orifice 74 for distributing the glass if desired. Under certainoperating conditions it may be advantageous to utilize a high velocity stream of intensely hot gases projected against a plurality of arcuately shaped slots or passagesv ar-' ranged in a circular zone. While it yis advantageous in forming fine fibers from the primaries to utilize a high velocity blast or blasts of intensely hot gases, it is i to be understood that an annular attenuating blast may be formed of other gases, as for example, steam, compressed air, or the like.

, The attenuated fibers move downwardly in the form of a hollow beam or cylindrical pattern 68 and are collected in any sui-table manner. As shown in FIGURE l the beam 68 of fibers may be directed through an en-A closureor shield onto a collecting surface. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE l, a foraminous endless belt or conveyor is supported by rollers 92, one

of which -is shown in FIGURE l, the upper flight 94 of the conveyor providing a surface upon which the fibers of the beam are collected.

. Disposed beneath the upper flight 94 of the conveyor and in registration with the beam yof fibers is a sheet metal 'casing or box 96 forming a chamber 97 connected by means of a duct or pipe 98 with a suction blower or other source of reduced pressure. Through this arrangement, the subatmos'pheric or reduced pressure in the chamber 97 assists in the collection of the fibers upon the surface 94 and also conveys away spent gases of the attenuating blast from the burner 50.

The collected fibers form a mass or mat M which may be impregnated with binder if mass integrity is desired in the mat. The mat of fibers may be compressed or sized by passing the same between rollers 99. If the mat is treated with binder, the binder may be cured by passing the mat through a heating oven or curing zone (not shown).

f The glass or other fiber-forming material loses some heat during its travel from the feeder 16 of the circular zone adjacent the rotor Wall/4@ and during its formation into .primary filaments or elongated bodies V4S. Hence, the primary filaments or elongated bodies 4S are highly viscous in character as they enter the attenuating blast of gasesfrom the orifice 64. The heat from the blast of intensely hot gases from the burner chamber 5S softens the advancing bodies and the velocity of the blast drawsv out or attenuates the softened bodies intoV fine fibers. If other lower temperature gases, such as compressed air or steam are used as attenuating or fiber-forming mediums, vthe temperature of the glass in the forehearth should be increased so that the molten glass delivered to the vperipheral zone of the spinner 35 is of low viscosity. The filaments or primaries of low viscosity may be attenuated or drawn intol fibers by gaseous blasts of steam or compressed air, which are at temperatures lower than the temperature of the glass.

Various forms or shapes of nozzle construction may be utilized for directing a gas stream or air blast against the glass stream 20 to convey the stream to the periphery of the rotor 35. FIGURE 5 is illustrative of an orifice construction similar to FIGURE 4 wherein the rectangular orifice 161 is of lesser length than orifice 74 shown in FIGURE 4.

The orifice 101 may be formed in a cap or closure welded into the portion 102 of tube 103 wherein portion 192 extends in a direction generally normal to the supply tube 103. With a proportionately narrow slot or orifice 101, theair or gas streamdoes not fan out t`o theextent of an air stream from a nozzle of greater width in crosssection, such as that shown in FIGURE 4. Thus a blast of gases projected through the nozzle or orilice 101 is eitective in avoiding a substantial spreading of the glass or fiber-forming material conveyed by the blast to the inner periphery of the spinner or rotor.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a modified shape of orifice or nozzle. In this form the portion 102' of tube 103 is formed with an arcuately shaped orifice or gas passage 105 through which is projected a gaseous blast of correspondingly shaped cross-section. The concave zone of the blast is adapted to partially surround the molten glass or liber-forming material and tends to conne and support the glass as the blast conveys the glass to the inner periphery of the rotor.

FIGURE 7 is illustrative of another form of orifice that may be used in producing a material conveying gas stream or blast. In this form the portion 102 of tube 103" is provided with a V-shaped orice 107 in crosssectional configuration. The orice 107 is adapted to detine a blast of V-shaped cross section which, in conveying the molten glass or other fiber-forming material, tends to confine and support the glass in a manner of the blast produced by the form of orifice shown at 105 in FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE S is illustrative of another form of means of distributing heat-softened liber-forming material, such as molten glass in a rotor, into contact with a peripheral zone of the rotor or spinner from which primary filaments or elongated bodies are formed by centrifugal forces. The

arrangement includes a rotor a mounted upon a shaft 32a and adapted to be rotated by a motor in the manner illustrated in FIGURE l. Disposed concentrically with the rotor 35a is an internal combustion burner 50a of the character shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The burner a is provided with a restricted orifice 64a through which is projected an intensely hot high velocity blast of burned gases or products of combustion from the combustion zone or chamber 58a in the burner. The annular blast from the burner engages primary filaments or elongated bodies 45a of glass or other heat-softened material moving outwardly under the iniluence of centrifugal forces through openings 44a formed in the peripheral band or wall 40a of the rotor or spinner.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 8 is inclusive of means, such as a member 110, upon which is impinged the stream 20a of glass or other liber-forming material cooperating with a gas stream or gaseous blast, the arrangement being adapted to project the glass from member toward the wall 40a of the spinner. The means for directing and conveying the glass or other material into engagement with the rotor is operable independently of the rotor 35a.

