Abstract: An exemplary duct system includes a rigid duct member, a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member, a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector, a flexible duct, a second duct connector connected to the flexible duct, and a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector. The first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct member and the flexible duct.

Abstract: An exemplary duct system includes a rigid duct member, a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member, a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector, a flexible duct, a second duct connector connected to the flexible duct, and a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector. The first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct member and the flexible duct.

Abstract: In an exemplary method for evaluating building insulation, first thermal data for a first building location is received at a computing device from a thermal scanning device, the first thermal data including a first leak temperature reading of a first leak path feature at the first building location. Estimated inside and outside temperatures are stored in the computing device, and an environmental temperature deviation between the estimated inside temperature and the estimated outside temperature is determined. A first leak temperature deviation between the first leak temperature reading and the estimated inside temperature is determined. A first temperature deviation ratio of the first leak temperature deviation to the environmental temperature deviation is compared with a predetermined first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio.

Abstract: In an exemplary method for evaluating building insulation, first thermal data for a first building location is received at a computing device from a thermal scanning device, the first thermal data including a first leak temperature reading of a first leak path feature at the first building location. Estimated inside and outside temperatures are stored in the computing device, and an environmental temperature deviation between the estimated inside temperature and the estimated outside temperature is determined. A first leak temperature deviation between the first leak temperature reading and the estimated inside temperature is determined. A first temperature deviation ratio of the first leak temperature deviation to the environmental temperature deviation is compared with a predetermined first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio.

Abstract: An exemplary duct system includes a rigid duct member, a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member, a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector, a flexible duct, a second duct connector connected to the flexible duct, and a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector. The first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct member and the flexible duct.

Abstract: A decorative panel includes a body constructed from a single layer of a polymer based blanket material having a surface zone. Printing is directly applied to an exposed face of that surface zone. The surface zone may be densified relative to the remainder of the body to tune the acoustical and physical properties of the panel for a particular application and/or to allow for high definition printing.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for fabricating a panel product including a board, panel or substrate having at least one surface on which a decorative image and alignment marks corresponding to an image data file are applied. The alignment marks and the image data file are then used to align an intermediate product with one or more cutting devices. Once aligned, the original image data file or a transformed version of the image data file is used to control cutters or other tools for removing waste portions of the panel product. The panel product may then be subjected to additional processing, particularly with regard to edge treatments, to obtain a final panel product.

Abstract: An insulation product includes an elongated batt of fibrous insulation material having a first major face and a first installation end. A facing covers the first major face. The facing includes a mounting flange extending beyond the first installation end of the elongated batt of fibrous insulation material. A method of producing the insulation product includes the steps covering a major face of an elongated batt of fibrous insulation material with a facing and making a cut line through the elongated batt of fibrous insulation material so as to provide the elongated batt of fibrous insulation material with a first installation end and a removable discard strip adjacent the first installation end.

Abstract: A method is provided for attenuating sound transmitted through a building structure. The method includes marketing an insulation product for installation in a cavity in the building structure wherein the insulation product has a thickness T greater than the depth D of the cavity. The insulation product is then compressed between the first and second covering members or materials. The insulation product produces a sound damping force upon the covering material.

Abstract: A method of forming a box-like acoustical substrate is provided. Portions of an acoustical substrate having a decorative surface are compressed to form a flange, a first compressed region, a second compressed region, and a third compressed region. First, second, central, and third uncompressed regions are positioned respectively adjacent to the compressed regions. A left first surface and a right first surface of the acoustical substrate may be folded toward the back surface of the substrate until the second compressed region and the third compressed regions are flush with the central uncompressed region. An outer portion of the left surface may then be folded towards the back surface until the flange is flush with the right edge. The acoustical product may be used as an acoustical trap or duct. When the acoustical product is utilized as a duct, an air impermeable sheet may be positioned on the external surface.

Abstract: A hinged roof vent panel is provided which includes a combination of hinged ridges that allow the panel to be cut and folded to form an insulation block which inhibits the flow of loosefill insulation which may block soffit vents and which provides suitable ventilation to inhibit condensation during cold periods and to allow acceptable airflow during warm periods. The vent panel is typically thermoformed from a thin sheet of extruded polystyrene foam into the shape described and claimed. The panel is relatively planar and stackable so that a large number of panels may be packaged together for shipping.

