US4164534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing lumps of tangled fibers
Assignee: Central Glass Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-03-13
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Granted: 1979-08-14
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Expires: 1998-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Short filaments, or strands near filaments, of, for example, glass are introduced into a vessel such as a cyclone in which whirls around a gas such as air, resulting in entanglement of the filaments into ball-like lumps. Preferably the whirling of the gas and the introduction of the filaments into the vessel are made such that the fiber lumps are discharged downwards from the vessel while the gas is discharged upwards. The product is useful as a stuffing for heat- and/or sound insulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Ogino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:28
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/70; D04H1/02; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; D04H1/4209; D04H1/4218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of producing lumps of tangled fibers, comprising the steps of: continuously whirling a gas around in a vessel; and introducing short fibers which are substantially in an untwisted state into said vessel so as to be involved and dispersed in the whirling gas, whereby said short fibers, absent an added binder, are subjected to sufficient individual tangling with each other to form individual fiber lumps which fall towards the bottom of said vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of producing lumps of tangled fibers, comprising the steps of: continuously whirling a gas around in a vessel; and introducing short fibers which are substantially in an untwisted state into said vessel so as to be involved and dispersed in the whirling gas, whereby said short fibers, absent an added binder, are subjected to sufficient individual tangling with each other to form individual fiber lumps which fall towards the bottom of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the whirling gas is discharge upwardly from said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vessel has the construction of a cyclone arranged such that said gas whirls around a vertical axis of a generally cylindrical chamber in the cyclone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein both said gas and said short fibers are introduced into said vessel through a single inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said short fibers are introduced into said vessel separately from said gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said short fibers are converted substantially to filaments before the introduction thereof into said vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas is air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said short fibers are a mixture of at least two kinds of fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said short fibers are of an inorganic fiber material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said inorganic fiber material is glass fiber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of producing lumps of tangled fibers, comprising the steps of: introducing short fibers which are substantially in an untwisted state into a stream of a gas to produce a dispersion of said short fibers in said gas; and whirling said dispersion around in a vessel, whereby said short fibers, absent an added binder, are subjected to sufficient individual tangling with each other to form individual fiber lumps which fall towards the bottom of said vessel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of producing lumps of tangled fibers, comprising the steps of: introducing short fibers which are substantially in an untwisted state into a stream of a gas to produce a dispersion of said short fibers in said gas; and whirling said dispersion around in a vessel, whereby said short fibers, absent an added binder, are subjected to sufficient individual tangling with each other to form individual fiber lumps which fall towards the bottom of said vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-08-13 | 1983-02-12 | 1983-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-13 | 1987-02-12 | 1987-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-13 | 1991-02-12 | 1991-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |