Abstract: A jamb extender for extending extend the jamb of the window is provided. The jamb extender includes a base member, two arm members projecting orthogonally from same side of the base member, and projecting members extending perpendicularly from the end of the arms towards an opposing end of the base member. The jamb extender has a unibody construction and is preferably formed of vinyl or polyvinylchloride. The jamb extender can be used in a jamb extension assembly that includes a lineal trim holder and a trim member. The jamb extender is positioned such that a portion of the base member is adjacent to the base wall and the projecting members are adjacent to the mounting portion of the lineal trim holder to extend the jamb of the window. A decorative trim member is mounted in the trim mounting portion. A method of trimming a window opening is also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite insulator includes: (a) forming an insulator precursor by orienting an insulation insert in a desired location between a first facing layer of and a layer of a polymer based blanket material; (b) closing the insulator precursor in a molding press; (c) heating the insulator precursor in the molding press to a temperature sufficiently high to soften polymer binding fiber in the polymer based blanket material and cause reshaping; and (d) cooling the insulator precursor in the molding press so as to set the insulator precursor in its molded shape and complete formation of the insulator. Other relates processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy film former, a curing agent, a thickener, and water. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A laminated shingle has a rendered shadow design when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more tabs separated by cutouts. The underlay member is coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to form vertically and horizontally-oriented underlay shading areas. In one embodiment, one or both vertical edges of at least one tab are generally parallel to the vertically-oriented longitudinal axis of the vertically-oriented shading area to expose a portion of the shading area.

Abstract: A one-step direct method of making a high molecular weight functionalized polyolefin aqueous emulsion is provided. In this one-step direct method, a functionalized polyolefin having a molecular weight of at least 10,000, a fatty acid, a base, a surfactant, and water are heated in a pressure reaction vessel to a temperature above the emulsification temperature of the polyolefin with agitation for a period of time sufficient to form an aqueous emulsion. This high molecular weight functionalized polyolefin aqueous emulsion can be added to a sizing composition and applied directly onto glass fibers in the glass fiber manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for preparing a fiberglass insulation product, including the steps of: (a) providing a layer of kraft paper, (b) coating the kraft paper layer with from 2 to 10 pounds of HDPE or of polypropylene per 3000 square feet of the paper to form an HDPE-kraft laminate or a polypropylene-kraft laminate, (c) coating the HDPE-kraft or polypropylene-kraft laminate with from 3 to 10 pounds of LDPE per 3000 square feet of the HDPE-kraft laminate or polypropylene-kraft laminate to form an LDPE-HDPE-kraft laminate or an LDPE-polypropylene-kraft laminate, (d) adjusting the temperature of the LDPE-HDPE-kraft laminate or the LDPE-polypropylene-kraft laminate so that the LDPE becomes tacky while the HDPE or polypropylene remains solid, (e) providing a layer of fiberglass wool, and (f) contacting the LDPE layer of the LDPE-HDPE-kraft laminate or of the LDPE-polypropylene-kraft laminate with the fiberglass wool layer with pressure and cooling to bond the LDPE-HDPE-kraft laminate or LDPE-polypropylene-kraft laminate to th

Abstract: An insulated duct assembly includes an elongated duct, an insulation blanket, at least one sheet of escape wick material and a tape layer. The insulation blanket has an inner wicking layer. The insulation blanket is applied to the elongated duct so as to create a seam aligned longitudinally with respect to the duct. The seam is defined by first and second edges of the insulation blanket. The at least one sheet of escape wick material is disposed along at least one edge of the insulation blanket. The at least one sheet of escape wick material has a “C” shaped cross-section surrounding the at least one edge of the insulation blanket. The tape layer is disposed along and covers the seam.

Abstract: A plurality of different structural members for reinforcing a plate-like structure, such as a bushing tip plate for intended use in forming fibers from a fluid material supplied to a bushing assembly, are disclosed. Each reinforcing member includes a body having a first portion for attachment to the structure and a second portion having a profile with a variable height including at least one apex. The body may be integrally formed of a single piece of material, or two or formed from more separate pieces of material bonded or secured together. The body may be T-shaped, L-shaped, or F-shaped in cross-section. The second portion of the body may have an inverted V-shaped profile, an inverted W-shaped profile, or an arcuate profile. The at least one apex may be located at the midpoint or elsewhere along the length of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-line process for producing high-temperature stable glass. A sizing composition is advantageously used to reduce plasticizing between the resinous matrix and the glass fibers. The in-line process uses a melter or furnace apparatus, including a top charging and melting section and an intermediate flow regulator section having a baffle system improving the heat pattern across the glass flow, and a bushing having a tip plate for receiving molten glass from a furnace. The bushing has an enlarged size that allows drawing of a significantly increased number of glass fibers at one time. The fibers have essentially no catenary and may be wound to create a tightly wrapped package of glass fibers of uniform exterior diameter throughout their width. High-strength, high-silica fiber made according to the invention may be advantageously used in filament-winding, pultrusion and weaving processes.