As shown in FIGURE S member 110 is disposed in a horizontal position or a position normal to the glass stream 20a and is formed With an upper planar surface in the path of the glass stream 20a. The member 110 is formed with a hub portion 112 mounted for vertical adjustment upon a shaft 114 driven by a motor 115. A screw 113 or other securing means may be employed to secure the hub 112 in adjusted position on the shaft 114.

The motor 115 may be supported from a frame 117 by means of an arm or strut 118. The arm 118 is preferably very thin in its vertical direction so as to present a minimum of obstruction to the movement of bers 66 of the beam of bers attenuated by the blast from the burner 50a. The electrically actuated motor 115 isl connected with a suitable control 120 for regulatingor determining the direction and speed of rotation of theshaft 114 and member 110.

Disposed adjacent the member 110 and the glass stream 20a is a tting or nozzle construction 123 having an orice throughv which a stream of compressed air or gaseous blast is projected. The tting 123 is connected to the extremity of a stationary tube or pipe125 connected with a supply of compressed air, steam or other gas under pressure. The nozzle is preferably angularly positioned as shown in FIGURE 8 so as to direct the stream or blast of air or other gas into engaging relation with they glass stream 20a approximately at the zone of contact of the glass with the member 110.

The stream or blast of compressed air is of sufficient velocity to entrain and propel the molten glass laterally or radially of the axis of rotation of the spinner into the circular zone dened by the Wall 40a.

Energization of the motor 115 rotates member 11@ and the propelling forces of the air or gaseous blast from the nozzle 123 augmented or supplemented by centrifugal forces of rotation of the member 1104 act concomitantly to rapidly project the glass or other liber-forming material to the inner surface of the wall 40a.

If desired, the plate or member 110 may be maintained stationary by deenergizing the motor 115, the blast of air or gas from the nozzle 1.23 being utilized as the solel movant for carrying or propelling the glass to the inner periphery of the spinner wall 40a. Through the motor control means 120, the plate 110 may be rotated in either direction and at a desired speed to attain the most eicient delivery or distribution of the glass against the wall The member 110 is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to the rotor 35a to facilitate proper distribution of the glass at a level to provide ya layer of glass adjacent the several rows of openings 44a in the peripheral wall 40a in order that there will be an adequate supply of glass for forming the primaries or bodies 45a from all of the openings. The position of the nozzle 123 may be adjusted by elevating or lowering the tube 125.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a modified form of rotor construction adapted to increase the number of primary filaments or elongated bodies of glass or other fiber-forming material delivered into an attenuating blast. The rotor is provided with a threaded hub portion 132 mounted upon the threaded extremity of the rotor supporting tubular shaft 32h.

The rotor is formed with a peripheral wall portion 134 which is of substantially greater width than the peripheralwall of the rotor 3S shown in FIGURE 2, and has two vertically spaced perforated zones 136 and 137. The rotor is formed with a horizontally disposed partition or separating means 140 which joins the peripheral wall 134 of the rotor at a region between the zones 136 and 137 of the peripheral Wall and establishes upper and lower chambers or compartments in the rotor designated respectively 142 and 144.

The partition 140 is of annular shape providing an opening at 147 to facilitate the entrance of a stream of liber-forming material into the lower compartment or chamber 144. The peripheral Wall zones 136 and 137 are formed with rows of orices or openings 148 and' 149 respectively through which glass or fiber-forming material is projected by centrifugal forces resulting from rotation of the rotor'forming primary filaments, primaries or elongated bodies 150 and 154.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 9, a glass stream 2015 is delivered into `the chamber 142 and the glass or material of the stream is projected transversely of the rotor =by a gaseous blast projected from a nozzle 143 connected to the lower end of a pipe or tube 145. The gaseous blast from the nozzle 143 may be compressed air, steam or other gas under pressure derived from a supply and conveyed vto the nozzle by the tube 145.

The glass or other material collects as a iilm or layer 146 on the inner wall portion 136 of the rotor.

A second stream of glass or other molten material 20c is delivered through the hollow shaft 32h, through the chamber 142 and into the lower chamber 144 of the rotor construction. Projecting into the Vchamber 144 is a tube which conveys a gas, such as compressed air, steam, or the like, to a nozzle 15d from which the gas is projected in the form of a blast engaging 'the extremity of the glass stream 20c, directing or projecting the glass transversely into engagement with the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 137 of the rotor. The glass or other fiber-forming material collects as a film or layer 157, the layers 146 and 157 being maintained against the walls 136 and 137 under the influence of centrifugal forces.

