Abstract: Elastomeric materials reinforced with short small diameter insulating glass fibers are disclosed. The elastomeric materials may be any of a variety of natural or synthetic rubbers or rubber-like elastomers. The glass fibers are those commonly designated AAA through B diameters (0.5 to 3.8 microns) and have lengths of from about 3 mm to about 50 mm. Whereas the large diameter fibers commonly considered to be "reinforcing fibers" have been found not to provide satisfactory reinforcement to elastomers, it has now been unexpectedly discovered that the very small diameter insulating fibers, previously believed not to be satisfactory for reinforcement purposes, do in fact provide excellent reinforcement to elastomers. Similarly, it has now been found that short individual fibers, loose or in wool form, can be used for reinforcement instead of the long strands and bundles of continuous glass filaments and woven glass fabrics heretofore relied on by the art.

Abstract: A ceiling support grid system is disclosed herein and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending support runners which are interlocked together to form an integral grid pattern, preferably a basketweave pattern. The runners are interlocked together by two separate and distinct but cooperating arangements in a rapid and reliable manner and without the need for separate tools and without bending or otherwise deforming any components associated with these interlocking arrangments.

Abstract: A wall arrangement is disclosed herein and includes at least one fixed support member having vertically extending front support face, at least one elongated sheet of material, for example exterior vinyl siding, and a device for attaching the sheet to the front face of the support member to support it in a vertical position. This attaching device includes a longitudinal strip which is connected to the front face of the support member and a plurality of outwardly extending, elongated support elements which are inserted through openings in the sheet material for supporting it in the vertical position just discussed.

Abstract: A method of deep embossing of sheet material, generally metal, is disclosed. A small scale relief pattern is first embossed across the entire sheet and thereafter a deep embossment of spaced-apart protuberances is imparted to the sheet. Both patterns in combination produce a sheet useful for reflective thermal insulation without the risk of significantly puncturing the sheet.

Abstract: Thin-walled metal duct particularly useful for heating and air-conditioning purposes is usually made by grooving, spiral wrapping, and seaming strips of thin metal sheet. The resultant tubular form provides the necessary rigidity to resist collapse of the tubular form. In the past, at least one end of the ribbed tubular ducts have been reformed to permit the ducts to be joined together. The end reforming techniques of the past have resulted in reformed ends having insufficient rigidity and strength to resist the abuse the ducts frequently receive in shipping, storing, handling, and installation.The present product, method, and apparatus provide a ribbed thin-walled tubular duct having reformed ends with rigidity and strength superior to the prior art products. This achievement is accomplished in the present invention by moving more metal into the end portion of the duct prior to reforming the end portion, thus reinforcing the end portion of the duct.

Abstract: The present invention involves an electrical resistance heated bushing for melting inorganic materials, particularly glass, and for exuding molten material through a plurality of orifices in the bushing to form fibers suitable for coating with metal in conventional ways. The bushing of the present invention has an output capacity of almost 300% that of typical prior art bushings used for this purpose. Furthermore, the bushing of the present invention has increased operating efficiency substantially. The average running time before a breakout occurs has been extended 5 to 10 fold.

Abstract: Monitoring the peak temperature of a moving mass, such as a flowing stream of molten material, has in the past been plaqued with problems. The present system and method overcomes these problems by oscillating a temperature sensor, spaced from the moving mass, such that the sensor scans back and forth across the moving mass during each cycle of oscillation. The output signal from the sensor is fed to device that preferably puts out a signal proportional to the peak temperature sensed by the sensor on each half cycle of oscillation, which output signal is caused to decay at a desired rate between peak temperature measurements. This slightly sawtooth shaped output signal can be recorded and/or used for control purposes.

Abstract: A novel refractory fiber thermal insulation and a "wet pack" moldable insulation package formed thereof are described. This composition comprises refractory fiber having combined therewith a binder system comprising 25% to 95% by volume of an aqueous suspension of colloidal silica having a solids content of 15 to 30 weight percent and wherein the mean particle diameter of the silica particles is not greater than 10 nm, 5% to 12% by volume ethylene glycol, and 0% to 70% by volume additional water. Wet packs using this binder composition have significantly greater strength, better thermal properties (particularly at elevated temperatures) and better adhesion to metal surfaces than commercial prior art wet packs.

Abstract: A sign lighting arrangement including a luminaire located in a predetermined position in front of a rectangular sign is disclosed herein. The luminaire includes a light source supported by an opaque housing, the uppermost edges of which lie in a common plane with the light source and the bottom edge of the sign. In this manner, direct light from the light source is prevented from passing under the sign (positive bottom edge cut-off). The luminaire also includes a reflector having lateral edge portions located in a fixed position relative to the luminaire's light source and the sign. The reflector and particularly these lateral edge portions are specifically contoured so that the lateralmost vertical edges of the reflected light substantially coincide with the side edges of the sign. Thus no reflected light passes beyond these side edges (positive side edge cut-off). A refractor is provided one purpose of which is to aid in achieving positive side edge cut-off.

