GB1585239A

GB1585239A - Method and apparatus for collecting fibres

Info

Publication number: GB1585239A
Application number: GB51807/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1977-01-21
Filing date: 1977-12-13
Publication date: 1981-02-25
Also published as: JPS5830870B2; FI62686B; FR2377959B3; NO774526L; CA1064884A; NL7714454A; NO145909B; FI773948A; IT1089728B; BR7708729A; MX145060A; FI62686C; JPS5394627A; ES465598A1; SE7714761L; AU3153577A; SE430598B; DK585077A; DE2758351A1; ZA777524B

Description

(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS. FOR COLLECTING FIBERS (71) We, OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION, of Fiberglas Tower, Toledo, Ohio 43659, United States of America, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the state of Ohio, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to handling arrays of fibers. More particularly, this invention relates to splitting arrays of fibers into bundles, and collecting the bundles.

In a conventional fiber collecting operation the fibers in an array are passed into contact -with a surface, which can be an applicator surface, used e.g. for applying a size to the fibers, and then collected, usually by being wound into a package on a winder. A comblike splitter is often inserted into the array of fibers just below the applicator surface to divide the fibers into bundles and to produce a split-strand package. The splitter physically separates the array of fibers into bundles. of fibers.

Heretofore the insertion of the splitter into the array has been a time-consuming task, requiring a manual separation of the array into bundles. In the array handling apparatus of the prior art, the fibers of the array generally do not assume a uniform alignment and are continually "dancing", or moving laterally relative to each other. This lack of uniformity of alignment of the fibers makes separation of the array into bundles even more difficult and it is especially difficult to obtain bundles with approximately equal numbers of fibers.

It has now been discovered that increasing the tension of the fibers in the array reduces the "dancing" effect, makes insertion of the splitter easier, and allows the array to be divided into bundles of nearly equal size.

According to the invention there is provided a method of collecting fibers in which an array of fibers is passed from a source to a collecting means, and during such passage the arrayed fibers are split and gathered into a plurality of bundles by the insertion into the array of a splitter, wherein the tension of the fibers is temporarily increased during such insertion.

The increase in tension can be effected by increasing the frictional drag force applied to the fibers as they contact some contact surface, e.g. a surface of a rotating member such as a size or lubricant applicator. The fibers, under the influence of the increased drag force have a tendency to assume the alignment of the source of the array of fibers. For example, fibers pulled from a fiber-forming bushing will, under increased drag force, be more disposed to assume an alignment at the contact surface which corresponds to the alignment of fibers at the bushing.

The increase in drag force may be effected by slowing the speed of rotation of the rotating member. This may be done by slowing a motor driving the applicator or by extending the area of contact between the fibers and the contact surface In one embodiment the contact surface in the surface of an applicator used to apply a liquid to the fibers having a lubricating action, and the drag force of the applicator is increased by diminishing the supply of liquid.

The invention includes apparatus for collecting fibers emanating from a source in an array comprising: (a) means insertable into the array of fibers for splitting the fibers into a plurality of bundles, (b) means for gathering and collecting the bundles of fibers, and (c) means for temporarily increasing the tension of the fibers at the position of insertion of the splitting means to assist such insertion.

Other preferred apparatus features will be found set out in the claims.

The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly suitable for the handling of an array of glass fibers, especially glass fibers drawn from a fiber-forming bushing, a typical bushing being illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a fiber-forming bushing and fiber array handling apparatus according to the principles of this invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of apparatus according to the principles of this invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of the splitter shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to the figures, there is shown bushing 10 comprising a chamber for holding glass mass 12. The chamber is adapted with orifices 14 through which glass is emitted and attenuated into fibers 16 in the form of an array, The fan of fibers is passed in contact with contact surface 18, thereby creating a frictional drag force on the fibers. Below the contact surface the fibers are contacted by gathering member 20 which is suitable for gathering the fibers into a strand. The strand can then be collected on rotating collet 22 of winder 24, which can be a conventional winder.

