Abstract: A fiber reinforced foam having a predetermined uniform distribution of fibers throughout the skin and core is prepared by slurrying fibers with a major component of a foamable resin composition, thereafter adding the balance of the components necessary to form a foamable composition and allowing the so formed composition to foam under controlled temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural foam article having a cellular core, a high density integral skin with fiber reinforcement embedded therein, and exterior facing sheets so as to substantially avoid blistering of the facing sheets, is disclosed. The foam article is prepared by foaming an expandable resin composition between the fiber reinforcing material and facing sheets. The resin has a predetermined viscosity which is a direct function of the porosity of the reinforcing material and an indirect function of the foam initiation time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming large fiber-reinforced foamed plastic panels is disclosed. The panels are produced by a process comprising filling a flat mold with freshly mixed foam plastic precursors, including fibrous material for reinforcement of the panels, closing the mold until the plastic precursors have foamed and set, then opening the mold and removing the finished panel. The apparatus comprises a platen mounted for traversing under the dispensing outlet of a mixing device, whereby the platen is filled with foamed plastic precursors, and a press into which the platen travels before the mixture has begun to mold. The press is provided with a novel mechanism for closing the mold by placing a cover on top of the platen before the plastic begins to foam. The same mechanism is adapted to open the mold by lifting the platen cover. Thereafter, the platen is moved in a reverse of its entry movement, returning to its starting position for removal of the finished panel.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced foam having a predetermined uniform distribution of fibers throughout the skin and core is prepared by slurrying fibers with a major component of a foamable resin composition, thereafter adding the balance of the components necessary to form a foamable composition and allowing the so formed composition to foam under controlled temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming large fiber-reinforced foamed plastic panels is disclosed. The panels are produced by a process comprising filling a flat mold with freshly mixed foam plastic precursors, including fibrous material for reinforcement of the panels, closing the mold until the plastic precursors have foamed and set, then opening the mold and removing the finished panel. The apparatus comprises a platen mounted for traversing under the dispensing outlet of a mixing device, whereby the platen is filled with foamed plastic precursors, and a press into which the platen travels before the mixture has begun to mold. The press is provided with a novel mechanism for closing the mold by placing a cover on top of the platen before the plastic begins to foam. The same mechanism is adapted to open the mold by lifting the platen cover. Thereafter, the platen is moved in a reverse of its entry movement, returning to its starting position for removal of the finished panel.

Abstract: A stream of fluid mass, particularly a viscous fluid mass, is mixed by dividing the stream by high pressure fluid means into a plurality of substreams and imparting a predetermined rotational flow pattern in a first direction to alternate substreams and imparting a rotational flow pattern opposite in direction to said first direction to the remaining substream. An apparatus for achieving the foregoing is described.