Abstract: The present invention provides image display panels, spacers and spacer units for the same and methods for making and using the same. The spacer units include an assembly having a first layer of generally parallel fibers positioned to form intersections with generally parallel fibers of a second layer. At least one fiber of the first and/or second layer includes a bonding agent at the corresponding intersection. The intersections form passageways which permit the passage of energy therethrough between the emitter and the display of an image display panel. A sealing frame is positioned about and engages the periphery of the spacer, the emitter and the display. The sealing frame has a deformable sealing material for providing an essentially sealed region between the spacer, emitter and display. Methods of making and using such spacers in image display panels and spacers including a fiber protectorant are also included in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous coating compositions adapted to coat a fiber strand having thereon a sizing composition. The aqueous coating compositions include a urethane-containing polymer and a polymer prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and a mixture thereof. Also provided by the present invention are sized fiber strands coated with the secondary coating composition and composites reinforced with the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides image display panels, spacer units for the same and methods for making and using the same. The spacer units include an assembly having at least one layer of generally parallel fibers which form passageways which permit the passage of energy therethrough between the emitter and the display of an image display panel. A sealing frame has a support which is positioned about and engages the periphery or side of the spacer, the emitter and the display. The sealing frame has a sealing material for providing an essentially sealed region between the spacer, emitter and display. Methods of making and using such spacer units in image display panels are also included in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sized glass fiber strand adapted to reinforce a polymeric matrix material. The sizing composition includes a polyamide which is the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid and a polyoxyalkylene amine; an acrylic polymer which is essentially free of epoxy functionality; a coupling agent and a fiber lubricant which is different from the polyamide, the sizing composition being essentially free of a urethane-containing polymer. Composites reinforced with the sized glass fiber strand and a method of reinforcing a composite are also provided.

Abstract: The waste material processing system of the present invention includes a (1) waste material supply; (2) shredder; (3) moisture reducing device; (4) crusher having a rotatable screw auger positioned within a cavity of the crusher for crushing and conveying waste material and a pressurizing device such as a conduit attached to the discharge end of the cavity for exerting a backpressure upon a portion of the waste material positioned about the second end of the auger such that a portion of the scrap glass fibers in the waste material is crushed; (5) dryer; and (6) separating device for separating waste material having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters from oversized dried waste material. Also provided by the present invention is a process for recycling waste material using the system.

Abstract: Aqueous forming size compositions for treating a plurality of glass fibers include an oleophobic starch; a N-vinyl amide polymer; a wax component containing an ester formed from reacting (a) a monocarboxylic acid and (b) a monohydric alcohol; an emulsifying agent for the wax component; and a cationic lubricant different from the wax component. The forming size composition is essentially free of: (1) oleophilic starches; (2) polyolefin emulsions; and (3) preservatives selected from organometallic compounds, formaldehydes, derivatives and mixtures thereof. Glass fibers sized and coated with such compositions can be woven into fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention includes curable compositions adapted to coat substrates. In one embodiment, the composition includes an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount of about 0.00001 weight percent to about 5 weight percent based upon the weight of the substrate. In another embodiment, the composition includes (a) an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount effective to inhibit oxidation of the composition; and (b) a film-forming material capable of forming a substantially uniform continuous coating on the substrate. Also included are substrates and sized glass fibers coated with such compositions and fabrics woven from such coated fibers. Other aspects of the present invention include methods for inhibiting the oxidation of a coating composition adapted to coat substrates.

Abstract: A process for winding a fiber strand about a bobbin to form a wound package includes: (a) winding a fiber strand about a portion of a bobbin supported upon a rotatable collector of a winder to form a primary layer of a wound package. The primary layer has an overall length, an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of the upper portion and lower portion have a length which is less than the overall length. The primary layer has a plurality of sublayers, each of the plurality of sublayers having a plurality of layers. Each of the plurality of layers of the sublayers is successively wound upon a preceding layer and has a length which is less than the preceding layer. Each of the plurality of layers of the sublayers has an outer layer having a length which corresponds generally to the length of the lower portion, such that the primary layer is formed. A secondary layer is formed thereon which includes a plurality of layers upon the primary layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes aqueous coating compositions adapted to coat a plurality of sized glass fibers, glass fibers coated with the same and composites reinforced with the coated glass fibers.

