Abstract: An underground storage tank has an inner wall and an outer wall defining a generally annular space for receiving a leak detecting fluid, and a plurality of ribs bonded to the inner and outer walls and projecting radially outwardly from the inner wall, each rib comprising sidewalls and a top wall, the outer wall being attached to the top wall of each rib but substantially unattached to the sidewalls of each rib, and the outer wall substantially conforming to the contour of the inner wall and the ribs.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition for glass fibers is provided which contains a polycarbonate precursor material and a water soluble film former or binder. The resulting coated glass fibers have excellent flexibilty with little or no powdering of the coating composition off the fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing roofing shingles having tabs and cutouts comprises a cutting cylinder for engaging a membrane and cutting it into continuous strips, where the circumference of the cutting cylinder and the length of the shingle have a common factor other than the length of the shingle, and an endcut cylinder for cutting the continuous shingle membrane strips into discrete roofing shingles, so that the pattern of tabs and cutouts will repeat itself periodically.

Abstract: Citrate ester compositions which are useful as compatible components in a resinous system for sheet molding compositions and have a general formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of --OC.sub.3 H.sub.6).sub.3 --OCH.sub.3 and OH are disclosed. Also disclosed is a sheet molding composition which includes a four component resinous system comprising (a) an unsaturated polyester comprising a polycondensation product of one or more dihydric alcohols and one or more ethylenically unsaturated polycarboxylic acids; (b) one or more low-profile thermoplastic polymer additives which cause phase separation and internal voids during the curing reaction; (c) one or more olefinically unsaturated monomers which copolymerize with the unsaturated polyester; and, (d) one or more compatible components which remain compatible when the polyester and monomer cure and impart improved surface characteristics when added to typical low-profile resin systems.

Abstract: An insulation panel comprises a mineral fiber board having a density between 8 and 28 pounds per square foot, the fibers having no organic binder thereon, and between 5 and 40 percent by weight of particulate material packed in the interstices of the board, and a gas-tight envelope encapsulating the board, the envelope being evacuated to a vacuum between 10.sup.-4 Torr and 10 Torr.

Abstract: An insulation panel comprises a mineral fiber board having a density between 8 and 28 pounds per square foot, the fibers having no organic binder thereon, and between 5 and 40 percent by weight of particulate material packed in the interstices of the board, and a gas-tight envelope encapsulating the board, the envelope being evacuated to a vacuum between 10.sup.-4 Torr and 10 Torr.

Abstract: A sheet molding composition is disclosed which includes a four component resinous system which comprises (a) an unsaturated polyester comprising a polycondensation product of one or more dihydric alcohols and one or more ethylenically unsaturated polycarboxylic acids; (b) one or more low-profile additives which are thermoplastic polymers which cause phase separation and porosity during the curing reaction; (c) one or more olefinically unsaturated monomers which copolymerizes with the unsaturated polyester; and, (d) one or more compatible components containing one or more polyoxyethane substituents. The compatible components remain compatible when the polyester and monomer cure and impart improved surface characteristics when added to typical low-profile resin systems.

Abstract: Oxide dispersion strengthened metals are ring rolled into a profiled member which can be employed as a spinner in the manufacture of fibrous glass. Sufficient hot working and annealing are provided to develop the desired coarse grain structure.

Abstract: Crystallization-resistant, low liquidus, fluoride glasses are disclosed which consist essentially of ZrF.sub.4, optionally HfF.sub.4, BaF.sub.2, at least one of CsF or NaF, preferably AlF.sub.3 and LaF.sub.3, and at least one of InF.sub.3, YF.sub.3 and GaF.sub.3. The glasses are of utility as optical components because of their high IR transmission.

Abstract: A strip of reinforcing material is applied to an edge portion of a glass wool thermal insulation blanket. In a folded, two-layer unit, the reinforcing strip is applied to a major surface of one of the layers on an edge portion opposite the fold.

Abstract: Based on the discovery that Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 strongly retards the dissolving rate of insulating glass fibers in a synthetic lung solution, glass fibers having low alumina contents have been identified that dissolve significantly faster in lung fluid. Moreover, these glass fibers still have adequate durability for insulation pruposes and have physical properties which allow current processes to fabricate them into insulation.

