US2219285A - Apparatus and method for nodulating fibers - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN Er Al.

APPARATUS -AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 & u @M Q GN Nm. 4 uw m n w u www Q 9 m um. f H y 7/ QN HTM Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN ET AL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7, 19156 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR" A TTORNE YS.

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN ET AL 2,219,285

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR.

BY MY@ A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 29, 1940. l F. E. ALLEN x-:r A1.

APPARATUS AND METHODFOR NODULATING FIBERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March '7, 1956 IN VEN TORS A TTORNEY S.

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN Er Al.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR- NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7, 193e 8 sheets-sheet s W JWM/Z yINl/ENTORS A TTORNE YS.

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN Elf AL 2,219,285

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7, '1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN ET 'AL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7. 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 AMN,

| Il L,

INVENTUM.

BY my? A TTo EYS.

Oct. 29, 1940. F. E. ALLEN ET AL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Filed March 7. 1936 SVSheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NODULATING FIBERS Frank E. Allen,

Columbus, and Harry V. Smith,

poration of Delaware Application March 7, 1936, Serial No. 67,736

22 Claims.

Ihe present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming individual masses of fibrous material and causing said masses to be formed into nodules. 'I'he nodules may be used for insulating purposes and are adapted to be poured or blown into insulating spaces or cavities that are not readily accessible for the introduction of fibrous insulation in the usual matted, fabricated or bulk forms.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for forming individual nodules of fibrous material, such as long, flne fibers of glass wool or the like. The nodules of glass wool fibers should be rolled suiiiciently tight so that*v they may be blown into a relatively narrow or irregular cavity having rough side walls or obstructions therein such as may be found between the walls and joists of an ordinary building or house. While it is advantageous to nodulate the individual tufts or masses of fibers sufciently to prevent undue fuzziness and mutual affinity between the nodules so that it will be possible to blow them through an air tube or the like and permit them to pack themselves uniformly 25 throughout a cavity, it is also desirable to keep the density of the nodules to a minimum. Regulation of the density is an important feature. If the nodules have been rolled too tightly so that the density is greater than necessary, there will be considerable waste of fibrous material since increased density will give practically no greater insulating effect and, as a matter of fact, may actually give less insulation. In addition, the added weight caused by increased density is a disadvantage since the ceiling, walls or other place in which the material has been installed, will be required to carry the added load and, in addition, the material, before being installed, will require increased handling charges. Besides these disadvantages, if the density is too high, the inherent weight of the material itself, particularly when inserted in a tall cavity such as found in the walls of a building, will pack down the fibers or nodules underneath so that the density in the bottom nodules is furtherincreased by this packing effect. Further, such packing or settling may take place after an installation is completed, resulting in air pockets or empty spaces, thus impairing the insulating emciency. A density ranging from about l to 41/2 and preferably about 3 lbs, per cubic ft. has been found desirable for insulation comprising nodules made of line glass fibers. If the nodules are originally rolled correctly, it will be possible to pack them in a bag or the like at a relatively great density, for example, 8 or 9 lbs. per cubic ft., without permanently affecting their normal density so that when they are unpacked again and blown into a cavity, they will spread out and reassume their original low density. In the manufacture 5 of glass wool nodules, it was frequently found that, after producing nodules having the correct amount of density for optimum heat insulation, the nodules could not be blown into or individually inserted into a cavity. The individual 1o nodules, due to a fuzziness and other objectionable features, clung together and adhered to the side walls, particularly when the latter were rough or irregular, and it was impossible to obtain a uniform distribution of nodules through- 15 out the cavity. An object of the present invention is to overcome these diiiiculties, and to this end the invention provides nodules having a light density and which at the same time are free from excessive fuzziness so that they may be inserted 20 uniformly in a cavity without undue mutual adherence.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing nodules of siliceous bers, particularly glass wool fibers, the original stock of fibers being in the form of bats, loose wool, bulk wool, individual bers, or the like.

It is a still further object of the present invention to condition the siliceous fibers by means of suitable liquids, gases or solid material so that their inherent mutual friction may be properly regulated to produce nodules having the proper degree of fuzziness, density and felting, Permitting them to be blown uniformly throughout a. cavity with maximum lightness and insulating quality.

