Abstract: An apparatus for and method of recycling the edge portion of a chopped strand mat are disclosed. The method includes the steps of trimming an edge portion of the chopped strand mat, transporting the edge portion to a shredder assembly, and shredding the edge portion into individual strands or filaments. The separated strands are introduced with new chopped strands into the chopped strand mat forming process. The apparatus for recycling the edge portion of the mat includes a shredder assembly for separating the edge portion into individual strands. The shredder assembly includes two pairs of rollers that engage the trimmed edge portion. The first and second pairs of rollers are driven at first and second rotational speeds, respectively. Preferably, the second speed is greater than the first speed. The mat is pinched between each pair of rollers and is thereby placed under tension due to the different rotational speeds.

Abstract: An air cannon, formed by associating an air amplifier and an outlet cone with one another, receives chopped fibers and forcefully deposits the chopped fibers on a collection surface or web moving beyond an outlet end of the outlet cone. The air amplifier includes insert structure formed of an abrasion resistant material to prevent abrasive wear within the air amplifier caused by the chopped fibers. A binder is applied to the resulting mat of chopped fibers, the binder is activated by the application of energy with the resulting treated mat being compacted, cooled and rolled up to form a chopped strand mat package. For wide mats, one or more banks of air cannons extend across the moving collection web.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width and including a first and second section, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt, is folded so that the first section is generally parallel to and contacting the second section. The batt has two folds across its width and located between the first and second sections. The two folds are spaced apart from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the uncompressed insulation batt. The two sections of the batt remain generally parallel to and contact each other when the batt is laid horizontal and in an unrestrained condition.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width and including a first and second section, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt, is folded so that the first section is generally parallel to and contacting the second section. The batt has two folds across its width and located between the first and second sections. The two folds are spaced apart from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the uncompressed insulation batt. The two sections of the batt remain generally parallel to and contact each other when the batt is laid horizontal and in an unrestrained condition.