Abstract: Dies which facilitate the threading of a strand are disclosed. Each die embodiment includes portions that move relative to each other to allow access to the area between the portions. One embodiment of a die embodying the principles of the invention includes an upper portion and a lower portion. Each die portion includes components corresponding to substantially half of a wirecoating die. Accordingly, when the die portions are adjacent each other, they form a complete wirecoating die. In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion is moveable relative to the lower portion, which is fixed. Each portion is coupled to a support by a conduit through which resin can be supplied to the particular die portion. The upper portion is pivotally mounted to the support for movement between an upper position in which the die is open and a lower position in which the die is closed. This die is used in an in-line wirecoating process in which a strand is wirecoated downstream from a bushing during a fiber forming process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for applying a sizing composition to glass fibers with improved size application efficiency, while also providing for the collection and reuse of sizing composition, as well as for providing sizing composition to the applicator device, The apparatus includes a rotatable, but otherwise stationary, sizing applicator device which can be replaced without substantial interruption of the sizing application process while also providing a sizing reservoir for the collection and reuse of sizing composition, as well as for providing sizing composition to the applicator device.

Abstract: To provide a type of phenol foam characterized by the fact that the phenol foam is formed by using a hydrocarbon as the foaming agent. The phenol foam has excellent heat-insulating performance, high compressive strength and other mechanical strengths, improved brittleness and is friendly to the environment of the earth.

Abstract: A wet-formed permeable mat composed of wet use chopped strands (WUCS), chopped roving, and potentially unidirectional roving coupled with an alkaline resistant binder are combined to create an randomly oriented open mat structure with a high degree of openness that can be used in cement backerboard applications. The cement backerboard that is subsequently formed from the wet-formed permeable mat has lower binder content, superior decorative finish, and better permeability control than known glass scrim systems and can be produced in a single continuous step.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite insulator includes the steps of forming an insulator precursor by orienting an insulation insert in a desired location between a first facing layer and a polymer based blanket layer, applying differential heat to two opposing sides of the insulator precursor and applying pressure to the insulator precursor. Together, the applied differential heat and applied pressure mold the insulator precursor to a desired shape while also providing the polymer based blanket material with a first relatively high density adjacent a warmer of the two opposing sides and a zone of relatively low density adjacent the cooler of the two opposing sides. The process also includes the cooling of a molded precursor to set the insulator in the desired shape.

Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of entrained vapor in fiber-reinforced resin composite materials, and in particular filament wound composites, wherein a particularly effective chemical foaming or blowing agent is incorporated into the resin matrix composition used to form the composites. The foaming agent creates vapor-filled voids throughout the resin matrix of the composite as it cures. The superior composites containing these vapor-filled voids demonstrate high burst strength retention and excellent resistance to cyclic fatigue. The invention also relates to composite materials and articles thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pourable or blowable loose-fill insulation, and in particular to a loose-fill insulation comprising glass fibers which are compressed and packaged in relatively small containers for easier installation by consumers. Agents capable of chemically interacting with the glass fibers are used in order to increase recoverability of the compressed glass fibers when they are removed from their packaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pellets comprising fibers impregnated with resin. The pellets incorporate a mixed lubricant sizing composition comprising at least one cationic lubricant and at least one non-ionic lubricant. These pellets may be consolidated to form fiber reinforced resin composites.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid composition to one or more fibers of a fan of fibers provides a housing defining an elongated passageway therethrough such that the fan of fibers travels along a path through the passageway. The apparatus further provides a plurality of centrifugal spray heads including at least a first centrifugal spray head mounted in the housing and supplied with the liquid composition under pressure for directing the liquid composition onto one or more fibers of the fan of fibers passing a first location of the path. The plurality of centrifugal spray heads further includes at least a second centrifugal spray head mounted in the housing and being supplied with the liquid composition under pressure to direct the liquid composition onto one or more fibers of the fan of fibers passing a second location of the path.

Abstract: A multiple layer fiber filled sound absorber and method of manufacturing the absorber are disclosed. The sound absorber includes an outer housing, a porous or perforated inner tube or housing defining a passageway through which a gas may flow, and two layers of sound absorbing material, such as fiberglass wool, is positioned between the housings. The sound absorbing material adjacent the inner housing is selected to be more heat resistant than the material farther away from the inner housing. The sound absorber is filled with the sound absorbing materials using a direct fill process in which continuous fibers are injected into the sound absorber. In preparation for filling, a partition is positioned between the housings to define two chambers. Each chamber is filled with one of the sound absorbing materials. The partition may then be removed from the sound absorber, or may be left in place (in which case the partition is preferably porous or perforated).

