Abstract: Provided is a novel fiberglass binder comprising a polycarboxy polymer and a polyol. The amount of polycarboxy polymer and polyol contained in the binder is such that the ratio of equivalents of hydroxyl groups to carboxy groups is preferably in the range from about 0.6/1 to 0.8/1. It is further preferred that the molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is less than 10,000, and more preferably less than 5000.

Abstract: Electrical resistant bushings and methods for making fibers such as glass fibers by passing molten glass through these bushings to form fibers wherein the bushings have novel ears for attaching to electrical terminal clamps bringing electrical current to the bushing are disclosed. The novel ears have at least one generally V shaped notch at or near the unattached end of the ear to produce an improved temperature profile on the tip plate of the bushing. One preferred bushing of the invention has ears having 5 generally V shaped notches therein.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an acoustic and/or thermal characteristic of a target material are provided. The system includes an acoustic source arranged to direct a sound wave at a target material; a device for measuring a sound pressure generated by at least the acoustic sensor, to obtain a sound pressure measurement; a density sensor arranged to measure a density of the target material to obtain a density measurement; and an analyzer arranged to receive the sound pressure measurement and the density measurement. The analyzer is capable of determining an acoustic and/or thermal characteristic of the target material based on the sound pressure measurement and/or the density measurement.

Abstract: An improved strippable glass fiber wall covering and process for its formation are provided. Initially, both sides of a glass fiber fabric are coated with a first coating applied from an aqueous dispersion of starch binder and polymeric latex binder. In a preferred embodiment a cross-linking agent and pigment also are present in the first aqueous dispersion. Following the drying of such dispersion to form a first coating on both surfaces, a second dried coating is provided on one side only that serves as a separation layer. The second coating is applied from an aqueous dispersion comprising paraffin and a rheology modifier. When applied to the wall in conventional manner, the separation layer facilitates the removal of the wall covering with ease when its time of usefulness is concluded.

Abstract: An elongated fibrous insulation blanket is pre-cut for custom fitting the insulation blanket into wall, floor, ceiling and roof cavities of different widths formed by the framework of a building. The blanket has one or more cuts extending for the length of the blanket which separate the blanket into two or more longitudinally extending sections. Adjacent sections of the blanket are joined together along the cut(s) by separable adhesive connectors which hold together the sections of the blanket for handling, but are separable by hand along the cut(s) so that the blanket can be handled as a unit for insulating a cavity having a predetermined width or easily separated by hand into two or more sections at a cut for insulating a cavity having a lesser width. The pre-cut insulation blanket may have a facing sheet, overlaying and bonded to a major surface of the blanket, that is separable by hand along the cut(s).

Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.

Abstract: An elongated fibrous insulation blanket is pre-cut for custom fitting the insulation blanket into wall, floor, ceiling and roof cavities of different widths formed by the framework of a building. The blanket has at least one, preferably two or three, series of cuts extending between major surfaces of the blanket with successive cuts of each series of cuts being separated by a series of separable connectors located intermediate the major surfaces of the blanket. Each series of separable connectors hold together adjacent sections of the blanket for handling, but are separable by hand so that the blanket can be handled as a unit for insulating a cavity having a predetermined width or easily separated by hand into two or more sections at one or more of the series of separable connectors for insulating a cavity having a lesser width.

Abstract: The facing of a faced insulation layer has Z-folded, double-folded, or single-folded lateral tabs extending the length of the facing sheet along or spaced inwardly from lateral edges of the facing sheet. Each lateral tab has multiple segments. One of the segments of each lateral tab has an adhesive thereon that can be exposed and extended beyond one of the lateral edges of the insulation layer for bonding the faced insulation layer to a framing member. Where the blanket is separable into sections, the facing has pairs of separable tabs that separate when the blanket is separated to expose surfaces of the separable tabs with adhesive thereon. The adhesive may be microencapsulated or have microencapsulated constituent(s).

Abstract: A fiber glass mat containing a novolac resin having an acid solubility of at least about 35 wt. percent is especially useful for bonding to a light weight fibrous or foam web or board, such as a polymer fiber web. A method of making the mat by wet laying a slurry containing the fiber and the novolac resin particles and then further adding an aqueous solution or slurry containing a crosslinking agent for the novolac resin and a laminate containing the fiber glass mat are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which comprises a polycarboxy polymer modified with a fatty acid, and a polyol. The binder also preferably includes a catalyst which is an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a fiberglass product which exhibits minimal water absorption.