Abstract: A roof facia arrangement comprising part of an overall facia system is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes a facia receiver which is adapted to rest in a self-aligning fashion against adjoining top and side surfaces at the top edge portion of a building and a facia cover plate which is adapted to interlock with the facia receiver in a horizontally free-floating and moisture sealing fashion. The arrangement also includes a flashing membrane which is adapted to cooperate with the facia receiver and facia cover plate to provide an effective moisture seal at the top edge of the building and which is not pierced or otherwise damaged by fastening elements used in assembling the roof facia arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a board-like product capable of being formed into a duct section having a male end and a female end for joining sections together to form a duct. Inorganic fibers coated with a heat setable binder and collected in the form of a blanket are passed between heated moving surfaces to cure the binder in the top and bottom surface portions. The resultant partially cured blanket is then passed between one or more sets of heated platens to completely cure the binder and to shape the blanket to the desired thickness and configuration.A flat valley depression is formed longitudinally along the blanket down its center portion, and each edge is provided with a male edge, in the first set of platens. After the blanket has been shaped and cured, it is separated into two strips along the middle portion of the flat valley to form two strips, each having a female edge along one longitudinal edge and a male edge along the opposite edge.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, the dry density of a board product is monitored, preferably continuously so. The board is made by a wet forming process, which process includes preparing an aqueous slurry of at least some of the board's components, depositing the slurry upon a moving screen to form a moisture-laden sheet thereon, and removing the moisture to form the ultimate product. The dry density of this product is monitored by first simultaneously and automatically measuring the wet weight, moisture content and thickness of the water-laden sheet on the moving screen and from these measurements automatically calculating the dry density of the board product to be produced from the measured sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of packaging asbestos fibers wherein damp asbestos fibers are consolidated into blocks having a density of at least about 100 lbs./cu. ft. (PCF). These blocks can then be stacked on pallets, pulpable pallets if desired, and secured to said pallet with various means, for example with a shrink film, to produce a clean, compact package. At the point of use, the blocks are disintegrated using a block-breaker and the resultant pieces are then opened into a loose mass of asbestos fibers in a conventional opening apparatus.

Abstract: A process is described for the formation of fibrous insoluble calcium sulfate anhydrite, the fibers thereof having specified dimensions. A dilute aqueous suspension of gypsum and, if desired, a crystal habit modifier suitable for the formation of fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate, is first formed. The gypsum in this suspension is then converted to the fibrous hemihydrate by reaction in the presence of saturated steam at 120.degree. C to 155.degree. C for 0.5 to 2.5 hours, thereby forming fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate of the desired dimensions. The fibrous hemihydrate is thereafter calcined at 500.degree. C to 750.degree. C for 0.5 to 3.0 hours to convert the fibrous hemihydrate to fibrous insoluble calcium sulfate anhydrite having substantially the same crystalline shape and dimensions.

Abstract: A furnace, which includes a melting and refining tank and a forehearth, is divided into a plurality of zones or regions. Each of the zones is provided with means for sensing temperature within the zone and a means for heating the zone. Means is also provided for measuring the individual heat input into the furnace of the heating means in each of the zones. When changes in temperatures are required, the temperatures in the different zones of the furnace are controlled by adjusting the heat input of the heating means in at least one of the zones to cause the temperatures in each of the zones where changes in temperature are required to approach desired temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding one or more continuous strips of sheet or blanket material, particularly very low density material, into one or more rolls on a rotatable mandrel comprising a drive means for rotating the roll(s) about the axis of the mandrel and means for supporting the roll(s) in such a manner that the roll(s) is pressed against a winding roller with an essentially constant force regardless of the size or weight of the roll(s). Also disclosed is a novel tensioning means. The apparatus eliminates telescoping of the roll ends, even on difficult to wind material.

Abstract: A thermal insulation structure of fibrous material is described. The insulation comprises alternating and abutting parallel strips of fibrous material wherein the fiber orientations in alternate strips are at right angles to each other. This structure preserves the insulating properties of the fibrous material while permitting it to be readily curved around a pipe without creating stresses in the material which would cause it to tend to straighten out. The fibrous material may be glass fiber, mineral wool or the like, preferably glass fiber. The density of the individual insulating batt strips may be as low as 0.5 pcf, but is preferably at least 1.5 pcf. Both pipes and curved vessels may be advantageously insulated by this invention.

Abstract: A two-stage orifice outlet is provided for an electric furnace. The structure defining the inner orifice adjacent the interior of the furnace through which molten material passes in its initial stages of withdrawal from the furnace is made of a refractory metal to withstand the high temperatures present within the furnace and this refractory metal must be protected from the oxidizing effects of air. The outer structure defining the outer orifice is made from a more oxidation resistant material and acts as a shield to prevent the oxidation of the refractory metal inner orifice. The outer orifice is maintained below a temperature at which it will undergo rapid deterioration by the use of cooling means. The outlet described above is operated without injecting neutral or reducing gases into the area surrounding the furnace outlet as was required by prior art furnaces of this type.

Abstract: A method of vacuum packaging compressible material in a sealed flexible fluid impervious container, such as a poly bag, is disclosed. One or more slits are made in the container and air in the container is withdrawn through the slits. This creates a partial vacuum in the container that results in compression of the compressible material. When the desired compression has been obtained, restraining means are placed around the flexible container to maintain the package in a compressed state when the partial vacuum is eventually lost. A novel apparatus for use in this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for bonding otherwise incompatible resin systems to form laminated resinous articles. A first resin layer is coated with a solvated coating which forms a surface solution with the surface of the first layer. Thereafter, a second resin layer is bonded to the coating. The coating contains a butadiene resin, a portion of the resin used in the second layer, and curing agent for the resin. The process is particularly adapted to bonding polyvinyl chloride pipe cores to epoxy-impregnated glass fiber overwrap to form improved laminated plastic pipe.