Abstract: A hinged roof vent panel is provided which includes a combination of hinged ridges that allow the panel to be cut and folded to form an insulation block which inhibits the flow of loosefill insulation which may block soffit vents and which provides suitable ventilation to inhibit condensation during cold periods and to allow acceptable airflow during warm periods. The vent panel is typically thermoformed from a thin sheet of extruded polystyrene foam into the shape described and claimed. The panel is relatively planar and stackable so that a large number of panels may be packaged together for shipping.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for fabricating a panel product including a board, panel or substrate having at least one surface on which a decorative image and alignment marks corresponding to an image data file are applied. The alignment marks and the image data file are then used to align an intermediate product with one or more cutting devices. Once aligned, the original image data file or a transformed version of the image data file is used to control cutters or other tools for removing waste portions of the panel product. The panel product may then be subjected to additional processing, particularly with regard to edge treatments, to obtain a final panel product.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for fabricating a panel product including a board, panel or substrate having at least one surface on which a decorative image and alignment marks corresponding to an image data file are applied. The alignment marks and the image data file are then used to align an intermediate product with one or more cutting devices. Once aligned, the original image data file or a transformed version of the image data file is used to control cutters or other tools for removing waste portions of the panel product. The panel product may then be subjected to additional processing, particularly with regard to edge treatments, to obtain a final panel product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulation product comprising an elongated fibrous batt with a polymeric encapsulating layer and, optionally, a vapor or other barrier layer on one or more surfaces of the fibrous batt and an apparatus for manufacturing such an insulation product.

Abstract: Disclosed are an insulation product and an insulation system incorporating such a product for insulating exterior walls, particularly masonry walls, that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensate away from the interface between the insulating product and the exterior wall. The condensate will be removed to a more interior location where it can evaporate and/or be transferred to and held in a sorbent material until conditions allow permit evaporation. The insulation system includes an integrated support element that can be used to increase the rate of evaporation via various methods and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the insulating product. The evaporation rate may be improved through the use of increased wicking material area, secondary evaporative surfaces, heating and/or forced or natural convection.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for fabricating a panel product including a board, panel or substrate having at least one surface on which a decorative image and alignment marks corresponding to an image data file are applied. The alignment marks and the image data file are then used to align an intermediate product with one or more cutting devices. Once aligned, the original image data file or a transformed version of the image data file is used to control cutters or other tools for removing waste portions of the panel product. The panel product may then be subjected to additional processing, particularly with regard to edge treatments, to obtain a final panel product.

Abstract: A method of forming a box-like acoustical substrate is provided. Portions of an acoustical substrate having a decorative surface are compressed to form a flange, a first compressed region, a second compressed region, and a third compressed region. First, second, central, and third uncompressed regions are positioned respectively adjacent to the compressed regions. A left first surface and a right first surface of the acoustical substrate may be folded toward the back surface of the substrate until the second compressed region and the third compressed regions are flush with the central uncompressed region. An outer portion of the left surface may then be folded towards the back surface until the flange is flush with the right edge. The acoustical product may be used as an acoustical trap or duct. When the acoustical product is utilized as a duct, an air impermeable sheet may be positioned on the external surface.

Abstract: A method for translating a decorative surface of an acoustic substrate to an edge of the finished acoustical product is provided. A portion of an acoustical substrate having a decorative surface on a first side is compressed to form a void having at least one adjacent region of compressed material having an increased density. The acoustical substrate is then manipulated to close the void and place at least a portion of the decorative surface on a side of the substrate. The manipulation of the acoustical substrate also places the region of compressed material at the edges of the acoustical substrate, thereby reinforcing the edges of the acoustical product. A decorative non-woven acoustic panel that has at least one peripheral edge with a density greater than the density of the main body is also provided.

Abstract: A decorative panel includes a body constructed from a single layer of a polymer based blanket material having a surface zone. Printing is directly applied to an exposed face of that surface zone. The surface zone may be densified relative to the remainder of the body to tune the acoustical and physical properties of the panel for a particular application and/or to allow for high definition printing.