US3746230A

US3746230A - Apparatus for advancing strand

Info

Publication number: US3746230A
Application number: US00212417A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gelin
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1971-12-27
Filing date: 1971-12-27
Publication date: 1973-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-17

Abstract

Apparatus for advancing one or more strands including a rotatable wheel for pulling strand having a periphery for strand engagement, primary means for strand removal from the periphery during rotation of the wheel and secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

Description

D United States Patent m1 3,746,23Q Gelin 1 July 17, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR ADVANCING STRAND 3,516,809 6/1970 Underwood et al. 65/2 X [75] In ento Robert J- Gelin, Newark Ohio 3,285,721 11/1966 Ewing H 65/2 1 1 Asslgneel owenscflrning Fiberg|a5 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Corporauons Toledo, Ohlo Assistant ExaminerGene A. Church 22 Filed: Dec. 27 1971 Attorney-Ronald C. Hudgens [21] Appl. No.: 212,417

7 [57] ABSTRACT 52 U.S. Cl 226/168, 19/155, 226/5, Apparatus for advancing one or more strands including 65/2 65/9 a rotatable wheel for pulling strand having a periphery 51 Int. Cl B65h 17 24 for Strand engagement, Primary means for Strand [58] Field 6: Search 226/5, 168, 80; moval from the Periphery during rotation of the wheel a 65/1, 2 9, 19/155 and secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand re- [56] References Cited moval upon failure of the primary means to effect com- UNITED STATES PATENTS plete strand removaL 1,595,478 8/1926 Minton 226/5 UX 21 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 8 Sheets-Shoot l Patented July 17, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jim/awry a 7 Big-A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore a variety of single rotary pulling devices or wheels have been found successful in advancing continuous linear elements such as glass strands. The successful operation of these single rotary pulling devices depends upon sufficient engagement between them and linear elements to provide traction for advancing the element. It has been found that adhesion or nonslipping engagement between the circumferential surface of a pulling wheel and linear element is particularly enhanced when the surfaces of both the rotary pulling devices and the linear element are wet.

Known types of single rotary pulling devices require some means to forcibly remove the linear elements from their circumferential surfaces. Hence, there has been developed a variety of rotary devices and associated linear element removing arrangements.

One wheel for pulling linear elements finding considerable success, particularly in processing glass strands, has an interrupted circumferential surface. It was found that such a wheel could be used advantageously for feeding strand or even for attenuating continuous glass filaments. There was enough adhesion between strand and the spaced peripheral forming elements to provide sufficient traction to advance strand to a collection region. Further, it was found that it was possible to lift strand from the pulling wheel by moving elements into contact with a strand riding on the peripheral elements radially throughthe spaces between the spaced peripheral elements of the wheel.

But the very forces providing traction, and hence giving success to the single rotary pulling devices, have caused considerable difficulty in the use of the devices. Engagement between pulling wheels and linear elements is strong, particularly when the device and element arewet. Hence, the element removing devices do not always effect complete removal of linear elements or strands from the rotary pulling wheel during rotation. The result is collection of linear elements on the rotary pulling wheel both from supply of the linear elements and from the collection region. Such results are disastrous.

Various ways have been tried to overcome the partial removal problem without success.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved rotary apparatusfor advancing linear elements such as glass strands to a collection region.

Another object of the invention is improved rotary apparatus for advancing linear elements that prevents unwanted collection of such elements on the apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is improved rotary apparatus using two strand removal means for a common strand or strands.

These and other objects are attained by apparatus including a rotatable wheel for pulling linear elements such as glass strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement, means for rotating the wheel, and primary means for strand removal from the periphery during rotation of the wheel. The apparatus further includes secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal from the periphery.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the invention is described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention used for simultaneously attenuating continuous glass filaments from streams of molten glass and advancing the filaments gathered in strand form to a moving collector surface.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, mostly in ver tical section of the rotary apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. I

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in front elevation, largely in section, of the rotary apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The rotary apparatus of the invention is useful for advancing various types of continuous linear elements, including strands and yarn made of natural or synthetic fibers. Hence, the term strand used herein includes all bundles of filaments, with or without twist. The term also includes bundles of continuous and/or discontinu- I ous filaments.

