Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an insulation wrap for a water heater tank including a strip of nonflammable fibrous material having an opening therein and a fibrous material element outlining at least a portion of that opening. In addition the present invention relates to a hot water heater incorporating the insulation wrap.

Abstract: A method of making an article includes the steps of feeding fiber yarn, bundle or roving into a chopping device, chopping the fiber yarn, bundle or roving into fiber segments, texturizing the fiber segments, simultaneously introducing the fiber segments and a binder into a mold and molding the article.

Abstract: An infusion fabric includes a mat selected from a group consisting of continuous filament mat, direct chopped mat, direct continuous mat and combinations thereof and a woven roving or bonded reinforcement layer. The mat and woven roving reinforcement layer are stitched together. The continuous filament mat includes E-glass and/or ECR-glass fibers, a binder and a size.

Abstract: A thermoplastic blanket includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material. The first such layer has a first surface zone, a second, optional surface zone and a first base zone between the first and second surface zones. The second layer of thermoplastic material includes a third surface zone, a fourth optional surface zone and a second base zone between the third and fourth surface zones. At least one surface zone of each layer is densified to a density of between about 1.5 to about 30.0 pcf while each base zone has a density of between about 0.5 to about 10.0 pcf.

Abstract: A method of forming a box-like acoustical substrate is provided. Portions of an acoustical substrate having a decorative surface are compressed to form a flange, a first compressed region, a second compressed region, and a third compressed region. First, second, central, and third uncompressed regions are positioned respectively adjacent to the compressed regions. A left first surface and a right first surface of the acoustical substrate may be folded toward the back surface of the substrate until the second compressed region and the third compressed regions are flush with the central uncompressed region. An outer portion of the left surface may then be folded towards the back surface until the flange is flush with the right edge. The acoustical product may be used as an acoustical trap or duct. When the acoustical product is utilized as a duct, an air impermeable sheet may be positioned on the external surface.

Abstract: A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment is provided. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system and in a washwater tank holding the washwater solution is determined to be below approximately 8.0. Maintaining the pH of the washwater solution reduces the corrosion rate of the glass fiber forming equipment that is typically associated with acidic binders. In a second embodiment of the invention, a closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater recovery system utilized in addition to the washwater neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of a polycarboxylic acid binder with a minimal amount of base solution. The closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater system is not connected to the closed-loop washwater neutralization system.

Abstract: A bumper/muffler assembly is provided comprising a bumper; and a muffler having an outer shell. The outer shell may be formed from a non-high impact resistant material, such as a thin metal or a composite material. The muffler may comprise a separate element from the bumper, which is coupled thereto, or is formed as an integral part of the bumper.

Abstract: Provided is an assembly for insulating substantially vertical runs of cooled surfaces that are continuously or periodically exposed to air or another gas that has a dewpoint temperature above that of the cooled surface, thereby resulting in condensation water vapor on or adjacent the cooled surface. One embodiment of the insulating assembly provides a wicking material layer adjacent the cooled surface that, in combination with transporting and evaporating structures, removes the condensate from the vicinity of the cooled surface and allows for its evaporation into the ambient gas surrounding the exterior surface of the insulating assembly. Another embodiment provides for exposing the condensate to an internal conditioned gas stream to provide for evaporation that does not necessarily utilize an exterior surface. Both embodiments remove condensate from the insulating structure and thereby tend to avoid any substantial condensate accumulation and maintain the insulating performance.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a manifold defining a fluid channel, and also includes a plurality of cooling fins connected to the manifold, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the fins includes porous material.

Abstract: A method of forming a multilayer insulation material formed of an acoustical composite layer and a first thermal layer is provided. The acoustical and insulting layer is formed of a polymer based thermoplastic material and reinforcing fibers. Preferably the reinforcing fibers are wet use chopped strand glass fibers (WUCS). The acoustical composite layer may be formed by opening the WUCS fibers, blending the reinforcement and polymer fibers, forming the reinforcement and polymer fibers into a sheet, and then bonding the sheet. A first thermal layer formed of one or more polymer based thermoplastic organic materials is then positioned on a first major surface of the acoustical composite layer. A second thermal layer of polymeric fibers may be optionally positioned on a second major surface of the acoustical composite layer. The multilayer acoustic material may be utilized in semi-structural and acoustical applications.

