Abstract: Fiber mats formed by attenuating molten streams of attenuable mineral material by subjecting the streams to the action of a hot attenuating gas blast. The gas blast induces gas from the surrounding atmosphere, and the combined blast and induced gas forming a fiber-carrying current. The current is directed toward a preforated fiber-collecting conveyor on which the fibers are deposited in the form of a mat and the gas of the current passes through the conveyor. Provision is made for withdrawing a peripheral portion of the fiber-carrying current at a point intermediate the zone of attenuation and the perforated fiber-collecting conveyor.

Abstract: By means of at least one radiation pyrometer, the radiation emission emerging at the surface of the peripheral wall of a centrifugal ring is continuously detected and used for process control as an actual value in a control circuit for hot gas flow. In consequence, optimum management of the centrifugal ring temperature is achieved and automation of the fibering process made possible, while at the same time harmful over-heating and shock-like temperature changes of the centrifugal ring are avoided.

Abstract: A condensation product of phenol, formaldehyde and urea condensed in the presence of a basic catalyst, said condensation product being a liquid and having a free phenol content below 0.5%, a free formaldehyde content below 3%, expressed by weight based on the total weight of liquid, and a dilutability, measured at 20.degree. C., of at least equal to 1000%.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fibrous panel and to a process and apparatus for its manufacture, the panel includes a dense felt mat (2) of mineral fibres having on at least one of its main surfaces an impervious covering (3, 7) consisting of a reinforcing film (3) of mineral fibres impregnated with a binder, for example bitumen, and bonded to the felt (2) by the binder, and having, on the external surface, a separating agent (7) glued to the film (3) by the binder, the agent (7) being self welding in the heat. The panels according to this invention are advantageous for the insulation and weatherproofing of roofs, especially those with only a slight slope, in particular on account of their reliability in use as well as that of the impervious coverings for which they serve as support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fibrous panel and to a process and apparatus for its manufacture, the panel includes a dense felt mat (2) of mineral fibres having on at least one of its main surfaces an impervious covering (3, 7) consisting of a reinforcing layer (3) of mineral fibres impregnated with a binder, for example bitumen, and bonded to the felt (2) by the binder, and having, on the external surface, a sheet of separating agent (7) glued to the reinforcing layer (3) by the binder, the agent (7) being self welding in the heat. The panels according to this invention are advantageous for the insulation and weatherproofing of roofs, especially those with only a slight slope, in particular on account of their reliability in use as well as that of the impervious coverings for which they serve as support.

Abstract: For all-over lining of a longitudinally slit pipe insulating shell consisting of mineral fibers, with a foil having a coating of a heat activatable adhesive, a fully automatic process uses the steps of bringing the foil into a preliminary position with its end portion bent over downwardly by means of a rail, subsequently moving the foil into a position of readiness in which its outer edge comes to bear on a vertically adjustable heating roller, so that an initial activation of the adhesive starts to take place, then raising the heating roller to the pipe insulating shell and permitting it to remain in this adhering position for a brief period, and finally carrying out the actual lining operation by rotating both the heating roller and the pipe insulating shell at the same peripheral speed, and in opposite direction by means of a winding mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of mineral fibers from a drawable material such as glass products, poured in the molten state onto a first centrifuging wheel before being conducted to a following wheel, each wheel transforming part of the molten material into fibers and dispatching the excess to the following wheel. A cooling water supply channel is arranged in the axis of each centrifuging wheel and is ridgidly coupled to the rotational movement of said wheel. Means of the helicoidal type, which are fixed to the channel, caused the water to advance to the end of the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of mineral fibers from a material melted in a cupola. To regularize the supply of material to the fiber-forming apparatus, the material emanating from the cupola and conveyed to the apparatus passes through a reserve.

Abstract: A condensation product of phenol, formaldehyde and urea condensed in the presence of a basic catalyst, said condensation product being a liquid and having a free phenol content below 0.5%, a free formaldehyde content below 3%, expressed by weight based on the total weight of liquid, and a dilutability, measured at 20.degree. C., of at least equal to 1000%.

Abstract: A technique of forming fibers, employing a drawing apparatus which apparatus is comprised of a centrifuge combined with a hot gas flow produced by a burner. The burner emits a continuous envelope along the centrifuge. This envelope is produced such that it flow out at the origin of a hyperboloidal configuration. This outflow is produced by feeding the burner from feed conduits which are inclined with respect to the axis of the burner.