The blasts from the lnozzles 143 and 156 rapidly convey, propel or project the molten fiber-forming material into engagement with the peripheral zones of the rotor with a minimum of loss of heat from the fiber-forming material. Hence the material engaging the inner surface of the circular zones -provided by the Walls 136 and 137 of the rotor is of low viscosity and in mobile condition whereby the centrifugal forces iniiuence the material to flow around the inner surfaces of the walls 136 and 137 to provide substantially uniform thickness of material covering or adjacent to the openings 148 and 149 through which the material is moved by centrifugal forces to form elongated bodies or primary filaments 150 and 154.

The primary filaments or bodies 150 and 154 lare projected endwise into the path of an annularly shaped gaseous blast of gases projected through a restricted orifice 158 from a combustion chamber 169 in an annularly shaped burner 162 arranged substantially concentric with respect to the rotor.

A combustible mixture is admitted to the combustion chamber 160 in the burner 162 in the same manner as shown in FIGURE 2 and the mixture is substantiallly completely burned within the chamber 160, the'intensely hot burned gases forming the attenuating blast. The openings 148 and 149 may be of different diameters whereby primaries and 154 are of different sizes.

Through this method of .forming primary filaments of different sizes for projection into an attenuating blast, the attenuated fibers formed from the differentially sized bodies may be of different diameters.

Thus the mass or group of fibers attenuated through the use of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 9 may consist of attenuated fibers of different .sizes formed from the different sizes of primary filaments.

A high production of fibers maybe obtained from the apparatus shown in FIGURE 9, and, if desired, the sizes of the fibers may in a large .measure be controlled by regulating the sizes of the openings A148 and 149 in the peripheral wall or" the rotor. For example, if attenuated fibers of substantially the same diameters or range of diameters is desired, the openings ltiand 149 may be sized to accomplish this purpose.

Another factor bearing upon the sizes of attenuated fibers formed through the use ofthe apparatus shown in FIGURE 9 is the difference in the distance lof the primary 'iilarnents 154 -fromthe orifice 158 and the distance of the primary filaments 159 from the orifice.

The primary filaments nearest the orifice will usually be attenuated by the blast through -a greater distance and hence form fibers which are long and of small diameters. Through the facilities of modifying the size of atheopenings 148 and 149 to predetermine thesize of the filaments or primaries 15G and 154, the Vsizes of the fibers attenuated therefrom may be controlled so as'to produce fibrous `mats having various density '-and'resiliency characteristics.

FIGURE 10 illustrates a modified form of rotor construction. The rotor 170 is formedwith aperipheral wall 172 provided with rows of openings 174 through which glass or other fiber-forming material from a stream d is moved by centrifugal forces of rotation o'f the rotor to form primary filaments or elongated bodies. The material of the stream 20d may be projected or conveyed to the interior circular zone defined vby the wall 172 by a gaseous blast such as an air blastvpro'jected -from a nozzle 176 or .by other forms of means shown in other figures 'of -the drawings.

The inner surface or zone of the wall -172 `is formed with circular raised ridges or partitions 180 disposed respectively between adjacent rows of openings '174. The ridges 180 form peripheral channels 181, a channel being provided adjacent each row of openings forming a means of collecting fiber-forming material, providing a layer of the fiber-forming material of substantial thickness adjacent each of the rows of openings assuring an adequate supply of molten material or glass for each row of openings.

The centrifugal forces developed by rotation of the rotor hold the material in the channels formed by the ridges 180. The glass or other molten material is pro je'cted outwardly by centrifugal forces through the openings 174 forming primary filaments or elongated bodies which are projected endwise into a gaseous attenuating blast in the manner illustrated in FIGURES l and 2. It is to be understood that the multiple ridge arrangement formed on the wall 172 of the rotor 170 shown ,in FIG- URE l0 may be embodied in the other forms of 'rotors or spinner constructions illustrated herein.

FIGURES ll and l2 illustrate an apparatus of the character shown in FIGURES l and l2 embodying a means for applying a coating material or binder to the fibers formed by the apparatus. As illustrated in FIG- URES l1 and l2, a rotor 35e issupportedupon a tubular shaft 30e journalled for rotation in the manner shown in FIGURE l.

A stream 'Ztle of molten glass or other material is delivered into the interior of the rotor and is propelled vor conveyed radially by a blast ,of gas, such as compressed air projected from a nozzle 72e disposed at the extremity of an air supply tube or pipe 70e. The Wall portion 40e is formed with openings 44e through which the glass or fiber-forming material is projected by centrifugal forces forming primary filaments delivered endwise into an annularly shaped gaseous blast from a burner 50e. The fibers 66e move downwardly in a generally cylindrical pattern or path.

The bottom wa-ll 37e of the Vrotor vis .provided with .an opening 42e and extending therethrough is `a pipe or tube 185. Secured to an extremity -of the pipe is a fitting 186 supporting a nozzle construction 18S, the latter .being ypreferably formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced orifices or outlets 190 adapted to project or deliver a coating material or binder onto the cylindrical formation of fibers 68e. This arrangement of directing binder or coating material onto the bers from a zone concentric with the axis of rotation of the rotor provides for a substantially uniform distribution of binder on the fibers. Fun thermore, this arrangement provides a means for conducting the binder through the tube 185 disposed in the interior of the shaft 30e thus avoiding impairment of or obstruction to the movementof the fibers away Vfrom the attenuating zone.

