Abstract: An energy-efficient inductive heater operable to heat a rotary glass fiber discharging spinner. The heater includes shielding disposed between the induction coil and the metal guard plates of the heater. The shielding may comprise any electrically insulative or dielectric material that is capable of withstanding the high operating temperatures occurring in a glass making environment.

Abstract: A sizer assembly for providing a shaped polymeric article in an extrusion process comprises a sizer body having a product profile channel corresponding to the shaped polymeric article formed therethrough. The sizer body comprises a plurality of cooling liquid inlet slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel and a plurality of vacuum slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel for removing cooling liquid expelled from said cooling liquid inlet slots.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a fence post comprises a molded upper base member, with a molded cap, preferably snapped together by internal prong-and-ear fasteners, or molded as a single piece, or as vertical halves fastened together. Various ornamental configurations are disclosed, such as New England cap, Ball cap or Gothic Spire cap. The components are brought together to make a hollow structure giving the appearance of a machined wood or plastic ornamental fence post cap.

Abstract: A method of insulating ducts is described including laminating a reinforcement fabric to a fibrous insulation board, lifting at least a portion of the reinforcement fabric from the fibrous insulation board, applying a first layer of a mastic coating to the fibrous insulation board, embedding the reinforcement fabric into the first layer of mastic coating, and applying a second layer of the mastic coating to the outside surface of the reinforcement fabric. The reinforcement fabric is laminated to the fibrous insulation board using an adhesive material.

Abstract: A furnace probe measuring system and method used to measure conditions, such as wear, within an electric furnace. A position assembly is configured to attach to a portion of an electric furnace. A probe assembly is moveably coupled to the position assembly and includes a location sensing portion configured to adjust to a location. A measurement device is coupled to the location sensing portion and indicates the location of the location sensing portion to determine wear.

Abstract: A bagging apparatus including a main portion having a tube section and a flared section with a wide opening. The apparatus preferably includes a device configured to mount the apparatus on a stationary structure, and a receptacle configured to fit over a receptacle receiving portion on an exterior surface of the tube section adjacent an opening thereof. A method is provided that allows for the insertion of an item into a receptacle using the bagging apparatus. The method includes the step of positioning a receptacle over an exterior surface of the tube section adjacent an opening thereof. The item is inserted within the flared section of the bagging apparatus via the wide opening. The item is then slid through a narrow opening of the flared section, through the tube section, and within the receptacle. The method further includes the step of aligning the item at a predetermined orientation within the receptacle.

Abstract: A polymeric composite is provided which has improved stain preventative properties by virtue of inclusion of at least one compound having multiple functional groups capable of reacting with tannins contained in a tannin containing cellulosic material present in the composite, and a method for its production and prevention of water stains thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides coating materials (14), insulation-containing building material products bearing the materials and methods for applying the coatings to the building material products. The coating materials (14) possess one-way “breathability” characteristics with respect to water and aqueous solutions. That is, the coatings are essentially impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor. Vapor from water insulation coated by the material may thus pass through the coating, whereas liquid water is effectively prevented from passing through the coating and entering the insulation.

Abstract: The present invention serves to substantially improve the dust capture property of dedusting oils, by modifying these oils with nonionic and/or cationic surfactants. The application of surfactant modified oils reduces dust that is generated when loose-fill insulation is installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to fibrous insulation products that exhibit improved flame resistance, relative to previously known products. The insulation product has a fibrous mineral matrix, into which is incorporated a phosphate-containing compound (e.g., an inorganic phosphate salt) and a refractory mineral filler (e.g., alumina or aluminum sulfate). The product exhibits flame resistance superior to the fibrous mineral matrix alone.

Abstract: The present invention includes a screw tip for an extruder screw for effecting mixing in an extruder. The screw tip has a substantially conical outside surface and at least one discontinuous fin. The at least one fin protrudes from the outside surface of the screw tip.

Abstract: A cladding product which includes a panel having at least one panel section and at least one longitudinal recess. The longitudinal recess includes a first channel portion adjacent to the panel section and a second channel portion adjacent to the first channel portion. The second channel portion includes at least one edge portion that extends wider than the first channel portion at a distal end of the first channel portion. The second channel portion includes a plurality of ventilation openings formed on the at least one edge portion.

Abstract: A temperature indicator for a siding panel senses panel temperature and indicates on a graphic scale the corresponding effect of thermal expansion over differences in temperature. The temperature indicator can be various forms of contact thermometer, temperature strip or sensor and can be integral or temporarily affixed during installation or for later assessment for correct panel gapping. The indicator shows how closely the edge of the panel can be placed to an adjacent surface while avoiding interference over a range of thermal expansion temperatures.

Abstract: A multi-layered shingle adapted to be positioned with other similar shingles in an overlapping arrangement on a roof to yield a simulated wooden shake roof covering comprising a headlap portion and a butt portion. The butt portion comprises a series of multi-layered tabs. All the tabs have the same number of layers and each multi-layered tab (a) is separated from the next adjacent multi-layered tab or tabs by a space or spaces, respectively, and (b) comprises an uppermost layer and at least two layers underlying the uppermost layer. Each underlying layer is laminated to the layer above it to form a multi-layered laminated composite. The laminated composite is integral with the headlap portion and the top surface of the uppermost layer of each tab is coplanar with the top surface of the headlap portion. The invention also includes an apparatus and a process for the continuous manufacture of the shingles of the invention.

Abstract: Siding panels and intermediate articles of their manufacture are provided. The siding panels include a central portion including an aesthetic pattern and a pair of lateral edge portions which are molded while the polymeric material is still hot or molten. One exemplary aesthetic pattern provided is a cedar shake siding pattern. Adjacent cedar shake shingle impressions have substantially the same lengths, but a plurality of bottom edges of the individual shingle impressions are beveled to give the appearance of shingles having different lengths.

Abstract: An insulation product contains a mixed layer of textile fibers and of rotary and/or flame attenuated fibers. A process for manufacturing the insulation product includes passing fibrous bundles of textile fibers and of rotary and/or flame attenuated fibers together through an apparatus that divides the textile fibers into segments and that mixes the textile fiber segments with the rotary and/or flame attenuated fibers. The bundles of rotary and/or flame attenuated fibers can be in the form of specially manufactured mats and/or can be production scraps. The resulting mixture of fibers is formed into a non-woven batt, mat, blanket, or board. The process provides a mixed fiber product, with an improved combination of thermal and acoustic insulating performance and adequate strength, at a low production cost.

Abstract: A siding installation tool is provided comprising a main body portion including a spacing flange. The spacing flange includes a hook member disposed to hang the tool from a top edge of a first siding panel and a seat member disposed to receive the bottom edge of a second siding panel, wherein the flange portion is sized to provide a partial overlap of the first siding panel by the second siding panel when the tool is attached to the first siding panel by the hook member and the second siding panel is seated in the seat. The tool also includes measuring means located on the tool.