Abstract: Matted fibrous material is fed between a rotatable shaft having a chopping blade mounted thereon and a rubber-covered back-up roll cooperable with the blade. Clutch and brake means enable the blade shaft to be rotated intermittently through one turn to chop off a selected length of material. An upper portion of the back-up roll is above the plane of support of feed and discharge conveyors on opposite sides of the back-up roll, and a cam on the blade shaft compresses the material before it is chopped by the blade.

Abstract: A reciprocable carriage carries means for dispensing hardenable liquid resin and reinforcing glass fiber material on a rotatable mandrel to produce a tank wall. The control system includes means for maintaining the carriage speed constantly proportional to the mandrel speed to produce a cylindrical portion of a tank wall and means for continuously changing the carriage speed at a constant rate with respect to the mandrel speed to produce a conical portion of a tank wall.

Abstract: We have developed new and useful epoxy resins which have excellent fire resistance. We prepare these resins by using phosphorus trihalides or phosphorus oxyhalides to cure conventional epoxy resins.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a coated and twisted textile product from discontinuous glass fibers that are effectively interengaged into a relatively loosely associated longitudinal sliver-like grouping. The uncoated grouping is advanced from a container, along a path, for further processing. The grouping is twisted at a location along the path of advancement of the grouping. A coating is applied to the advancing grouping by passing the grouping through a coating passageway containing coating material. The coating passageway being located at a position along the path where the grouping is relatively unaffected by the twist being applied by the twisting means, so as to promote penetration of the coating material into the interior of the grouping.

Abstract: A fibrous body which includes at least two layers of strands of continuous filaments and binder particles in each layer. One of the layers has filaments of the strands therein at least partially dispersed to form a mesh size which entraps binder particles therein which have a mesh size larger than the mesh size of the dispersed filament layer, as well as smaller size particles lodged at intersections and crossovers. Another layer has strands which form a mesh size which do not necessarily entrap binder particles but may retain particles therein at interstices of strands. The fibrous body has a binder content in the dispersed filament layer which is larger per unit volume than the binder content of the other layer. Preferably a plurality of successive layers of continuous multi-filament strands are deposited on a collecting surface in a mat-like mass.

Abstract: A sizing composition for glass fibers is disclosed, the sizing containing a silane coupling agent, a chromic complex, a vinyl acetate copolymer and a polyvinyl acetate homopolymer, the sizing being particularly suitable for application to gun roving.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging roving from a plurality of continuous glass strands. The apparatus comprising means for tensioning the roving along its path to the collector including a first and a second bar in spaced relation located at opposite sides of the path and upon which the roving is turned during its travel to the collector. The apparatus also having means to movably hold one of the bars and to control the movement and position of the bar so that the tension in the roving can be varied and controlled as the roving is wound on the collector.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for producing roving with a controlled number of strands including means for linearly advancing each of the strands along a given path; strand motion detection means effective to sense movement of each of the strands during its advancement and to supply individual motion signals for each of the strands in response to the sensed movement; and means responsive to the frequency of the individual intermittent motion signals for controlling the strand advancing means.

Abstract: Electrical erosion of refractory in a tank of a furnace for melting thermoplastic materials is reduced by orienting electrodes employed in Joule effect heating of the thermoplastic to limit the current density in the refractory. High electrical resistivity of certain thermoplastics tends to cause a flow of shunted current in relatively low electrical resistivity refractory of the furnace walls during Joule effect heating. Inter electrode spacing and electrode to furnace wall spacing is arranged according to the relative electrical parameters of the furnace system to achieve sufficient Joule effect heating of the thermoplastic without appreciable electrical corrosion. The effects of three phase power sources with various connections is disclosed.

Abstract: Friction compositions of glass fibers bonded with cured organic binders and containing a heat-conducting particulate metal and a binder modifying agent are disclosed. The compositions can optionally contain friction-modifying materials, an elastomer or particulate fillers. The compositions have particular utility as brake or clutch materials and are excellent for automotive application.