Abstract: High temperature glass fibers suitable for use as textile and reinforcements are specifically adapted to be used in high temperature applications such as sound absorbing material in engine exhaust mufflers. The glass fibers have compositions of up to 72 Mole % SiO2, 20 mole percent Al2O3, 22 mole percent alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali oxides and ZrO2.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for acoustically insulating a washing machine and, specifically, a laundry tub. An acoustical blanket of thermoplastic material extends around and insulates the laundry tub. A wall of the tub has at least one protuberance for mating with a hole of the acoustical blanket. The acoustical blanket may be crimped over a top of the wall. Protuberances include knobs and elongate members. The thermoplastic material is selected from a group consisting of a polyester, polyethylene, polyolefin, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, rayon, nylon, acrylic, hemp, kenaf, cotton and combinations thereof. A facing layer(s) may additionally be provided on the acoustical blanket. The facing layer being selected from a group consisting of polyester, rayon, metallic foil and combinations thereof. The blanket may also mate directly with a cylinder around the tub.

Abstract: A method for reclaiming fiberglass and a resinous residue from resinous fiberglass product. The method comprises first introducing the resinous fiberglass product to a single chamber or multi-chamber washer/extractor machine. An aqueous acid solution is then used to remove the resinous residue from the resinous fiberglass product. The fiberglass portion is then rinsed, dewatered, and stored for later use. At the same time, the resinous residue is recovered by precipitating the resinous residue out of the acid solution bath and separating it using a clarifier. The fiberglass portion is then available for reuse in the glass industry and other end use applications and the resinous residue may then be available for use in many other industries, including the fertilizer industry. In an alternative embodiment, a sizing composition may also be applied to the fiberglass portion prior to the dewatering step to form a sized fiberglass material.

Abstract: A method of making shingles includes providing a moving asphalt coated sheet having at least an overlay lane and an underlay lane. Blend drops of at least two color blends are discharged onto each lane, wherein at least one of the blend drops discharged onto the overlay lane has a different color blend from the color blends of all the blend drops discharged onto the underlay lane. Background granules are then discharged onto the asphalt coated sheet to form a granule coated sheet, and the excess granules are removed from the granule coated sheet.

Abstract: A bushing assembly/support structure arrangement is provided. The arrangement comprises a bushing assembly and a support structure. The bushing arrangement includes a bushing main body comprising at least first and second side walls and a tip plate extending between the side walls. The tip plate contains a plurality of orifices through which molten mineral material flows prior to being attenuated into fibers. The bushing assembly further comprises a first support rail coupled to the main body first side wall, and at least one first bracket having an intermediate member coupled to the main body first side wall. The support structure comprises a bushing frame, and at least one first support strap. The support strap has a first end fixedly coupled to the bushing frame and second end extending toward a first location on the support rail adjacent the first bracket for supporting the bushing assembly.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder, in one embodiment, comprises a fibrous carrier substrate material covered with a solidified coating comprising a binder resin material having an acid value of less than about 30 mg KOH/g of resin. Additionally, the coating may include a catalyst applied as a separate layer or in combination with the binder resin material. The string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous reinforcing material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A method of producing asphalt strip shingles includes continuously coating a substrate with asphalt to form an asphalt coated sheet, moving the asphalt coated sheet in a machine direction, depositing blend drops of blend drop granules onto the asphalt coated sheet from a blender, providing a signal indicative of the presence of the blend drops at a location downstream from the blender, sensing the color of the blend drops at the downstream location with a sensor, comparing the sensed color of the blend drops with a reference color, and providing a signal indicative of the comparison.

Abstract: A compatibilized polyolefin/polyolefin composite material includes a polyolefin/polyolefin composite substrate and a reinforcing mat formed from reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic polymer powder. The mat may also incorporate an optional emulsion polymer binder. In addition the compatibilized polyolefin/polyolefin composite material may incorporate an additional film layer so that the mat is sandwiched between the substrate and the film layer. A method of producing such materials from a polyolefin/polyolefin composite substrate that is topologically/mechanically bonded to a reinforcing mat formed from reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic polymer powder is also described.

Abstract: A method for making moldable material comprises the initial step of providing a composite material comprised in part of an epoxy. A high performance strand is then distributed in the composite material to form a moldable material. Lastly, the moldable material is heated sufficiently to cause the composite material and the high performance strand to stick at least slightly together without melting the epoxy.

Abstract: A construction beam includes a pair of lateral members and a resilient web extending therebetween, so as to present a cross-sectional profile corresponding to commonly used construction beam members. The resilience of the web helps to attenuate sound transmission through the beam from one lateral member to the other. Ends of the resilient web are fixed to respective ones of the lateral members on opposite sides of an imaginary reference plane passing orthogonally through both of the lateral members. In particular, in a wall frame, the lateral members are mounted at opposite ends thereof to end plates consisting of other construction beams according to the present invention. When used in a frame of a building structure, the lateral members of the end plates on the same side are attached to the surrounding structure, leaving the other side of the frame resiliently free floating.

Abstract: A moldable pellet used for making high impact, non-abrasive recyclable structural composites consisting of a thermoplastic polymer or polymers, with or without fillers and additives, and a synthetic cellulosic fiber in yarn or tow form such as Rayon or Lyocell. The concentration of cellulose fiber within the pellet may vary from approximately 2-80 percent by weight or higher. This moldable pellet is suitable for molding in current molding applications such as, but not limited to, injection molding, extrusion compression molding, and compression molding.