Abstract: A moving strand is provided and a size is applied to the strand. A collet is rotated to wind the strand and build a package. The strand is reciprocated with a strand reciprocator to lay the strand in a pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. The strand reciprocator is lubricated with a lubricant which is compatible with the size. There is also provided an apparatus for winding a fiber strand to build a cylindrical strand package having a radially outer surface. The apparatus includes a rotatable collet for receiving the strand to build a package. A strand reciprocator is mounted to guide the strand from edge to edge of the package and to lay the strand in a helical pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. A lubricator for atomizing a lubricant creates a fog of small airborne lubrication particles which are compatible with the size.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for creating a heat seal in polymeric film packaging material located between adjacent bundles of one or more workpieces. The apparatus comprises a support frame and a conveyor system associated with the support frame for receiving a plurality of spaced-apart bundles of one or more workpieces and moving the bundles along a first path extending from a first portion of the support frame to a second portion of the support frame. The spaced-apart bundles are at least partially wrapped in polymeric film material as they move along the first path such that sections of the film material extend between adjacent, spaced-apart bundles. The apparatus further includes a heat seal device for effecting a heat seal in the polymeric film material located between the adjacent bundles.

Abstract: A method for collecting long glass fibers produces substantial lattice uniformity, eliminates the need for binder, and results in a generally rectangular wool pack which displays significant compressibility and recovery desired for commercial products. Generally spiral flow of fibers in the veil is captured on collecting conveyors and conveyed through direct forming apparatus with generally minimal disturbance of the spiral relationship between glass fibers. Further, a system is disclosed for producing wool insulation products of long glass fibers in accordance with the method. The principles and practices of the method and system may further be employed with short fibers to produce a wool pack of generally oriented short fibers.

Abstract: A method for pneumatic forming of foil workpieces includes the steps of positioning a foil workpiece between a first and a second forming element, the second forming element having at least one forming cavity, moving the first and second forming elements into a clamping relationship with the foil workpiece, increasing pneumatic pressure between the first forming element and the foil workpiece to form the foil workpiece into the forming cavity, supplying a gas between the foil and the second forming element sufficient to enable the foil workpiece to move along the surface of the second forming element during the forming of the foil workpiece into the forming cavity, and removing the foil workpiece in a formed condition from between the first and second forming elements.

Abstract: A sheet molding composition is provided which exhibits controllable thickening. The composition includes a low molecular weight polyester in which some of the chain ends have been endcapped with functional groups which are unable to react with the thickeners employed in the sheet molding composition. The sheet molding composition has a low viscosity of from about 6 to about 20 million centipoise which allows molding at low pressures of from about 100 to about 300 psi.

Abstract: A method for applying granules to a moving asphalt coated sheet includes providing a nozzle for discharging granules onto a sheet having first and second edges. The nozzle is mounted for movement along a path which traverses the sheet and extends beyond the first and second edges to define first and second extension locations beyond the edges. The nozzle is moved along the path, and the discharge of granules is begun while the nozzle is adjacent or opposite the first extension location, and the discharge of the granules is ended after the nozzle has traversed the asphalt coated sheet and reached the second extension location so that the beginning and ending of the granule discharge do not occur between the first and second edges. The path and the speed of the nozzle can be adjusted so that the deposit of the granules applied to the sheet has a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resin injected pultrusion is provided. The method comprises injecting a resin material into a reinforcement pack at a sufficiently high pressure such that the pressure in the injection area or weir of the injection die is substantially equal to the compression pressure applied by the exit portion of the injection die. An apparatus for achieving the method is also provided.

Abstract: The apparatus for applying granules to a coated asphalt sheet has a nozzle for holding an accumulation of granules, an opening at the bottom of the nozzle for discharging the granules onto the coated asphalt sheet, a buffer chamber positioned in communication with the accumulation of granules, and a vacuum source for reducing the pressure in the buffer chamber to stop the flow of granules through the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the in-line pre-impregnation of glass or synthetic fibers with a non-aqueous chemical treatment. The apparatus includes a first applicator for applying a curable, non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and a second applicator for applying a curing agent for the chemical treatment agent. The fibers are passed over the first and second applicators which are arranged either in parallel or in series, and are then joined by a gathering device to initiate curing of the chemical treatment agent on the fibers. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a spray gun in which a mixture of the non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and curing agent are sprayed onto an applicator roll in contact with the fibers.

