Abstract: A method of preparation of catalyst supports is disclosed as well as supports made by the method. Natural diatomite, bentonite clay, silica, cellulose fiber, corn meal and water are mixed, extruded, pelleted, dried and calcined to form porous catalyst supports pellets comprising fused natural diatomite, bentonite clay and silica.

Abstract: An improved process for the formation of alumina-containing fiber is described. The process utilizes alumina having an alpha crystalline phase content in the range of from 5% to 60%, preferably 5% to 35%, as compared to the alpha alumina contents of 75% to 90% of the prior art materials. Use of the low alpha crystalline phase content alumina permits substantial increase in the melt rate of the alumina-containing composition and thus increases production of fiber without any significant deterioration of other processing parameters or properties of the finished fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to pipe insulation useful at relatively high temperatures, e.g., 850.degree. F. Mineral fibers bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resins and conventional anti-punking liquid resin systems have been developed as a means of producing thermal insulation of relatively low density. However, sustained punking of the binders employed caused exothermic reactions whose temperatures fused the low density mineral fibers causing thermal and structural degradation of the insulation. The present invention utilizes a relatively dense layer of fiber glass having a relatively low binder content, bonded with a binder comprising an antipunk phenolic resin and high levels of silane based on the solids content in the resin. An outer layer may surround the dense layer and be constructed with a lower density and a higher binder content.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved blade retaining means for a blade roll used in a chopper assembly which severs continuous lengths of a material into discrete increments. Prior art devices provided blade retaining means which facilitated stress-inducing vibrations and generated stress concentrations in the ends of the blades. Attempts to cushion the blades using an elastomer blade restraining insert were incapable of eliminating contamination of the work product due to a severing of the insert when the blades were installed and used. Other blade retaining means were incapable of reuse and prevented use of the chopper blades directly from the manufacturer, i.e., all of the blades had to be cut to an exact and equal length. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer 52 positioned at each end of a blade roll cylinder member 50 wherein a side surface of each of the blade retainers 52 has at least one annular groove 62.

Abstract: A process and apparatus therefor are described for reclaiming waste material from a fiberizing system and for converting a molten stream of material into reclaimable cullet when the system is not fiberizing. When the system is fiberizing the waste is collected in a dry environment and continually conveyed away; when the system is not fiberizing the molten stream is reduced to cullet and collected in a wet environment and continually conveyed away; and when fiberizing is resumed there is a return to the collection of waste in a dry environment.

Abstract: A dust shroud is disclosed for a pipe-cutting portable circular saw. The shroud comprises upper and lower blade housings which are nested and guided so that the lower housing can be moved into and out of the upper housing. The lower periphery of the lower housing generally conforms to the shape of the pipe to be cut. A device which cooperates with the saw and which fits into the pipe to collect dust from within the pipe is also described.

Abstract: A foldable basket carrier has front and rear panel assemblies hinged about common edges of center panels wherein the center panels form a full two-ply center keel.

Abstract: A dust shroud for a portable circular saw is described comprising an upper blade housing, a lower blade housing, an external connecting link connecting the two and aligned with the saw blade, and flexible sealing means attached to the upper part of the lower blade housing. The thickness of the connecting link is not greater than the thickness of the saw blade and since the link is aligned with the saw blade it follows the saw blade through the kerf created by the blade in the worksheet. The upper blade housing is attached directly to the saw's motor housing and moves therewith while the lower blade housing is attached to the upper blade housing through the connecting link and is thus kept aligned with the upper housing as the saw cuts through the workpiece. The flexible sealing means keeps dust from escaping from the lower blade housing since it continuously conforms to irregularities in the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved process for the centrifugal spinning of refractory fibers is described. In the improved process rotor circumferential speeds of at least about 21,000 linear feet per minute (6,400 linear meters per minute) are used. In a preferred embodiment the circumferential surfaces of the rotors are also inclined from being perpendicular to the axis of the molten stream, preferably by about 8.degree. to 20.degree..

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for promoting the fiberization of continuous lengths of thermoplastic materials such as glass. Prior attempts to reduce fiber breakage, bushing flooding and facilitate fiberization utilized steam or a decomposable gas or gas mixture which was exposed to the heat radiating from the bushing in order to form a treatment medium. However, the prior art was plagued with poor gas distribution in the fiberization zone and thermal degradation of the structural elements constituting the treatment medium distribution system caused, in part, by the high radiant heat levels experienced proximate the bushing. The present method and apparatus comprises conducting a pressurized fluid and a vaporizable treatment liquid to a heat exchanger comprising a mixer tube located close to the bushing and a delivery tube. Radiant heat from the bushing causes the liquid to vaporize and mix with the pressurized fluid forming a treatment vapor.