The apparatus of the invention is especially. useful in continuous glass filament forming operations. In such operations the rotary apparatus simultaneously attenuates glass filaments from streams of molten glass and advances the continuous glass filaments in strand form to a collection region. The rotary apparatus of the invention is disclosed in a glass filament operation; however, such use is only an example to expalin its operation.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate apparatus according to the principles of the invention in a continuous glass filament strandmat manufacturing operation. As shown the apparatus uses a rotary device in the form ofa hollow wheel 10 to form continuous glass filaments l2 and to advance strands 14 of these filaments to a moving conveyor collecting surface 16. As illustrated the pulling wheel l0 has a rim or circumferential surface with circumferentially spaced openings. The strands '14 accumulate on the collecting surface 16 as a continuous strand mat l8.

As illustrated, a container or feeder 20 holds a body of molten glass. The feeder 20 can receive a continuing supply of molten glass in several ways. For example, a forehearth can supply molten glass to the feeder 20 from a furnace heating batch materials to molten glass. Also, a melter associated with the feeder 20 can supply molten glass to the feeder 20 by reducing glass marbles to a heat-softened condition. I

At the ends of the feeder 20 are terminals 22 that connect to a source of electrical energy to heat the feeder 20 by conventional resistance heating. Heating keeps the molten glass in the feeder 20 at proper filament-forming temperatures and viscosities.

Also, the feeder 20 has a bottom wall 24 with orifice openings or passageways for delivering streams 26 of molten glass from the feeder 20. As shown, depending orificed projections or tubular members 28 form the orifice openings in the bottom 24.

The feeder 20 is normally made of platinum or an alloy of platinum.

The molten glass streams 26 are attenuated downwardly by the wheel into the individual continuous glass filaments 12. Gathering shoes 32 below the feeder combine the continuous glass filaments 12 into bundles or strands 14. The embodiment as shown combines the filaments 12 into three strands 14.

Normally apparatus supplies both water and a liquid sizing or binder to the advancing filaments 12. As

shwon nozzles

34 and 36 adjacent to the bottom 24 of the feeder 20 direct water spray into the continuous glass filaments 12.

A sizing applicator 38 supported within a housing 40 just above the gathering shoes 32 applies a liquid sizing or binder to the swiftly traveling continuous glass filaments 12. The applicator may be any suitable type known to the art; however, as shown, the applicator 38 is an endless belt moved through liquid held in the housing 40. As the continuous glass filaments 20 speed in touching relationship across the surface of the moving endless belt applicator 38, some of the liquid on the surface transfers to them.

It is usually desirable to use a complex sizing or binder to promote coherence of the filaments 20 when combined into the strands l4 and to promote nonslipping adherence of the strands 14 to the periphery of the wheel 10. Where the mat produced is to be combined with a plastic resin, it is also desirable to include a coupling agent in the sizing or binder that helps the resin wet the mat.

A preferred form of binder is one retaining sufficient cohesive properties when cured to contribute to bonding together of the strands 14 in the mat or other form in which they are collected on a conveyor or receiving surface. Such a winder has a dual purpose of holding the filaments together as strands and bonding the strands into integrated body.

Since as illustrated the mat 18 is produced immediately below a glass filament-forming station, lubricant component of sizing may be omitted. Inclusion of such lubricanting material ina sizing has been found desirable for improving handling of strands in subsequent operations such as plying and twisting; however, a lubricant is not normally otherwise needed. And, in fact, may in some cases interfere with effective wetting of strands by a plastic resin.

The wheel 10 advances the strands l4 downwardly from the applicator 38 to a multi-grooved shoe 42 and an idler wheel or cylinder 44, which is also preferably multi-grooved. The gathering shoe 42 arranges the individual strands 14 for advancement to the circumferential surface (periphery) of the pulling wheel 10; the idler wheel 44 keeps the strands l4 separated and assists in establishing strand tension. Further, the idler wheel 44 insures continued proper strand array for advancement to the pulling wheel 10.

The strands 14 travel upwardly from the idler wheel 44 and engage the moving circumferential surface of the pulling wheel 10.

A motor 48, through a belt 50, drives the wheel 10 at high angular speeds in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The material of the wheel 10 and liquid on the strands 14 should wet the surfaces. It should be noted that liquid may be applied directly to the pulling wheel 10. For example, apparatus can mist or spray liquid onto the periphery of the wheel 10.

