Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition is disclosed that comprises at least one long-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of at least 2,000 Daltons; a primary cross-linking agent comprising at least two carboxylic acid groups; and a secondary cross-linking agent comprising a short-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight less than 2,000 Daltons.

Abstract: A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

Abstract: An exemplary roofing system for covering an existing shingle roof with an exposure height measured between bottom edges of adjacent courses is disclosed. The roofing shingle system comprising includes a plurality of reroofing shingles. The reroofing shingles have an exposure portion extending from a top edge to a bottom edge for a height that is at least the exposure height of the existing shingle roof. At least one course of reroofing shingles is installed on at least one course of the existing shingle roof, wherein the course of the existing roof is covered by the at least one course of reroofing shingles. The top edge of the reroofing shingles abuts the bottom edge of the adjacent course of existing shingles.

Abstract: A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition is disclosed that comprises at least one long-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of at least 2,000 Daltons; a primary cross-linking agent comprising at least two carboxylic acid groups; and a secondary cross-linking agent comprising a short-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight less than 2,000 Daltons.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a visible region for guiding an installer on proper placement of fasteners that secure the shingle to a surface. The visible region is formed by abrading material from the shingle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for filling a muffler body with a fibrous material prior to completing assembly of the muffler body are disclosed.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free, aqueous binder composition that includes a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and a pre-reacted product of an alcohol or polyol and monomeric or polymeric polycarboxylic acid or polyglycerol is provided. The pre-reacted product may include glycerol and esters of citric acid such a monoglyceryl citrate, diglyceryl citrate, and triglyceryl citrate as well as other higher molecular weight citric acid-based esters. The inclusion of the pre-reacted product in the binder composition helps to speed the crosslinking reaction, induces faster water evaporation, decreases the viscosity of the binder, helps to reduce the amount of water needed for application of the binder, decreases tackiness, and helps to achieve a maximum vertical expansion of the insulation pack in the transfer zone. The binder composition may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats.

Abstract: An assembly for chopping glass fibers including a cutter wheel having a plurality of radially extending blades and a cot wheel adjacent the cutter wheel. The cot wheel including an inner hub, an elastomeric ring mounted onto the inner hub for rotation therewith; and a retaining device fixably attached to the hub and engaging the elastomeric ring to resist separation of the elastomeric ring from the hub during rotation of the cot wheel.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of forming structural components, such as a spar cap (503), from layers of a fiber reinforced material obtained from rolls of the material are disclosed. The system comprising: a plurality of rolls (514) including a first roll (514a) and a second roll (514b) of the fiber reinforced material (504), the first roll has one or more first lines (530) printed thereon. The first lines indicating where the fiber reinforced material on the first roll is to be separated into a plurality of discrete first pieces (531-1) for forming the structural component (503). The fiber reinforced material on the second roll has one or more second lines (530) printed thereon. The second lines indicating where the fiber reinforced material on the second roll is to be separated into a plurality of discrete second pieces (531-2) for forming the structural component (503). The systems and methods achieve a substantial reduction in the amount of wasted material.

Abstract: A machine for distributing unbonded loosefill insulation material through a hose connected thereto is disclosed. The machine includes a fluidizer having one or more air knives for conditioning the loosefill material as it is being applied.

Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes an overlay sheet, an underlay sheet, and a reinforcement member. The overlay sheet includes a headlap portion and a tab portion, wherein the overlay sheet has an overlay sheet height. The underlay sheet is secured to a bottom surface of the overlay sheet such that a region of the underlay sheet overlaps a region of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet, wherein the underlay sheet has a height equal to approximately half of the overlay sheet height. The reinforcement material is secured to a top surface of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet, wherein the reinforcement material is configured to improve nail pull-through, wherein the reinforcement material extends beyond the overlapping regions of the headlap portion and the underlay sheet.

Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.

Abstract: A sizing composition including water, a polyvinylpyrrolidone film former, a silane coupling agent, a lubricant, and a surfactant is provided. The polyvinylpyrrolidone film former constitutes from 30 wt. % to 50 wt. % of the dry solids of the sizing composition. Wet use chopped strand glass fibers for use in reinforcing gypsum board are also provided. The wet use chopped strand glass fibers include chopped glass fibers having the sizing composition applied thereto. The sizing composition improves fiber bundle integrity, fiber flow rate, fiber flow rate consistency, and dispersibility of the wet use chopped strand glass fibers in a gypsum matrix or slurry.

Abstract: A thermal appliance is provided. The thermal appliance includes a heating compartment within the enclosure that is surrounded by insulating material. The insulating material comprises one or more layers, and the insulating material includes at least one channel. A channel allows air to travel within the enclosure to hotspot locations.