Abstract: A non-porous, substantially hollow, expanded mineral product, such as expanded perlite, is produced by uniformly and indirectly heating ore for about 1 to 30 seconds in an expansion chamber maintained at about 1400.degree. F.-2100.degree. F. to produce uncoated particles which exhibit superior short term and long term density stability characterics in liquid systems, and which may subsequently be coated to provide enhanced density stability characteristics.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the treatment of mineral extender fillers. The mineral extender filler is treated essentially simultaneously with a halogenated organosilane and a compound containing an active hydrogen, preferably ammonia. The reaction is conducted at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature at which the halogenated organosilane is gaseous, but preferably no higher than 250.degree. C. This method is fast, efficient and economical.

Abstract: Particulate material is heated by directing a flame downwardly along the central axis of a vertically disposed furnace. The particulate material is introduced at a number of locations distributed radially around the flame at the upper end of the furnace. The particulate material is directed downwardly and toward the central axis of the furnace placing the particulate material within the flame as it passes downwardly through the furnace.

Abstract: Perlite board made from expanded perlite and a binder having the property of permanent tackiness in the dry state. The board may be made by expanding the perlite, adding a tacky resin emulsion to the perlite, drying the mixture and forming it into a board-like product.

Abstract: Fire resistant, loose-fill, thermal insulation made of a mixture of particulate expanded perlite and cellulose fiber. The mixture is rendered non-settling and resistant to separation by applying a permanently tacky material to the particulate expanded perlite.

Abstract: Expanded perlite is coated with polysiloxane, the coating dried, and subsequently strengthened by heating to form an attrition-resistant, non-porous, particulate filler suitable for inclusion in polymeric materials to reduce their bulk density.

Abstract: Thermal insulation of particulate expanded perlite that forms a low density, settle-resistant mass due to the coating of the perlite particles with a material rendering the individual particles slightly tacky.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating diatomaceous earth filteraids having a beer-soluble iron content of less than about 0.01% to further reduce the beer-soluble iron content by maintaining the filteraids in contact with a relatively small volume of an acid. In the filteraids so produced, the beer-soluble iron content can be reduced by as much as 70% to 100%. In making the filteraids of this invention, sulfuric acid in about 0.1 to about 3.0 normal solution can be used to treat the starting filteraids.

Abstract: Expanded perlite is coated with polysiloxane, the coating dried, and subsequently strengthened by heating to form an attrition-resistant, non-porous, particulate filler suitable for inclusion in polymeric materials to reduce their bulk density.

Abstract: Improved, low-cost filter aid materials are made from polyurethane and related polymers. A foam of the polymeric material is comminuted to eliminate substantially all closed cells. The resulting particles are graded to a desired average particle size.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating diatomaceous earth filteraids having a beer-soluble iron content of less than about 0.01% to further reduce the beer-soluble iron content by maintaining the filteraids in contact with a relatively small volume of an acid. In the filteraids so produced, the beer-soluble iron content can be reduced by as much as 70% to 100%. In making the filteraids of this invention, sulfuric acid in about 0.1 to about 3.0 normal solution can be used to treat the starting filteraids.

Abstract: A splicing strip is provided comprising a pair of mastic layers and a porous, flexible reinforcing sheet with the mastic layers in adherent contact through openings in the reinforcing sheet. A release sheet is attached to at least the outside face of one of the mastic layers, and a sheet of non-tacky material is attached to the outside face of the other of the mastic layers.

Abstract: A process for producing an expansion joint cover is provided for structures which comprises a substantially planar strip of flexible material with an insulating material affixed thereto, wherein the flexible planar strip has lateral portions extending beyond the insulating material with a means therein to retain mechanically a rigid reinforcing member to fixed elements of the building structure.

Abstract: A construction material in sheet form having at least two water barriers including a water-impermeable foamed intermediate layer, a mineral-based interior layer, and a prefinished, weatherable, water-impermeable non-asphaltic outer layer, with adjoining layers firmly adhered. Sheets of the construction material having a foamed intermediate layer and mitered edges exposing the foamed layers are joined by the steps of positioning the sheets with the mitered edges abutting opposite sides of the stem of a bulb-T rafter, the sheets being supported by the cross-member of the bulb-T rafter, forming a foam filler in the cavity created by the abutted mitered edges, and sealing the cavity with weatherable tape. A roof deck for use with bulb-T rafters, the roof deck constructed of the aforementioned sheets joined by the aforementioned method is also shown.

Abstract: A system for joining and adhering a pair of abutting panels to a rigid substrate and providing a seal against thermal and moisture transfer. The system is comprised of an elongated receptacle member with a base and a pair of spaced vertical elements extending upwardly from the base and forming a channel, to be placed under and between edges of the panels to be joined. The receptacle member is firmly attached to the rigid substrate by fastening means passed through the base. The adjacent side walls of the vertical elements include a plurality of vertically spaced, downwardly angled teeth projecting inwardly towards the center of the channel. An elongated resilient insert member includes a cap and a projection extending downwardly from said cap.

Abstract: A roofing system comprising a fire resistant rigid class A fire rated board as a substrate having bonded thereto a sheet of foamed, insulating resin and having a tough weather resistant membrane bonded to the upper surface. A ledge of substrate about 1/2 inch wide protrudes beyond the formed sheet to enable the composite to be fastened to a steel roof or the like by mechanical fasteners. The channel formed by the abutting roofing panels is filled with insulating foam and covered with a membrane strip which is attached at its edges to the membrane surface of the roofing panel.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealingly joining sheets of construction material laid with edges abutting over an underlying frame and having edges rabbeted to form a joint channel including a pad for lying in the channel, a cap permanently adhered to the pad member and having edges extending past the pad for sealingly contacting the unrabbeted sheet surfaces, a metal strip embedded in the pad, and screws for securing the metal strip to the frame to capture the rabbeted surfaces of the sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively comminuting particles of a frangible material for the production of filter aid, the apparatus including an air-conveying system for carrying entrained particles of varying masses, a venturi for accelerating the air stream and entrained particles, a duct for receiving the accelerated air stream and particles, and impact bars mounted in the duct for selectively fragmenting the entrained particles. The impact bars are positioned in the accelerated air stream to establish adverse pressure fields which classify the entrained particles and which provide impact surfaces to fragment particles greater than a predetermined mass, the rest of the particles being deflected around the bars by the action of the adverse pressure fields.

Abstract: To dry fragile low density materials without damage, gas assisted injection and suspension of damp powder to a low velocity stream of heated gas followed by cyclone drying assures long residence time and produces a free-flowing product.

Abstract: Shaped articles for construction and insulation which are water repellent are prepared by dry blending expanded perlite particles and fibers, applying to the resulting mixture a solution of a reactive synthetic organic binder in a low boiling organic solvent. The binder is capable of being cured at ambient temperatures and of reacting with hydroxyl groups present in the perlite and fibers to provide the articles with water repellent properties. The mixture containing binder is formed into the desired shape, e.g. panels, solvent is removed and the binder is cured at substantially ambient or slightly higher temperatures.