Patent ID: 6044666
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: C03B

Abstract:
An insulating flow block for controlling flow and promoting uniformity of temperature of molten fiberizable material received from a forehearth supply to a fiber forming apparatus, the flow block having a total volume and being formed from a refractory material and comprising:(a) a central region;(b) a peripheral region surrounding the central region; and(c) a plurality of bores extending between a top surface of the flow block and a bottom surface of the flow block, each bore of the plurality of bores having an interior surface to define a passageway to permit flow of molten fiberizable material through the flow block, wherein the plurality of bores comprise(1) a first plurality of bores located within the peripheral region of the flow block that provides a total open volume for flow of molten fiberizable material through the peripheral region of about 5 to about 35 percent of the total volume of the flow block, and(2) at least one additional bore located within the central region of the flow block that provides a total open volume for flow of molten fiberizable material through the central region of no greater than about 20 percent of the total volume of the flow block.