Abstract: The method for forming fibers by introducing molten material into a spinner having a peripheral wall having a plurality of orifices and centrifuging the molten material through the orifices to create fibers, discharging gases from an opening in a first annular blower, the first blower positioned radially outward from the spinner, and where the gases from the first annular blower converge radially inwardly with respect to the spinner axis to partially attenuate the fibers and influence the flow path of the fibers towards a direction parallel to the spinner axis, and discharging gases from an opening in a second annular blower, the second blower being positioned radially outward from the first blower, and where the gases from the second annular blower converge radially inwardly with respect to the spinner axis to complete the attenuation of the fibers and influence the flow path of the fibers.

Abstract: An optical cable reinforcement in the form of glass fiber strands ?30! having a first coating ?32! of a binding agent such as a latex mixture and a second coating ?34! of particles ?36! of a water blocking agent such as a polyacrylate salt. The particles ?36! of water blocking agent are adhered to the glass fiber strands ?30! by the binding agent without the binding agent entirely coating the particles of water blocking agent. The unoccluded surface areas of water blocking agent thus provided serve to rapidly absorb/desorb water and protect the optical cable from moisture. A unique powder coating station ?60! is used to apply the particles ?36! of water blocking agent to glass fiber strands ?30! which have been coated with wet binding agent so that the proper adherence of the particles ?36! of water blocking agent without complete embodiment, is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The space between the vertical portions of adjacent purlins defines an insulation cavity that is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The apparatus includes a carriage movable in a first direction along the length of the purlins for paying out a support sheet for support of insulation material as the carriage travels along the length of the purlins. The apparatus also includes at least one roller guide extending downward on top of the support sheet, rotating along the length of the support sheet, causing the support sheet to substantially conform to the shape of the insulation cavity. The roller guide is attached to the carriage and has two ends having wheels positioned at the sides of the insulation cavity.

Abstract: An insulation and structural panel is disclosed. The panel includes a resin matrix which has a thermal conductivity less than about 1.3 BTU-in/hrFt.sup.2 .degree.F. in the unreinforced condition, and hollow glass fibers. The hollow glass fibers have a void fraction within the range of from about 20 to about 50 percent, and the panel has a thermal conductivity of less than about 1.6 BTU-in/hrFt.sup.2 .degree.F. The hollow glass fibers comprise form 60 to 95 percent by weight of the panel.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which may be poured or blown by a consumer. The insulation is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers which are comprised of two distinct glass compositions. The loose-fill insulation product may be densely packaged in a small container for consumer use, and shows improved recovery, good thermal efficiency, and low dust upon blowing or pouring.

Abstract: A termite shield according to the present invention provides a physical barrier between a foundation and a wooden building structure, a detection mechanism for detecting termite presence, and a chemical termiticide in the form of a bait block. The termite shield includes a sill plate barrier which is positioned between a masonry foundation and a sill of a wooden structure. An interior bait block holder is removably attached to the sill plate barrier on an interior side of the foundation, and an exterior bait block holder is removably attached to the sill plate barrier at an exterior side of the foundation. The bait block holders may be provided with a block of wood which is inspected periodically to detect the activity of termites. If termites are detected, the block of wood may be replaced with a bait block of cellulosic material containing termiticide.

Abstract: A method of producing a fibrous product is disclosed. Molten material is introduced into a rotating spinner which includes a peripheral wall having a plurality of orifices. The molten material is centrifuged through the orifices to create fibers. The fibers are directed generally downwardly and away from the spinner. The fibers are intercepted on a folded conveyor so that the fibers are draped over the folded conveyor. The fibers form first and second suspended portions which are oriented generally vertically. The folded conveyor and intercepted fibers are moved away from the spinner. The first and second portions of the suspended fibers are raised to a generally horizontal orientation by unfolding the conveyor, thereby producing a generally planar fibrous product.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width and including a first and second section, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt, is folded so that the first section is generally parallel to and contacting the second section. The batt has two folds across its width and located between the first and second sections. The two folds are spaced apart from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the uncompressed insulation batt. The two sections of the batt remain generally parallel to and contact each other when the batt is laid horizontal and in an unrestrained condition.

Abstract: In a method for producing hollow mineral fibers such as glass fibers, molten glass is supplied to a rotating glass spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner rotates so that molten glass is centrifuged through a first tube positioned at least mostly inside the peripheral wall of the spinner in an orifice to form fibers. Gas is introduced into the interior of the molten glass to form hollow glass fibers. A second tube positioned inside the first tube includes an inlet in the wall of the first tube, wherein the orifice and first tube are adapted to allow gas to be introduced through the inlet from outside the peripheral wall. The hollow glass fibers are then collected to form a product such as a mat.