IGURE 13 discloses an arrangement similar to FIG- URE ll modified to include an arrangement for changing the pattern or direction of travel of the beam of fibers. The circular wall 401 of the rotor '359 is formed with openings lf'through which vglass or yother'rnaterial of a stream Ztlf is moved outwardly under centrifugal forces of rotation of the rotor to 'form primaries or elongated bodies 45j. The primaries are attenuated to comparatively fine fibers by Aa blast of gases projected through a restricted orifice formed in la wall o-f a combustion burner Sfif.

The material of the stream 20f is directed or propelled radially under the influence of an air or other gaseous blast emanating from a nozzle 72.7c disposed at a terminus of a tube 79j. The material of the stream '201 isthus conveyed to la peripheral or circular zone interiorly of the wall 49j of the rotor, the molten material flowing or spreading over the interior surface yo'f the wall 40f to be discharged through the openings '44fby centrifugalforces.

A tube similar tothe 'tube fliSis provided at its' lower end with a fitting 197 to which is secured a member 199 formed with a plurality of radially disposed nozzles or outlets 201. The outlets or nozzles 201 are arranged to project gaseous blasts, such as streams of compressed air or steam, into impinging` engagement with the beam of fibers 68jc causing the beam or group of fibers to be opened or expanded. The fibers forming the beam of fibers 68j when collected in a manner, for example as shown in FIGURE V1, provides a resilient and fluffy mass or mat of fibers having high insulating and effective sound attenuating characteristics. While individual compressed air or gas supply tubes 70f and 1% are illustrated in FIGURE 13, it is to be understood that if the same-fluid is utilized to move or propel the glass radially in the rotor 35f and to change or modify the pattern of a beam of fibers 681i, the supply tubes 70j* and 195 may be combined and connected to a single source of air under pressure of other gas supply.

FIGURES 14 and 15 are illustrative of an arrangement wherein a plurality of individual streams of heatsoftened fiber-forming material is delivered into the interiorof a hollow rotor and wherein blasts or streams of compressed air or other gases under pressure are utilized to propel, distribute or convey the material to a circular zone or perforated wall from which primary filaments or elongated bodies are formed by centrifugal forces set up by rotation of the rotor. The rotor 20S is supported for rotation upon a hollow shaft 207 which is of a larger diameter than the shaft 30 having sufficient cross-sectional area to accommodate a plurality of streams 210 of molten glass or other heat-softened fiber-forming ma terial.

The streams 210 of glass may be discharged from a pluralityof feeders similar to the feeder 16 connected with a suitable forehearth or supply of molten material. The streams 210 are preferably circumferentially spaced as illustrated in FIGURE about the center or axis of rotation of the rotor 205. Disposed within the rotor 205 is a fitting or member 212 of generally circular shape which is formed with a peripheral wall 214, the latter being provided with a series of trough-shaped orifices or outlets 216 through which jets or blasts of compressed air or other gas are discharged.

The member 212 is connected with a compressed air supply tube or pipe 218 which is flattened as at 220 adjacent the beam of fibers, the flattened portion presenting a minimum impediment in the path of downward movement of the beam of fibers. Each trough-shaped blast provided through the cross-sectional shape of each of the orifices or outlets 216 in member 212 is adapted to receive one of the streams 210 of glass, the force of the compressed air or gaseous blasts moving or propelling the molten glass radially of the rotor whereby the glass from the several streams is delivered in spaced individual quantities into a circular zone defined or bounded by the peripheral Wall 222 of the rotor 205.

The molten glass or material collects in a layer 224 on the inner surface of the wall 222 in the manner shown in FIGURES 14 and 15. The material, under the action of centrifugal forces due to the rotation of the rotor 205, is distributed through the openings 226 to form primaries or elongated bodies. Compressed air may be supplied to the orifice construction through a pipe 218', shown in broken lines in FIGURE 14, extending downwardly through-the rotor supporting shaft 207.

The arrangement shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 faor .gaseous blast to efficiently transfer the glass from 12 the streams 210 to the circular zone defined by the wall 222.

FIGURE 16 is illustrative of another form of apparatus for distributing a stream of molten fiber-forming material to a peripheral zone of a rotor. The rotor 35g is carried by a hollow shaft 30g mounted in suitable bearings and driven by a motor (not shown) in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The stream 20g of glass or other heat-softened fiberforming material engages or impinges upon a member or plate 230 angularly arranged with respect to the direction of flowof the stream 20g in order to deflect or redirect the glass radially of the rotor toward the perforated circular wall 40g. The plate or member 230 is formed with a hub portion 232 secured to the upper extremity of a hollow shaft 234 which is driven by a motor 235 or other suitable motive means.