It is also within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing complete packages of brous nodules from siliceous bers in bulk or loose wool.

Other objects and advantagesof the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 45

Fig. 1 is an elevational cross-section side view of the iirst portion of our nodulating machine, showing the apparatus for conditioning the fibers and dividing them into individual chunks or cubes ready for nodulating:

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cubing device of our nodulator;

Fig. 3 is an elevational cross-section side view of the portion shown in Fig. 2:

Fig. 4 is an elevational side view illustrating 55 5 Fig. 6 is a side elevational cross-section view of the latter portion of our device used for nodulating the individual cubes and means for packing the same into bags;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the i agitator or beater blades;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the trough in which the beater blades rotate;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational View shown partly in section of the agitator and bag 4packing device;

Fig. 10 is a plan view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevation view of the bag filling device taken through the section of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a rear elevational view of a modification of the agitator; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the same taken at the line |3|3 on Fig. 12.

Referring to Fig. l, the siliceous fibrous material in bulk form or in the form of loose wool or wool rolled in bundles, whether pre-felted or not, is fed into a hopper 2|. A belt 22 at the bottom of the hopper feeds the fibrous material to the picker belt 23 and insures a complete feeding of all the fibrous material, including the last remaining portions in the hopper 2|. 'I'he picker beit 2a, which is provided with a. plurality of' spikes or pointed needles 24, picks an even mat from the mass in the hopper as it advances, and passes it over to a chamber 25 where the fibers may be conditioned. As the picker belt 23 conveys the fibrous material upward, a short belt 26 or the like prevents the Wool from clogging the outlet 21 and prevents unduly large masses of the fibrous material from being carried over into the conditioning chamber 25. 'Ihe fibrous material in the hopper is given a rolling action by the belts 23, 22 and 26, which agitate the fibers and release any slugs which may be present in the material. The slugs fall through openings in the belt 22 or drop over the end thereof where they may be collected and removed.

In order to remove the fibrous material from the picker belt 23 as it emerges from the hopper 50 2|, a stripper 29 comprising a plurality of blades 30 of leather, rubber or the like, has been provided. The thin mats of fibrous material which are wiped off by the paddles 30 drop down a chute 3| into the conditioning chamber 25 where 55 they are laid onto the conveyor belt 32, which feeds the fibrous material into the cubing device 33. As the material advances along the "conveyor belt 32, it is put into a proper condition for cubing and modulating by application of 60 various substances which have been found to be advantageous or necessary, more fully described hereinafter. A spray 34 of these substances may be administered to the advancing fibrous material by means of a spray gun 35 or the like, which is 65 fed by an inlet conduit 36 and air pressure means 31 for producing a fine, uniform spray.

The cubing device 33 will now be described. By referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, it can be seen that a plurality of slitter disks 40, mounted about 70 1/2 inch apart, are mounted upon a drum 4| or the like on the shaft 42. A bearing block 43 holding the shaft 42 may be mounted on the framework 44 of the machine, preferably with a yielding engagement sothat the slitter disks 75 are held by a constant yielding pressure against the slitter roll 49. This slitter roll is mounted on a shaft 41 which receives its support from the bearing block 48, also mounted on the framework 44. The slitter roll 46, as can be seen from Fig. '5, is provided with a series of peripheral grooves 4l, spaced apart at intervals along the axis of the roll, each groove 48 being aligned with and engaging a slitter disk 40. The slitter roll 46, between the grooves 48, is preferably knuried or otherwise roughened so as to facilitate the passing of fibrous material through the slitter roll and disks. The slitter disks 40 and the roll 46 are preferably made of a hard alloy steel to resist abrasion of the siliceous fibrous materials and to increase their life. As the slitter disks gradually become worn and the grooves 46 deepen, the uniform yielding engagement of the slitter disks permits a uniform and constant pressure of all the disks 40 upon the slitter roll 46. As the wool is passed between the slitter disks and the roll, it is crushed or cut so that the fibrous mass emerges from the slitter as continuous individual strips, each strip having a square cross-section.

