Abstract: Provided is a process and apparatus for applying a liquid binder to fibers. The process involves introducing heat curable liquid binder onto moving fibers by atomizing the liquid binder and applying the atomized binder from a point within the moving column of fibers. Better binder efficiency and a more efficient overall process is realized.

Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.

Abstract: Provided is a process and apparatus for applying a liquid binder to fibers. The process involves introducing heat curable liquid binder onto moving fibers by atomizing the liquid binder and applying the atomized binder from a point within the moving column of fibers. Better binder efficiency and a more efficient overall process is realized.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming a fibrous mat, fibers and binder are collected on a moving continuous, foraminous collection chain conveyor to form the fibrous mat as the collection chain conveyor travels through a collection chamber. After the fibrous mat is formed on the collection chain conveyor, the fibrous mat is removed from the collection chain conveyor for further processing leaving a residue of fibers and binder on and in openings of the collection chain conveyor. Prior to again traveling through the collection chamber, the collection chain conveyor is cryogenically cleaned by applying a cryogenic liquid (e.g. nitrogen) to the collection chain conveyor to freeze the residue of fibers and binder and by mechanically removing the frozen residue of fibers and binder from the collection chain conveyor, e.g. by agitating, beating and/or brushing the collection chain conveyor.

Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.