Abstract: An improvement in a roof structure including a built-up roof located over and above a roof deck and particulate material located over and above the built-up roof and method of preparing such a structure is disclosed herein. This improvement comprises the utilization of a relatively inexpensive, preferably flexible non-insulating sheet material which is located over and against the top surface of the built-up roof between the built-up roof and particulate ballast material. The primary purpose of this sheet material is to protect the built-up roof from the harmful effects of the sun and abrasion from the particulate ballast material. The primary purpose of the particulate material is to hold down the sheet material. In one embodiment, this non-insulating sheet material is substantially completely unattached to the built-up roof and in another embodiment it is attached to the built-up roof, at most, only at discrete spotted locations.

Abstract: A low profile heat sealing iron for use in applying heat activatable tape in areas of very limited access, such as the sealing of periodic joints in air duct is disclosed. The low profile sealing iron requires only a few inches or less of clearance and has a tape guiding means that feeds the tape to the proper location for heat sealing as the iron is slid along the surface of the member on which the tape is being applied. Preferably, the iron has a handle of adjustable length which permits the sealing iron to be used on ducts measuring six to eight feet or more when the handle is extended, but having a handle only about three feet long or less for easy carrying and handling at other times. A method of using the low profile sealing iron to seal joints in air ducts is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for forming a series of shingles from two shingle members. In the past such apparatus has required an inordinate number of hand operations and warehousing of such shingle members. These hand operations and warehousing functions have resulted in a substantial number of non-conforming shingles, which must be rejected, and also causing other problems which affect the overall productivity of such prior art apparatus. The present invention anticipates forming from stock material a complete set of such shingle members, maintaining the shingle members in a set in a predetermined positional relationship throughout the manufacturing operation up to and including the formation of stacks of shingles formed thereby. When such a set of shingle members includes a pair of overlay portions formed of interdigitated tabs, the present invention permits these tabs to be defined to form two styles of shingles.

Abstract: Compositions and papers made therefrom useful as separator materials in starved electrolyte lead/acid batteries are described. The compositions comprise a mixture of 30% to 80% by weight of perlite and 20% to 70% by weight of glass fibers. The glass fibers have diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 1.0 micrometers while the perlite has particle sizes in the range of from about 3 to about 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A bell and spigot pipe joint including a bell end having a locked in sealing gasket and a thickened cross-sectional configuration is disclosed herein. A method and an assembly for making the bell end with its thickened cross-sectional configuration and with the sealing gasket locked in place are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A web of jacketing material is unwound from a reservoir thereof and conveyed at constant speed. A double sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, having one side protected by a removable sheet covering, conveyed in a direction normal to that of the jacketing material, is cut to predetermined lengths, positioned subjacent to and then applied across the width of the jacketing material at predetermined intervals. The jacketing material is sheared into sections by making cuts across the material along the middle of the adhesive strip and at a line midway between adhesive strips.

Abstract: Waste water effluent from online production machinery and/or clean-off water from shut-down machinery is deposited in a settling tank in which the solids settle out. Water, relatively clear of the solids, is returned to the production plant. A slurry containing a high concentration of these solids is, depending on the percentage of solids, either returned to the production machinery via a slurry tank or returned to the settling tank for further concentration. The degree of concentration of solids in the slurry tank is carefully controlled in order to permit the addition of these otherwise wasted solids to the virgin asbestos-cement slurry in the various production machineries. This addition of the otherwise wasted solids is carefully monitored at each of the production machinery installations in order to provide proper quality control of the product produced thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for the formation of thermal insulation blocks from rolls of fibrous blankets. The apparatus comprises folding means to make alternating transverse folds in the blanket, insertion means to insert block supporting members (pronged beams) into and through folds of the block, and sequencing means to control the location of beam insertion according to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam composition is disclosed which has low smoke generation characteristics (i.e., a rating of less than 50 in the ASTM E-84 Tunnel Test). The composition comprises 80-100 parts by weight of poly(trichloro-oxybutylene) carbohydrate adduct, 0-20 parts by weight of an amine-based polyol, 80-155 parts by weight of a polyalkylene polyphenyl isocyanate, 10-50 parts by weight of a fluorcarbon foaming agent, 0.3-3.0 parts by weight of a surfactant, and 0.005-4.0 parts of a catalyst. The foam finds use as a thermal insulation, particularly pipe insulation.

Abstract: .[.Prior art high temperature electric furnaces of the type using two or more, usually three, primary electrodes positioned around an electrically conducting central outlet brought the electrodes in through a side or bottom wall of the furnace at points below the melt line causing many problems. The present invention provides a primary electrode arrangement for such melting furnaces wherein the primary electrodes do not pass through the wall or bottom of the furnace below the melt line, but instead enter the furnace over the top of the melt line and then protrude through the top surface of the melt. The primary electrodes of the present invention are provided with means for preventing wear and deterioration at the interface between the top surface of the melt and the unmelted batch and/or the oxidizing air atmosphere surrounding the top of the furnace. The improved furnace of the present invention does not require the use of a purging neutral or reducing atmosphere to protect the primary electrodes..]. .Iadd.