Abstract: In a method for producing hollow polymer fibers, molten polymer is supplied to a rotating polymer spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner rotates so that molten polymer is centrifuged through a first tube extending through the peripheral wall of the spinner to form fibers. Gas is introduced into the interior of the molten polymer to form hollow polymer fibers. The hollow polymer fibers are then collected as a product such as a mat. The hollow polymer fibers produced by the method are microfibers having an average outside diameter of from about 2.5 microns to about 62.5 microns.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and devices are disclosed for collecting a veil including long fibers with high speed conveyor surfaces to produce a web of loosely related fibers, and further forming a wool pack by distributing the web of fibers with low frequency sound. The methods, apparatuses, and devices are particularly useful in collecting long fibers, and producing wool packs including long glass fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of generally vertically-aligned compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. First and second molten thermoplastic materials are supplied to the spinner and directed into alternate ones of the compartments so that adjacent compartments contain different thermoplastic materials. Passages are located in each of the compartments through which the respective molten thermoplastic materials flow to the orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner. The passages in adjacent ones of the compartments communicate with one another and with the orifices to join the first and second molten thermoplastic materials together into dual component fibers.

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: Irregularly shaped glass fibers and insulation therefrom comprise two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion. The irregularly shaped dual-glass fibers are made from wool glass compositions with the addition of at least one of BaO, SrO, K.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, ZnO, TiO.sub.2 and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes 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, organic material to cause intermingling of the organic material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled organic material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fibrous includes establishing a flow of fibrous material, positioning at least one flow distributor in a position to direct at least one gaseous flow into contact with the flow of fibrous material to distribute the fibrous material, and directing an intermittent flow of gas from the distributor, where the flow of gas increases and decreases linearly during the flow cycles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fibrous material includes establishing a flow of fibrous material, positioning at least two flow distributors in a position to direct a gaseous flow into contact with the flow of fibrous material, such as a flow of glass fibers, each flow distributor having an outer surface having one or more openings for the emission of gas, an inner surface having one or more orifices for the emission of gas, and a pressurized source of gas in contact with the inner surface, the inner surface being moveable with respect to the outer surface to intermittently align some of the openings with some of the orifices, thereby enabling gas from the pressurized source of gas to be emitted through the inner and outer surfaces and into contact with the flow of fibrous material to distribute the fibrous material, and moving one of the surfaces relative to the other of the surfaces to control the emission of gas from the flow distributor.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for distributing a veil by applying low frequency sound to at least one portion of the veil, and causing the veil to deviate in its generally downward direction of travel. In its simplest embodiment, the lapping device of the present invention includes one low frequency sound generator having one resonator tube shaped for emission of low frequency sound and having an open end from which sound may be emitted to a portion of a veil. Preferably, the lapping device has two resonator tubes whose open ends are in spaced, opposing relationship, and in the preferred method low frequency sound is alternately applied at generally opposing locations near the veil, causing portions of the veil to deviate in generally alternate directions in its direction of travel.

Abstract: A method for producing mineral fibers includes centrifuging mineral fibers from one or more rotary mineral fiber spinners to establish one or more downwardly moving veils of mineral fibers positioned above a collecting surface, centrifuging organic fibers from molten organic material using one or more rotary organic fiber spinners to establish one or more downwardly moving veils of organic fibers positioned above the collecting surface, the veils of mineral fibers being generally colinear with the veils of organic fibers, the veils of organic fibers alternating with the veils of mineral fibers to integrate the organic material and the mineral fibers, and collecting the integrated organic material and mineral fibers on the collecting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for extending the life of spinners by means of reinforcement which includes a plurality of arms secured to the bottom wall of a spinner either individually or via an annular plate from which the arms extend. The reinforcement applies a radially inward force on a flange extending from the top or center of an outer sidewall of the spinner. The arms exert the radial force as the result of offset cams, due to a prestressed condition which is released after the reinforcement is installed in a spinner or otherwise. If the spinner includes both a center flange and an upper flange, the reinforcement may be installed to engage the center flange with gussets interconnecting the center flange and the upper flange at least at locations corresponding to the reinforcement to thereby provide reinforcement for both flanges.

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 fiber manufacturing apparatus including a spinner, fixed to one end of a rotatable shaft and equipment for supplying at least one molten thermoplastic material to the spinner is provided. The spinner includes a radial wall and an outer peripheral wall. The radial wall extends radially out from the shaft and has an outer periphery. The peripheral wall is disposed around the outer periphery of the radial wall and has a plurality of orifices for centrifuging fibers from at least one molten thermoplastic material. The spinner is operatively adapted to be radially balanced during the centrifuging operation. By being so balanced, the spinner is less likely to exhibit temperature induced deformation that introduces undesirable process variables during the fiber manufacturing process.

Abstract: An insulation assembly and method of making is disclosed. A fiber pack is engaged along its side edges to tuck the fibers inwardly and also establish a desired width. The insulation assembly has the longitudinally extending tucks along each of its side edges and each of the side edges has a generally concave cross section.

Abstract: Irregularly-shaped glass fibers and insulation therefrom comprising two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion. The irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibit a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and provide improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing insulation material within a roof structure (11). The apparatus includes a carriage (26) which is urged along the purlins (18) of the roof structure (11). A roll of insulation material (43) is mounted to the carriage (26) and dispenses a substantially continuous sheet of blanket insulation material (39) over the purlins (18) as the carriage (26) is progressively moved along the length of the purlins (18). A radiant barrier dispenser (70) dispenses a layer of radiant barrier material (72) over the dispensed blanket insulation material (39), and a cross-wise layer of insulation (86) is applied across the length of the purlins (18) in a direction normal to the direction of application of the blanket insulation material (39). Thereafter, sheets of hard metal roofing material (24) are attached to the purlins (18) over the cross insulation (86) to form the insulated roof structure (11).

Abstract: A method is provided for releasing a thin foil workpiece from adherence with a resilient surface to which it adheres due to compression occurring in a forming operation. The method includes the steps of applying pneumatic pressure greater than ambient pressure between the first forming element and the workpiece while the workpiece remains held by compression. Thereafter, a second surface of a second forming element is separated from contact with the thin foil workpiece, removing compression, and rapid or shock release of the thin foil workpiece from its adherence to the resilient surface ensues. An alternative method is further provided.

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.