Apparently the surface tension of liquid wetting the peripheral surface of the wheel 10 and the strands 14 provides sufficient tractive force to advance the strands l4 and withdraw the filaments 12 from the molten streams 26. Also it is theorized that a belt effect" of strands on the circumference of the pulling wheel 10 provides tractive or attenuating forces.

The wheel 10 includes a primary means for strand re moval at a selected location on the periphery of the wheel 10 during rotation. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 uses a primary means in the form of a driven rotatable spoke or spider wheel 54 within the rotary wheel 10. The spoke wheel 54 includes circumferentially spaced members or fingers 56 movable through the openings or spaces in the circumferential surface of the pulling wheel 10 at the selected location. The members 56 progressively contact the strands 14 to disengage them from the circumferential surface of the wheel 10 during its rotation. The strands 14 are projected downwardly by the pulling wheel 10 to the collecting surface 16 along paths proceeding tangentially from the point of strand discharge from the circumference of the pulling wheel 10. The collecting surface 16 is shown with a width W" in FIG. I.

The wheel 10 further includes a secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the priary means to effect complete strand removal. The secondary means shown in FIG. 1 removes strand at a location on the periphery of the wheel beyond the strand removal location of the primary means. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 uses a secondary means within the pulling wheel 10 in the form of a driven rotatable spoke or spider wheel 58 to effect strand removal from the periphery of the wheel 10 upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal. The spoke wheel 58 includes circumferentially spaced members or fingers 60 movable through the openings or spaces .in he circumferential surface of the pulling wheel 10. The members 60 progressively contact the strands to disengage them from the wheel 10 during rotation.

A strand deflection member 62 is immediately adjacent the periphery of the wheel 10 and cooperates with the secondary rotary means to prevent strands or a portion thereof from returning to the peripheral surface of the wheel 10 after removal by the secondary rotary means.

Apparatus oscillates the spoke wheels 54 and 58 (and deflection member 62) to effect a sweeping of the strands l4 backand forth across the width W" of the moving conveyor collecting surface 16 as indicated by the dashed strand lines in FIG. I. As shown the mat 18 is narrower than the width W" of the conveyor surface 16.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pulling wheel 10 as illustrated includes a driven rotatable assembly on which the strands l4 ride and an oscillatable strand removal assembly 72 for effecting removal of the strands 14 from the rotary assembly 70. A stationary support 74 holds both assemblies.

The support 74 comprises a horizontal stationary support tube 75 held by spaced apart vertical holding

members

76 and 77.

The rotary assembly 70 includes a bowl-shaped member 78 mounted on a drive shaft 80.

The shaft 80 includes three co-axial portions: a central portion 82 and

end spindles

84 and 86. The central portion 82 is larger in cross section than the end spindles. The spindle 84 holds the bowl-shaped member 78; the spindle 84 holds a pulley 88 upon which drive belt 50 rides. The shaft 80 is rotatably held at its central portion 82 in the stationary support tube 75.

The bowl-shaped member 78 is illustrated as a one piece member and comprises a cylindrical rim 90 and an end 92. Hence, the member 78 is essentially a tubular member closed at one end. In practice the bowlshaped member 78 is normally made of aluminum alloy. To reduce wear, the rim 90 can be given a hard surface such as an electrolytic deposit of aluminum oxide or a coating of nickel. The end 92 is shown with a central opening 94.

The rim 90 forms an interrupted periphery or cylindrical surface comprising a plurality of longitudinal openings or slots 96 circumferentially spaced apart around the rim 90 and separated by rim portions 98. The slots 96 extend substantially the width of the rim 90. Thus, in a sense, the rim portions 98 are periphery or circumferential rim forming extensions or elements that form an interrupted cylindrical surface for strand contact and adhesion. In practice, the openings 96 (extensions 98) are normally uniformly spaced apart about the rim 90.

In a preferred embodiment the bowl-shaped member is 3 feet in circumference; the slots 96 are threesixteenths of an inch wide and are spaced apart fivesixteenths of an inch about the rim 90. The number of strands l4 determine the length of the slots 96. In such a preferred arrangement the strands wrap from 230 to 300 around the periphery of the wheel 10.

