Abstract: A method of forming an article is provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, to substantially cover the major surface. The porous sheet member is disposed adjacent to a substantially smooth and uniform surface, and layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to react in a volumetrically-expensive reaction with the fire-retarding solution to facilitate cohesion between the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member to form a board member, wherein the porous sheet member conforms to the adjacent surface via the volumetrically-expansive reaction to define a substantially smooth and uniform surface of the board member.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product. Such a method comprises securing a first insulation material sheet to a first cover sheet to form a first sheet product portion including a perimeter; securing a second insulation material sheet to a second cover sheet to form a second sheet product portion including a perimeter; and securing the first sheet product portion to the second sheet product portion, at least about the perimeters thereof and such that the first insulation material sheet is disposed adjacent to the second insulation material sheet, to form the sheet product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming an article is provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, to substantially cover the major surface. The porous sheet member is disposed adjacent to a substantially smooth and uniform surface, and layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to react in a volumetrically-expensive reaction with the fire-retarding solution to facilitate cohesion between the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member to form a board member, wherein the porous sheet member conforms to the adjacent surface via the volumetrically-expansive reaction to define a substantially smooth and uniform surface of the board member.

Abstract: A method of forming an article and associated article are provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with at least one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, such that the porous sheet member substantially covers the at least one major surface. The layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member are collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to facilitate cohesion of the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member, to form a board member, wherein the at least one major surface cooperates with the porous sheet member engaged therewith, in response to the actuating element, such that the porous sheet member forms a substantially smooth and uniform surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a melt-resistant glass fiber product, by applying an insulating material to a glass fiber product comprised of filiform glass fibers so as to substantially coat each of the filiform glass fibers therewith, such that the coated filiform glass fibers render the glass fiber product resistant to heat. In one aspect, such a method comprises forming a wetted mixture including filiform glass fibers and insulating material comprising a fire-retarding solution, wherein the wetted mixture has a solids content of the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a melt-resistant glass fiber product, by applying an insulating material to a glass fiber product comprised of filiform glass fibers so as to substantially coat each of the filiform glass fibers therewith, such that the coated filiform glass fibers render the glass fiber product resistant to heat. In one aspect, such a method comprises forming a wetted mixture including filiform glass fibers and insulating material comprising a fire-retarding solution, wherein the wetted mixture has a solids content of the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a glass fiber product, by forming a first mixture including dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers, a fire-retarding solution, and a thickening agent; forming a second mixture including the first mixture and a binding agent, wherein the first mixture and the binding agent being configured to form an expanding foam; and applying the second mixture to a surface prior to the second mixture forming the expanding foam. A method is also provided for forming a glass fiber product, by adding a thickening agent to a fire-retarding solution to form a first mixture; adding a hardening agent to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and adding dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers to the second mixture to form a paste mixture. Associated apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a glass fiber product, by forming a first mixture including dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers, a fire-retarding solution, and a thickening agent; forming a second mixture including the first mixture and a binding agent, wherein the first mixture and the binding agent being configured to form an expanding foam; and applying the second mixture to a surface prior to the second mixture forming the expanding foam. A method is also provided for forming a glass fiber product, by adding a thickening agent to a fire-retarding solution to form a first mixture; adding a hardening agent to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and adding dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers to the second mixture to form a paste mixture. Associated apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product. Such a method comprises securing a first insulation material sheet to a first cover sheet to form a first sheet product portion including a perimeter; securing a second insulation material sheet to a second cover sheet to form a second sheet product portion including a perimeter; and securing the first sheet product portion to the second sheet product portion, at least about the perimeters thereof and such that the first insulation material sheet is disposed adjacent to the second insulation material sheet, to form the sheet product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming an article and associated article are provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with at least one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, such that the porous sheet member substantially covers the at least one major surface. The layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member are collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to facilitate cohesion of the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member, to form a board member, wherein the at least one