Abstract: Rigid shaped articles of expanded inorganic aggregate, such as expanded perlite, bonded with calcium silicate hydrate and preferably reinforced with fibers, are made by mixing a hydrothermally reacted gel of calcium silicate hydrate crystals with the expanded aggregate, shaping and drying, without treatment with saturated steam after the gel and aggregate have been mixed.

Abstract: The insulation panel (26) includes a corrugated sheet (28) having a fibrous blanket of insulation (32) secured thereto and an end cap (41) secured to an upper portion of the corrugated sheet (28). The end cap (41) provides a means by which an upper portion of the panel (26) may be anchored to a vertical structural wall (11) to be insulated and a means by which a panel (26) in a next upper row may be supported. After installation, fastening means (43) between the end cap (41) and the corrugated sheet (28) is removed to allow the upper portion of the corrugated sheet (28) to float in the end cap (41) and compensate for thermal expansion and contraction. In another embodiment of the panel (26a), the fastening means (43a) between the end cap (41) and the corrugated sheet (28) is frangible and shears in two upon expansion and contraction of the corrugated sheet (28).

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a spinner for centrifuging mineral fibers for molten mineral material comprises a quill upon which the spinner is mounted, a pin for engaging the quill and applying torque thereto, a pin carrier for holding the pin and applying rotational force thereto, a pin carrier housing for urging the pin carrier, and thus the pin, upwardly with respect to the quill, and a spindle, separate from the pin carrier housing, for rotating the pin carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preheating particulate glass batch comprises a rotatable drum for mixing the batch with particulate heat transfer media in a heat transfer relationship where the batch is separated from the media in a media exit vestibule having a screen through which the batch passes and having compartments mounted for rotation about the axis of the drum for lifting the separated batch to the batch inlet conduit where it is directed back into the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel bitumen mixture and a high performance prefabricated waterproofing membrane useful for roofing which is obtained by impregnating different layers of reinforcing material with the bitumen mixture. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel bitumen mixture and a waterproofing membrane comprising a series of reinforcing layers including a polyester mat, a mat of fiberglass and a fiberglass net. Each reinforcing layer is impregnated with bitumen mixed with a thermoplastic polymer wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of an amorphous copolymer of ethylene/propylene, atactic polypropylene, polyisobutylene and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The mixture has a ring and ball softening point of at least 105.degree. C. and preferably about 155.degree. C.

Abstract: A composite panel including a fibrous glass board and foamed-in-place plastic foam has a perforated sheet at the foam-fiberglass interface, there being at least two holes per square inch in the perforated sheet, the diameter of the holes being less than 0.06 of an inch, and the amount of open area represented by the holes being less than 1.5 percent of the total area of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for controlling a glass melting furnace comprises measuring the temperature T of the glass in the furnace, measuring the heat being supplied to the glass in the furnace, calculating the entropy E according to the equationE=(Q/T)comparing E with a predetermined entropy E.sub.O, changing Q to a new value of heat Q' responsive to (E-E.sub.O), and supplying heat Q' to the furnace.

Abstract: In a continuous weathering sheet manufacturing process wherein fibrous mat material is coated with liquid asphalt, the asphalt is foamed before coating the mat therewith.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for monitoring a process condition in a spinner mounted for rotation, the spinner having an orificed sidewall for the centrifuging of molten mineral material therethrough, comprises a sensing means mounted for rotation with the spinner for sensing a process condition, and a wireless transmitter mounted for rotation with the spinner for transmitting a signal responsive to the sensed process condition.

Abstract: A method for producing fibers from molten mineral material in which the heat sink provided by air induced to flow in the direction of the bushing by the moving fibers is replaced during a period of fiber forming interruption by a secondary flow of air directed toward the bushing during the interruption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring the amount of binder or of a particular constituent of that binder dispersed within a fibrous mat. The binder may typically be a suspension of one or more solids in a liquid carrier such as water. A radiation source is provided at a first wave length which is highly responsive to the presence of the binder constituent dispersed within the mat. A second radiation source is provided at a second wave length which is substantially insensitive to the presence of the binder constituent within the mat. A ratio is taken of the transmitted energy at these two wave lengths through the mat and this ratio is used as an indication of the amount of the binder constituent. A third source of radiation and a third wave length is transmitted through the mat to provide an indication of the thickness or density of the mat, the third wave length being substantially unaffected by the presence of the binder constituent in the mat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a continuously moving strip of asphaltic material includes directing the asphaltic material into a plurality of loops having lengths and widths, spraying an evaporative liquid onto the asphaltic material from spraying means positioned upstream from various ones of the lengths, and evaporating the evaporative liquid immediately downstream from each of the spraying means by causing an array of air jets to impinge on the asphaltic material substantially normally to the lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fiberizing molten mineral material of the type in which molten mineral material is supplied to a spinner and centrifuged by the spinner into mineral fibers, is characterized by fiberizing the molten mineral material at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the molten mineral material.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a spinner comprising a rotatable cap means, a quill upon which said spinner is mounted for rotation, and a threaded insert adapted to transmit a drive force from the rotatable cap means to the quill, where a stop means is mounted on the cap means and a ball mounted for radial movement with respect to the insert means is biased radially inwardly, and where outward radial movement of the ball causes engagement between the ball and the stop means to prevent relative movement between the insert means and the cap means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gathering strand material from a plurality of sources of strand material comprising a rotatable roll means for pulling the strand material from the sources, primary drive means for rotating the roll means, ring means mounted for rotation coaxially with the roll means and adapted to pull strand material from one or more of the sources, secondary drive means for rotating the ring means at rates independent of the rotation of the roll means, and means for axially moving the ring means into and out of communication with the roll means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating rolls of web material of the type where two or more rolls are attached at the side edges thereof comprising passing the first roll between an upper and lower conveyor defining a first path of travel, and simultaneously passing each attached roll between additional upper and lower conveyors defining a path of travel for each attached roll, where the path of travel for each roll is sufficiently vertically separated from its immediately adjacent path that the rolls passing therethrough are separated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the expansion of a mat of fibrous material in which a contact plate is periodically moved vertically into and out of contact with the surface of a mat of fibrous material, contact between the contact plate and the surface of the mat is sensed, and the position of the contact plate is recorded responsive to the occurrence of contact between the contact plate and the surface of the mat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying size to an array of fibers of the type in which the array of fibers is directed past at least one nozzle adapted to spray a size onto the array of fibers, wherein the improvement comprises means, positioned immediately upstream from the nozzle, for removing the entrained gases flowing with the array of fibers and a conduit having a decreasing cross sectional area in the downstream direction positioned downstream from the nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing a fibrous mineral blanket comprising means for slitting the blanket into batts, a suction chamber having one or more narrow openings adapted for contact with the side edges of the batts, and a vacuum pipe extending into the chamber for educting air and airborne particles from the chamber and the side edges of the batts, where the vacuum pipe has its eduction opening positioned near the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing fibrous mineral material of the type in which the material containing heat-curable binder is passed through a curing station having a curing element adapted to apply heat and pressure is provided in which a convex portion at the upstream end of the curing element is adapted to apply greater pressure to the fibrous mineral material than does the remainder portion of the curing element.