Abstract: A collection process for collecting mineral wool fibers produced by an aligned plurality of fiber making machines includes the steps of entraining the fibers produced by each of the fiber making machines in a gas, drawing the gas through a gas permeable conveyor belt substantially aligned with the aligned plurality of fiber making machines so as to collect the fibers on a fiber/gas separating surface defined by the conveyor, and advancing the conveyor with the collected fibers in a flow direction. The fibers from each of the fiber making machines is collected on the fiber/gas separating surface in a separate collection zone. The lengths of each of the collection zones increases along the flow direction. The resulting collected fibers are useful in forming a mat.

Abstract: Bracing strips 7 are interposed between compressible strips 4, so-called laminate strips, of an insulating mat 1 in the form of a laminate mat with a carrier web 2, in order generally to impart compression resistance to the insulating mat 1. The compressible strips 4 normally consist of mineral fibers 6 of low compression resistance and are readily compressible parallel with the plane of the carrier web 2, while the bracing strips 7 consist of mineral fibers of higher compression strength and are substantially incompressible. Particularly good compression strength results from the fibers 8 of the bracing strips 7 also being orientated at right-angles to the carrier web 2. The resulting pressure-resistant laminate insulating mats 1 are suitable not only for the conventional fields of application of laminate mats but can also serve at the same time as a bracing since in many cases they offer superior qualities to those of supports or braces which consist of solid bodies.

Abstract: In a process for the production of fibers from phenoplast resins of the resole type, the resin is treated with a cross-linking agent and is immediately thereafter introduced into a centrifuge bushing. The fibers extruded from the bushing are projected into the surrounding atmosphere which is heated so as to accelerate the drying of the fibers before they are collected. The heating is sufficient so that the fibers become solid and non-sticky prior to collecting.

Abstract: A vitreous product which can be used in agriculture is disclosed. With the exception of nitrogen, this vitreous product contains all the major and minor mineral elements which are essential for the nutrition of plants.The vitreous products can contain the following constituents, taken in the following proportions by weight:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 25 to 65% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 1 to 15% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 1 to 15% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.01 to 2% K.sub.2 O 5 to 35% MnO 0.01 to 3% CaO 11 to 35% ZnO 0.01 to 3% MgO 1 to 10% CuO 0.01 to 2% SO.sub.3 0.01 to 1% MoO.sub.3 0.01 to 3% Na.sub.2 O 0 to 2% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0 to 25%.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for above-ground cultivation, and, more precisely, cultivation elements designated with the name of "substrate".The cultivation cubes according to the invention are comprised of mineral fibers that are interconnected and whose distribution is without preferred order, no matter what direction they are viewed from.The substrates according to the invention promote better colonization of the material by the roots.

Abstract: A condensation-inhibiting transparent cover layer of soft elastic polyurethane for viewing windows or other transparent glass or plastic substrates. The reaction mixture for production of the cover layer contains, in addition to a trifunctional polyisocyanate and a trifunctional polyol, a difunctional sulfonated polyether polyol, i.e. one containing sulfonate groups, and a non-ionic tenside in the form of an ethoxylated fatty alcohol and/or an ethoxylated fatty amine.

Abstract: A glue composition comprises a heat-hardenable resin, urea and possibly one or several glue additives, and is characterized by the presence of an additional gluing compound is polyol having a functionality of at least equal to three. This glue can be used for mineral fibers in the manufacture of insulation products having improved properties.

Abstract: Substrates for soil-free culturing are formed from a felt of mineral fibres having a hydroretentivity gradient such that the hydroretentivity decreases in the direction of gravity. The hydroretentivity gradient may be brought about by a gradient in the fineness of the fibres such that the average diameter of the fibres increases in the direction of gravity or the density of the fibres.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing mineral wool products according to which the mineral wool is collected to form a mattress on a conveyor belt, carried to a conforming and binder polymerizing chamber consisting of two complementary calibrating and transport conveyors consisting of a plurality of articulated perforated elements of pallet type. The speeds of the two conveyors are different, the difference in speed corresponding along the entire length of the chamber to a staggering of a length equivalent to at least the width of one pallet so that one of the faces of the mattress is smoothed during conformation of the mineral wool product.