Abstract: An improved plastic spool for serving electrical insulation, such as glass fiber yarn, about a continuous wire is provided having a better combination of strength and breakability properties than prior spools. The spool is made by joining two identical molded halves, and comprises a hollow tubular core and radially extending flanges at each end of the core. The flanges are tapered in thickness and are reinforced by integrally molded stiffening ribs. The flanges are provided with grooves along which the plastic will fracture, which grooves are aligned with slots in the core. The slots extending axially along the core but terminate a distance from each flange such that the core is not weakened, yet the fractures along the groove lines will propagate across the remaining solid plastic continuum and connect with the slots to fragment the spool into pieces. The spool also includes a paper insert which lines the core of the spool for snug engagement with a mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packaging compressible material in strip form, such as building insulation. The compressible strip is wound into a roll and held under compression during rolling to provide a compact package. The compressed package can then be held by two tapes, without additional overwrap, which tapes are automatically fed onto an end portion of the compressible strip as it is being rolled up, with the package then being automatically ejected. The apparatus includes an endless belt carried on a frame and positioned and driven in a manner to form a loop in itself which is in the path of the compressible strip being lineally moved toward the belt. The belt is driven to roll the strip as it is moved into the loop and means are provided for maintaining the belt under tension to place the strip in compression.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein includes moving the fibers downwardly toward a continuously moving foraminous conveyor, drawing the gas through the conveyor to deposit the fibers on the conveyor, creating a back pressure by locating an apertured plate immediately below the conveyor and collecting the fibers in a relatively static area, immediately above the conveyor.

Abstract: Electric power dissipation in a mass of molten glass is increased where two or more power sources are each connected to at least two electrodes in the molten glass, by cross connecting the sources so that electrodes connected to each source and at proper potentials during a portion of each power signal period are connected together. The interconnection enables a substantial increase in voltage applied to localized regions of the molten glass without requiring higher voltage sources. Interconnection of single phase sources and two typical forms of interconnection of three phase power sources are disclosed.

Abstract: A coated, decorative panel or tile of molded fibrous material is provided. A pad or pelt of mineral fibers, preferably glass fibers held together by a binder in an uncured state, is compressed and heated in a matched metal contoured mold to the desired permanent shape, after which a finish coating is supplied. The fibers of the panel are heterogeneously arranged with most fibers being parallel to the contoured surface of the product but with some lying angularly with respect thereto. Also, some portions of the uncured fiber pad may be compressed in the mold to a greater extent than others. In addition, the concentration of binder may also vary widely over the product. These factors result in a variation in the apparent density, and when the panel is subsequently coated, the degree of absorption of the coating material differs widely, resulting in an undesirable nonuniform appearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a sheet molding composite are provided. The sheet molding composite consists of two outer sheets of plastic material between which is sandwiched a moldable material or compound containing fiber-reinforced resin. The resin-containing material is maintained in a deformable, flexible state until it is placed in a mold and subjected to heat, at which time it is cured in the shape of the final molded product. The molding composite is made by depositing a layer of a pre-blended resin-containing material on the upper surface of one of the sheets of plastic material and by then depositing a layer of randomly disposed glass fibers onto this first layer. A second layer of preblended resin-containing material from the same source is also deposited on an upper surface of a second of the plastic sheets.

Abstract: We have molded articles from molding compounds containing a thermosetting resin, at least one cement, and at least one silane coupling agent. These molding compounds exhibit improved strength properties and can be used to form shingles, appliances such as bathtubs, and coatings.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment of glass fibers to promote a strong bonding relationship between glass fibers and plastics and elastomeric materials comprising a silanized butadiene polymer which has been reacted with a halosilane and the product reacted with an epoxide to replace the halogen groups of the silane with beta-haloalkoxy groups.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches the gelling and thickening of matrix forming resin systems by ion-dipole bonds. Suitable ions are introduced into the resin matrix as alkaline oxides or hydroxides. Thermoplastic polymers containing polar groups are used as additives for the thermosetting resins to offset shrink of the thermosetting resins during their crosslinking and curing in the molding operation. In the molded thermoset state of the resin materials, the polar groups provide sites for the improved bonding of paints, as for example, gel coats. The invention has particular advantages in polyester thermosetting resin systems and in the thermoplastic additives that are used therewith. Polar monomers copolymerized with styrene are the preferred thermoplastic additives.

Abstract: Heat softenable material, typically glass, is heated in a furnace from above its surface, as by fossil fuel burners, and below its surface, as by Joule effect heating by electrical current flowing between electrodes immersed in the melt where predetermined relationships of the amount of heat supplied from each source is automatically established. One form of coordinated control employs ratio control where the relationship of fossil fuel burner heat supplied is maintained in constant proportion to the Joule effect heat supplied. Melter temperature is a primary control for a combustion air supply. A combustion air-fossil fuel ratio controller proportionally controls Joule effect heat applied in one embodiment. In other embodiments the electrical controller provides the master signal to a combustion air control proportionate to the requisite change of heat input dictated, or the combustion air control issues a ratio signal to the electrical controller for proportional changes.