Abstract: A glass fiber mat contains between 68% and 90% glass fibers and between 10% and 32% binder by weight of the mat. The binder contains between 2% and 90% polymer modified asphalt and between 10% and 98% thermosetting resin by weight of the binder. The polymer which modifies the asphalt is selected from thermoplastic and/or thermoset polymers. A preferred thermoplastic polymer is selected from reactive thermoplastic polymers and/or thermoplastic elastomers. The binder is preferably applied to the glass fibers in the form of a blend of thermosetting resin and an aqueous emulsion of polymer modified asphalt. The aqueous emulsion is prepared by combining between 5% and 75% asphalt, between 2% and 20% polymer selected from thermoplastic and/or thermoset polymers, between 25% and 95% water, and between 0.5% and 5% surfactant by weight of the aqueous emulsion.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation product includes heating a thermoplastic material to a softened condition, and applying the thermoplastic material to a blanket of fibrous insulation material to form a laminated insulation material comprising a layer of the thermoplastic material bonded to the fibrous insulation material. The laminated insulation material is heated to soften it and molded to form it into a desired shape, and the molded laminated insulation material is cooled to form an insulation product.

Abstract: A method of making an insulation product of hollow fibers whereby molten insulation material is centrifuged through a plurality of orifices and gas is directed into the molten insulation material through a plurality of gas conduits, wherein each gas conduit directs gas into one of the portions of the molten insulation material being centrifuged through one of the orifices to form a hollow fiber having a hollow bore formed therethrough. The hollow fibers are combined to form the insulation product.

Abstract: A method of forming a spinner for centrifuging fibers from molten material is disclosed. A dispersion strengthened metal is warm worked at a temperature above the minimum warm working temperature and below the recrystallization temperature of the metal to form a spinner having an annular peripheral wall and a plurality of ribs formed integrally with the peripheral wall and extending radially inwardly therefrom. The spinner is heat treated to recrystallize the metal to a coarse grain structure, and a plurality of fiber-forming orifices are formed in the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes establishing a stream of mineral fibers, directing polymeric fibers toward the stream of mineral fibers to cause intermingling of the polymeric material, and applying heat to the polymer fibers so that some of them become softened to the extent that they lose their fibrous form and become attached to the mineral fibers as non-fibrous particles, whereas some of the polymer fibers retain their fibrous form.

Abstract: A consumable container is molded from a composition comprising 40 to 90 weight % of an asphalt and 10 to 60 weight % of a polymer material, which advantageously can include a first polymer such as PP that imparts heat resistance and a second polymer such as EVA that imparts toughness and impact resistance. This molded asphalt/polymer material preferably has an unnotched Izod impact strength of at least 2 joules. The container is consumable--it can be melted along with roofing asphalt held in the container without adversely affecting the properties of the asphalt and without requiring undue mixing. The composition also can be used to reduce fumes normally emitted from a kettle of molten asphalt, e.g., as measured by a reduction of the visual opacity of the fumes by at least 25%, a reduction of the hydrocarbon emissions of the fumes by at least 20%, or a reduction of the total suspended particulates emissions of the fumes by at least 15%. The container may be used, e.g.

Abstract: A strand of individual filaments has a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape. The primary cross-sectional shape preferably has an aspect ratio within the range of from about 1:1 to about 6:1, and the flat cross-sectional shape preferably has an aspect ratio greater than about 6:1., with the period of the periodic flat spots being within the range of from about 0.2 to about 6 meters.

Abstract: Composite reinforcements (100, 100A, 100B, 100C) are formed by combining a first plurality of continuous fibers (102) with a second plurality of continuous fibers (106) with the first and second pluralities of continuous fibers (102, 106) being impregnated with at least one appropriate resin material (R1, R2, R3) and pultruded to form the reinforcements. The first and second pluralities of continuous fibers (102, 106) can be intermixed with one another or combined as a central core (104, 132) of the first fibers with a jacket (108, 108A, 108B, 134) formed by the second fibers. In either event, the combined fibers are formed as an elongated rod (110) and rigidified using the resin material. The first fibers are glass, either E-glass or S-2 glass, with the second fibers being either carbon, aramid, S-2 glass or AR-glass.

Abstract: A metal building roof structure includes a plurality of purlins in a parallel arrangement in which the purlins have a generally vertical leg and a generally horizontal top leg. An insulation support sheet depends from the horizontal legs of adjacent purlins, and a purlin cap, having a horizontal top portion, is positioned on top of the horizontal top leg of the purlin. The purlin cap also has two generally vertical portions extending downwardly from the horizontal top portion and is placed over the insulation support sheet so that the two vertical portions of the purlin cap cause the insulation support sheet to substantially conform to the shape of the vertical leg of the purlin, thereby defining an insulation area having deep corners to enable the full thickness of the insulation material to be used.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product includes 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 method for providing a roof structure having a plurality of trusses spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The trusses each have a top portion. A support sheet is payed out so that the support sheet depends from the top portions of adjacent trusses. Flexible insulation material is applied above the support sheet so that the flexible insulation material is supported by the support sheet. Metal deck sheets are fastened to the top portion of the trusses, thereby forming a metal deck. A temporary waterproofing sealant is applied to the metal deck to protect the flexible insulation material, thereby creating a partially completed roof structure. Rigid insulation board and a waterproofing membrane are subsequently applied onto the metal deck, thereby forming a completed permanently sealed roof structure.