The motor 235 may be mounted upon a frame or support 237 which is extremely thin or of small dimension in a transverse direction so as to present a minimum of obstruction to the movement of the fibers formed by attenuation of primaries or elongated bodies moving through the perforations in the wall 40g in the manner herein described in connection with other forms of the apparatus.

Associated with the plate or member 230 is a tubular fitting 240 having an outlet 242 arranged to direct or discharge a stream of air or other gas under pressure along the upper surface of the member or plate 230. The air or gaseous blast from the opening or orifice 242 assists or forms an effective force in propelling or conveying the glass or material of the stream 20g into engagement with the interior of the wall 40g. The interior of the fitting 240 is in communication with the hollow shaft 234, the other end of the shaft 234 being connected by means of a tube 244 with a supply of compressed air or other gas under pressure. A suitable seal is established at 246 between the extremity of the tube 244 and the hollow shaft 234 to facilitate the flow of compressed air through the shaft and onto the plate or member 230 without leakage of air at the juncture of the rotatable shaft with the stationary tube 244.

The motor 235 may be energized and controlled by means (not shown) to rotate the shaft 234, fitting 240 and plate 230 in either direction of rotation and at a desired speed. Through this arrangement, the material deflecting plate 230 and the compressed air or gas blast emanating through the orifice 242 directs the material radially of the rotor, and the rotation of the plate 230 and the fitting 240 effects movement of the material in a circular direction, the combined forces causing the material to be distributed substantially uniformly at the zone of the wall 40g.

It is to be understood that the deflecting plate 230 may, if desired, be disposed in a fixed position simply by deenergizing or stopping the motor 235. The pipe 244 may be provided with a flattened portion 248 having its narrow dimension in a vertical plane so as to offer a minimum of obstruction to the passage of fibers moving downwardly from the attenuating zone.

FIGURE 17 shows a material distributing means cornprising a hollow shaft 255 which may be driven by a motor in a manner similar to the arrangement shown in FIGURE 16. A channel shaped member 257 is disposed so as to receive the end zone of the glass stream. A fitting 259 at the upper end zone of the hollow shaft 25S is formed with a'restricted orifice 260 through which a jet or stream of compressed air or other gas may be projected along the surface 261 of the channel 257.

The air blast or air jet propels the molten liber-forming material longitudinally along the channel from which it is delivered to the interior of a rotor or spinner. The side walls of the channel shaped member 257 assist in confining the air or gas stream and the glass or molten mineral material distributed toward the inner surface of a peripheral wall of a rotor. The Shaft 255 may be -illustrated in FIGURE 1.

13 rotated by energizing a motor connected `therewith, and the direction and speed of rotation of the distributing means may be determined by controlling the direction and speed of-rotation of the motor.

FIGURE 18 is a modification of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 16. The motor shaft 234 of a motor 235 projects upwardly and into the interior of ya rotor 35h. The upper end of the shaft 234 is formed or fitted with an elbow-like member or curved tube 265, and -end 266 of which is adapted to receive a stream 20h of glass or other owable fiber-forming material, the glass or other material being discharged from the other end 267 of the curved or arcuate tube 265.

The upper end zone of shaft 234 is formed with aportion .269 which Vprovides a channel or passage 270 in communication with the interior of the tube 265 through a slot or restrictedoritice 272. The bounding walls of the orifice 272 are slanted or inclined downwardly toward the interiorof the elbow-like tube 265. The hollow shaft 234' may be connected with a supply of compressed air or other gas under pressure. The compressed air ows through the shaft and passage 279 and is discharged at high velocity through the restricted oriiice 272 downwardly into the tube 265. The compressed air stream engages the glass or .other material of the stream h .and propels or conveys it from the end 267 of tube 265 into engagement with the interior surface of wall 40h of the rotor.

The rotor 235' may be energized to rotate the shaft 234 and the elbow-shaped tube 265 in either direction at the desired speed to effect efiicient transfer or distribu- .tion of the fiber-forming material to the zone defined by wall 40h of the rotor. In this form of material distribution means, the material is moved under the influence of centrifugal forces of rotation of the tube 265 and the force of the gas stream projected from the orifice 272 as Well as the inertia of the downwardly flowing stream 20h.

FIGURE 19 is illustrative of a fiber forming apparatus embodying means for establishing supplemental ber attenuating forces to assist or augment the attenuation of the material to fibers by the main or primary attenuating blast. The rotor 35m is of the character shown at 35 in FIGURE l and is formed with a peripheral wall 40m having openings through which primary filaments or bodies 45m are drawn or formed under the infiuence of centrifugal forces developed by rotation of the rotor. A stream 20m of glass or other material is propelled or conveyed to the zone of the wall 40m by an air or other gaseous blast delivered from a nozzle 72m.