The rotary assembly as shown further includes a ring 100 mounted on the open end of the bowl-shaped member 78. The ring 100 closes the open end of the slots 96 and stabilizes the roundness of the wheel 10.

The bowl-shaped member 78 is fixed on the spindle 84 (shaft 80) by a hub 102 having a flanged end 104 and a tubular shank 106. The spindle 84, which has a threaded end 108, snuggly fits into the tubular shank 106. A barrel nut 110 at the threaded end 108 of the spindle 84 holds the hub 102 against spindle'shoulders on the spindle 84 to fix the hub on the spindle 84. Screws 112 join the flanged end 104 and the end 92 of the bowl-shaped member 78 to secure the member 78 on the shaft 80. A cap 114 covers the opening 94.

When the motor 48 rotates the shaft 80 through the belt 50, the bowl-shaped member 78 is driven in high speed rotation.

The strand removal assembly 72 includes an end plate 120, a tube connector 122, the primary spoke wheel 54, the secondary spoke wheel 58 and the strand deflector member 62.

As illustrated the tube connector 122 is horizontally mounted on the outside of the stationary support tube 75 for movement about the axis of the shaft 80.

The end place 120 is circular and isjoined to the connector tube 122 at one end and covers the open end of the bowl-shaped member 78. The end plate 120 and the end 92 of the member 78 are disposed parallel. The diameter of the end plate 120 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bowl-shaped member 78 to permit free rotation of the member 78. Thus, the end plate and bowl-shaped member form a hollow rotary pulling wheel assembly.

The

spoke wheels

54 and 58 are rotatably mounted onthe end plate 120 in fixed spaced relation within the hollow rotary pulling assembly. The primary spoke wheel 54 is rotatable on a shaft 126; the secondary spoke wheel 58 is rotatable on a shaft 128. The

shafts

126 and 128 extend normally away from the end plate 120 towards the end 92 of the member 78. Hence, these shafts extend in a direction parallel to the shaft 80.

The primary spoke wheel 54 includes a cylindrical central body 130 and the radially extending members or fingers 56. In a preferred embodiment there are twenty-seven fingers 56, each radially projecting slightly more than thirteen-sixteenths of an inch beyond the periphery of the central body 130. And the location of the spoke wheel 54 permits about oneeighth of an inch of the outer end of the fingers 56 to extend through the rim slots 96 at their point of greatest projection.

The secondary spoke wheel 58 includes a cylindrical central body 132 and the radially extending fingers 60. As illustrated the fingers 60 of the spoke wheel 58 extend through the slots 96 a greater distance beyond the rim 90 at their greatest projection than the fingers 56 extend. And these fingers extend through the slots 94 along a greater length along the circumference of the rim 90.

In a preferred embodiment of the secondary spoke wheel 58 there are twenty-five fingers, each projecting slightly more than one-fourth of an inch beyond the periphery of the central body 132. And the location of the spoke wheel 58 permits the outer end of the fingers 60 to extend through the rim slots 96 twice as far at the point of greatest projection than the fingers 56 of the spoke wheel 54. The fingers 60 extend through the slots 96 for about twice the circumferential length of the rim 90 as the fingers 56. The shaft 128 for wheel 58 is shown closer to the rim 90 than the shaft 126 for the wheel 54.

A timing drive connecting the rotary assembly 70 and the

spoke wheels

54 and 58 drives the bowl-shaped member and spoke wheels together. Hence, the fingers 56 and 60 move smoothly in and out of the slots 96 during rotation of the member 78.

As shown the timing drive includes

toothed pulleys

140, 142 and 144 on the hub 102, spoke wheel 54 and spoke wheel 58 respectively. The drive further includes a toothed timing belt 146 that runs over all three pulleys. As the motor 48 rotates the shaft 80, the pulley and the bowl-shaped member 78 rotate. And through the timing belt 146 the other pulleys are rotated to drive the

spoke wheels

54 and 58.

The fingers 60 of the secondary spoke wheel 58 are for strand removal from the rim 90 upon failure of the primary spoke wheel 54 to effect complete strand removal. Hence, the secondary spoke wheel 58 is circumferentially spaced beyond the primary spoke wheel 54 in the direction the bowl-shaped member 78 is rotated. In the embodiment shown the

spoke wheels

54 and 58 are shown in a preferred relationship on shafts that are angularly spaced substantially 90 apart. It is further preferred that the secondary spoke wheel 58 be mounted between the primary spoke wheel 54 and the location where the strands initially advance onto the rim 90.

