Abstract: A process is provided for filling a muffler with fibrous material as well as a muffler filled with fibrous material. The process includes a first step of providing a muffler comprising a closed outer shell having an inner cavity and a perforated pipe. The perforated pipe has a first end portion with at least one fill opening. A second step comprises feeding fibrous material into the outer shell inner cavity through the at least one fill opening in the perforated pipe to form a fibrous product in the outer shell.

Abstract: An in-line mixing apparatus for the substantially continuous production of size to be supplied to a glass fiber forming process. The in-line mixing apparatus comprises a plurality of stages wherein the first stage is a static mixing device in which sizing components are carefully metered into a flow of water or other carrier fluid, and blended together. A second stage, hydrolyzer, connected to the first stage, provides a chamber in which the blended water and size materials are allowed to chemically react as they move therethrough. A second static mixing device may be connected to the output of the hydrolyzer if additional components need to be added, or if additional mixing of the materials blended in the first stage and reacted in the second stage is necessary. The output of the in-line mixing device may be piped directly to the size applicators of the respective fiber producing operations.

Abstract: A method of dispensing netting on a roof structure to provide fall protection for workers on the roof structure is disclosed herein. The roof structure includes a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement. A carriage is provided which is moveable in a direction along the length of the purlins. A supply of netting is attached to the carriage. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins, wherein movement of the carriage dispenses the netting onto the end of the roof structure.

Abstract: A vacuum extrusion line of the horizontal barometric leg type includes a vacuum chamber having an extrusion die at one end and a water baffle immersion cooler at the other end for extracting the extrudate to atmosphere, extrudate shaping and sizing equipment downstream of the die, a large diameter fixed bulkhead at the die, and first and second large diameter movable sections surrounding the shaping and sizing equipment, a smaller fixed section of the chamber. The first section sealing against the second section and the fixed section and telescoping over the fixed section to form a gap with the second section being movable within the limits of the gap. The second section also seals against the large diameter fixed bulkhead. In this manner the downstream equipment can be fully exposed by movement of one or both movable sections and adequate volume and spatial working environment is provided for large through-put. A simplified lock mechanism facilitates the quick opening and closing of the chamber.

Abstract: A type of (and method of making) fiberglass insulation is disclosed. Such insulation comprises: glass fibers; a polyacrylic glycerol (PAG) binder coating said glass fibers; and at least one of a coloring agent and a biocide adhered to said PAG binder. Such fiberglass insulation can take the form of a batt, board (a heated and compressed batt) or molding media (a different form of heated and compressed batt). The coloring agent and/or the biocide can be applied where the batt (or board or molding media, as the case may be) is manufactured or can be applied after the batt is installed in the field.

Abstract: A quick and easy technology for attaching, and facilitating reconfiguration (detachment and reattachment) of, panels to walls that uses a clamp assembly including a base, a receptacle attached to the base and a clasp that fits into and attaches to the receptacle. The clasp has resilient arms and a head. Insertion of the resilient arms of the clasp into the receptacle draws the head towards the base, which produces a clamping action. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a channel having sidewalls attached to a base and at least one fastener having a blade-like shank and a head. The sidewalls converge so as to be more closely spaced together at the opening of the channel than at its base. The at least one fastener appears T-shaped in cross section, and is sized so that insertion of the blade-like shank into the channel widens the opening. Alternatively, the clamp assembly includes a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece configured to cooperatively engage each other.

Abstract: An applicator for the deposition of size and other coating compositions onto the surfaces of reinforcing fibers, such as glass. The device may be used to apply aqueous or non-aqueous size to continuously formed fiber materials in a high speed forming process. The applicator may include an atomizing spray pre-applicator in combination with a slide-die applicator. The atomizing spray pre-applicator can be connected to a vacuum source, which increases contact of the spray with the fibers, and thereby improves coating coverage. The slide-die applicator may include a slide-die configuration that reduces leakage of the liquid coating. The process of using the invention can provide a more uniform thin film coating, higher coating efficiency, and better coating coverage than size applicators otherwise known in the art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting texturized strand are disclosed. The apparatus for collecting texturized strand includes a texturizer for expanding a continuous strand of glass fibers into a wool-like product, a container for collecting the texturized strand, and a device establishing a pressure differential between an interior region of the container and a region external of the container. The texturizer includes a nozzle to which a supply of compressed air and a continuous strand 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 for drawing air and a screen 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 and lower closures or flaps.