In order to wipe or strip the wool from the slitter disks 40, as the fibrous material emerges from the slitting action, a stripper roll 50, having a series of strippers 5|, is provided, the strippers 5| extending radially and passing interjacent between and in register with the slitter disks 40, there being a small clearance between the adjacent strippers 5| and disks 40. The peripheries of these strippers 5| are preferably knurled so that a greater pulling action may be obtained against the fibrous material and the slitter disks 40 may be kept continually clean and free from accumulating masses of material. 'I'he stripper roll 50 is mounted on a shaft `52, which is held in a bearing support on the frame 44.

On the under-side of the emerging fibrous material and serving to Vwipe the same from the slitter roll 46, is an angle support 55, upon which is mounted the stationary knife 56 (see'Fig. 3). Bolts or the like may be provided to demountably secure the stationary knife or cutter block 56 to the support 55 and also to a casting 51 which is mounted on the frame 44. Mounted in front of the stationary knife 56 is a rotary chopper 58 comprising a chuck 59, and a plurality of axially mounted blades 60 which are secured to the chuck by means of wedges 6| andset screws or the like. The chuck 59 is keyed to a shaft 62, rotating freely in a bearing block 63, which secures its support from the frame 44. The rotary chopper 58 is adjustable so that the blades 60 may be made to align themselves accurately with the stationary knife 56. As the blades successively pass by the stationary knife 56, uniform cubes 64 of fibrous material are cleanly and completely sheared from the advancing strips of material. The cubes 64 drop down to the chute 65 from which they are delivered to a conveyor belt 66 of a chain or apron variety. The entire apparatus comprising the stripper 29, conveyor belt 32, the cubing apparatus 33, and the conveyor belt 66, is more or less completely housed in housing 68 to maintain equilibrium heat and moisture conditions within the apparatus, conne the fibrous material to its proper chamber and to render the machine safe for workmen.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 6 and 10, the conveyor belt 66 advances the cubes 64 upwardly and discharges them into the intake end of an agitator apparatus 1li.` This apparatus comprises' a plurality of troughs 1|, their length and number depending upon the speed and cal pacity of the machine. The cubes 64 are discharged into one end of the upper trough 12 and are advanced horizontally along the trough to the far end where they drop into the second trough 13. From here they are advanced back along the trough to its outlet end, where they fall into the inlet end of the succeeding trough 14. The cubes are further acted upon and moved until they are discharged into a hopper 15. Within l0 each trough are a series of revolving beater blades 16 mounted on shafts 11, 18 and 19 in the iirst, second and third troughs, respectively. As can be seen from Fig. '1, the beater blades 16 are fastened to the shafts 11, 18 and 19 by means of bolts 16a, forming an adjustable mounting. The beaters 16 are preferably inclined at an angle, whereby the cubes 64 are continually advanced axially along the trough and are rolled against strips 80 to form nodules. Chutes 8| are 20 provided at the extremities of the troughs 12 and 13 to pass the nodules from the discharge end of one trough to the inlet end of the succeeding trough.

In regard to the beater blades 16, some of the blades are inclined for the. purpose of feeding the material forward but it is important that this forward feeding be slow enough to maintain the beater troughs 1| well filled and permit the beater blades to act effectively in conjunction with the strips 80. If all the beater blades were inclined in a direction to give a forward impulse to the'material, the latter might be fed along in too thin a stream. Accordingly, some of the beater blades may be inclined for forward feeding and some, for example, every third beater blade, might be inclined in the reverse direction. The beater blades are adjustable, however, by means of the bolts 16a, permitting any desired adjustment, depending upon the particular desired con- 40 ditions. It may be found advantageous in some cases to limit the number of strips 80 and, as a matter of fact, successful results have been obtained under certain conditions by removing them entirely. It is preferable not to roll or pack the nodules too rmly or tightly which would result in their density being increased excessively and also the fibers might be reduced thereby to a more or less powdered condition, particularly if the bers are of a brittle substance. As the material, now in the form of nodules, discharges at the outlet end of the trough 14, it is ready to be packed and for this purpose an automatic bag filling device 85 has been provided. Between the discharge end of the trough 14 and the bag filling device is a relatively large hopper 15 in which the nodules are temporarily stored during the intervals that the bag filling device 85 is stopped. This prevents the material from being unduly packed or held back within the agitator apparatus 10. Holding back the nodules in the agitator would tend to break up the nodules and reduce the fibers to a more or less powdered condition.