Abstract: Glass fibers having the following constituents in the ranges of proportions indicated: SiO.sub.2, 57-70 wt. %; Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2-7 wt. %; CaO, 5-10 wt. %; MgO, 0-4 wt. %; B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-4.5 wt. %; and F, 0.5-4 wt. %; and wherein B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and F are present in amounts according to the relationship:3.ltoreq.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 +1.5 F.ltoreq.6.5and wherein the fibers also contain the alkali oxides Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O, in amounts according to the relationship:16 wt. %<Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 O<20 wt. %.The glass fibers are used advantageously in thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

Abstract: To produce a panel of variable thickness, a stratified assembly of a layer of fibers containing a non-polymerized binder and at least one cover sheet is placed between the mold and mold-backing of a molding press. The stratified assembly is caused to conform to the interior surface of the mold or mold-backing by forcing the cover sheet against the mold or mold-backing interior. Hot air is blown into the fiber layer from the mold surface opposite the cover sheet, into at least the region that will correspond to the area of greater thickness. The direction of the heated air is reversed after a period of time, the blowing of the air being maintained and adjusted in order to secure polymerization of the binder. At the same time, the portions of the panel corresponding to areas of lesser thickness, generally the edges of an acoustical panel, are cured (the binder polymerized) by contact heating means.

Abstract: A process for wrapping a rotating bale of mineral fiber strip in the form of a felt-roll with an outer closed-face backing strip with protective wrapping applied as part of the winding process for packaging which entails bringing the protective wrapping, having a coating of adhesive material at the back end thereof into the circumferential area of the rotating bale with the front end thereof, with a length exceeding the circumference of the bale and being frictionally connected to the bale; and turning the bale and pressing the back end of the protective wrapping onto the outside of the winding of the protective wrapping, therebelow, to attain a lasting bonding, wherein the frictional sticking connection between the front end of the protective wrapping and the bale is produced exclusively by an adhesive effect, between the inner surface facing the bale and the bare outer surface of the backing strip, and the front end of the protective wrapping is placed on the bale at a distance from the outside end of the l

Abstract: A liquid mixture containing a heat-expandable resin and a catalyst is cast onto a lower facing, which is heated from below to cause expansion of the mixture and hardening of its lower part. The upper surface of the expanding mixture is covered with an upper facing applied while that portion is still soft, and the composite formed thereby is introduced to a heated enclosure while the upper part remains soft. The thickness of the formed composite, and panels derived thereof, is calibrated or limited by opposed conveyors within said thermal enclosure, which limits the maximum expansion to a value less than the theoretical potential expansion of the foam, allowing hardening to be completed, and subsequent cutting of the composite into panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of fibre felts which are produced on centrifugation wheels, the material to be fiberized being conducted to the periphery of these wheels from the outside thereof, and the fibres being carried by gaseous currents to the receiving device (9).In order to improve the distribution of the fibres within these felts, additional gaseous jets are blown on the sides of the gaseous currents carrying the fibres along the lateral walls (10,11) bordering the receiving device (9).The invention enables satisfactory transverse distribution of the fibres to be achieved.

Abstract: A process for the improvement in the distribution of fibers in a fiber felt formed by retention of fibers entrained in a gaseous current is disclosed, along with apparatus suitable for practicing that process. The gaseous current is caused to pass through an oscillating guide duct, the frequency, amplitude and median direction of the oscillation, or at least one of those aspects, may be automatically regulated and altered in response to sensed variations in the distribution of the fiber. The distribution variations are measured by determining relative absorption of radiation across different portions of the width of the felt in comparison with the mean value of that distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming rolls of compressible materials such as a mineral wool felt, wherein the felt is rolled up in a space defined by a pair of conveyors and a compression roll. The position of at least one of these elements, particularly the compression roll, is varied during the course of winding, according to a preset program and as a function of the length of felt already rolled, in such a way as to produce a predetermined thickness in each turn of the rolled felt, whereby it is possible to achieve particularly more uniform compression over the entire length of the rolled up felt strip.

Abstract: A sensor for measurement of an energy flux and in particular a sensor for measurement of a heat flux or measurement of visible or infrared radiation. The energy flux sensor includes deposits of a first metal in the shape of plates on each of the faces of a substrate, metal-coated holes of the same first metal through the substrate joining one face to the other and surface elements of another metal having thermoelectric properties in relation to the first metal, placed in the thickness of the substrate. This sensor, alone or associated in series with other sensors, makes it possible to measure the thermal properties of certain construction materials, insulating materials in particular. It also makes it possible, when covered with an absorbing coating, to measure visible or infrared radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for controlling the distribution of fibers in a fiber felt forming process, which comprises a guide duct through which a gas current with felt fibers entrained is directed. The gas passes through a perforated conveyor, which retains the fibers.The duct is caused to oscillate by a connecting rod affixed to the guide duct and a rotary element by universal joints at either end, connection being effected by cardans, by which the rotary element entrains the connecting rod in its rotary movement. By moving the axis of rotation of the rotary element away from the center of the guide duct/connecting rod joint, an oscillating movement is imparted to the guide duct. The entire apparatus, including a motor for inducing rotary movement may be caused to undergo translational movement by a pair of opposed hydraulic jacks, the operation of which may alter the median direction of the movement of the oscillating guide duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to the analysis of defects in materials such as molten glass. According to the invention, the material passes by a monochrome beam the wavelength of which is below 3.times.10.sup.-6 m. The radiation is diffused by any defects present in the material. The analysis of the defects is conducted dependent on the position of the receiver detecting the diffused rays and on the shape of the signal received. The invention permits a continuous analysis of a flow of glass supplying a fiber-making machine.