The rotor 35m is driven by a motor in the manner Surrounding the rotor is an annularly shaped burner 50m having a chamber 58m in which a combustible mixture is substantially completely `burned and the burned gases or products of combustion delivered through a restricted annular orifice 64m into engagement with the primaries or bodies 45m, the forces of the blast of burned gases drawing out or attenuating the primaries or bodies to fibers 66m. The

Yfibers 66m attenuated by the blast move away from the attenuatiug zone in a generally cylindrical shaped pattern or vbeam 68m of fibers.

Under certain operating conditions as where longer 1fibers ,are desired, additional attenuating forces may be 'employed to supplement the forces ofthe main or primary ,gaseous blast from the burner 50m. To accomplish this purpose a burner 305 or other means for producing high velocity gaseous Ablasts for engagement with the fibers 66m is disposed beneath and adjacent the rotor 35m. The .burner 365 may be of the internal combustion type adapted to receive a combustible mixture through a mixture supply pipe or duct 307, the mixture being burned in a combustion chamber within the burner. j n

The burner 355 is formed with a front wall 309 which is provided with slots or orifices 31) preferably disposed in a circular zone concentric with the axis of the rotor 1d and through which the intenselyhot gases of combustion are discharged as high velocity blasts. The wallsdefining the orifices or slots 310 vare arranged so as Yto direct the gases of the'blast'into engagement with the lfibers 66m and in the `general direction ofmovement'of the fibers.

The high velocity blasts from `the orifices v31-0 engaging the fibers lexert attenuating forces on the fibers which assist in drawing out vthe fibers 66m being formed atthe attenuating zone of the primary blast. The blasts produced from the burner 3415 'may be of highervelocity than the blasts from the burner 50m to eiect attenuation .of the material through a greater distance or at an increased rate whereby long line fibers may be secured.

FiGURE 20 illustrates another means of forming an air jet or gaseous blast for distributing molten fiber-form ing material in a rotor. Extending into the rotor or spinner 35u is a tube or pipe 320 which supports a'nozzle or blower construction 312 within the rotor. The nozzle construction 312 includes an annular housing .314 which provides a horizontally disposed passage 316. The passage 316 is formed by frusto-conically shaped walls 318 and 319. rIlle wall 3,18 is spaced from and voverlaps an end zone of the wall 31h` to provide an annular orifice 32d which is in communication with the annular charnber 322 formed within the housing 314.

A stream 26u of glass or other fiber-.forming material from a feeder tiows substantially parallel with the pipe 329 and adjacent the passage 31,6. Compressed air or other gas under pressure is supplied to the chamber 322 through the pipe 320 and is discharged asa high velocity annular blast through the passage 316 in the direction of convergence of the annular walls 318 and 319 toward the peripheral perforated wall 40u of the rotor 3511.

The glass of the stream 20u is drawn or directed into the passage 316 by the suction or aspiration set up by the high velocity air blast from the annular orifice 320, the glass being propelled by the blast to the inner surface of wall 4th: of the rotor. The spent gases are discharged through the circular opening 42n in bottom wall of the rotor. The material at the wall 40:1 is projected by centrifugal forces through the openings 44n to form elongated bodies or primary filaments.

in all forms of the rotor construction disclosed herein, the upper and bottom walls are frusto-conically shaped and the central circular opening in the bottom wall is of substantially area. This shape of rotor provides for improved equalization of stresses arising because of centrifugal forces and operation at high temperatures and reduces distortion to a minimum.

The method of material distribution and fiber formation and forms of means disclosed and-described herein for distributing heat-softened material to a circular zone in a rotor improves the attenuating or fiber-forming efficiency in that the material is rapidly delivered with a minimum of heat loss to the proper zone from which the primaries or elongated lbodies are formed. The material at the circular zone from which the primaries are drawn or formed is thus maintained at a high temperature and of a low viscosity whereby the primaries are more readily and rapidly formed from the material. By supplying primaries at higher temperatures, the energy of the attenuating blast may be utilized more effectively for drawing or attenuating the primaries to fine fibers through a reduction in the amount of heatvderived from the gases of the blast for resoftening `or raising the temperature of the primaries at the zone of attenuation.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the vinvention .comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. A method of distributing molten fiber-forming materiai including the steps of iiowing a `stream of material from a supply, engaging the material with a first surface,

projecting a blast of gas adjacent the r'irst surface whereby the blast propels the material from the first surface to a second surtace, and moving the second surface to discharge the material therefrom by centrifugal forces.

2. A method of forming bers from heat-softenable mineral material including tne steps of oiwing a stream of material from a supply into contact with a Iirst surface, rotating the rst surface, liowing a stream of gas into engagement with the material for entraining the material and propelling the material away from the first surface and into contact with a second surface, rotating the second surface independently of the first surface, forming the material into elongated bodies by centrifugal forces resulting from rotation of the second surface, and engaging the elongated bodies with a gaseous medium moving at high velocity to attenuate the bodies to fibers.

