Abstract: A multiple layer fiber filled sound absorber and method of manufacturing the absorber are disclosed. The sound absorber includes an outer housing, a porous or perforated inner tube or housing defining a passageway through which a gas may flow, and two layers of sound absorbing material, such as fiberglass wool, is positioned between the housings. The sound absorbing material adjacent the inner housing is selected to be more heat resistant than the material farther away from the inner housing. The sound absorber is filled with the sound absorbing materials using a direct fill process in which continuous fibers are injected into the sound absorber. In preparation for filling, a partition is positioned between the housings to define two chambers. Each chamber is filled with one of the sound absorbing materials. The partition may then be removed from the sound absorber, or may be left in place (in which case the partition is preferably porous or perforated).

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing having a washing chamber and a door for gaining access to the washing chamber. A washing nozzle is provided in the washing chamber for directing a fluid stream against dishes held in the washing chamber. A circulation pump circulates fluid under pressure through the washing nozzle. A supply line delivers fluid to the circulation pump while a drain line discharges fluid from the washing chamber. Additionally the dishwasher includes an acoustical insulation blanket of thermoplastic material. That blanket extends around the washing chamber and the circulation pump and is precisely cut to fit snugly around the fluid supply line and the drain line so as to eliminate gaps therebetween and the acoustical leaks associated therewith. A method is also disclosed for enclosing the noise-generating components of the dishwasher in an acoustical insulation blanket of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention involves applying a chemical treatment to fibers, such as reinforcing fibers suitable for making a composite article, so as to size and/or preimpregnate the fibers. The chemical treatment has a relatively low viscosity and is substantially solvent-free and non-radiation curable. Heat energy may be employed to lower the viscosity and improve the wetting ability of the applied treatment and/or to increase the molecular weight of, or otherwise cure, the treatment with essentially no generation of solvent vapor. The treated fibers are used to form a composite strand, which may be subsequently processed in-line or off-line into a composite article having fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. Another general aspect relates to encased composite strands, in thread or pellet form, and to wire-coating methods and apparatus for making them. The strands are moldable into fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite articles.

Abstract: A flame resistant insulation product comprises a fibrous mineral material that has been rotary fiberized, preferably a fibrous glass. The composition of the mineral material has a softening point of at least about 699° C. An insulated duct includes a tubular wall that defines a hollow interior for conducting a fluid, and a layer of the insulation product wrapped about the wall. The mineral material reduces the number of samples of the insulated duct failing the flame penetration test of a UL 181 Standard compared to the same insulated duct with a mineral material having a softening point of less than 699° C.

Abstract: A roof covering has a back surface and a plurality of glass particles applied as a backdust on the back surface. A method of manufacturing a roof covering includes coating a substrate with an organic-based coating material, and applying a plurality of glass particles as a backdust on the back surface of the coated substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing laminated roofing shingles comprises coating a continuously supplied shingle mat having a width W with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt coated sheet, and subjecting the asphalt coated sheet to one of two subsequent processes. The first process comprises covering the asphalt coated sheet with granules in a first pattern suitable for making laminated shingles with an overlay having tabs and cutouts, where the area of the tabs approximately equals the area of the cutouts, thereby forming a first granule covered sheet. The second process comprises covering the asphalt coated sheet with granules in a second pattern suitable for making laminated shingles with an overlay having tabs and cutouts, where the area of the tabs is substantially greater than the area of the cutouts, thereby forming a second granule covered sheet.

Abstract: A premises cable having a plurality of inorganic fibers for protecting and suspending a plurality of optical fibers within a polymer jacket. The inorganic fibers, preferably glass fibers, do not generate smoke or fire and thus offer an improvement over traditional polyaramid fibers used as reinforcement materials in premises cables. A sizing composition is applied to the inorganic fibers to prevent ribbonization of the inorganic fibers, thereby preventing attenuation of the optical fibers caused by such a ribbonization and also allowing a uniform distribution of glass fibers around the optical fibers to further protect the optical fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing noise emitted from an appliance having a cabinet that supports at least one component that emits at least one acoustic pressure wave therefrom. In a preferred form, the apparatus comprises at least one diffuser having at least one deflection surface. The diffuser is coupled to the cabinet and positioned relative to the one component such that the acoustic pressure wave emitted from the component is deflected by the one deflection surface in a predetermined direction. The diffuser can be used to deflect acoustic pressure waves such that they collide with each other. The apparatus may further include at least one absorber. The diffuser is strategically located to deflect acoustic pressure waves being emitted from the component into the absorber to reduce the noise emitted from the appliance.