To insure that the strands 14 or a portion thereof will not return to the rim 90 upon removal by the fingers 60 of the secondary spoke wheel 58, the apparatus uses the deflector bar 62 for preventing strands or portion of such strands to return to the rim 90. As shown the deflector member 62 is longitudinal and extends the width of the rim 90; the member 62 is immediately adjacent the surface of the rim 90, normally from about one-half to 1 inch, and at a location immediately adjacent and beyond the strand discharge region from the secondary spoke wheel 58. The member 62 as illustrated is disposed to present an inclined barrier surface in the path of a discharging strand; an inclination of from a radial disposition to 30 degrees from the vertical plane is preferred. in such disposition the member 62 tends to deflect strands downwardly towards the collecting surface 16. The member may, however, be located to present a vertical surface in the path of a discharging strand.

The end plate 120 carries the deflector member 62.

The fingers 56 of the primary spoke wheel 54 tend to disturb engagement between the rim 90 and the strands 14 even when they do not effect strand removal. Hence, any strands 14 or portion thereof that travel to the secondary discharge location of the spoke wheel 58 are normally less securely adhered or engaged with the rim 90. So it is possible under some conditions to use identical primary and secondary spoke wheel, each mounted the same distance from the rim within the wheel 10.

The pulling wheel apparatus includes means for oscillating the end plate 120 (and consequently the

spoke wheel

54 and 58 and deflector member 62) to distribute the strands 14 back and forth across the width W" of the collecting surface 16. Referring to FIG. 1, the end plate 120 is driven by apparatus including a fluid cylinder 150, triangular link 152 and link rod 154. The link rod 154 pivotally connects at one end to arms 156 on the tube connector 122 and at the other end pivotally connects to the triangular link 152. The piston rod 158 of the cylinder 150 connects to the triangular link i 152 through a linking rod 160. The triangular link 152 is pivotally held on the end of a rod 162. v

' In normal operation the fingers 56 of the primary spoke wheel 54 move through the slots 96 to progressively contact the strands l4 and discharge them from the rim '90 at a selected location. And the strands 14 are projected by the motion of the pulling wheel 10 in straight line paths extending tangentially from the point of disengagement from the rim 90 to the collecting surface 16 below.

In the fingers 56 of the primary spoke wheel 54 should fail to discharge completely any of the strands 14, or any portions of the strands 14, or any portions of any one ofthe strands 14, the secondary spoke wheel 58 pushes or pokes them further from the rotating wheel 10 and over a greater peripheral distance to disengage them. And the deflection member prevents return of the strand or strand portion to the rim 90.

The embodiment of the rotary apparatus of the invention illustrated in the Figures includes means for oscillating the strand removal means (spoke wheels 54 and 58); however, apparatus can operate according to the principles of the invention without such means for oscillating. Further, it is possible to oscillate only one of the spoke wheels, e.g., wheel 54.

Moreover, it is possible to embody rotary apparatus according to the principles of the invention without using a spoke wheel drive as illustrated. For example. the spoke wheels might be driven by contact between the periphery forming elements (such as elements 98) during rotation of a rotary device.

Then too, one might use strand removal means located outside a rotary pulling wheel. For example, one might use external air jets as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,935,179 or spoke wheels outside a pulling wheel arrangement shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,632.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising:

a rotatable wheel for pulling strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement;

means for rotating the wheel;

primary means for strand removal from the periphery during rotation of the wheel; and

secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the primary means is the same type as the secondary means.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 further including a deflector immediately adjacent the periphery to prevent return of strand or any portion thereof to the periphery upon removal from the periphery by the secondary means.

4. Apparatus of claim 1 in which at least one of the strand removal means is a rotary means rotating simultaneously with the rotary pulling wheel.

5. Apparatus of claim 1 in which at least one of the strand removal means is movable for strand removal in any of a numeer of locations of the periphery spaced from the other means. v a

6. Apparatus of claim 5 in which one of the strand removal means is oscillatable about the periphery of the wheel. I

7. Apparatus of claim 6 further including means for oscillating both of the strand removal means in unison about the periphery of the wheel.

