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: 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: 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: An insulation product includes an elongated comformable body of fibrous insulation having front and rear major surfaces and two elongated side surfaces. A facing is adhered to the front major surface of the conformable body, the facing having sufficient tensile strength to withstand a pressure, without tearing, of about 1.0 pound per square foot from the fibrous insulation in a wall cavity defined by wall studs, when the facing is adhered to the wall studs. The facing is bonded to the conformable body with sufficient strength to provide product integrity to the insulation product when it is cut lengthwise. The insulation product can be expanded when unconstrained to a high loft thickness so that when the batt is placed in an insulation cavity having a thickness less than or equal to the high loft thickness, the insulation product can be expanded to fill the insulation cavity. The fibrous insulation material has a resistance to compression less than about 1.

Abstract: A conformable insulation assembly is provided and includes a mineral fiber batt of a binderless fibrous material of substantially long fibers having low dimensional stability. The insulation assembly is capable of conforming and expanding its shape to an area into which it is installed better than prior art insulation assemblies.

Abstract: A reshapable insulation assembly and a method of using such insulation assembly are provided. An insulation assembly of the invention of a type useful in the insulation of buildings includes a conformable mineral fiber batt extending in a first direction, wherein the batt has a perimeter in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and an exterior layer extending in the first direction and overlying the perimeter of the batt, wherein the exterior layer has a perimeter in the cross-section that is substantially greater than the perimeter of the batt. The exterior layer thereby loosely encapsulates the batt, whereby compression of the insulation assembly urges the assembly into a new shape with different dimensions in the cross-section.

Abstract: Fibrous insulation suitable for use in insulation cavities in buildings includes mineral fibers in an amount within the range of from about 90 to about 99 percent by weight, and organic material, in the form of organic fibers and organic particles, in an amount within the range of from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight. The mineral fibers and the organic material are integrated together so that the organic material is distributed generally uniformly among the mineral fibers. At least a majority, or about 50 percent by weight and, more preferably, a substantial amount, or about 75 percent by weight, of the organic material is in the form of organic fibers. The fibrous insulation is preferably binderless and encapsulated.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product having irregularly shaped glass fibers is provided. The loose-fill insulation product shows improved recovery, lower thermal conductivity and requires lower product densities than prior art loose-fill insulation at equivalent fiber diameters.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which may be poured or blown by a consumer. The insulation is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers which are comprised of two distinct glass compositions. The loose-fill insulation product may be densely packaged in a small container for consumer use, and shows improved recovery, good thermal efficiency, and low dust upon blowing or pouring.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product includes irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product includes irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which is formed from a blend of first and second insulating materials having three-dimensional groups of fibers of different sizes and densities. At least one of the insulating materials is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers comprised of two distinct glass compositions. When blended with the fibers of a standard insulation or with other irregularly-shaped fibers of different sizes, the resulting loose-fill insulation product shows improved coverage and thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.