Abstract: A method of forming an integrated pack of organic and mineral fibers includes centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material using a mineral fiber spinner, directing the mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil, generating an array of aligned organic fibers from a die and directing the organic fibers into contact with the mineral fibers to integrate the organic fibers with the mineral fibers, and collecting the integrated mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack.

Abstract: An epoxy and polyurethane-based sizing composition for fibers used in the reinforcement of engineered thermoplastic molded composites, which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability and reduced discoloration.

Abstract: An insulation panel has a modular thermal insulation vacuum panel and a frame structure secured to the outer periphery. An outer edge portion of the panel and frame assembly is provided with a profile and is adapted to mate with an edge of an adjacent thermal insulation panel and frame assembly. Profile members may be inserted between insulation panels to form a wall assembly. Insulation panels have a central portion of reduced thickness so as to allow for application of conduits. The modular thermal insulation vacuum panel has insulating media enclosed within spaced panel segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing reinforcement fibers includes a chute for supplying reinforcement fibers, the chute having an outlet end, and a metering belt mounted for endless travel along a first path at the outlet end of the chute. The metering belt has elongate members with tips extending outwardly from the metering belt, to define a volume between the tips and the metering belt. The tips of the metering belt pass sufficiently close to the chute so that fibers having penetrated the volume formed by the elongate members are carried away by the metering belt. The metering belt is also mounted for endless travel along a second path around a curved surface which causes adjacent elongate members to spread apart and diverge from each other, thereby causing the fibers to be discharged from the metering belt. A collection surface receives the discharged fibers.

Abstract: A process of making a molded laminar structure from a reinforced fibrous mat impregnated with an uncured thermal setting resinous binder wherein the mat is compressed and molded, the binder cured to form a shell, a covering secured to one surface of the shell to form a laminar structure, and trimming the laminar structure to predetermined dimensions.

Abstract: A fibrous product is produced by providing a collection of fibrous material, and encapsulating the fibrous material by covering the fibrous material with a film to form an encapsulated blanket of the fibrous material. The encapsulated blanket is then needled to cause entanglement of the fibrous material, thereby producing a needled, encapsulated fibrous product.

Abstract: An adhesive is applied to a material under compression such that the adhesive penetrates the material when the material is a porous material (e.g., a fiberglass batt). Upon release from being compressed, the material returns to nearly its original size and shape and some of the adhesive penetrates into the material a given distance. Many mats of the material bearing the adhesive at selected locations can be placed on a common carrier for easy dispensing using a dispenser. The common carrier can be refurbished for reuse.

Abstract: A system for making densified glass fiber pellets from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, and densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.

Abstract: A fiber insulation product is provided which includes a fibrous material having a binder dispersed throughout. The binder comprises an inorganic material having thermoplastic properties. Preferably, the binder is a low-melting glass composition or a glass-forming compound such as, for example, boric acid. The insulation product is ideally suited for use in insulation panels having a compressed board encased in a evacuated jacket, high temperature, low smoke, odorless and building insulation applications.

Abstract: A glass fiber mat includes glass fibers saturated with a binder and then cured. A predetermined pattern of relatively high and low concentrations of binder is formed throughout the length of the glass fiber mat. The pattern produces at least one portion of the mat having a relatively high concentration of binder adjoining a portion of the mat having a relatively low concentration of binder. The pattern of high and low binder concentration is produced during a wet process. Liquid binder is either selectively applied to the glass fibers via an applicator or selectively removed from the glass fibers via a vacuum. Cover panels having predetermined slot configurations are used with vacuum boxes to create the desired pattern. Such glass fiber mats can be cut along an area of high binder concentration to produce cut edges which resist breaking and tearing. Shingles formed from such glass fiber mats have improved tear resistance and pliability.

Abstract: A package (10, 100) of building-panel products consists essentially of panels (20), panel accessories (30, 32a-d, 110a-d, 120), and at least one binding means (80, 70a, 70b), which may include strapping and/or clamping elements. The panels, which are to be mounted to a structure such as a house, are arranged in a stack (20a). The accessories, which are to be mounted to the structure in association with the building panels, are positioned to frame one or more sides of the panel stack so as to help maintain the panels in stacked relationship. The binding elements releasably secure the accessories to the stack of building panels to form a cartonless package.

Abstract: A method of placing compressed insulation material into a container for subsequent removal includes selecting a group of packages of compressed insulation material to be put into the container, attaching a line to the group, where the line is attached substantially at the top of the group so that at least an upper segment of the group can be pulled out of the container by pulling the line and tipping over the upper segment, and placing the group into the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for damping vibration such as sound in a vibration generating device such as an appliance. A constraining layer and an adhering layer are provided. The adhering layer including a viscosity enhancing material such as a cellulose fiber, and an adhesive material. The constraining layer is adhered to a surface of an device with the adhering layer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a cylindrical package of wound strand having a radially outer surface with first and second edges and a central portion therebetween. The apparatus includes a rotatable collet for receiving the strand and winding the strand to build a package. A guide is mounted for reciprocation from edge to edge of the package to lay the strand in a helical pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. A roller bail mounted for contacting the surface as the package is being built for holding the strand in place on the package. The roller bail is divided into separate rollers with each roller contacting the package surface at one of the edges and not contacting the package surface at the central portion.

Abstract: Our unique process applies pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive to fiberglass insulation with improved adhesion to the insulation surface and the adjoining substrate. As opposed to the typical spray or bead extrusion methods, the preferred embodiment applies a ribbon of adhesive to the blanket and pulls it into the insulating glass with a vacuum. The adhesive penetrates the glass and becomes an integral part of the insulating blanket.

Abstract: A spinner for centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material is disclosed. The spinner includes a generally annular peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of eyelets mounted in the apertures, each eyelet having multiple orifices formed therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments. The apparatus comprises a feeder (20) for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous filaments, a drawing device (40) adapted to draw the streams into the filaments, and heat removal apparatus (50) located adjacent to the feeder for transferring energy in the form of heat away from a filament forming area adjacent to the feeder. The heat removal apparatus includes first and second manifolds (52a, 54) through which a cooling fluid circulates, a plurality of fins (56) having first and second ends (56a and 56b) and interface material (58). The first ends of the fins are associated with the first manifold and the second ends are positioned adjacent to the second manifold. The first ends may be fixedly connected to the first manifold. The interface material is interposed between the second manifold and the second ends to provide a path for energy in the form of heat to flow from the fins to the second manifold.

Abstract: A formable reinforcement bar, a process for producing a formable reinforcing bar and a supported structure including a formable reinforcement bar are provided. The reinforcement bar includes a body portion of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. The process involves laminating multiple layers of thin strips or bundles of fiber reinforced thermoplastic to produce the formable rebar. The formable rebar may be produced at remote locations such as a construction site. The supported structure includes a composite material having a formable rebar embedded therein.

Abstract: Energy efficient apparatus for forming migration free glass fiber packages composed of fibers bearing substantially uniform coatings of size composition. Heated air from around the fiber forming bushing is drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass to cause the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated. The flow of heated air through the chamber is regulated so as to obtain substantially uniform size application to the fibers.