Abstract: One disclosed method involves encoding an acquired image of a fish filet into a first feature vector consumable by at least one predictive model, processing, with the at least one predictive model, the first feature vector to identify a type of fish from which the fish filet was cut, and causing at least one device to output an indication of the type of fish identified by the at least one predictive model. Another disclosed method involves associating first images of fish filets with metadata indicative of one or more types of fish from which the fish filets were cut, using the first images and the metadata to train at least one predictive model to categorize second images of fish filets into the one or more types of fish, and providing the at least one predictive model to at least one device so as to nable the at least one device to output an indication of the one or more types of fish based acquired images of fish filets.

Abstract: Wet-laid, non-woven chopped strand mats that are soft, flexible, and resistant to styrene are provided. The mats are at least partially coated with a binder composition that includes a thermosetting binder resin, a silane coupling agent, a hydrocarbon-based antifoaming agent. Optionally, a crosslinking agent, such as a resin-based crosslinking agent, may be included in the composition. In one or more embodiments, the chopped strand mats are formed of chopped glass fibers having diameters from about 5 to about 30 microns and lengths from about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches. The softness and flexibility of the chopped strand mats enable the formation of pultruded products having complex shapes. Additionally, the resistance to styrene monomers provided by the binder composition makes the inventive mats particularly suitable for pultrusion processes.

Abstract: Dried bundles of chopped glass fibers that may be used in compression and injection molding applications is provided. The chopped glass fiber bundles are formed of individual glass fibers positioned in a substantial parallel orientation. The dried chopped glass fiber bundles may be prepared by applying a size composition to attenuated glass fibers, splitting the fibers to obtain a desired bundle tex, chopping the wet glass bundles to a discrete length, and drying the wet glass bundles in a dielectric oven. Alternatively, the dried chopped glass bundles may be prepared by sizing attenuated glass fibers, passing the sized fibers through a heat transfer chamber where air heated by a bushing is drawn into the heat transfer chamber to dry the glass fiber bundles, splitting the dried, sized glass fiber bundles to obtain a desired bundle tex, and chopping the dried bundles of glass fibers.

Abstract: Dried bundles of chopped glass fibers that may be used in mat forming applications is provided. The chopped glass fiber bundles are formed of individual glass fibers positioned in a substantial parallel orientation. The dried chopped glass fiber bundles may be prepared by applying a size composition to attenuated glass fibers, splitting the fibers to obtain a desired bundle tex, chopping the wet glass bundles to a discrete length, and drying the wet glass bundles in a dielectric oven, a Cratec® oven, or a rotating tray oven. Alternatively, the dried chopped glass bundles may be prepared by sizing attenuated glass fibers, passing the sized fibers through a heat transfer chamber where air heated by a bushing is drawn into the heat transfer chamber to dry the glass fiber bundles, splitting the dried, sized glass fiber bundles to obtain a desired bundle tex, and chopping the dried bundles of glass fibers.

Abstract: A chopped strand mat formed of bundles reinforcin fibers and individual reinforcing fibers is provided. The chopped strand mat may be engineered to contain pre-selected amounts of bundles of reinforcement fibers and/or individual reinforcement fibers to select or enhance a particular feature of the chopped strand mat. In at least one embodiment, the reinforcing fibers are wet use chopped strand glass fibers. The reinforcing fibers are at least partially coated with a size composition that maintains bundle integrity during the formation of the mat and assists in filamentizing the bundles during subsequent processing steps in order to form chopped strand mat that gives an aesthetically pleasing look to the finished product. The retention of fiber bundles within the chopped strand mat creates a mat with a higher glass content per volume than conventional dispersed fiber mats. This increased glass content provides improved mechanical and impact performance to the final products.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for the application of a flowable composition to fiber webs or mats, particularly oriented fiber mats, that suppresses the disruption of the fibers within the fiber mat that may result from turbulent flow in and near the point at which the flowable composition contacts the fiber mat. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to pass through and be supported by a flood pan that allows the flowable composition to accumulate and move with the fiber mat in a machine direction in order to submerge or saturate the fiber mat as it passes through the flood pan. The apparatus also includes a recess provided in the flood pan substantially below an impact zone for redirecting the flowable composition while suppressing turbulent flow and counter-current flow within the flowable composition.

Abstract: A sizing composition containing an epoxy resin emulsion, one or more coupling agents, a cationic lubricant, and an acid. The epoxy resin emulsion includes a low molecular weight epoxy and one or more surfactants. The epoxy resin has an epoxy equivalent weight of from 175-225, preferably from 175-190. Optionally, the sizing composition may also contain a non-ionic lubricant, a polyurethane film former, and/or an antistatic agent. The sizing composition may be used to size glass fibers used in filament winding applications to form reinforced composite articles with improved mechanical properties, wet tensile properties, improved resistance to cracking, and improved processing characteristics.

Abstract: A fiberglass insulation binder composition made from a polycarboxy polymer, a polyhydroxy crosslinking agent, and a cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. Also, a process for manufacturing a fiberglass insulation product, which involves a step of applying the binder composition onto a fiberglass substrate and curing the fiberglass substrate so treated. Binders produced in accordance with the present invention are characterized by improved atomization, improved binder dispersion and fiber wetting properties, and improved protection of individual fibers during processing.