Abstract: An aqueous resin composition usable in sizing compositions for the treatment of mineral fibers is disclosed. This aqueous composition comprises a resin obtained by the condensation, in a basic medium, of formaldehyde, urea, and melamine, in the presence of a polyol characterized by a functionality of at least 3. This resin is stable for long periods of times and capable of dilution by a factor of at least 100%.

Abstract: A method of forming felts, the fibers of which are disposed in random directions, by depositing the fibers which are carried by a current of gas on a gas-permeable conveyor, the fibers, prior to being deposited, being coated with a binder composition. The felt constituted on the conveyor is subjected to at least one longitudinal compression, the intensity of which is regulated in such a way that no creases form on the surface. The felts obtained are highly resistant to compression, tearing and flexion.

Abstract: Insulating materials consisting of artifical mineral fibers are impregnated with water insoluble additives, e.g. dust binders and/or water repellant finishing agents in that they are wetted with an emulsion of the water insoluble additive in an aqueous solution of a cellulose ether. Impregnation takes place easily and is effective and resistant.

Abstract: A heat and sound insulating panel comprises an insulating layer of mineral fibers bonded by a synthetic resin and surfacing layer consisting of a sheet of glass fibers. Between these two layers there is a heat-sealing film, for example of polyethylene, having a low level of steam permeability, having adherent qualities when heated, and an aluminum film of a thickness less than or equal to 9 microns, the aluminum film being glued to the glass sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mitering gauge for cutting pipe shaped members, the gauge including a console and at least one upright side member having an oblique end face for guiding a cutting tool. The mitering gauge provides both guidance of the cutting tool and guidance of the member to be cut.

Abstract: Strips of mineral fibers are brought into a space defined by three members operated by a movement which drives the coiling of the strip. The third of these members, the compressor roller, is operated at a rotational speed which is a function of a predetermined program while introducing as parameters the length of the strip which has already been coiled and the speed of the feeding conveyor of the strip. The rolls obtained are cylindrical and there are no overcompressed zones.

Abstract: A heat-formed composite panel composed of at least one layer of refractory fibers, for example silico-aluminous fibers, bonded with a mineral binder, an intermediate sheet in a water and water vapor sealed material, such as aluminum, and a layer of fibers, particularly glass fibers, bonded with a polymerized organic binder. The panel is a heat screen for high temperature automobile components.

Abstract: In the manufacture of insulating shells formed by a felt of mineral fibers wound around a mandrel, main pressing elements intervene as soon as the winding begins and remain in contact with the surface of the shell during the entire winding phase. Auxiliary pressing elements intervene only when the shell, during shaping, has reached a given outside diameter of, for example, 200 mm. The invention applies particularly to the insulation of conduits of small and average outside diameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to the heat treatment of thermally insulating fibrous materials, in particular envisaging the use of thermosetting resins as binders.The material is subjected to a field of ultra high frequency radiation, with the water content of said material and the intensity of the radiation field adjusted to suitable levels, and to a current of hot gas.This method of treatment provides a highly advantageous energy yield and very good homogeneity of the characteristics of the product. It is particularly suitable for insulating shells based on mineral fibre felt.

Abstract: Substrata for soil-free cultivation are characterized by a relatively low by-volume mass. They are also constituted of fine fibers. The substrata present the advantage of a high degree of water retention, even for small thicknesses.

Abstract: For heat treating products having a substantially circular cross section and being composed of mineral fibers containing a binder in solution in water, a metal container impervious to microwaves and equipped with a conveyor device includes a source of hot gas which is directed to the surface of the product. The conveyor in the form of a movable belt and a ceiling of fixed plates cooperate to roll the products during transport through the container so that their displacement is half of the speed of the belt.