In order to divide the array of fibers into bundles of fibers, splitter 26 is inserted into the array. The splitter can be inserted manually. The comb-like splitter has projections to maintain separation between fiber bundles.

It is usually desirable to divide the array evenly to obtain bundles containing substantially equal members of fibers. Subsequent to this splitting process, the bundles of fibers can be combined to form a single strand, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bundles can also be collected while the separation between bundles is maintained.

One method which can be used to modify the drag force exerted by the contact surface from a first drag force to a second drag force is to make the contact surface rotatable and to rotate the contact surface at different speeds. For example, in a typical fiber forming and collecting operation, a rotating size applicator surface is utilized to contact the fibers and apply a size. By slowing down the speed of rotation of the applicator surface, the drag force on the fibers is increased leading to a corresponding increase in tension. The rotation of the applicator surface can be accomplished by means of a variable speed motor 30 shown in Figure l.

In another embodiment of this invention the frictional drag force applied to the fibers by the contact surface is modified by changing the amount of lubrication applied to the contact surface. An increase in the amount of lubrication decreases the drag force on the fibers and vice versa. For example, as shown in Figure 2, lubricant 32 flows from reservoir 34 through conduit 36 and onto the contact surface. Valve 38 controls the amount of lubricant deposited and the temporary increase in tension may be effected by partly closing the valve for a period. In a typical fiber forming and collecting operation, a size is applied to the fibers at the contact surface, and the size acts as a lubricant.

It is to be understood that the contact surface of this invention can be a rotatable size applicator of the type in which the rotating surface contacts a size reservoir to become coated with a size and in which increasing the speed of rotation results in an increase in the amount of size coating the applicator surface. Thus, the drag force from such an applicator can be temporarily increased by reducing the rotational speed of the applicator; this results in a decrease in the amount of size coating the applicator surface.

In another embodiment of this invention, the frictional force applied to the fibers by the contact surface is temporarily increased by increasing the amount of contact between the fibers and the contact surface. If the contact surface is curved, as shown in Figure 2, this can be accomplished by increasing the angle of wrap of the fibers around the curved surface. For example, movement of the gathering member 20 along the path indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 has the effect modifying the wrap angle at the contact surface. As the gathering member 20 in Figure 2 is moved to the right, the wrap angle against applicator 18 increases, thereby increasing the drag force and producing a more uniform alignment of fibers in the array. It is also possible for the contact surface to be moved to change the amount of contact between the fibers and the contact surface.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A method of collecting fibers in which an array of fibers is passed from a source to a collecting means, and during such passage the arrayed fibers are split and gathered into a plurality of bundles by the insertion into the array of a splitter, wherein the tension of the fibers is temporarily increased during such insertion.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the arrayed fibers emanate from a corresponding array of fiber-forming orifices.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the fibers are glass fibers.

4, A method according to any preceding claim wherein during said passage the fibers make contact with a contact surface and the increase in tension is effected by increasing the frictional drag force imposed by the contact surface.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the contact surface is the surface of a rotating member.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the increase in drag force is effected by slowing the speed of rotation of the rotating member.