8. Apparatus of claim 7 in which the strand removal means are in fixed spaced apart relationship.

9. Apparatus of claim 8 in which the strand removal means are spaced about substantially 10. Apparatus of claim 9 further including means for driving the rotary strand removal means independently of the rotary pulling wheel.

11. Apparatus for longitudinally advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising:

means for rotating the wheel;

primary means for strand removal from the periphery of the wheel at a first location on the periphery during rotation of the wheel, the first location being spaced from the initial strand engagement location on the periphery in the direction of wheel rotation; and

secondary means for strand removal on the periphery between the first location and the initial strand engagement location to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

12. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising:

means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the filaments into a strand;

a rotatable wheel for pulling the strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement;

means for rotating the wheel;

primary means for strand removal from the wheel at a first location on the periphery during rotation of the wheel; and

13. Apparatus for longitudinally advancing strand comprising:

a hollow rotatable wheel for pulling strand having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical peripheral surface for strand contact and adhesion;

means for rotating the wheel;

a rotary means mounted within the wheel for simultaneousmovement with the wheel, the rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements of the wheel in a region for progressively contacting the strand to discharge it from the wheel during rotation; and

a deflector immediately adjacent the discharge region to prevent return of strand or any portion thereof to the peripheral upon removal from the peripheral surface by the rotary means.

14. Apparatus for longitudinally feeding one or more strands comprising:

a rotatable hollow wheel for pulling strand having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical peripheral surface for strand contact and adhesion;

means for rotating the wheel;

a primary rotary strand removal means mounted within the wheel for simultaneous movement there-' with, such primary strand removal means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in a first location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel; and

a secondary rotary strand removal means mounted within thepulling wheel for simultaneous movement with the wheel, the secondary strand removal means being positioned to effect strand removal in a second location upon failure of the primary rotary means to effect complete strand removal, the secondary strand removal means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in the second location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel.

15. Apparatus of claim 14 in which the circumferentially spaced members of the secondary rotary strand removal means are movable through the spaces between the periphery forming elements along a greater length of the peripheral surface than the circumferentially spaced members of the primary rotary strand removal means.

16. Apparatus for advancing strand comprising:

a motor for rotating the wheel;

a rotatable primary spoke wheel for strand removal within the pulling wheel, the primary spoke wheel including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in a first location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel;

a rotatable secondary spoke wheel for strand removal within the pulling wheel in fixed spaced relation with the primary spoke wheel for strand removal at a second location spaced beyond the first location in the direction of wheel rotation upon failure of the primary spoke wheel to effect complete strand removal, the secondary spoke wheel including circumferentially spaced members, such members being movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements a greater distance than the circumferentially spaced members of the primary spoke wheel, such members of the secondary spoke wheel progressively contacting strand in the second location to discharge strand during rotation of the wheel; and

driving means within the pulling wheel operatively connected to both the spoke wheels for rotating the wheels in synchronization with the pulling wheel.

17. Apparatus of claim 16 in which the axis of rotation of the secondary spoke wheel is closer to the circumferential surface of the hollow wheel than the axis of rotation of the primary spoke wheel.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which the secondary spoke wheel has fewer circumferentially spaced members than the primary spoke wheel.

19. Apparatus for advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising:

a hollow wheel for pulling strand rotatable on a horizontal axis, the wheel having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical rim for strand contact and adhesion;

means for rotating the wheel;

a primary rotary means for strand removal mounted within the pulling wheel for simultaneous movement therewith, the primary rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting the strand in a first location to discharge strand from the rim during rotation of the wheel;

a secondary rotary means for strand removal mounted within the pulling wheel in fixed spaced relation for simultaneous movement with the wheel the secondary rotary means being positioned to effect strand removal in a second location upon failure of the primary rotary means to effect complete strand removal, the secondary rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming ele- 1 l 12 thereof from returning to the rim upon removal by 21. Apparatus of claim 19 further including means the secondary rotary means. for oscillating the primary and secondary rotary means 20. Apparatus of claim 19 in which the longitudinal and the deflector member together. deflector is oriented vertically. =k a

Claims

1. Apparatus for advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising: a rotatable wheel for pulling strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement; means for rotating the wheel; primary means for strand removal from the periphery during rotation of the wheel; and secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

5. Apparatus of claim 1 in which at least one of the strand removal means is movable for strand removal in any of a numeer of locations of the periphery spaced from the other means.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 in which one of the strand removal means is oscillatable about the periphery of the wheel.

