Abstract: A vitreous product which can be used in agriculture is disclosed. With the exception of nitrogen, this vetreous product contains all the major and minor mineral elements which are essential for the nutrition of plants.The vitreous products can contain the following constituents, taken in the following proportions by weight:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 25 to 65% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 1 to 15% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 1 to 15% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.01 to 2% K.sub.2 O 5 to 35% MnO 0.01 to 3% CaO 11 to 35% ZnO 0.01 to 3% MgO 1 to 10% CuO 0.01 to 2% SO.sub.3 0.01 to 1% MoO.sub.3 0.01 to 3% Na.sub.2 O 0 to 2% A1.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: From a mineral fibre strip supplied in roll form, portions (L) are cut off, the length of which corresponds to the width of a rafter area between rafters plus an oversize designed to produce a clamping effect. Formed in this way, the mineral fibre panels are so inserted into the rafter area that the lateral edges of the mineral fibre strip form the top edge and the bottom edge of the panels. In this way, it is possible to achieve virtually completely wastage-free roof insulation even when the distances between the roof rafters vary considerably, and it is possible to work with material of one uniform and considerable width which is supplied in the form of rolls. By reason of the considerable width of the mineral fibre strip, insulation of one rafter area over its entire length requires only a few mineral fibre panels, with few joints being produced.

Abstract: Fibrous flakes used to reconstitute heat and sound insulants in the form of felts are themselves produced from a compressed fleece by an opening operation. The flakes detached from the fleece are carried away from the opening device in order to be used immediately.

Abstract: Fibres, particularly glass or rock wool fibres coated with a modified polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer and suitable for use as a base material to produce a surface coating on a backing by simultaneous spraying of the coated fibres mixed with water and a cross-linking agent. A method of producing the fibres to make them suitable to be sprayed in the manner described is also provided.

Abstract: In the manufacture of insulating shells formed by a felt of mineral fibers wound around a mandrel, main pressing elements intervene as soon as the winding begins and remain in contact with the surface of the shell during the entire winding phase. Auxiliary pressing elements intervent only when the shell, during shaping, has reached a given outside diameter of, for example, 200 mm. The process applies particularly to the insulation of conduits of small and average outside diameters.

Abstract: A composite panel molded between a male stamping part and a female stamping part, and comprising a layer of mineral fibers having on selected zones particularly edges which are of three times the density which is normal in the panel, a surfacing layer destroyed under the action of the heat released by a knife above the said selected zones and a surfacing layer which covers the said slected zones, and a process for making the same are disclosed.The composite panel is used particularly as an inner trim for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The process according to the invention consists of superposing a plurality of panels of compressible materials (1), of providing the pile thus produced with at least one enclosure (2) of shrinkable plastic material, of subjecting the pile to a first compression normally on its wide surface, of causing the shrinking of the enclosure (2) on the compressed pile to provide a package, of superposing in order of thickness a plurality of identical packages of compressed panels, of applying a flat rigid element (12) against each of the terminal surfaces of the pile of packages thus produced, of subjecting the said pile to a second compression, perpendicular to the flat elements (12) and of joining the pile of packages (5) thus compressed with the aid of assembly means.

Abstract: This invention relates to internal combustion burners. In the burners according to the invention, the combustible mixture flows in counter-current to the combustion gases while in contact with the same, and the introduction of the mixture into the combustion chamber is effected along a wall of said chamber and the emitted gases leave the chamber along a second wall thereof, the two walls being opposite one another. The burners according to the invention, which have improved performance and versatility of use, are of use more particularly for mineral fibre drawing processes.

Abstract: An improved charging process for an enclosure for melting materials such as blast furnace slags or basaltic glasses. The supply of combustive gas is carried out nonuniformly in order to create a gas circulation velocity gradient in the section of the cupola corresponding to the level of the tap hole, with the lowest circulation velocities meeting in the vicinity of the tap hole.