Abstract: A package winder for a plurality of multiple-filament strands or bundles includes a fixed strand shoe for forming strands, a movable strand shoe for separating the strands into an array of distinctly spaced and oriented bundles and a strand array guide which reciprocates along an axis parallel to the axis of a rotating collet. The guide includes an obliquiely oriented slot which maintains the arrangement of the strands of filaments as they are wound onto the collet. A pair of obliquely oriented parallel guide pins are disposed proximate the transverse limits of the reciprocating guide. The pins engage one or more of the strands, limiting the axial width of the package and greatly improving the edges of the package. The movable strand shoe, strand array guide and pins may be utilized in pairs to produce a pair of packages on a single elongated collet.

Abstract: Energy efficient process and apparatus are disclosed for forming glass fiber packages which are free of migration. Air from around the fiber forming bushing is passed beneath the bushing whereby it is heated by bushing heat and the heated air is then drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass in heat transfer contact with the heated air. This heat transfer contact causes the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated and results in a migration free package.

Abstract: An improved wrapper or shroud for packaging shingles which is composed of a heat reflective layer and a heat absorptive layer. The wrapper enhances temperature reduction in packages of shingles exposed to high ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Membranes are provided which minimize reflective cracking in the repair of roads. The membrane comprises a reinforcement along with a binder having a high modulus of elasticity and a binder having a low modulus of elasticity. The high modulus binder impregnates the reinforcement and is adhered to the distressed road whereas the low modulus of elasticity material is adhered to the impregnated reinforcement and is used in contact with the subsequently applied asphaltic overlay.

Abstract: The invention provides for a dielectric optical fiber cable reinforced by a yarn made by spinning synthetic staple fibers around a glass core. The optical fibers are sheathed by the yarn reinforced glass core and then enclosed in a polyethylene jacket. When heated, the yarn fuses with the polyethylene jacket forming a rigid cable member.

Abstract: A spinner for centrifuging molten glass into glass fibers comprises a spinner peripheral wall having orifices for forming mineral fibers, and an annular spinner bottom wall defining an open bore, the bottom wall being connected at its outer periphery to the peripheral wall and adapted to receive a stream of molten glass, a central hub, and spoke members connecting the hub and the bottom wall to enable rotational force to be transferred from the hub to the peripheral wall, the spoke members enabling a substantial flow of air downwardly through the bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnating a porous substrate with foam, the method comprising transporting the porous substrate through a nip region defined by a rotating foraminous drum and a foam discharge head, the foam discharge head comprising one or more discharge openings, supplying foam to the discharge head with pressure sufficient to discharge foam through the discharge openings to impregnate the porous substrate, and urging the foam discharge head and the foraminous drum toward each other to compress the porous substrate as it passes the discharge openings. The foam discharge head is mounted to a hinged plate to enable the urging of the discharge head toward the foraminous drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnating a pourous substrate with foam the method comprising transporting the porous substrate through a nip region defined by a moving foraminous surface such as a rotating foraminous drum and a foam discharge head, the foam discharge head comprising one or more discharge openings, where the transport of the porous substrate through the nip region causes the porous substrate to be compressed as it passes the discharge openings, and supplying foam to the discharge head with pressure sufficient to discharge foam through the discharge openings to impregnate the porous substrate. A surface support conveyor is positioned between the foraminous surface and the porous substrate.

Abstract: A process for forming flat plate ballistic resistant composites which includes impregnating a low-alkali magnesia-aluminum-silicate glass fiber woven roving with an impregnating composition. The impregnating composition includes a resin solution of a polyester resin in a polymerizable monomeric solvent a free radical catalyst and optionally, a thickening agent and further optionally a flame retardant material. The impregnated woven roving is cured in a molding unit at a temperature of about 225.degree.-255.degree. F. for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient pressure to allow the impregnated woven roving to substantially conform to the mold unit. The temperature and pressure used are sufficient to maintain the exothermic temperature at about 300.degree. F. or below and to catalytically crosslink the polyester resin and monomeric solvent.