Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.

Abstract: This invention is a partially or semi-cured foam used to form the pipe insulation. The semi-cured foam is very flexible and can be formed around a pipe for a long period of time after production. The semi-cured phenolic foam board of this invention is a closed cell foam. The semi-cured foam is further cured in the formed shape. Upon curing the foam retains the shape of the preform. The semi-cured product is very flexible, once fully cured, the insulation becomes rigid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of curing unsaturated polyester resins or mixtures of such resins and a monomer copolymerizable therewith. More particularly, the invention relates to the curing of such resins and mixtures thereof with a composition comprising acetylacetone peroxide (AAP) in an amount of from about 30 to about 35 percent and a high temperature peroxide. Preferably, the high temperature peroxide is t-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) and is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 10 percent of the composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing uniformly sized glass fibers. A heated bushing supplies streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous fibers, and a drawing device attenuates the streams into fibers. A sizing applicator has a coating element engaging the drawn fibers, which applies a coating of sizing composition to the fibers. A shoe spaced from the applicator engages the fibers and causes the fibers to sweep back and forth across the element.

Abstract: The present invention includes one or more fibers (12) made of a ceramic, such as glass, which are each suitable for being used as a reinforcing fiber (12) in a composite product or article. Each ceramic reinforcing fiber (12) has a ceramic core (24) and one or more ceramic layers (22) disposed around the core (24). The layered structure of the present ceramic reinforcing fiber (12) improves the overall strength and fracture toughness of the fiber (12). Before a crack propagating through the outermost layer (22) can propagate through the remainder of the fiber (12), a new crack must be initiated at the pristine surface (i.e., interface) of the underlying ceramic material. When there are multiple layers (22), a new crack must be initiated and propagate through each successive layer (22) of ceramic. A ceramic fiber composite article is made by disposing a plurality of the ceramic reinforcing fibers (12) into a suitable matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-woven fiber mat suitable for reinforcing resilient sheet floor coverings, such as vinyl floor coverings. The non-woven fiber mat is in the form of a sheet of reinforcement fibers which at least includes semi-coiled fibers and can also include coiled fiber, with one or more turns, and even some relatively straight or slightly curved fibers. It is desirable for most, if not all, of the reinforcement fibers to be made from glass. However, it may also be desirable for the reinforcement fibers to include glass fibers and synthetic fibers. It may even be possible for the reinforcement fibers to include only non-glass fibers. At least one polymeric binder is used for bonding together the reinforcement fibers so as to make the fiber mat a suitable substrate for reinforcing resilient sheet floor coverings, such as an interlayer for vinyl floor coverings.

Abstract: A heat-absorbing finshield assembly, which is located adjacent the discharge area of a furnace for producing glass fibers, includes fins spaced along a fluid-cooled manifold such that the fins extend between, but not in contact with, the molten glass fibers emerging from the furnace. The fins may have microfins in their bases which are in contact with the cooling fluid. The fins also may be of variable thicknesses relative to each other along the manifold to absorb different quantities of heat from the emerging fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the in-line production of composite strand material and the conversion of at least a portion of the strand material into a composite product. The apparatus (10) includes a combining station (48) where glass fibers (14) with a second polymeric material (66) are combined to form composite strand material (16), and at least one mold (54) for receiving a portion of the composite strand material and forming the portion into a composite product. The apparatus also includes transfer equipment for moving the composite strand material from the combining station to the mold, which may include a computer-controlled robotic arm (52). In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a collecting device (18) for accumulating the composite strand material (16) in looped form and equipment for delivering the accumulated portion from the collecting device to the mold (54).

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carriage which is movable in a downstream direction along the length of the purlins. The carriage pays out a support sheet for support of insulation material as the carriage travels along the length of the purlins so that the support sheet depends from the top portion of adjacent purlins. The apparatus further includes at least one roller mounted on the carriage mounted to roll along the top portion of at least one purlin and thus support and guide the carriage along the downstream direction. The roller includes a frustum portion to hinder movement of the carriage in a direction lateral to the downstream direction and thus help to maintain the carriage in alignment with the purlins.

Abstract: A penetration pocket, useful to seal roof openings at protruding pipes or the like, is made of a material compatible with roofing asphalt. The penetration pocket material is asphalt-based with polymeric materials added to impart strength and toughness. Fibrous material may also be added for increased strength. The roofing asphalt, when applied around the penetration pocket, fuses with penetration pocket walls and base, and upon cooling, the penetration pocket and the roofing asphalt are welded together to effect a secure, water-proof joint.