At the lower end of the hopper 15 the material G5 drops into a feed tube 86, which is part of the packing device 85. Within the tube is a flight conveyor 81 fixedly mounted on the shaft 68, which rotates in and is supported by the bearings 89. The flight conveyor 81 is driven by a motor 90, which has driving connection with the shaft 88 through belting 9| and gearing within a gear reduction box 92. The flight conveyor 81 delivers the nodules to the outlet end of the tube 86 over which a paper bag 93 (Figs. 10 and 11) may be fitted. The bag 93 rests on a troughshaped support 95 (see also Fig. 6) and is held telescoped over the tube 86 by means of a friction brake 96. The brake is adjustable by means of the poise 91, pivoted to the bracket 98. As the nodules are fed into the bag 93 by the flight 5 conveyor 81, they are packed with a certain amount of pressure determined by the tension of the brake 96, which permits the bag to slip outward under a predetermined tension as the material is packed therein. The compactness 10 and density of the nodules in the bag 93 are determined by the adjustment of the poise 91.

The trough 95 is pivotally mounted on the arm |00 (see Fig. l1) and balanced by the counterweight |0| which may be adjustably positioned. 15 On the opposite side of the trough 95 is a protuberance |01 which engages a latch |05. This latch |05 is mounted on the frame of the machine and is held in its normal position by a spring |06. Depending from the trough 95 (see 20 Fig. 6) is a nger 99 having an adjustable setscrew 99 fixed thereto for engaging a switch |02 which is electrically connected to the motor 90. The switch |02, which may be of the well-known mercury type, comprises a lever |03 pivoted to 25 the bracket |04 on the frame 'of the machine.

When the bag 93 has received a predetermined weight of material, determined by the adjustment of the counterweight 0|, the trough 95 drops down and trips the switch |02 which stops 30 the motor and the conveyor 81. As the trough lowers, the protuberance |01 strikes against the latch |05, distending spring |06, and thereby locks the trough in its lowered position. The bag 93 is then removed by hand and replaced by an 35 empty one to be ready for the next filling operation. After the new emptyl bag has been placed in position over the trough 95, the latch |05 is released by hand to permit the weight 0| to raise the trough for the subsequent filling oper- 40 ation. The finger 99 also disengages contact with the switch arm |03, thereby closing the electrical circuit through the switch |02 to restart the motor 90.

The system and apparatus for driving the ma- 45 chine will now be described. Referring to Figs.

1, 4 and 5, a motor I0 supplies motivating power for the entire machine with the exception of the bag filling device. The motor ||0 is directly connected by a beit l l' to a pulley u2 which is keyed 50 to a shaft H3, the shaft ||3 delivering power into the housing ||4 in which an automatic variable speed drive, such as a Reeves drive 5, is located. The Reeves drive ||5 forms an adjustable mechanical drive connection with the shaft 55 I6, to feed power to the picker belt 23, the slitter mechanism and the conveyor belt 32. The power to the picker belt is transmitted through the power belt ||8, the pulley ||9 and shaft |20 from where 1t is transmitted to the picker beit za. so'

The stripper 29 also receives its power from the shaft |20, the connection being made by means of the power belt |2| and the shaft |22 to which the stripper 29 is keyed. The belt 26 likewise receives its power from the shaft |20 by suitable 65 belt arrangement (not shown). The belt 22 at the bottom of the hopper receives its power through suitable mechanical connection (not shown) to the lower shaft |25 of the picker belt 23. 70

