Abstract: An apparatus for seeding material in a scaffold member capable of entrapping such seeding material therein is provided. The apparatus may include a chamber having an interior and capable of maintaining a negative pressure and capable of enclosing the scaffold member therein, and a support member for rotating the scaffold member disposed within the interior of the chamber and for introducing the seeding material into the chamber. At least a portion of rotating the scaffold member occurs simultaneously with applying the negative pressure condition to the scaffold member. The seeding material may be passed from the interior of the scaffold member to the exterior of the scaffold member in response to the application of negative pressure such that at least of portion of the seeding material is entrapped in the scaffold member.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to a method and apparpatus for making mats of continuous glass fiber strands in which a heated calendering roll and continuous belt are used to compact the mat, expel excess noisture, melt, and/or cure resin previously distributed throughout the glass strand. The resin may be deposited in the mat in the form of a powdered resin or as continuous thread of material that is combined with the remaining strands that form the mat as the glass strands are projected onto the surface of a moving conveyor to form the mat.