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing having a washing chamber and a door for gaining access to the washing chamber. A washing nozzle is provided in the washing chamber for directing a fluid stream against dishes held in the washing chamber. A circulation pump circulates fluid under pressure through the washing nozzle. A supply line delivers fluid to the circulation pump while a drain line discharges fluid from the washing chamber. Additionally the dishwasher includes an acoustical insulation blanket of thermoplastic material. That blanket extends around the washing chamber and the circulation pump and is precisely cut to fit snugly around the fluid supply line and the drain line so as to eliminate gaps therebetween and the acoustical leaks associated therewith. A method is also disclosed for enclosing the noise-generating components of the dishwasher in an acoustical insulation blanket of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A flame resistant insulation product comprises a fibrous mineral material that has been rotary fiberized, preferably a fibrous glass. The composition of the mineral material has a softening point of at least about 699° C. An insulated duct includes a tubular wall that defines a hollow interior for conducting a fluid, and a layer of the insulation product wrapped about the wall. The mineral material reduces the number of samples of the insulated duct failing the flame penetration test of a UL 181 Standard compared to the same insulated duct with a mineral material having a softening point of less than 699° C.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing noise emitted from an appliance having a cabinet that supports at least one component that emits at least one acoustic pressure wave therefrom. In a preferred form, the apparatus comprises at least one diffuser having at least one deflection surface. The diffuser is coupled to the cabinet and positioned relative to the one component such that the acoustic pressure wave emitted from the component is deflected by the one deflection surface in a predetermined direction. The diffuser can be used to deflect acoustic pressure waves such that they collide with each other. The apparatus may further include at least one absorber. The diffuser is strategically located to deflect acoustic pressure waves being emitted from the component into the absorber to reduce the noise emitted from the appliance.

Abstract: A method of making a microsphere-filled wet-laid veil involves forming a non-woven fibrous veil, contacting the veil with an impregnation binder composition having a binder and microspheres, and impregnating the microspheres of the impregnation binder composition into the veil to form a microsphere-filled wet-laid veil. The microsphere-filled wet-laid veils produced according to the method of the present invention are useful to make molded composite articles.

Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. The process comprises the steps of: providing a muffler shell comprising first and second muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity when coupled together and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity for defining at least one channel having one or more openings communicating with the shell internal cavity; placing a form over at least one of the internal structure and the first muffler shell part; drawing a partial vacuum through a first end of the channel; feeding fibrous material into the form while drawing a partial vacuum through the channel; removing the form after the fibrous material feeding step; and positioning the second muffler shell part over at least one of the internal structure and the first muffler shell part.

Abstract: An insulation assembly for a forced gas unit comprises a facing layer and a porous insulation layer joined together by an adhesive. The facing layer includes pressure-balancing and non-pressure-balancing regions. Perforations are formed in the facing layer after the facing layer and the insulation layer are joined together and after the adhesive is cured. The perforations allow gas to flow through the facing layer so as to adequately balance the static pressures acting on the exposed and non-exposed surfaces of the facing layer.

Abstract: A process for making a composite article comprising providing a coating composition comprising a silane, optional pH modifying agent, and optional lubricant, wherein the silane is compatible with one or more ROMP catalysts used to initiate ring opening metathesis polymerization of the cycloolefin resins; coating fibers with the coating composition; contacting the coated fiber with an uncured cycloolefin resin catalyzed using one or more ROMP catalysts used to form a resin and reinforcing fiber material mixture; and curing the resin and reinforcing fiber material mixture to form the composite article.

Abstract: A bushing including a terminal ear and a method of manufacturing the bushing are disclosed. The bushing includes a bushing body which can include side plates, end plates, a bottom plate, and terminal ears coupled to the bushing body. Clamps are attached to the terminal ears to supply electrical current to the bushing to maintain the glass inside in a liquid state. Each terminal ear includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is coupled to a side plate of the bushing. A clamp is attached to the lower portion of the terminal ear. The upper and lower portions are oriented at an angle with respect to each other. Support portions are provided along the side edges of the upper portions of the terminal ears. Support portions stiffen the terminal ear, thereby increasing its resistance to bending and fatigue stresses. Support portions do not contact the bushing and therefore do not directly conduct current to the bushing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming multiple packages on a single collet includes a pair of collets that are mounted on a rotatable turret. A moving strand is provided and the collet is rotated to wind the strand and build a first package on one end of the collet. The strand is reciprocated with a strand reciprocator to lay the strand on the package surface as the package rotates. After the first package is built, a strand positioner and a secondary shoe assist in transferring the strand to build a second package on the collet. After the second package is built, the turret is rotated while the cam moves away from the collet and turret. The strand breaks off after a few revolutions of the second collet. Then, the cam moves toward the second collet to begin building a first package on the second collet.

Abstract: A method of providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement includes the first step of providing a carriage carrying a supply of netting. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a first direction from a first portion of the roof structure to a second portion of the roof structure, such as for example, one end of the roof structure to the other end. Movement of the carriage dispenses the netting between the first and second portions. A supply of support sheet is then provided. A first section of the roof structure is constructed which includes purlins, the netting, and the support sheet. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a second direction opposite the first direction and towards the first portion of the roof structure. Movement of the carriage dispenses the support sheet above the netting.