Abstract: A system for improved sound absorption, including a substrate of porous insulation material and of a first air flow resistance, and a facing material attached to the substrate and of a second air flow resistance, wherein a total system resistance is a combination of the first and second air flow resistances, and wherein the total system resistance and the second air flow resistance are of relatively low values.

Abstract: A new foam coated nonwoven fibrous mat having properties particularly suited for a facer on gypsum wallboard, laminates made therefrom and the method of making the mat is disclosed. The mat preferably contains a major portion of glass fibers and a minor portion of a resinous binder. The foam coating is permeable and reduces fiber dust and abrasion experienced in the past with relatively coarse, relatively inexpensive glass fibers in the mat. Contrary to previous methods, the foam coated fibrous mat is made in-line on a wet mat forming production line by applying a wet foam binder onto a wet, fibrous web followed by drying and curing in-line.

Abstract: A reinforced membrane, particularly well suited for use as a membrane in a single ply roofing membrane system, includes first and second thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”) sheets and a polypropylene reinforcing mesh or scrim intermediate the first and second thermoplastic olefin sheets and bonded to the first and second thermoplastic olefin sheets.

Abstract: At least one longitudinally extending series of cuts and separable connectors is formed in a fibrous insulation blanket with one or more rotating compression-cutting blades and a cooperating anvil to form separable blanket sections in the insulation blanket. The size and configuration of the teeth and notches in the compression-cutting blade, which may be determined through the use of an empirical equation, insure that the insulation blanket has the integrity to be handled and installed as a unit, but can be separated by hand into the blanket sections. The anvil has a moving surface that drives the compression-cutting blade at the velocity blanket is being fed between the cutting blade and the anvil.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping continuous items like fiber, fiber strand, yarn, string, wire, tape or ribbon, etc. which enters the chopper in unwound form at a high linear speed is disclosed having improvements and permit the chopper to tilt to change the angle of discharge of the chopped items(s). Also disclosed is a fast acting roll retainer and a chopper having the fast acting roll retainer that permits a backup roll and a blade roll to be removed and replaced in a faster and lesser damaging manner. Methods of chopping and changing rolls on an apparatus using the disclosed apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pipe insulation assembly includes a length of tubular insulation with a longitudinally extending slit so that the tubular insulation can be passed over and mounted on a length of pipe and a jacket overlaying the outer surface of the tubular insulation. To facilitate the installation of the pipe insulation assembly, a ruler, which is associated with the jacket and, preferably, no longer visible when the pipe insulation is mounted on a pipe, extends for the length of the jacket and is located adjacent the slit in the tubular insulation. The ruler has units of linear measurement marked thereon for measuring the pipe insulation assembly in the direction of the length of the pipe insulation assembly.

Abstract: A method of controlling process variables, for a fiberizing assembly including a rotary fiberizing disk in the manufacture of fibers from a high temperature, molten, clear or translucent, thermoplastic, fiberizable material, utilizes an optical sensor assembly. The optical sensor assembly includes a water-cooled optical fiber sensor probe which, in effect, only gathers light emitted from the external sidewall surface of the rotary fiberizing disk. The light is conducted from the probe to an electronic unit that converts the light energy into a temperature value. This temperature value is used to monitor the process and to make any changes in process variables, such as but not limited to heat input to the fiberizing disk, rate of rotation of the fiberizing disk, burner air/fuel ratio, required to produce fibers having desired fiber properties.

Abstract: Provided are glass compositions uniquely applicable for the preparation of ultrafine fibers for filtration and separation applications. The glasses meet all physical and chemical criteria, including that for biodissolution rate. In particular, the glasses exhibit good moisture resistance in combination with excellent biosolubility, allowing for storage of products under humid conditions and degradation at a high rate in the body if inhaled.

Abstract: Spinner discs for use in the fiberization of glass in rotary fiberization processes are made of intermetallic compounds of aluminides of nickel (Ni3Al and NiAl).

Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.