Abstract: Glass fibers are coated with an asphalt emulsion wherein the coating is catalyzed with a Friedel-Craft catalyst. The preferred catalyst is ferric chloride. The coated glass fibers are especially useful as thermal insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically wrapping at least one eating utensil in a napkin includes a receiving area for at least one utensil and at least one napkin, and a mechanism for automatically wrapping. The mechanism for automatically wrapping includes a frame, a flexible belt disposed in the frame, and a belt manipulation device. The belt has a first surface adapted for frictional contact with the napkin. At least a portion of the belt is movable to form a trough in which the napkin and utensil are manipulated and urged by frictional contact with the belt to fold and roll, automatically wrapping the utensil.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual-component thermoplastic fibers, such as glass fibers, comprises a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall for centrifuging fibers from thermoplastic material, the spinner having vertically aligned compartments with first and second thermoplastic materials in alternate compartments, and a series of elongated orifices in the peripheral wall in communication with each of two adjacent compartments to enable centrifuging of both the first and second thermoplastic materials from a single orifice.

Abstract: A method for producing asphalt fibers includes supplying molten asphalt to a rotating asphalt spinner, centrifuging asphalt fibers from the asphalt spinner, and collecting the asphalt fibers. The molten asphalt is supplied to the asphalt spinner at a temperature within the range of from about 270.degree. to about 500.degree. F. Also disclosed is a method for integrating asphalt with reinforcement fibers including the steps of establishing a downwardly moving veil of reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers, and centrifuging asphalt fibers from a rotating asphalt spinner positioned within the veil of reinforcement fibers to integrate the asphalt with the reinforcement fibers. A method for making an asphalt roofing shingle includes the steps of assembling together a mat of asphalt fibers with a mat of reinforcement fibers, coating the assembled mats to form an asphalt coated sheet, applying granules to the asphalt coated sheet, and cutting the asphalt coated sheet into roofing shingles.

Abstract: An improved fibrous glass insulation assembly is disclosed. The insulation assembly includes at least one fibrous glass body enclosed by a vapor barrier plastic outer layer or by a bag or package. A desiccant is provided adjacent the fibrous glass body to remove moisture.

Abstract: A method of coating a corrugated pipe includes preparing an asphalt composition having a polymer constituent within the range of from about 3 to about 20 percent by weight, the composition having a softening point within the range of from about 180.degree. F. to about 250.degree. F. and a viscosity at a temperature of 360.degree. F. within the range of from about 600 to about 4000 cps, heating the asphalt composition to a temperature within the range of from about 340.degree. F. to about 390.degree. F. and coating the corrugated pipe by positioning at least a portion of the corrugated pipe in the heated asphalt composition for a time sufficient for the corrugated pipe to reach a temperature of at least 150.degree. F. The coated pipe is then removed from the asphalt composition for cooling.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product comprises centrifuging mineral fibers with a spinner, forming a veil of the mineral fibers moving in the direction of the axis of the spinner, directing toward the veil, from a position within the veil, polymeric material to cause intermingling of the polymeric material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled polymeric material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: A brake system for a window assembly comprises a track liner having two generally parallel sides defining a pocket, opposed grooves extending along the sides of the track liner, each groove being defined by a flange extending along the track liner, a base mounted for sliding along the track liner, a brake plate connected to the base and mounted for sliding along the track liner, within the grooves, the brake plate being flexibly connected to the base to enable the brake plate to move relative to the base when the brake plate is moving along the groove, a pair of brake shoes connected to the base and mounted for sliding along the track liner, the flange on each side of the track liner being positioned between the brake plate and a brake shoe, and a receiver actuable to urge the brake shoes and brake plate toward each other to grip the flange in a braking action.

Abstract: A window assembly for selectively enabling a sash to be tilted out of the plane of the frame includes a brake and a sash retainer, the sash retainer having a reciprocally mounted bolt which upon rotation actuates the brake, and a lock which prevents reciprocation of the bolt until the bolt is rotated and the brake is engaged.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of low density resol foams from resol resins. The foams have a density of 2.0 pounds per cubic foot or less and are produced with a blowing agent of low boiling point HCFCs and perfluoroalkane.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant fiberglass spinner is prepared by applying consecutive, alternating layers of chromium and nickel to the bores of the spinner, and thereafter thermally interdiffusing the chromium and nickel to form a corrosion-resistant coating.

Abstract: A fabric hair curler includes a fabric body defining a receiving area for hair, and elements for restraining laterally the hair placed in the receiving area. First and second unreinforced fabric tie strips are positioned below the restraining elements and extend laterally from opposite edges of the body with sufficient length to be in tied relationship when hair restrained by the panels in the receiving area is rolled longitudinally with the body into a curl. The body, restraining elements, and tie strips are made as one piece from one or more portions of fabric sewn together. The design makes the fabric hair curler easy to use, manipulate and tie, and when in place, makes it comfortable to wear during waking or sleeping hours. Other features make possible variations in curl sizes and reduced drying times. A method for using provides for use of the fabric hair curler, and a variation of the method provides for producing curls in a shorter time.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of low density resol foams from resol resins. The phenolic foams have a density of 2.0 pounds per cubic foot or less and are produced with a blended surfactant.

Abstract: A method which removes the limitations existing on the cooling capability of ordinary TE coolers provides for thermally connecting in parallel a hierarchy of central and auxiliary thermoelectric couples to provide deep cooling of the central thermoelectric couple to temperatures below 100 degrees Kelvin, and as low as 70 degrees Kelvin or lower. These basic deep TE cooling units may serve as constituent components for the construction of one-stage deep TE modules which are capable of relatively high pumping capacity at very low temperatures. The present invention makes deep TE cooling possible with existing thermoelectric materials, and existing high volume semiconductor manufacturing techniques can be adapted for production of the present invention, so that solid state deep TE cooling becomes available for a wide variety of applications, including deep cooling of solid state electronics.

Abstract: An expansion engine incorporates various structural features in which all cold seals are stationary, and only warm seals move. Moving parts which are subject to cryogenic temperatures are designed with gas bearings, while tight tolerances and material choices inhibit wear and steady state heat loss. Numerous other features include structural design to relieve stresses, combined fabrication of key parts, initial bias of the inlet and outlet valves which contract on cooldown to desired alignment, and a gas-purged upper seal housing, eliminate various sources of expansion engine failure and heat loss during operation and result in high reliability and thermal efficiency.