Abstract: The process according to the invention consists of superposing a plurality of panels (1), of providing the pile thus produced with at least one enclosure (2) of shrinkable plastic material, of subjecting the pile to a first compression in a direction normal to its wide surface, of causing the shrinking of the enclosure (2) on the compressed pile to provide a package, of superposing in order of thickness a plurality of identical packages of compressed panels, of applying a flat rigid element (12) against each of the terminal surfaces of the pile of packages thus produced, of subjecting the said pile to a second compression, perpendicular to the flat elements (12) and of joining the pile of packages (5) thus compressed with the aid of assembly means.The invention is applied to the packaging of panels of compressible materials.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous manufacture of differing mineral fiber products, wherein control parameters associated with each fiber product to be manufactured are changed when the production line is to be changed from the production of one product to that of another. For this purpose, the individual control parameters for a new product are first adjusted by hand by means of a reference value adjusting device in the course of a test cycle and thereby optimized. Control signals corresponding to the adjustments thus obtained for a respective fiber product are then stored in a fixed memory and are addressable by means of a common address. If production of the same product is subsequently to be resumed, the set of associated control signals is transferred from the fixed memory to a CPU, whereby the whole production line or an envisaged part of the production line is immediately converted to the new product.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for cleaning crude gas, particularly waste gas from a mineral fibre production plant and contaminated with phenol and/or formaldehyde and/or the products of condensation thereof, wherein the crude gas is sprayed with a circulated washing liquid enriched with micro-organisms, some of the impurities contained in the crude gas being in this way agglutinated, the washing liquid being collected in a storage tank and the impurities contained therein being at least partly degraded by the micro-organisms which are themselves subjected to an activation process, and wherein, after it leaves the spraying tower, the crude gas sprayed with the washing liquid is passed through the electric high-voltage field of a wet film precipitator in which the aerosols are separated and fed to the storage tank or collecting tank. The cleaned gas has substantially lower emission levels than previously and is odorless and colorless.

Abstract: Method for longitudinal cutting of a wall of a fibrous tubular product in a step shaped profile. The apparatus comprises two parallel main blades which form radial cuts into the wall, slightly displaced from each other. One cut is made radially inward from the outer surface; and the other cut is made radially outward from the inner surface. Each cut extends toward the center of the shell wall to a depth approximately one half the thickness of the shell wall. A third cut is made within the shell wall perpendicular to and joining the other two cuts. These three cuts form a smooth step shaped cut through the wall and facilitate installation of the shell around conduit while minimizing heat loss and mechanical stresses within the wall.

Abstract: The preparation of adhesive compounds for mineral fiber felts, involves combining and mixing several constituents in the liquid state. These constituents are taken to a preparation container (12) using one or several conduits (13) the number of which is smaller than the number of constituents, with each conduit (13) being connected by one or several valves (10) to constituent feed equipment, with each valve (10) controlling the sequential introduction of a constituent into a conduit (13), with a mass flow meter-type device being placed on each conduit (13), downstream from the valves (10), with the compound prepared subsequently passing from the preparation container (12) to a utilization circuit.

Abstract: In the packaging of products such as rolls of mineral wool felts, a series of members entrain the felt into a space in which the rolling-up takes place. At least one of these members is mobile in relation to the others in order to alter the size of the space in which the rolling-up takes place as the roll of felt increases in size. This movable member is a roller whose surface contracting the felt is covered with an inorganic coating resistant to abrasion and adapted to have a rough finish.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high density composite sheet based on discontinuous mineral fibers. The inventive sheet has a content of mineral fibers greater than 70 wt. % of the total weight of fibers and binder, and has a density between 400 and 1600 kg/m.sup.3. The sheet can be employed in particular as an architectural structural wall facing, as a component of a composite insulating panel, etc., and is formed by compressing at high pressure at least one non-woven layer of discontinuous mineral fibers provided with a polymerizable resin which is cured during compression.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: A fibrous mineral material serving as an absorbent, especially for hygienic products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages and similar products, is comprised at least partially of these mineral fibers, which have a specific surface area greater than 0.25 m.sup.2 /g. The material has an appreciably greater absorption capacity than the regularly-used cellulose fluff-based products.