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 upon which is mounted a supply of support sheet and a supply of netting. A first section of the roof structure is then constructed. The first section includes purlins, the support sheet, and the netting. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a direction away from the completed first section of the roof structure, wherein movement of the carriage dispenses the support sheet and the netting.

Abstract: A method for making a nonwoven reinforcing may for vinyl floor coverings is described. A base mat is formed from a mixture of glass fibers and polymeric binder fibers and/or powder, follows by treatment with a second water-based polymeric binder composition. The mat has been found to be highly satisfactory as a substrate for compressible vinyl floor covering.

Abstract: An insulation product includes an elongated batt of fibrous insulation material, and a facing adhered to a major surface of the batt. The facing is a coextruded polymer film of barrier and bonding (and preferably carrier) layers, with the bonding layer having a softening point lower than the softening point of the barrier layer. The bonding layer can include one or more of ethylene N-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylate, low density polyethylene and ethylene ethyl acrylate. When the facing has been heated to a temperature above the softening point of the bonding layer, but below the softening point of the barrier layer, the facing is adhered to the batt by the attachment of the bonding layer to the fibers in the batt due to the softening of the bonding layer. The heating can be either conduction heating or ultrasonic heating. For ultrasonic heating, the bonding layer is resonant at a different ultrasonic frequency than the barrier layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer fabric is prepared from a chopped glass-fiber strand mat, at least one layer of continuous glass-fiber rovings and a porous tissue-paper backing. The tissue paper is disposed on a first lateral surface of the chopped-strand mat. The roving layer(s) overlay an opposed lateral surface of the mat. The layers are stitch-bonded together to form a complex fabric having advantageous resin wet-out when used as a reinforcement in a composite product.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for preparing extruded foam products and more particularly to a methods for producing such products with a blowing agent containing 134a and an alcohol.

Abstract: A method of insulating an attic cavity includes assembling a plurality of trusses to define an attic cavity, the trusses having sloped top beams so that the attic cavity has a reduced height end portion at least one end of the trusses. A screen material is applied to the attic cavity at the reduced height end portion of the attic cavity. Loosefil insulation material is blown into the end portion of the attic cavity to insulate the end portion of the attic cavity. The remaining portion of the attic cavity is insulated.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing fibrous insulation includes a porous conveyor mounted for transporting fibrous material in a machine direction in the form of pack. A pack lift blower is positioned beneath the porous conveyor, in a direction transverse to the machine direction, to direct gases upwardly through the porous conveyor to fluff the fibers within the pack. The pack lift blower has a nozzle that is readily removable and replaceable for cleaning without requiring interruption in the motion of the conveyor. The nozzle may also include slots which allow the passage of air and a reciprocal member which cleans the slots.

Abstract: A belt roll-up machine which includes at least two endless belts. The endless belts have portions that overlap one another. The overlapping portions of the belts form a loop. A compressible strip of insulation material may be rolled in the loop.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition suitable for use as a binder in making wool and board products including fiberglass insulation comprising a phenolic resole resin binder made from phenol and formaldehyde by using an excess amount of a basic catalyst.

Abstract: A process for cutting a fiberglass panel comprises cutting the fiberglass panel with a liquid jet containing a sealant which coats and adheres to the cut edge of the panel, and thereafter curing the sealant to harden and encapsulate the edge of the panel to reduce the emanation of fiberglass dust particles therefrom.

Abstract: A tucking bar for directing sheet material between a drive roller and a mandrel of a roll-up machine comprises an elongated member having opposing ends that are supported by an arm. The arm is adapted to pivot about an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive roller to move the elongated member along an arcuate path about the drive roller. A roll-up machine comprises a drive roller supported by a frame and a mandrel supported adjacent the drive roller. A tucking bar supported by a forward end of the frame is provided for tucking the sheet material between the drive roller and the mandrel. A method for rolling sheet material includes the steps of displacing the tucking bar to direct sheet material between a drive roller and a mandrel and rolling the sheet material on the mandrel.