Fiber sizing applicator

A sizing applicator apparatus and sizing system for coating rapidly moving fibers moving at a speed of at least 1000 feet per minute with a liquid sizing, in a fiber forming room containing hot fiberizing bushings having a temperature of over 2000 degrees F and one or more fiber choppers, the sizing applicator apparatus and sizing system comprising:

• a) a continuously moving coating element having a continuously moving working surface, the applicator being exposed to heat from the fiberizing bushings, the applicator having a top cover above, and spaced from the continuously moving working surface and the applicator receiving sizing from a sizing supply tank,
• b) a filter for filtering the sizing having a capability of removing any foreign material larger than 13 microns prior to the introduction of the sizing onto the moving working surface of the fiber coating element of the sizing applicator, the filter being remote from the fiber forming room in a cooler, temperature controlled, environment and the filter located upstream of the sizing supply tank,
• c) a distributing element for distributing the filtered sizing across the continuously moving working surface of the fiber coating element,
• d) a doctor blade for removing any unused sizing and foreign objects from the continuously moving working surface, a removing portion of the doctor blade located downstream of a location where the continuously moving working surface would contact the fibers for coating,
• e) a drive for continuously moving the working surface, the drive comprising a servo motor for significantly reducing the variation in the working surface speed
• f) a basin and pipe for removing unused sizing and foreign items from the sizing applicator and a system for transporting the unused sizing and foreign items to the filter.