Reference being had to Fig. 4, a drive belt |21, which is connected to the Reeves drive ||5, drives the slitter roll 46 and the conveyor belt 32. The slitter roll 46 is connected to the shaft Y |26 by the drive belt |28. It will also, be noted 75 from Fig. 4 that the slitter disk shaft 42 is geared by means of the spur gears |38 to the slitter roll shaft I3I. Thus, the slitter disks have a positive movement against the roll 46. The stripper roll 50 is driven from the slitter shaft 42 through the belt |33. The lower shaft |35 of the conveyor belt 66 is driven aby the drive belt |34 which is connected to a pulley on the slitter roll shaft I 3|.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be noted that the conveyor belt 66 and the agitator apparatus 10 both receive their power from and are driven by the lower shaft |35, the power being transmitted through the belt |38 and the upper shaft |31. 'I'he three beater shafts, 11, 18 and 13, are interconnected by a pulley system, including belts |36, |40 and |4l. It can be seen, therefore, that the agitator apparatus 10, the conveyor belts 66 and 32, the picker belt 23, the stripper 29, and the slitter mechanism, are all interconnected, driven from. and regulated simultaneously by the same Reeves drive ||5.

The rotary chopper 58, on the other hand, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, is regulated independently by a variable speed drive such as the small Reeves drive |44, surmounting the Reeves drive ||5. A drive belt |42 delivers power to the small Reeves drive |44 from the shaft I3, this shaft I3 being powered directly from the motor ||8 as brought out hereinabove. The chain of mechanical connections for delivering power to the rotary chopper 58 from the small Reeves drive 44, includes shaft |43, belt |45, Jack shaft |46. drive belt |41, shaft |48, and spur gears |49. By means of this arrangement, the relative speeds of the rotary chopper and the slitter mechanism may be varied to produce predetermined sized chunks or cubes 64 in accordance with the particular requirements.

4g As a modification of the agitator mechanism 10, reference may be had to Figs. 12 and 13 in which the belt 66 delivering the cubes 64 to a trough |50 is identical with that heretofore described. The cubes 64 are conveyed horizontally and partially rolled within the trough I 50 by a flight conveyor |5|. The trough |50 is extended over to the hopper 15 into which the rolled cubes may be directly discharged. At a point midway between the ends of the trough |58 and at the bottom thereof, is an opening |53 which leads into a chute |54. A slide gate |51 is provided for the opening |53 to permit the material to be selectively discharged through the chute |54 or conveyed the full length of the trough |50 into the hopper 15. When the slide gate |51 is open, as shown in Fig. 12, the material drops directly into the chute |54, and when the slide gate |51 is closed the fibrous material is conveyed through the entire length of the trough to the hopper 15. At the lower portion of the chute |54, a screw conveyor |55 feeds the material into the central portion of a blower |56. Both the screw conveyor |55 and the blower |56 are mounted on the shaft |58 and are driven through the selective speed pulleys |6| and the belt |62 by the motor |63. The blower |56 throws the material outwardly to its periphery, and through the hose |64 into the top of the hopper 15. As the material is blown and projected through the hose |64, it receives a rolling action along the side walls of the` hose so that, by the time the material is delivered to the top of the hopper 15, it has been rolled with the correct amount of density and tightness. The remainder of the mechanism, including the bag fllling device, may be identical with that hereinbefore described. The type and nature of the particular nodules manufactured can be varied in several ways. For example, if the length of the hose |64 is increased, it is possible to roll the nodules more tightly and densely and if the relative machine speeds of the rotary chopper 58 and the slitter disks 40 are varied, it is possible to regulate the size of the chunks or cubes which form the nodules.

The operation of the machine may be reviewed briefly by referring first to Fig. 1. Fibrous material is fed into the hopper 2| in which it is given a rolling action to free itself from any included slugs, etc. A picker belt 23 tears o small tufts of the material and conveys it over to the chute 3| from which it falls onto the conveyor belt 32 in the conditioning chamber 25. A rotary stripper 28 strips the tufts of material from the needles 24 of the picker belt 23. As the fibrous material travels up the conveyor belt 32, it is subjected to a spray 34, which puts the material in a condition suitable for nodulating. 'Ihe conveyor belt 32 delivers the material to the slitter roll 46 and the slitter disks 40, between which the material is slit into a series of continuous strips having a width of about 1/2 inch. These strips are fed into a rotary chopper 58 which cuts it to the desired length and delivers the material in the form of chunks or cubes to the conveyor belt 66, the length of the chunks being regulated by the Reeves drive |44. Reference being had now to Fig. 6, the conveyer belt 66 delivers the material into an agitator comprising a series of troughs 1|. each trough having beater blades rotating therein, which thoroughly agitates the chunks or cubes to form nodules and advances the material consecutively through the individual troughs to deliver it to the hopper 15 from where it is fed to the bag packing device 85.

