Abstract: Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for the production of a plaster slurry is described, the apparatus (100) comprising a mixer (102) for mixing at least plaster and water to form a plaster slurry, the mixer (102) comprising an outlet conduit (122), a foam generator (106) for mixing at least air, a foaming agent and water to produce a foam, the foam generator (106) in fluid communication with the mixer (102) via a fluid pathway (116) comprising a foam conduit (117); and a mass flow meter (124), wherein the mass flow meter (124) is configured to measure the density and mass flow rate of the foam within the foam conduit (117) or the plaster slurry within the outlet conduit (122). Additionally, a method of manufacturing a plaster slurry is described.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: •forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; •casting the mixture in a continuous band; •maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; •cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and •drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. •The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; •the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; •the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the stucco; •the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; •the fluidizer is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: •forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; •casting the mixture in a continuous band; •maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; •cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and •drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. •The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; •the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; •the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; •the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; •the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: • forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; • casting the mixture in a continuous band; • maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; • cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and • drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. • The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; • the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; • the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; • the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; • the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: •forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; •casting the mixture in a continuous band; •maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; •cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and •drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. •The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; •the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; •the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; •the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; •the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: A pressing assembly (10) and a method for forming a depression (105) within a moving, wet gypsum board (100) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a pressing head (16) comprising a pressing surface which is arranged to contact the board, and a support member (17), the pressing head (16) being arranged to compress a portion of the board between the pressing surface and the support member (17) to form a depression (105) within the board (10). The pressing surface comprises a first and second surface portion (24, 25) separated by a relief portion (27), which is arranged to press the board (100) toward the support head (17) with less compressive force than the first and second surface portion (24, 25).

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the operation of an apparatus comprises a panel (16) and an acoustic sensor (26). The panel provides a partition within a building structure, while the acoustic sensor is adapted to detect acoustic waves propagating through the panel. When a user exerts pressure against the panel, the sensor detects the acoustic waves that are formed and emits signals for controlling the operation of an apparatus, such as a doorbell, a light source, a television, a sound system, a ventilation system, a window blind, a radio or an alarm.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: A pressing assembly (10) and a method for forming a depression (105) within a moving, wet gypsum board (100) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a pressing head (16) comprising a pressing surface which is arranged to contact the board, and a support member (17), the pressing head (16) being arranged to compress a portion of the board between the pressing surface and the support member (17) to form a depression (105) within the board (10). The pressing surface comprises a first and second surface portion (24, 25) separated by a relief portion (27), which is arranged to press the board (100) toward the support head (17) with less compressive force than the first and second surface portion (24, 25).

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the operation of an apparatus comprises a panel (16) and an acoustic sensor (26). The panel provides a partition within a building structure, while the acoustic sensor is adapted to detect acoustic waves propagating through the panel. When a user exerts pressure against the panel, the sensor detects the acoustic waves that are formed and emits signals for controlling the operation of an apparatus, such as a doorbell, a light source, a television, a sound system, a ventilation system, a window blind, a radio or an alarm.

Abstract: A method of surface functionalization of an organic fiber, characterized in that a surface portion of the fibers is chemically modified using a uniform surface treatment at atmospheric pressure, in a controlled gas environment, and in that said surface portion is brought into contact with a solution comprising at least one sizing agent making it possible to improve the functionalities of said fiber.

Abstract: Filled polymer fiber containing additives within it, the filled polymer fiber having a Young's modulus greater than that of an unfilled polymer fiber and said additives including mineral additives having at least one submicron dimension.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a polyolefin fiber for the reinforcement of products based on fibers and a hydraulic-setting substance, characterized in that it includes a size carrying a function which assists the fiberizing operation, a function in which the fiber can be wetted by the composition of the hydraulic-setting substance, and a function of promoting adhesion to the hydraulic-setting substance. The fiber is used as reinforcing fiber in a product based on fibers and a hydraulic-setting substance.