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 reducing noise generated by the operation of a noise-producing machine includes sensing the noise of the machine with a piezoelectric sensor, sending an activation signal, responsive to the sensed noise of the machine, to activate a piezoelectric actuator to reduce the noise of the machine, where the piezoelectric actuator is independent of a wave guide. Further, a parameter of the machine indicative of the speed of the machine is sensed with a second sensor, and the activation signal is corrected, responsive to the sensed parameter of the machine, to optimize the noise reduction of the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a roof structure of the type has a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement. The space between the vertical portions of adjacent purlins defines an insulation cavity which is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The apparatus includes a carriage movable in a first direction along the length of the purlins for paying out a support sheet for support of insulation material as the carriage travels along the length of the purlins. The apparatus also includes a platform attached to the carriage and extending in the direction opposite the first direction and placed in the insulation cavity. The platform is mounted on the carriage by two pairs of hinges for vertical movement.

Abstract: A method for controlling secondary foam in a glass melting process is provided in which an oxidizing agent is added to a second melt region (32) of a glass furnace (14) where secondary foam (52) is formed. The oxidizing agent may be supplied directly to the second melt region (32) or may be added to the molten glass composition (46) with the batch raw materials (44) in a first melt region (30). When added directly, the oxidizing agent is preferably an oxidizing gas. When added with the batch materials (44), the oxidizing agent is a high temperature oxidizing agent which is inactive in the first melt region (30) yet active in the second melt region (32).

Abstract: A molded composite product includes a resinous core layer containing reinforcement fibers, and a resinous surface layer which is substantially free of reinforcement fibers, where the resinous surface layer includes a nonresinous additive at a concentration, measured as a weight percentage of the resinous material in the surface layer, which is higher than the concentration of the additive in the resinous core layer, measured as a weight percentage of the resinous material in the core layer.

Abstract: Mineral fiber compositions with increased levels of SiO.sub.2 and reduced levels of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 compositions are suitable for insulation. The compositions have high temperature resistance and high biosolubility, yet have properties which allow current processes to fabricate them into insulation. The mineral fibers also meet proposed German regulations regarding K1.gtoreq.40.

Abstract: An apparatus 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 carriage moves in a first direction along the length of the purlins and pays out a support sheet for support of insulation material as the carriage travels along the length of the purlins. The support sheet depends from the top portion of adjacent purlins. At least one guide member guides the carriage along the length of the purlins and prevents the carriage from moving in a direction lateral to the first direction when the guide member is in a first position. The guide member is pivotally mounted on the carriage so that the guide member can be elevated into a second position to avoid obstructions encountered as the carriage moves along the length of the purlins. The guide member includes a movable arm which is pivotally mounted on the carriage and has a roller for rolling against a purlin while the guide member is in the first position.

Abstract: The invention forms in situ carbon dioxide blown closed cell insulating foams in which blowing is achieved by the evolution of carbon dioxide resulting from partial hydrolysis of polyisocyanate (methyl diphenyl diisocyanate) by water in the resole. The invention uses no additional blowing agent. The reaction is fast and the resulting product has small, closed cells that exhibit long term thermal performance.

Abstract: A method for providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement the purlins having top portions is disclosed. A carriage is providing upon which is mounted a roll of support sheet. A first section of the roof structure comprising purlins, a support sheet, insulation material, and hard roofing material is completed. An insulation support sheet having side edges which enable the support sheet to be laid on adjacent purlins is then provided. The side edges are aligned with the top portions of adjacent purlins so that the support sheet can depend from the adjacent purlins. The carriage is moved along the length of the purlins and away from the first section of the roof structure, in which the movement of the carriage pays out the support sheet in a pleated condition having a first width so that the edges of the support sheet are aligned with the top portions of adjacent purlins and the support sheet depends from adjacent purlins.

Abstract: This invention produces three-dimensional shapes such as window lineals by first lining a foam die with a continuously moving reinforcing veil. Once the veil is in the foam die, a foam is blown into the die. The foam expands in the die forcing the veil against the die wall. The veil is selected so that the foam never fully penetrates the veil, but adheres to it. The material exiting the foam die is now properly shaped to enter the curing die. Resin is then injected onto the foam core where it penetrates the veil, is cured in the heated curing die and exits as a finished product of a plastic skin adhered to a foam core with a veil sandwiched therebetween.

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.