major surface cooperates with the porous sheet member engaged therewith, in response to the actuating element, such that the porous sheet member forms a substantially smooth and uniform surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a glass fiber product, by forming a first mixture including dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers, a fire-retarding solution, and a thickening agent; forming a second mixture including the first mixture and a binding agent, wherein the first mixture and the binding agent being configured to form an expanding foam; and applying the second mixture to a surface prior to the second mixture forming the expanding foam. A method is also provided for forming a glass fiber product, by adding a thickening agent to a fire-retarding solution to form a first mixture; adding a hardening agent to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and adding dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers to the second mixture to form a paste mixture. Associated apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product. Such a method comprises securing a first insulation material sheet to a first cover sheet to form a first sheet product portion including a perimeter; securing a second insulation material sheet to a second cover sheet to form a second sheet product portion including a perimeter; and securing the first sheet product portion to the second sheet product portion, at least about the perimeters thereof and such that the first insulation material sheet is disposed adjacent to the second insulation material sheet, to form the sheet product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fire retardant-treated fiber product is provided. A first nip is defined by a pair of juxtaposed processing members, and is configured to receive a fiber product therethrough. At least one of the processing members comprises an incisor member extending from a processing surface thereof, and interacting with and altering a surface of the fiber product directed through the first nip. A second nip is defined by a pair of juxtaposed compression members, and is configured to receive the fiber product therethrough. Compression surfaces of the compression members cooperate to compress the surface of the fiber product within an elastic range associated therewith. At least one of the first and second nip is arranged to receive a fire retarding solution such that the fiber product is interacted therewith at least upon entering the at least one of the first and second nip.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose product. A fire-retarding solution and a bonding agent are combined with refined cellulose fibers to form a fiber mixture, and the fire-retarding solution and bonding agent are substantially uniformly distributed with respect to the cellulose fibers within the fiber mixture. The fiber mixture is exposed to an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the bonding agent so as to facilitate cohesion of the cellulose fibers and form the fiber mixture into a fiber board member, the fiber board member having opposing major surfaces. A cellulose sheet member is engaged with each major surface of the fiber board member, such that each cellulose sheet member substantially covers the respective major surface. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose material. Such a method comprises processing cellulose fibers into a fiber mixture, and then forming a wetted mixture from the fiber mixture and a fire-retarding solution, wherein the wetted mixture has a solids content of the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. In some aspects, a cohesive mixture may be formed from the wetted mixture and a binding agent, and the cohesive mixture then formed into a formed cellulose product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a melt-resistant glass fiber product, by applying an insulating material to a glass fiber product comprised of filiform glass fibers so as to substantially coat each of the filiform glass fibers therewith, such that the coated filiform glass fibers render the glass fiber product resistant to heat. In one aspect, such a method comprises forming a wetted mixture including filiform glass fibers and insulating material comprising a fire-retarding solution, wherein the wetted mixture has a solids content of the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose material. Such a method comprises processing cellulose fibers into a fiber mixture, and then forming a wetted mixture from the fiber mixture and a fire-retarding solution, wherein the wetted mixture has a solids content of the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. In some aspects, a cohesive mixture may be formed from the wetted mixture and a binding agent, and the cohesive mixture then formed into a formed cellulose product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose product. A fire-retarding solution and a bonding agent are combined with refined cellulose fibers to form a fiber mixture, and the fire-retarding solution and bonding agent are substantially uniformly distributed with respect to the cellulose fibers within the fiber mixture. The fiber mixture is exposed to an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the bonding agent so as to facilitate cohesion of the cellulose fibers and form the fiber mixture into a fiber board member, the fiber board member having opposing major surfaces. A cellulose sheet member is engaged with each major surface of the fiber board member, such that each cellulose sheet member substantially covers the respective major surface. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose product. Such a method comprises processing cellulose fibers into a fiber mixture, and forming a slurry from the fiber mixture and a fire-retarding solution, wherein the slurry has the fire-retarding solution substantially uniformly distributed therethrough. The slurry is then formed into a cellulose product. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A hockey stick shaft includes an elongate, rectangular tube having a length and a plurality of side walls. The plurality of side walls define an elongate inner chamber of the tube. The chamber extends along the length of the tube. The plurality of side walls includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a pair of opposite third and fourth side walls separating the first side wall from the second side wall. A support member is positioned within the chamber and extends along the length of the tube. The support member divides the chamber, and connects the first and second side wall walls to one another.