Abstract: A panel has a gypsum matrix, in which the following additives are embedded: glass fibre in an amount greater than 1 wt % relative to the gypsum and a synthetic polymeric binder in an amount greater than 2.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The glass fibre and synthetic polymeric binder are present in a weight ratio of at least 2 parts binder to one part fibre. The amount of sand present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-0.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The amount of cellulosic fibre present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-2 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a building board construction with increased surface strength. More specifically, increased nail pull strength is achieved via the application of an external surface coating. The surface coating is ideally applied to a paper faced gypsum building board. In one possible embodiment, the coating is formed from a water soluble polymer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using polyester films on building boards to enable improved surface coatings. The polyester film is preferably applied to a glass mat via an adhesive to form a laminate. This laminate is then bonded to the exterior surface of a gypsum board. The polyester film is advantageous because it allows for exterior surface coatings to be applied. In one embodiment, an exterior acrylic coating is applied to the polyester film. Boards constructed in accordance with this disclosure allow for exterior finishings to be achieved without the need for excessive finishing materials or steps.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: •forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; •casting the mixture in a continuous band; •maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; •cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and •drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. •The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; •the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; •the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the stucco; •the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; •the fluidizer is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having a polymeric additive distributed therein in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further having a first group of fibres and a second group of fibres embedded therein, wherein the fibres of the first group of fibres have an average length that is at least three times the average length of the fibres of the second group of fibres.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having a polymeric additive distributed therein in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further having a first group of fibres and a second group of fibres embedded therein, wherein the fibres of the first group of fibres have an average length that is at least three times the average length of the fibres of the second group of fibres.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: • forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; • casting the mixture in a continuous band; • maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; • cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and • drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. • The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; • the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; • the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; • the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; • the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry construction system for making partition walls (1), suspended ceilings or the like, with a support structure (2), a cladding (3) arranged on at least one side of this, and an insulation layer (4), wherein the support structure (2) comprises a plurality of carrier profiles (22), to which at least one cladding (3) is secured, and wherein the carrier profiles (22) are formed from a sheet material and exhibit in cross-section a basic section and two limb sections arranged perpendicular thereto, and comprise an embossing with regularly distributed elevations and depressions. In this situation, the centre-to-centre distance between two adjacent elevations of the embossing on one side of the sheet material is less than six times the rated sheet thickness, and the base section is connected to the adjacent limb section in each case by a curved section with an outer radius which amounts to at least three times the rated sheet thickness.

Abstract: A method for producing building boards includes unwinding a facing sheet from a supply roll of facing sheet over top of a forming table that includes a series of nozzles. A volume of cementitious material is deposited from a slurry mixing device to the unwound facing sheet. Pressurized air is supplied from an air source to the series of nozzles, whereby a cushion of air is created between the unwound facing sheet and the forming table.

Abstract: A drier for drying boards (32) comprises at least one conduit (34, 40) for directing airflow towards one of the faces of the board (32). The drier is configured such that at least a portion of the airflow travels across the face of the board (32) along the longitudinal axis of the drier, the longitudinal axis of the drier being the axis along which the board (32) travels as it is dried.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using polyester films on building boards to enable improved surface coatings. The polyester film is preferably applied to a glass mat via an adhesive to form a laminate. This laminate is then bonded to the exterior surface of a gypsum board. The polyester film is advantageous because it allows for exterior surface coatings to be applied. In one embodiment, an exterior acrylic coating is applied to the polyester film. Boards constructed in accordance with this disclosure allow for exterior finishings to be achieved without the need for excessive finishing materials or steps.

Abstract: A method of conditioning stucco comprises the steps of supplying a quantity of stucco particles to a reaction vessel, the stucco particles comprising calcium sulphate hemihydrate and/or calcium sulphate anhydrite, as well as calcium sulphate dihydrate; and conditioning the stucco particles at a temperature of at least 100° C. and a humidity of at least 70%. During the step of conditioning the stucco particles, the bulk density of the stucco particles within the reaction vessel is at least 1 g/cm3.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

Abstract: A pressing assembly (10) and a method for forming a depression (105) within a moving, wet gypsum board (100) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a pressing head (16) comprising a pressing surface which is arranged to contact the board, and a support member (17), the pressing head (16) being arranged to compress a portion of the board between the pressing surface and the support member (17) to form a depression (105) within the board (10). The pressing surface comprises a first and second surface portion (24, 25) separated by a relief portion (27), which is arranged to press the board (100) toward the support head (17) with less compressive force than the first and second surface portion (24, 25).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using polyester films on building boards to enable improved surface coatings. The polyester film is preferably applied to a glass mat via an adhesive to form a laminate. This laminate is then bonded to the exterior surface of a gypsum board. The polyester film is advantageous because it allows for exterior surface coatings to be applied. In one embodiment, an exterior acrylic coating is applied to the polyester film. Boards constructed in accordance with this disclosure allow for exterior finishings to be achieved without the need for excessive finishing materials or steps.

Abstract: A gypsum product has a first polymeric additive and a second polymeric additive distributed therein, wherein the first polymeric additive is a synthetic polymer and the second polymeric additive is starch. It has been found that the combination of starch and a synthetic polymer may result in one or more of the following advantages in the manufacture and performance of gypsum products: —increased strength; —greater ease of manufacturing due to the increased fluidity of stucco slurries containing both additives; and —increased resistance to hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the operation of an apparatus comprises a panel (16) and an acoustic sensor (26). The panel provides a partition within a building structure, while the acoustic sensor is adapted to detect acoustic waves propagating through the panel. When a user exerts pressure against the panel, the sensor detects the acoustic waves that are formed and emits signals for controlling the operation of an apparatus, such as a doorbell, a light source, a television, a sound system, a ventilation system, a window blind, a radio or an alarm.

Abstract: A building product comprises calcium sulphate dihydrate particles bound by an organic binder. The calcium sulphate dihydrate particles each have a longest dimension and a lateral dimension, wherein the lateral dimension corresponds to the maximum breadth of the particle about the axis defined by the longest dimension. The calcium sulphate dihydrate particles have a low aspect ratio such that for at least 75% of the calcium sulphate dihydrate particles, the value of the lateral dimension is at least 20% of the value of the longest dimension.

Abstract: A connector for connecting together first and second elongate members is described. Each of the members to be joined by the connector comprises an open channel extending along the member, the channel having an opening along one side of the member and being partially enclosed by a lip extending along the opening. The connector comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is shaped to fit into the channel of the first member via one end of the first member. The second end portion is shaped to achieve one of two types of engagement with another channel. Firstly, it may be shaped to permit its insertion into the channel of the second member via the opening when the connector is in a first rotational position with respect to the second member.