Abstract: A method of making a fibrous pack includes centrifuging at least two sets of mineral fibers from molten mineral material using at least two rotary mineral fiber spinners that are arranged in a machine direction along a collection surface, directing each set of the mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil beneath one of the mineral fiber spinners, generating a downwardly moving array of aligned organic fibers from at least one orificed die that is spaced apart from each of the mineral fiber spinners and directing the array into contact with the mineral fibers, and collecting the mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack.

Abstract: Asphalt/polymer fibers include, by weight, 30% to 85% polymeric material and 15% to 70% asphaltic material, where the polymeric material has a melt flow index of no more than about 35 grams/10 minutes. Preferably, the combination of polymeric material and asphaltic material has a melt flow index of from 80 grams/10 minutes to 800 grams/10 minutes. The asphaltic material is preferably asphalt having a softening point of from 82.degree. C. to 177.degree. C. The polymeric material is preferably a polymer selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyesters, ethylene copolymers, acrylates, methacrylates, and mixtures of these polymers. The organic fibers of asphalt/polymer may be intermingled with mineral reinforcing fibers and formed into products such as mats.

Abstract: An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel is provided. The enhanced panel comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel formed in part by an envelope having an outer periphery and framing structure secured to at least a portion of the outer periphery of the panel.

Abstract: A system is provided for forming a continuous mineral fiber wool tow and cutting the tow into discrete lengths. The system comprises a conveying apparatus for pulling a mineral fiber wool tow from a mineral fiber pack at a first location and transporting the tow to a chopping station. A chopping apparatus is positioned at the chopping station for chopping the tow into discrete lengths. The conveying apparatus further receives the discrete lengths at the chopping station and transports the discrete lengths to a collecting station. The conveying apparatus further includes a collection device located at the collecting station for receiving the discrete lengths of mineral fiber wool material and collecting the discrete lengths for subsequent use.

Abstract: In a method of making a shaped fiber, a stream of fiberizable material is provided with an original shape and a void fraction from 20% to 80%. The void fraction can be provided by forming a hollow stream, a porous stream or a significantly shaped stream. The stream of fiberizable material has a soft portion at which the shape of the stream can be changed. Preferably the stream is provided by discharging molten fiberizable material through a first tube located in an orifice in a wall of a container, and introducing gas through a second tube into the interior of the molten material. The fiber stream is contacted to change the shape of the stream at the soft portion, preferably by applying torsion downstream from the soft portion. Torsion can be applied by contacting the fiber stream with a first surface moving in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a fabric, suitable for mailing a finished composite product, using one or more composite strands. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises at least one bushing for forming reinforcing fibers; supply equipment for supplying matrix fibers; at least one applicator for applying bonding size (i.e., bonding chemical treatment) to the fibers; a gathering mechanism for gathering the treated fibers into at least one composite strand; a pulling mechanism for pulling the at least one composite strand; and a fabric forming mechanism for forming a fabric using the at least one composite strand.

Abstract: An irregularly shaped glass fiber is provided which enjoys improved resiliency, and openness in pack structures. Wool packs and other wool portions having such irregularly shaped fibers may be processed directly through needling to form a non-woven material without intervening steps such as carding or blending of fibers which accompany conventional glass fiber processing operations. In a further aspect of the invention, a non-woven material including irregularly shaped fibers in a generally continuous wool tow is produced by "unwinding" a fiberglass wool pack collected by a direct forming method. Product applications include simplified, lower cost processing, and new uses of the irregularly shaped fibers produced by rotary fiberization in filtration elements, sorbants, gaskets, packings, shingles, composite structural elements, furnishings, textiles, yarns, and blown-in insulation systems.

Abstract: A method for providing a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. A first section of the roof structure, which includes purlins, a support sheet, insulation material, and hard roofing material, is completed. A carriage is then moved in a first direction along the length of the purlins and away from the first section of the roof structure to define a gap between the completed first section and the carriage. The movement of the carriage pays out a support sheet from the carriage so that the support sheet depends from adjacent purlins in the gap. A wind barrier, which is in a generally horizontal position to prevent wind from blowing vertically through the gap, is provided, thereby hindering wind disturbance of the support sheet.