A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE BULK COLLECTION OF TEXTURIZED STRAND

摘要

A method and apparatus for collecting texturized strand are disclosed. The apparatus for collecting texturized strand includes a texturizer (20) for expanding a continuous strand of glass fibers (80) into a wool-like product, a container (30) for collecting the texturized strand, and a device (50) establishing a pressure differential between an interior region of the container (70) and a region external of the container (72). The texturizer includes a nozzle to which a supply of compressed air (22) and a continuous strand (12) are fed. The compressed air advances the strand of glass fibers through the nozzle and expands the strand so that the filaments are spread apart, thereby giving the strand a wool-type appearance. The pressure differential creating device includes a vacuum apparatus (58) for drawing air and a screen (52) through which the air flows. A container is placed on the screen. In the preferred embodiment, the container is a corrugated box that has upper (38) and lower (40) closures or flaps. The lower flaps are folded back, thereby revealing an opening (32) in the bottom. The container is coupled to the pressure differential creating device so that the container opening is in communication with the screen. The nozzle is manipulated to direct the strand from the outlet of the nozzle into the container. The system may include a deflector assembly (90) for changing the direction of the texturized strand as it is directed into the container.