Abstract: Methods that apply decorative particles in-line in the manufacturing process to form a decorative structured mat or veil that is ready for direct commercial application. The decorative particles or decorative paint patterns should be of a size and/or color to be visible at a distance of five meters from the decorative mat or veil. In preferred embodiments, the particle size ranges from about 100 to about 500 microns in size. A formulation for coating a glass fiber mat with decorative particles is also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is configured to convey and maintain compression of multiple compressible batts. Adjacent pairs of conveyor systems within the conveyor assembly define a space between the pair of conveyor systems for receiving and conveying compressible batts. Each pair of adjacent conveyor systems has at least two upper belts in a coplanar relationship. One of the two upper belts travels in an advancing direction and other upper belt travels in a returning direction. Each pair of adjacent conveyor systems also has at least two lower belts in a coplanar relationship. One of the lower belts travels in the advancing direction and the other lower belt travels in the returning direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust silencer or muffler for an internal combustion engine, in particular a silencer with the damping characteristics of a resonator with the absorptive characteristics of a dissipative silencer. The silencer of the present invention provides an improved silencer or muffler for use with an internal combustion engine that incorporates both a dissipative silencer and a resonator in a single muffler assembly suitable for use with standard automotive construction techniques.

Abstract: An acoustical and thermally absorbent chopped strand mat formed of thermoplastic bonding materials and bundles of reinforcing fibers is provided. The reinforcing fibers are preferably wet use chopped strand glass fibers (WUCS). The thermoplastic bonding materials may be any thermoplastic or thermosetting material having a melting point less than the reinforcing fiber. The chopped strand mat may be formed by partially opening the WUCS fibers and filamentizing the thermoplastic bonding materials, blending the reinforcement and thermoplastic bonding fibers, forming the reinforcement and thermoplastic bonding fibers into a sheet, and bonding the sheet. During bonding, the sheet is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the thermoplastic bonding fibers but below the temperature of the glass fibers. The melted thermoplastic bonding fibers act as a glue to hold the glass fibers in bundles. The chopped strand mat thus formed may be used as a reinforcement material in automotive applications.

Abstract: A composite part made from a sheet molding compound is disclosed as having improved characteristics over traditional sheet molding compound composite parts. The fibrous material is introduced as a veil layer adjacent a paste layer, the veil flows well during the molding process. The improved flow and surface characteristics of a composite part are attributed to the elongation of the veil during molding and to the improved filling capabilities.

Abstract: A two-part sizing composition including a precursor size composition and a binder composition, the binder composition being substantially free of any aminosilane coupling agent for is provided for the production of reinforcing fiber materials that exhibit little or no coloration. The two-part sizing composition may be advantageously employed to make substantially colorless, densified fiber pellets of a reinforcing fiber material. The densified fiber pellets may be produced by applying the sizing composition to reinforcing fiber strands, chopping the reinforcing fiber strands to form chopped strand segments, applying the binder composition, and palletizing and densifying the coated chopped strand segments to form flowable densified fiber pellets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and forming loose fill fiber material from an air stream includes introducing a combined fiber and air stream onto a surface of a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum allows the air to flow through the surface of the drum while collecting the fiber material on the surface of the drum. The collected fiber material is then removed from the drum surface by a blow off header that is internal to the drum.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sheet includes perforating a reinforcement panel. A mold surface onto which the composite sheet may be formed is provided. At least one outer coat of material is applied onto the mold surface. At least one coat of resin and reinforcement material is applied over the outer coat to form a reinforcement layer. The perforated reinforcement panel is applied to the reinforcement layer, and the resin is forced into the perforations formed in the reinforcement panel, thereby bonding the reinforcement layer to the reinforcement panel.