K More particularly in regard to the method and purpose of conditioning the fibers in the chamber 25. it has heretofore been very difficult to produce nodules which were uniformly packed, felted and free from external fuzziness and which could be blown properly and distributed uniformly throughout a cavity. It was found. however, that by adding to the fibers a chemically reactive material capable of etching the surface, their roughness and surface friction increased, which enabled a mat of fibrous material to have increased mass integrity. If, for example, moisture is added to the fibrous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient before being divided into chunks, tight, well-felted nodules, which are free from fuzz and do not reduce to dust when blown, can be produced Without increasing the density. In other words, the addition of moisture in correct amounts makes possible the production of a low density mass of nodules which may be uniformly and eiiiciently blown or otherwise inserted in a cavity. It is desirable to maintain a close control of the moisture content, it having been found advantageous to maintain the moisture content at approximately .75% to 1.5%, although, of course, this range may vary in accordance with particular requirements. The moisture tends to etch the surface of the fibers and increases their mutual friction and surface cohesion. The partial etching of the surface of the fibers is due to the accelerated leaching out of caustic soda. This is done to a degree, however, which is not detrimental to the strength of the fibers or nodules. Thus, the loose ends which would ordinarily project outwardly from the nodules, may be turned back and felted within the nodule to prevent fuzziness. The moisture may be added either in the hopper 2l or, as shown in Fig. 1, in the conditioning chamber 25. Although it is preferably added-in the form of a spray, it may be applied in vapor or steam form and permitted to condense on the surface.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with specific embodiments, variations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A method for forming nodules of siliceous fibrous material which comprises establishing a supply body of flbrous material, advancing from said supply body a continuous mat of said material, dividing the material in said mat into a mass of individual chunks, and then rolling said individual chunks in mass form into nodules.

2. A method for forming nodules of siliceous fibrous material which comprises establishing a supply body of fibrous material, advancing from said supply body a continuous mat of said material, dividing said mat of material longitudinally into a plurality of continuous strips, cutting said strips at regular intervals to produce individual chunks, and then rolling said individual chunks in mass form into nodules.

3.` A method for forming nodules of siliceous fibrous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient which comprises establishing a supply body of brous material, applying a thin coating of water to said material in small amounts adapted to accelerate leaching of the alkali to the surface of said material, advancing from said supply body a continuous mat of said material, dividing the material in said mat into individual chunks, and rolling said individual chunks into nodules.

4. A method of forming nodules of siliceous brous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient which comprises establishing a supply body of brous material, applying a thin coating of water to said material in small amounts adapted to accelerate leaching of the alkali to the surface of said material, advancing from said supply body a continuous mat of said material, dividing said mat of material into a plurality of continuous strips, cutting said strips at regular intervals to produce individual chunks, and rolling said individual chunks into nodules.

5. The method of treating siliceous fibrous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient to form nodules, which comprises applying a thin coating of water to said material in small amounts adapted to accelerate leaching of the alkali to the surface of said material, dividing said material into chunks, and then rolling said chrmks into nodules.

The method of treating siliceous brous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient to form nodules, which comprises applying moisture to said material in small amounts adapted to accelerate leaching of the alkali to the surface of said material, dividing said material into chunks, and then rolling said chunks into nodules.

'1. The method of treating siliceous fibrous material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient to form nodules, which comprises maintaining the moisure content of said material from about .75% to 1.5% by weight, dividing said material into chunks, and then rolling said chunks into nodules.

8. The method of conditioning fibrous glass material containing an alkali metal oxide ingredient prior to rolling it into nodules, which includes the step of maintaining the moisture content from about .75% to 1.5% by weight.

9. The method of producing nodules from a supply body of long, fine, glass iibers, which comprises advancing a mat of said fibers from said supply body, dividing said mat into a mass of individual chunks, and then rolling said individual chunks in mass form to produce nodules.