9. Apparatus of claim 8 in which the strand removal means are spaced about substantially 90*.

10. Apparatus of claim 9 further including means for driving the rotary strand removal means independently of the rotary pulling wheel.

11. Apparatus for longitudinally advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising: a rotatable wheel for pulling strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement; means for rotating the wheel; primary means for strand removal from the periphery of the wheel at a first location on the periphery during rotation of the wheel, the first location being spaced from the initial strand engagement location on the periphery in the direction of wheel rotation; and secondary means for strand removal on the periphery between the first location and the initial strand engagement location to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

12. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising: means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the filaments into a strand; a rotatable wheel for pulling the strand having a circular periphery for strand engagement; means for rotating the wheel; primary means for strand removal from the wheel at a first location on the periphery during rotation of the wheel; and secondary means for strand removal spaced from the primary means in a position to effect strand removal upon failure of the primary means to effect complete strand removal.

13. Apparatus for longitudinally advancing strand comprising: a hollow rotatable wheel for pulling strand having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindRical peripheral surface for strand contact and adhesion; means for rotating the wheel; a rotary means mounted within the wheel for simultaneous movement with the wheel, the rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements of the wheel in a region for progressively contacting the strand to discharge it from the wheel during rotation; and a deflector immediately adjacent the discharge region to prevent return of strand or any portion thereof to the peripheral upon removal from the peripheral surface by the rotary means.

14. Apparatus for longitudinally feeding one or more strands comprising: a rotatable hollow wheel for pulling strand having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical peripheral surface for strand contact and adhesion; means for rotating the wheel; a primary rotary strand removal means mounted within the wheel for simultaneous movement therewith, such primary strand removal means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in a first location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel; and a secondary rotary strand removal means mounted within the pulling wheel for simultaneous movement with the wheel, the secondary strand removal means being positioned to effect strand removal in a second location upon failure of the primary rotary means to effect complete strand removal, the secondary strand removal means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in the second location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel.

16. Apparatus for advancing strand comprising: a rotatable hollow wheel for pulling strand having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical peripheral surface for strand contact and adhesion; a motor for rotating the wheel; a rotatable primary spoke wheel for strand removal within the pulling wheel, the primary spoke wheel including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in a first location to discharge strand from the peripheral surface during rotation of the wheel; a rotatable secondary spoke wheel for strand removal within the pulling wheel in fixed spaced relation with the primary spoke wheel for strand removal at a second location spaced beyond the first location in the direction of wheel rotation upon failure of the primary spoke wheel to effect complete strand removal, the secondary spoke wheel including circumferentially spaced members, such members being movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements a greater distance than the circumferentially spaced members of the primary spoke wheel, such members of the secondary spoke wheel progressively contacting strand in the second location to discharge strand during rotation of the wheel; and driving means within the pulling wheel operatively connected to both the spoke wheels for rotating the wheels in synchronization with the pulling wheel.

19. ApParatus for advancing one or more strands to a collection region comprising: a hollow wheel for pulling strand rotatable on a horizontal axis, the wheel having circumferentially spaced periphery forming elements forming an interrupted cylindrical rim for strand contact and adhesion; means for rotating the wheel; a primary rotary means for strand removal mounted within the pulling wheel for simultaneous movement therewith, the primary rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting the strand in a first location to discharge strand from the rim during rotation of the wheel; a secondary rotary means for strand removal mounted within the pulling wheel in fixed spaced relation for simultaneous movement with the wheel the secondary rotary means being positioned to effect strand removal in a second location upon failure of the primary rotary means to effect complete strand removal, the secondary rotary means including circumferentially spaced members movable through spaces between the periphery forming elements for progressively contacting strand in the second location to discharge strand from the rim during rotation of the wheel; and a longitudinal deflector adjacent the rim at the second location to prevent strand or any portion thereof from returning to the rim upon removal by the secondary rotary means.

20. Apparatus of claim 19 in which the longitudinal deflector is oriented vertically.

21. Apparatus of claim 19 further including means for oscillating the primary and secondary rotary means and the deflector member together.