Abstract: Volatile reactants are heated under reflux in a reactor and form volatile reaction by-products which are continuously removed in a vapor effluent from a reflux column and partial condenser. The effluent, which entrains some of the reactants, is condensed in a first total condenser and is fed to a distillation apparatus for separation of the volatile reactants and by-products and return of the separated reactants to the reactor. Before the condensate reaches the distillation apparatus, it is temporarily stored in a receiver from which it is controllably fed to a pre-heater where it is evaporated and then fed as a vapor to the distillation column of the distillation apparatus for separation. The distillation column includes at one end a reboiler which retains the reactants. The other end of the distillation column is coupled to a second total condenser in which the volatile by-products are condensed and withdrawn through a cooler for disposal.

Abstract: Volatile reactants are heated under reflux in a reactor and form volatile reaction by-products which are continuously removed in a vapor effluent from a reflux column and partial condenser. The effluent, which entrains some of the reactants, is condensed in a first total condenser and is fed to a distillation apparatus for separation of the volatile reactants and by-products and return of the separated reactants to the reactor. Before the condensate reaches the distillation apparatus, it is temporarily stored in a receiver from which it is controllably fed to a pre-heater where it is evaporated and then fed as a vapor to the distillation column of the distillation apparatus for separation. The distillation column includes at one end a reboiler which retains the reactants. The other end of the distillation column is coupled to a second total condenser in which the volatile by-products are condensed and withdrawn through a cooler for disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of manufacturing a heat insulating material from an uncured, strip-shaped felt of fibres containing a heat hardenable bonding substance firstly form corrugations extending across the entire width of the uncured felt and following one another in succession along the length of the felt. The corrugated felt is then cured as a cured felt containing fibres extending in a serpentine array along the felt, and conveyed along a path of travel extending past a cutter having a cutting blade extending transversely across the path, whereby the felt is cut longitudinally into two partial felts, the corrugations being severed so that the fibres form U-shaped arrays disposed in succession along each of the partial felts. This fibre array provides compressive strength combined with flexibility, enabling the insulating material to be used on various pipe sizes.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing and packaging articles, e.g. insulation batts, comprises a bomb bay door arrangement for receiving the articles in succession and depositing the articles in a first position in successive batches each comprising a stack of the articles, a compression chamber, a movable support for displacing the batches in succession from said first position to a second position in the compression chamber, a lifting fork for displacing a first one of the batches from the second position to a third position in the compression chamber to allow the displacement of the next succeeding batch from the first position to the second position, a vertical ram for compressing the first batch and the next succeeding batch together in the compression chamber, and a horizontal ram for discharging the compressed articles through a bagging snout for applying a bag to the compressed articles.

Abstract: A fibre felt forming die assembly and method employ a mandrel having an external forming surface, an outer die extending around the mandrel and having an internal forming surface spaced from the mandrel external forming surface to define a gap for the advance of a felt therebetween. A heater is provided for heating the mandrel to thereby heat and at least partially cure the felt at and adjacent a surface of the felt facing the mandrel as the felt passes through the gap, and hot gas is then discharged through the entire thickness of the felt to further cure the felt. To counteract deposition of bonding material from the felt on the mandrel, an arrangement is provided for cooling the felt prior to the heating of the felt by the mandrel, so that the felt undergoes a rapid temperature transition.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for drawing at least one and preferably a multiplicity of continuous fibers through a drawing funnel. The drawing funnel is positioned with its inlet at a predetermined distance from the source from which monofilament is to be drawn. The funnel is provided with an aerodynamically smoothly converging inlet on an upstream section thereof. This converging inlet accelerates the flow of fluid, preferably air or other gaseous medium, and creates laminar flow of that fluid. Means are provided to establish a pressure differential over the length of the funnel and cause the fluid flow through the funnel. Laminar flow is utilized in the converging inlet and preferably over the length of the drawing funnel, to inhibit physical damage to the continuous fiber. The funnel inlet is located to insure that the fiber is fully solidified or finished, before a pulling force is exerted thereon.

Abstract: A method for the continuous formation of articles, e.g. one piece pipe insulator sections, from a strip-shaped felt of fibrous material, e.g. glass fibre, containing a hardenable bonding material employs stationary forming surfaces between which the strip is pulled, from beyond the forming surfaces, to deform the strip, which is then cured. The forming surfaces are readily and inexpensively replaceable for forming articles of various shapes and/or sizes.