10. The method of producing nodules from a. supply body of long, fine, glass fibers, which comprises advancing a mat ofsaid fibers from said supply body, dividing said mat into individual chunks, and subjecting said chunks to a beating and rolling action to produce nodules.

11. The method of producing nodules from a supply body of long, fine, glass fibers, which comprises advancing a mat of said fibers from said supply body, dividing said mat into individual chunks, subjecting said chunks to a beating and rolling action to produce nodules having a density of about 11/2 to 5 lbs. per cubic ft. and being sumciently free from fuzziness to permit a group of said nodules to be blown into a cavity.

12. An apparatus for producing nodules of a siliceous fibrous material, which comprises means for continually feeding said material from a supply body of said material, means for cutting said material into chunks, and means including beater blades for rolling said individual chunks in mass form into nodules.

13. An apparatus forA producing nodules of a siliceous fibrous material, which comprises means for continually feeding said material from a supply body of said material, means for slitting said material into long strips, means for cutting said strips at regular intervals to produce individual chunks, and means including beater blades for rolling said individual chunks into nodules.

14. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding said fibers in. the form of a loose mat; means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; means for dividing said mat into chunks; and means for rolling said chunks into nodules, the said rolling means including a trough, rotary beater blades within said trough, and stationary strips mounted in said trough, said chunks being rolled between said beater blades and said strips.

l5. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mecha.- nism for feeding said fibers in the form of a loose mat; means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; slitter disks for cutting said mat into longitudinal strips; a knife transversely disposed to said strips for cutting said strips into individual chunks; and means for rolling said chunks into nodules, the said rolling means including a trough, rotary beater blades within said trough, and stationary strips mounted in said trough, said chunks being rolled between said beater blades and said strips.

16. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding said bers in the form of a loose mat;V means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; slitter disks for cutting said mat knife transversely disposed to said strips for cutting said strips into individual chunks; driving mechanism for individually driving said disks and said knife; means for adjusting the relative into longitudinal strips; av

Speeds of said disks and the size of said chunks; and means for rolling said chunks into nodules, the said rolling means including a trough, rotary beater blades within said trough, and stationary strips mounted in said trough, said chunks being rolled between said beater blades and said strips.

17. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding said fibers in the form of a loose mat; means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; means for dividing said mat into chunks; and means for rolling said chunks into nodules; the said rolling means including a blower and a tube issuing from said blower, the said chunks being delivered into the central portion of said blower and being thrown out through said tube in which they are given a rolling action.

18. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding said fibers in the form of a loose mat; means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; means for dividing said mat into chunks; and means for rolling said chunks into nodules; the said rolling means including a flight conveyor, and a housing for said conveyor.

19. Apparatus for producing nodules of glass wool fibers, which comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding said fibers in the form of a loose mat; means for applying a liquid in predetermined amounts to said fibers; means for dividing said mat into chunks; and means for said knife to regulate step rolling said chunks into nodules; the said rolling means including a. flight conveyor, a housing for said conveyor, a blower and a tube issuing from said blower, the said chunks being delivered by said flight conveyor into the central portion of said blower and being thrown out of said blower through said tube and receiving a rolling action in said tube.

20. In combination, a feeder for delivering a loose mat of glass fibers, means for dividing said mat into individual chunks, means for rolling said chunks into nodules, said dividing means including a series of slitter disks, a slitter roll engaging said disks for cutting said mat into longitudinal strips, and a rotary chopper for cutting said strips into individual chunks.

2l'. 'Ihe method of conditioning a mat of inorganic fibrous material, which includes the of applying a substancey to the surface of said fibers capable of attacking and etching the surface of said bers, said substance being water in amounts from about .75% to about 1.5%.

22. The method of conditioning a mass of inorganic iibrous material to increase its mass integrity, which includes the step of etching the surface of said fibrous material, the said etching taking place by the presence of a substance capable of chemically attacking the surface of said fibrous material, said substance being water in amounts from about .75% to about 1.5%.

FRANK E. ALLEN. HARRY V. SMITH.

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