3. A method of forming fibers from a heat-softenable mineral material including the steps of owing a stream of material from a supply along a path leading into contact with a first surface, directing a stream of gas across the lirst surface whereby the gas Stream entrains and propels the material away from the first surface and into contact with a second surface, rotating the second surface, forming the material into elongated bodies by centrifugal forces resulting from rotation of the second surface, and engaging the elongated bodies with a gaseous medium moving at high velocity to attenuate the bodies to fibers.

4. A method of distributing molten fiber-forming material including the steps of flowing a plurality of streams of material downwardly along parallel paths from a supply, directing a blast of gas across the path of each of said streams for engaging said streams with said blasts of gas to deflect the material of the streams horizontally, recollecting the material in a circular zone, and applying centrifugal forces at the circular zone to form the material into a plurality of elongated bodies and to project the bodies outwardly therefrom.

5. Apparatus for distributing heat-softened fiber forming material, in combination, a support, a revoluble member journaled on said support, means for rotating the member, said member being formed with a chamber, a wall of the chamber being formed with openings through which heat-softened fiber forming material is projected, means for flowing a supply stream of heat-softened ber forming material downwardly into the chamber in said member, and means including a supply of gas under pressure, a gas line extending into said chamber and a nozzle on said line for directing a jet of gas against such material for projecting the material in the chamber horizontally outwardly against the inner surface of the perforated wall of the chamber.

6. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, a revoluble member journalled on a vertical axis by said support, means for rotating the member, said member being formed with an interior chamber having a peripheral Wall, said wall having perforations therein, means for feeding a supply stream of molten liberforming material downwardly into the chamber of the member, means for directing a gas stream across the path of and against the stream of fiber-forming material in the chamber for propelling the material horizontally outwardly into contact with the inner surface of the perforated wall of the member, the material adjacent the wall being discharged outwardly by centrifugal forces through the perforations in said wall to form individual elongated bodies of the material, and means for directing a gaseous attenuating blast into engagement with the elongated bodies of material for attenuating them to fine bers.

7. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, a revoluble member journalled On a vertical axis by said support, means for rotating the member, said member being formed with an interior chamber having a peripheral wall, said wall being formed with openings therein, means for feeding a plurality of individual supply streams of molten liber-forming material-downwardly into the chamber of the member, means for directing a gas stream across the path and against each of the streams of fiber-forming material in the chamber for propelling the material horizontally outwardly into contact with the inner surface of the perforated wall of the member independently of each other, the material adjacent the wall being discharged outwardly through the openings in said Wall to form individual elongated bodies of the material, and means for directing a gaseous attenuating blast into engagement with the elongated bodies of material for attenuating them to iine fibers.

8. Apparatus for forming elongated bodies from heatsoftenable material including, in combination, a support, a hollow rotor formed with a peripheral wall journalled upon the support, and means for rotating the rotor, means for delivering a stream of the heat-softened material into the hollow interior of the rotor, a tube extending into the rotor and having au orifice formed therein, said tube conveying gas under pressure for discharge through the orifice as a high velocity blast, said blast being directed across the path of and against the stream of material in the rotor for propelling the material horizontally outwardly onto the peripheral wall of the rotor, said peripheral wall having openings through which the material is projected by centrifugal forces to form the material into elongated bodies.

9. Apparatus for forming elongated bodies from heatsoftenable material including, in combination, a support, a hollow rotor journalled upon the support, means for rotating the rotor, means for delivering a stream of the heat softened material into the rotor, a member disposed in the rotor and arranged to intercept the stream of fiber-forming material, a tube associated with said member and having an orifice formed therein adjacent the member, said tube conveying gas under pressure for discharge through the orifice as a high velocity blast, said blast being directed against the material adjacent the member for propelling the material onto the peripheral Wall of the rotor, said peripheral wall having openings through which the material is projected by centrifugal forces to form the material into elongated bodies.

l0. Apparatus for forming elongated bodies from heatsoftenable material including, in combination, a support, a hollow rotor journalled upon the support, means for rotating the rotor, means for delivering a stream of heatsoftened material along a relatively ixed path into the rotor, said rotor having a peripheral wall provided with openings through which the heat-softened material is projected by centrifugal forces of rotation, a tubular housing disposed within the rotor adjacent the path of said stream, said housing having gas ow control means in the walls thereof, means for supplying gas under pressure to said housing for discharge through said ow control means whereby the stream of liber-forming material is fed through the passage and propelled by gas flow to the peripheral wall of the rotor.

11. A method of forming bers from heat-softenable ber-forming material including flowing a stream of the material from a supply into the interior of a hollow rotor formed with a perforated Wall, engaging the material of the stream by a gas stream at a region interiorly of the rotor, propelling the material by the forces of the gas stream in directions normal to the material stream and into contact with the perforated wall, projecting the material collected on the wall through the perforations therein by centrifugal forces forming elongated bodies of the material, and engaging the bodies by attenuating forces to attenuate the bodies into bers.