7. A method according to claim 6 in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. handling apparatus according to the principles of this invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of apparatus according to the principles of this invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of the splitter shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring now to the figures, there is shown bushing 10 comprising a chamber for holding glass mass 12. The chamber is adapted with orifices 14 through which glass is emitted and attenuated into fibers 16 in the form of an array, The fan of fibers is passed in contact with contact surface 18, thereby creating a frictional drag force on the fibers. Below the contact surface the fibers are contacted by gathering member 20 which is suitable for gathering the fibers into a strand. The strand can then be collected on rotating collet 22 of winder 24, which can be a conventional winder. In order to divide the array of fibers into bundles of fibers, splitter 26 is inserted into the array. The splitter can be inserted manually. The comb-like splitter has projections to maintain separation between fiber bundles. It is usually desirable to divide the array evenly to obtain bundles containing substantially equal members of fibers. Subsequent to this splitting process, the bundles of fibers can be combined to form a single strand, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bundles can also be collected while the separation between bundles is maintained. One method which can be used to modify the drag force exerted by the contact surface from a first drag force to a second drag force is to make the contact surface rotatable and to rotate the contact surface at different speeds. For example, in a typical fiber forming and collecting operation, a rotating size applicator surface is utilized to contact the fibers and apply a size. By slowing down the speed of rotation of the applicator surface, the drag force on the fibers is increased leading to a corresponding increase in tension. The rotation of the applicator surface can be accomplished by means of a variable speed motor 30 shown in Figure l. In another embodiment of this invention the frictional drag force applied to the fibers by the contact surface is modified by changing the amount of lubrication applied to the contact surface. An increase in the amount of lubrication decreases the drag force on the fibers and vice versa. For example, as shown in Figure 2, lubricant 32 flows from reservoir 34 through conduit 36 and onto the contact surface. Valve 38 controls the amount of lubricant deposited and the temporary increase in tension may be effected by partly closing the valve for a period. In a typical fiber forming and collecting operation, a size is applied to the fibers at the contact surface, and the size acts as a lubricant. It is to be understood that the contact surface of this invention can be a rotatable size applicator of the type in which the rotating surface contacts a size reservoir to become coated with a size and in which increasing the speed of rotation results in an increase in the amount of size coating the applicator surface. Thus, the drag force from such an applicator can be temporarily increased by reducing the rotational speed of the applicator; this results in a decrease in the amount of size coating the applicator surface. In another embodiment of this invention, the frictional force applied to the fibers by the contact surface is temporarily increased by increasing the amount of contact between the fibers and the contact surface. If the contact surface is curved, as shown in Figure 2, this can be accomplished by increasing the angle of wrap of the fibers around the curved surface. For example, movement of the gathering member 20 along the path indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 has the effect modifying the wrap angle at the contact surface. As the gathering member 20 in Figure 2 is moved to the right, the wrap angle against applicator 18 increases, thereby increasing the drag force and producing a more uniform alignment of fibers in the array. It is also possible for the contact surface to be moved to change the amount of contact between the fibers and the contact surface. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A method of collecting fibers in which an array of fibers is passed from a source to a collecting means, and during such passage the arrayed fibers are split and gathered into a plurality of bundles by the insertion into the array of a splitter, wherein the tension of the fibers is temporarily increased during such insertion.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the fibers are glass fibers.

7. A method according to claim 6 in

which the rotating member is motor driven and the speed of the motor is reduced.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein the increase in drag force is effected by extending the area of contact between the fibers and the contact surface.

9. A method according to any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the contact surface is the surface of an applicator used to apply a liquid to the fibers having a lubricating action.

10. A method according to claim 4 wherein the contact surface is the surface of an applicator used to apply a liquid to the fibers having a lubricating action, and the drage force of the applicator is increased by diminishing the supply of liquid.

11. Apparatus for collecting fibers emanating from a source in an array comprising: (a) means insertable into the array of fibers for splitting the fibers into a plurality of bundles, (b) means for gathering and collecting the bundles of fibers, and (c) means for temporarily increasing the tension of the fibers at the position of insertion of the splitting means to assist such insertion.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including a member having a contact surface arranged to make contact with the fibers, wherein the means for increasing tension comprises means for increasing the frictional drag force imposed by the contact surface.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the said member is an applicator arranged to apply a liquid having a lubricating action to the fibers.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the member having said contact surface is rotatable and in which said means for increasing the frictional drag force comprises means for rotating said contact surface at at least two speeds.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for increasing the frictional drag force comprises means for decreasing the amount of a liquid applied to said contact surface.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for increasing the frictional drag force comprises means for increasing the area of contact between said fibers and said contact surface.

17. A method according to claim 1 substantially as described herein.

18. Apparatus according to claim 11 substantially as described and illustrated hereinbefore.