Abstract: The present invention includes curable compositions adapted to coat substrates. In one embodiment, the composition includes an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount of about 0.00001 weight percent to about 5 weight percent based upon the weight of the substrate. In another embodiment, the composition includes (a) an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount effective to inhibit oxidation of the composition; and (b) a film-forming material capable of forming a substantially uniform continuous coating on the substrate. Also included are substrates and sized glass fibers coated with such compositions and fabrics woven from such coated fibers. Other aspects of the present invention include methods for inhibiting the oxidation of a coating composition adapted to coat substrates.

Abstract: A spiral for traversing a strand during winding includes: (a) a shaft having a first portion, a second portion and a length therebetween having a midpoint; and (b) a first wing and a second wing. Each wing has a first end, a second end and a curved portion therebetween. The first end of each wing is adjacent to the second end of the other wing and displaces the strand from contact with the second end of the other wing during winding.

Abstract: A system and process for winding and mechanically transporting a wound package includes: (a) a plurality of fibers; (b) a guide for gathering the fibers to form a bundle; (c) a winder having a rotatable package collector and an apparatus for rotating the package collector about a stationary generally vertical axis; and (d) a mechanical transport for receiving the wound package from the package collector and transporting the wound package from a first position to a second position horizontally spaced apart from the first position.

Abstract: An aqueous glass fiber sizing composition is provided which provides high strength and wet-out to composites prepared using glass fibers having the sizing composition of the present invention applied thereto. When used to reinforce a thermosetting polymeric material, the glass fibers sized with this composition provide a composite useful in making pultrusion profiles having high compressive, shear and flexural strengths. The aqueous composition includes a non-ionic thermosetting urethane-modified epoxy polymer; a water soluble, dispersible or emulsifiable epoxy film-forming polymer different from the urethane-modified epoxy polymer; an emulsifying agent; an organo functional silane coupling agent; and a fiber lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention includes packaging units which include a generally rigid support base having a bottom wall having edges, side walls and corners. Each side wall extends upwardly from an edge and each corner extends upwardly from an intersection of two edges. Generally cylindrical objects are arranged in an assembly on the support base in at least one vertical column or horizontal row. Each object has a top end, bottom end and side extending therebetween, a portion of which can contact the support base. The assembly is free of walls between the objects of the assembly. A generally rigid lid has a top wall, edges and corners. Each edge of the lid has a side wall extending downwardly therefrom and each corner extends downwardly from an intersection of two edges. Each corner of the support base is adjacent to or connected to a corresponding corner of the lid or by corner protectors extending between the corresponding corners of the support 14 base and lid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for winding a plurality of strands into a multilayered package. The preferred method includes: (a) supplying a plurality of strands; (b) aligning each of the strands in generally adjacent and coplanar alignment; (c) oscillating the strands about a pivot axis while maintaining the strands in alignment; (d) reciprocating a reciprocating device generally parallel to a central axis of rotation of a rotatable packaging collector; and (e) winding the strands about an arcuate surface of the collector to form a multilayered package, such that within each layer of strands wound upon the surface of the rotatable packaging collector, each of the plurality of strands is adjacent to each other and essentially free of overlap.

Abstract: An aqueous starch-oil sizing composition is provided which produces improved processibility in woven and non-woven applications. The sizing has low viscosity starch, a lubricant which is a mixture of oil and wax where the wax is present in an amount of at least twice the oil, cationic lubricants, and a humectant. The size also includes an organo-functional silane coupling agent such as gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane which may be hydrolyzed. Emulsifiers, defoamers, and biocides may be present. Strands of glass fiber which have been treated with this size have generally shown a reduced tendency to shed the size from the strands, a reduction in the buildup of broken filaments or "fuzz" on processing equipment and reduced strand breakage.