Abstract: A hip and ridge shingle includes a base sheet having colored granules adhered to the top surface. A chip is adhered to the base at the trailing edge of the base sheet. A sealant bead is provided parallel to and adjacent the leading edge of base sheet.

Abstract: A granule covered roofing shingle has a lower, tab portion, an upper, headlap portion, a first end and a second end, the shingle being suitable for installing on roof decks end-to-end with similar shingles in overlapping longitudinal courses, the tab portion having tabs and cutouts. The shingle has a fractional tab at each end of the shingle, and one or more whole tabs positioned between the ends of the shingle. The whole tabs and fractional tabs include a layer of granules to form a color blend, wherein both the fractional tabs of the shingle have the same color blend. When the shingle is installed on a roof deck with other substantially identically shaped shingles in overlapping longitudinal courses, adjacent shingles in the same course of shingles have fractional tabs that adjoin each other and that are of the same generally uniform color blend so that the two adjoining fractional tabs have the appearance of a single tab.

Abstract: A method and container for reducing fuming of asphalt in a heated vessel, including placing asphalt in a heated vessel to heat the asphalt to a molten state, adding a blanket material to the asphalt, the blanket material being substantially insoluble in the molten asphalt to form a skim thereon to reduce fuming therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a multicomponent mat, the multicomponent mat which is formed from glass fibers and natural fibers and methods of making a multicomponent mat. Initially in the method of forming a multicomponent mat, a natural fiber slurry is formed. The next step involves using a surfactant to disperse glass fibers in white water. The natural fiber slurry and the slurry of glass fibers are generally compatible and are combined to form a multicomponent slurry which is used to form a multicomponent mat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for sealing a package. The apparatus comprises a first rotating belt and a second rotating belt adjacent to the first rotating belt. The first and second rotating belt have a synchronized travel speed. The first rotating belt carries a sealing device for sealing a package, the package being located between said first and second belts.

Abstract: A method of reducing humping of a laminated roofing shingle when the shingle is stacked with others of the shingle involves shingles that include a longitudinal central area having an overlay laminated with an underlay. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the central area. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of reducing humping of a laminated roofing shingle including an overlay, an underlay, and an adhesive between the overlay and the underlay in an area of the shingle. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the adhesive area. In a further embodiment, the invention is a method of reducing humping of a roofing shingle having a sealant in an area of the shingle. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the sealant area.

Abstract: A method of applying blend drop granules to an asphalt coated sheet includes moving an asphalt coated sheet in a machine direction, and depositing blend drops of granules on a blend drop conveyor that is positioned above the asphalt coated sheet. The blend drop conveyor has an upper flight moving in a direction opposite the machine direction and a lower flight moving in the machine direction. The blend drops are moved from the upper flight to the lower flight of the blend drop conveyor while retaining the blend drops in contact with the blend drop conveyor by magnetic force. Finally. The blend drops are released from the blend drop conveyor for contact with the asphalt coated sheet.

Abstract: An adhesive for a roof covering comprises asphalt, polymer and crosslinker. The crosslinker is a phenolic resin or a phenol-aldehyde resin. In another embodiment, the adhesive comprises asphalt, polymer and crosslinker, and it excludes polyfunctional amine having at least two amino groups.

Abstract: A laminated shingle has a rendered shadow design when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more tabs separated by cutouts. The underlay member is coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to form vertically and horizontally-oriented shading areas. In one embodiment, one or both vertical edges of each tab are generally parallel to the vertically-oriented longitudinal axis of the vertically-oriented shading area to expose a portion of the shading area. In another embodiment, the width of each tab is randomly selected and the width of the vertically-oriented shading area is a function of the width of the adjacent tab. In yet another embodiment, the intensity of the shading areas can increase from the bottom to the top of each cutout.

Abstract: Asphalt is packaged in containers having breakage means, such as short notches, long channels, wedges or molded parts, to allow for easy breakage into smaller portions for ease of handling and feeding into kettles. Asphalt is also packaged so as to improve cold flow of the block while simultaneously reducing fumes at the kettle. The containers have various features to enhance processability and handleability, including a handhold portions and/or scooped portions.