12. A method of forming fibers from heat-softenable material including flowing a stream of material from a supply, directing a gaseous current across the path of said stream for deilecting said stream radially outwardly from said path and vertically distributing the material of said stream, re-collecting said material in a vertically distlibuted annular mass surrounding the point of deliection thereof while rotating said annular mass and projecting material by centrifugal force continuously and outwardly from the entire area of said mass in the form of a plurality of elongated, individual bodies moving continuously outwardly therefrom.

13. A method according to claim l2 including the step of mechanically deflecting the supply stream laterally from its path by establishing a deiiecting surface in such path while simultaneously directing the gaseous current across said surface and path of said stream at about th point of mechanical deection thereof.

14. In an apparatus for forming fibers from` heatsoftenable material having a hollow centrifuge having a perforated peripheral Wall and that is rotatably journaled on a vertical axis and means for flowing a supply stream of material along a path downwardly into the interior of said centrifuge, the improvement comprising a gas supply line extending into the interior of said centrifuge to a position adjacent the path of said supply stream and a gas outlet for said supply line for directing a flow of gas across such path and into contact with said supply stream for turning said supply stream horizontally and distributing said stream horizontally outwardly to` and vertically over the inner wall of said hollow centrifuge.

l5. Apparatus according to claim 14 and an inclined deilector extending across the path of the supply stream and adjacent the gaseous outlet, said gaseous outlet being directed for flowing the gaseous jet emanating therefrom along the upper surface of said deflector.

16. In an apparatus for forming fibers from heatso-ftenable material having a hollow centrifuge having a perforated peripheral wall and that is rotatably journaled on a vertical axis and means for owing a supply stream of material along a path downwardly into the interior of said centrifuge, the improvement comprising a deliector supported in the interior of the centrifuge and having a surface extending across the path of the supply stream, a

gas supply line extending into said centrifuge and to said` deflector and outlet means on said supply line for directing a ow of gas along and over said' surface of said deflector for sweeping material from said supply stream over said detlector, said deliector and the ow of gas thereover cooperating to distribute the material in said stream outwardly therefrom and onto the inner side of said peripheral wall of said centrifuge.

17. In apparatus of the character disclosed having a support, in combination, a hollow shaft journaled on said support, a hollow rotor mounted by said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and said rotor, said rotor having a peripheral Wall provided wtih openings through which molten material is adapted to be extruded by centrifugal forces of rotation in the form of elongated bodies, means for feeding a stream of molten material through said shaft into said rotor, means within said rotor for delivering the material of the stream into engagement with the peripheral Wall of said rotor, means for establishing an annular gaseous blast and directing the gases of the blast into engagement with the bodies of the material moving outwardly from said rotor for attenuatingthe elongated bodies into bers entrained in the gaseous blast and forming a hollow column of fibers, tubular means extending through said shaft and said rotor for conveying a fiber coating material and an applicator associated with said tubular means and arranged to deliver such fiber coating material in divergent directions onto such fibers lfrom a zone interior of such hollow column of fibers.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which the means within the rotor for delivering the material of the stream into engagement with the peripheral wall of the rotor comprises a lluid pressure line extending downwardly through the hollow shaft and an outwardly directed jet nozzle on the lower end of said lluid pressure line, said nozzle being in line to impinge the jet emanating therefrom against the stream of molten material.

19. In an apparatus for centrifuging fibers from heat softenable materials, a centrifuge having a hollow interior and a generally cylindrical peripheral wall with a plurality of axially spaced, circumferentially extending rows of stream-forming orifices therein, such rows of orifices being arranged in a plurality of axially adjacent, circumferentially extending sections of said peripheral wall, a hollow rotatable quill for supporting said centrifuge, means for rotating said quill, means for supplying a stream of molten material through said quill and into the hollow interiorl of said centrifuge for the orilices in each of said sections of said peripheral wall and distribution means located within said centrifuge for each of said supply streams for distributing the material in the yassociated one of said streams over the associated one of said -sections of said peripheral wall, each of said distribution means being associated with only one of said sections.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1'9 andv an annular separator lying generally in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the centrifuge and between adjacent sections of the peripheral wall of said centrifuge.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which each ofA the distribution means comprises an air jet directed radially outwardly of the centrifuge and across the path of the associated one of the supply streams and means for supporting said air jet interiorly of said centrifuge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,601,897 Wiley et al Oct. 5, 1926 2,192,944 Thomas Mar. 12, 1940 2,328,714 Drill et al. Sept. 7, 1943 2,431,205 Slayter Nov. 18, 1947 2,577,431 Powell Dec. 4, 1951 2,587,710 Downey Mar. 4, 1952 2,609,566 Slayter et al. Sept. 9, 1952 2,624,912 Heyines etal Jan. 13, 1953 2,632,920 Koehler Mar. 31, 1953 2,689,373 Richardson Sept. 21, 1954 2,707,847 Anliker May 10, 1955 2,816,826 Brennan Dec. 17, 1957 2,839,782 Tillotson June 24, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 149,397 Australia Dec. 11, 1952 511,120 Canada Mar. 22, 1955

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