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: The present invention provides calcium sulphate-based product having reduced shrinkage after exposure to high temperatures, the product comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source (e.g. in an amount between 4-27 wt %) and a metal salt additive (in an amount between 0.5 and 10 wt %). The pozzolan source may be selected from a kaolinitic clay material, fly ash, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earths, volcanic ashes and pumices, micro-silica, silica fume and silicone oil. The metal salt additive may be a metal salt which decomposes between a temperature of 300-500° C. to yield a metal oxide, e.g. magnesium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum and silicone oil. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum and the silicone oil. The silicone oil is included in the slurry in an amount greater than 10 wt % which results in a product have greater than 8.5 wt % silicone oil. This improves structural integrity of the wallboard after exposure to elevated temperatures.

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: The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source such as a clay additive, rice husk ash or diatomaceous earth and a metal salt additive. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum, the pozzolan source and the metal salt additive. The clay additive may be a kaolinitic clay. The metal salt additive may be a magnesium salt e.g. magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride or magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: A calcium sulphate-based product including gypsum and a shrinkage resistance additive. The shrinkage resistance additive is a metal nitrate, hydroxide, acetate or sulphate and is preferably provided in an amount greater than 4 wt % (based on the amount of additive and gypsum). The additive may be a nitrate of an alkali metal (e.g. potassium), an alkaline earth metal (e.g. magnesium or calcium), a transition metal (e.g. iron or zinc) or aluminium.

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 element includes a sheet of a rigid material and at least one nonlinear energy sink including a blade with two end parts and a nonlinear spring function intermediate part, a mass fixed to the nonlinear spring function intermediate part of the blade, and a fixing element allowing the two end parts of the blade to be fixed to a solid support in such a way that the nonlinear spring function intermediate part can oscillate about its position of equilibrium or its positions of equilibrium. The nonlinear energy sink is fixed rigidly to the sheet by the fixing element. The building element can be contained in a partition wall. Additionally, such an energy sink or building element can be used for reducing the acoustic transparency of a wall.

Abstract: A plaster-based material, in particular a plasterboard intended for the interior fitting of dwellings, contains a metal complex of EDTA. The plaster-based material is used for reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds present in the atmosphere inside dwellings, offices or public buildings.

Abstract: A composition based on calcium carbonate includes nanometric boehmite and/or nanometric aluminium trihydroxide. A coating can be obtained from this composition. This composition makes it possible to obtain products having better high-temperature dimensional stability.

Abstract: An expansion anchor includes a screw and an anchor body configured to receive a shank of the screw, the anchor body including: a flange configured to be directed towards the screw head; a nut-forming portion configured to cooperate with the screw thread; and a deformable expansion portion between the flange and the nut-forming portion. The nut-forming portion is configured to advance in the direction of the flange, by deforming the expansion portion to a deployed state, by screwing the screw in the nut-forming portion. When the anchor is mounted inside a hole in a wall, with the flange bearing against a first face of the wall, the expansion portion in the deployed state forms a continuous contact surface facing a second face of the wall and has a load-bearing section, transversely with respect to the screw axis, which is generally decreasing from the contact surface towards the nut-forming portion.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminating web, characterized in that it is flame-retarded by a flame-retardant composition impregnated into the bulk of the illuminating web and/or included in a coating on at least one face of the illuminating web. The illuminating web exhibits an improved performance in terms of reaction toward fire. It is better suited to the standards in force as regards reaction to fire. It also exhibits an advantageous illuminating performance and has good acoustic properties, when it incorporates a support appropriate for sound insulation. The invention also relates to an illuminating structure composed of said web added to a rigid or semirigid support. This structure can be used in particular as partition wall or ceiling in a building. With regard to the web proper, it can be used as painter's canvas or stretched fabric or part of these.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a gypsum product comprising a mixer for mixing gypsum and water and two foam feeds into the system wherein the foam feeds each comprise foam of different bubble size distributions.

Abstract: A gypsum board has two opposed faces, and a fibrous mat being embedded in one of the faces of the board. The fibrous mat comprises fibres that are bound by a polymeric binder. The length of the fibres is greater than 20 mm, and the diameter is greater than 14 micron. The polymeric binder is substantially formaldehyde-free. The fibrous mat achieves fire resistance in the gypsum board without the need to incorporate flame retardants into the binder, as well as providing flexural strength.

Abstract: The invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product comprising a phosphate as additive for increased fire resistance. Particularly preferred phosphate additives may be those containing aluminum or ammonium ions.

Abstract: A luminous panel includes at least two juxtaposed OLED devices that form a front face of the luminous panel and define two light-emitting zones separated by an intermediate zone, and a luminous joint forming mechanism that ensures, when the two OLED devices are in an on state, visual continuity between the intermediate zone and the two emitting zones, the luminous joint forming mechanism being located at a back of or flush with the front face of the panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a gypsum based product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: calcining a mixture of water and gypsum under conditions of raised temperature and pressure within a vessel to produce an alpha-hemihydrate slurry therein; passing the alpha-hemihydrate slurry from the vessel to a mixer for mixing with additional water to produce a settable slurry, which is arranged to set to form the gypsum based product.

Abstract: A panel for use in building construction comprises a plasterboard having two opposed faces, a polymer-based lamina being provided on one of these faces. The weight per unit area of the panel lies in the range 13.5 to 17.5 kg/m2, and the thickness of the panel lies in the range 11-25 mm.