Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: Metal building insulation includes a non-woven covering material over the top surface of a double layer of glass fiber, with a vapor retarder between the layers, protected by a porous film.

Abstract: Dispensing equipment for dispensing blown loose-fill insulation. The equipment includes a flexible delivery conduit that conveys loose-fill insulation material from a source of such material and, possibly, an optional a rigid tubular wand connected to the distal end of the conduit. The equipment further includes an insert projecting radially inwardly into the loose-fill insulation flow path of the delivery conduit and/or wand for mechanically separating the insulation material's fibers and particles prior to discharge from the delivery conduit or wand. The insulation material separating structure conditions or “opens” the insulation material in such a way that the material is discharged in a substantially uniform density stream of substantially uniformly distributed fibers and particles.

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 hose extending and retrieval system and method used for loose-fill insulation operations that includes a hose member that is taken-up or fed-out from a hose storage container with a gear mechanism. A hose extending and retrieval system includes a hose member having a helical rib traversing therethrough, a hose storage container comprising an aperture forming a conduit, and a gear mechanism including a first gear and a second gear disposed on opposing sides of the hose member, wherein protrusions on the first and second gears interlock with the helical hose member. The gear mechanism interlocks with a helical component on the outside of the hose to provide sufficient operational impetus.

Abstract: A unidirectional geotextile fabric for use in reinforcement of earthen retaining walls, embankments, slopes and related structures. The fabric is an open grid of high modulus of elasticity strands extending in the weft direction and strands of comparatively lower modulus of elasticity material extending in the warp direction. The fabric is preferably coated with a curable resinous material of sufficient thickness to protect the glass strands from breaking as the fabric is rolled onto cores and unrolled at the job site. When laying the fabric, a roll of the fabric is placed at one end of the face of the earthen structure being constructed and simply unrolled in a direction generally parallel to the structure's face. Because the high modulus strands of the fabric are the weft strands they extend and inhibit soil movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the structure.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: A two-piece mullion reinforcement is provided for use in forming an assembly of windows. A first member is fastenable to a portion of a first window frame, and includes at least one piloting tab that extends along and projects outwardly from a surface of the first member. A second member is likewise fastenable to a portion of a second window frame, and includes at least one pilot receptacle that is formed on a surface of the second member. The pilot tab and pilot receptacle comprise mutually complementary profiles so as to be engagable with one another when the first window frame is assembled to the second window frame. The first member also includes a first portion of at least one latch and the second member includes a second portion of the at least one latch that is complementary to the first portion so that when the first window frame is assembled to the second window frame the first member and the second member cooperate to form at least one latch.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing shaped polymeric articles by substantially continuous vacuum forming. The method includes providing a sheet of hot polymeric material which is disposed onto a rotating belt having a mold impression. Vacuum pressure is applied to the polymeric material through the belt so as to draw the hot polymeric material into intimate contact with the mold impression to form a patterned sheet portion and a remaining sheet portion. This method thereafter cools at least the patterned sheet portion below a heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material, forms the remaining sheet portion, and then cools the remaining sheet portion below the heat deflection temperature so that features other than the central pattern, such as nail and butt edges, can be mechanically worked into the polymeric sheet.

Abstract: A method is provided of continuously producing a plurality of laminated shingles, including the steps of advancing a fiber sheet, waterproofing the sheet, applying granules thereto, cutting and separating the sheet into a plurality of strips which are positioned and adhered to each other to be multi-layered, and then cutting the strips while controlling the placement of longitudinal centerlines of the strips, and cutting the multi-layers so as to form a plurality of shingles.

Abstract: Mechanical pipe connections are provided by this invention which include the feature of coupler recesses with discontinuous locking grooves on the pipes. The interlocking system may also include male and female portions which mechanically mesh together to form binding contact between the pipes to reduce the individual rotation of the pipes relative to one another.

Abstract: Foamed polymer-fiber composites, building materials and methods of making such building materials are provided by this invention. The composites include about 35-75 wt. % of a polymeric resin, about 25-65 wt. % fiber and have a specific gravity of less than about 1.25 g/cc. The low density is provided by the introduction of a blowing agent or gas into a molten precursor of the composite during thermo forming, such as in an extrusion operation.

Abstract: An improved hose is used to install loose fill insulation. The hose includes projections extending from an inner surface which serve to condition the insulation as it proceeds through the hose and is dispensed. In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hose. In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be angled, by an angle less then ninety (90) degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hose. In a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed with a serrated edge. In a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed as part of a cap member which is disposed around the periphery of the hose. In a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projections include an additional perpendicular projection member extending therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing shaped polymeric articles by substantially continuous vacuum forming. The method includes providing a sheet of hot polymeric material which is disposed onto a rotating belt having a mold impression. Vacuum pressure is applied to the polymeric material through the belt so as to draw the hot polymeric material into intimate contact with the mold impression to form a patterned sheet portion and a remaining sheet portion. This method thereafter cools at least the patterned sheet portion below a heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material, forms the remaining sheet portion, and then cools the remaining sheet portion below the heat deflection temperature so that features other than the central pattern, such as nail and butt edges, can be mechanically worked into the polymeric sheet.

Abstract: A geotextile fabric constructed as a bi-axially oriented, open grid of high modulus of elasticity strands impregnated with resinous material which is flexible when cured. The fabric may be stored and installed in roll or sheet form and provides high-strength, low-strain reinforcement of earthen structures which is resistant to abrasion, water and chemical attack from soil.