Abstract: In one aspect, a pottery plaster formulation with increased water absorption, comprising alpha stucco, continuously-calcined-in-a-kettle stucco, and a combination of Rochelle salt and one or more of the following: potassium sulfate and/or a phosphate compound. In another aspect, pottery plaster molds with increased water absorption and methods of making and using the pottery plaster molds for slip casting ceramic items.

Abstract: A ready-mixed setting type joint compound in which formation of gypsum seeds has been inhibited. A method for controlling a setting reaction by mixing a ready-mixed setting type joint compound with one or more metal ion control agents comprising aminopolycarboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and further mixing the setting type joint compound with one or more non-calcium phosphate compounds. The method may further comprise mixing the setting type joint compound with a set activator obtained by blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound.

Abstract: Provided herein is a joint compound having a composition to allow tools to easily clean up, comprising water, at least one inert filler, and a binder comprising a sulfonated starch, and a method of preparing the joint compound.

Abstract: A ready-mixed setting type joint compound in which formation of gypsum seeds has been inhibited. A method for controlling a setting reaction by mixing a ready-mixed setting type joint compound with one or more metal ion control agents comprising aminopolycarboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and further mixing the setting type joint compound with one or more non-calcium phosphate compounds. The method may further comprise mixing the setting type joint compound with a set activator obtained by blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound.

Abstract: A kit for preparing a set activator blend and a method for controlling a setting reaction with the set activator blend of a setting joint compound, in particular of a ready-mixed setting joint compound, the method including: 1) blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound, and thereby obtaining a set activator blend; and 2) mixing the set activator blend with the setting joint compound and thereby controlling the setting reaction of the setting joint compound.

Abstract: Provided herein is a joint compound having a composition to allow tools to easily clean up, comprising water, at least one inert filler, and a binder comprising a sulfonated starch, and a method of preparing the joint compound.

Abstract: A corner bead for finishing a wallboard corner joint is provided, including a plastic body including a first flange and a second flange, each flange having a rib edge and an opposite free edge. The respective rib edges are joined to form a corner rib defining an angle. A web of face paper covers at least a portion of the body.

Abstract: At least one of these or other problems is reduced using a building material that is uniquely identifiable. A method of making an identifiable gypsum-based building product includes selecting a tagging material occurring naturally in a component of the building material and choosing a carrier substance having a high concentration of the tagging material. By selecting an amount of the carrier substance and adding it to the building material, a building product having a unique product characteristic is created. In a second embodiment of the invention, a second tagging material is combined with the first tagging material to create a unique product. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a supplemental amount of the tagging material is added to the gypsum-based composition in addition to the carrier substance. Some tagging materials are useful in a gypsum-based composition to produce a visual confirmation of the presence of the tagging material.

Abstract: A preformed corner bead for use in wallboard construction is provided and includes an elongate strip formed of a web of at least one layer of non-woven fabric, a resin impregnating the strip. The impregnated strip is formed into a desired angle defined by a pair of flanges prior to a curing of the resin.

Abstract: At least one of these or other problems is reduced using a building material that is uniquely identifiable. A method of making an identifiable gypsum-based building product includes selecting a tagging material occurring naturally in a component of the building material and choosing a carrier substance having a high concentration of the tagging material. By selecting an amount of the carrier substance and adding it to the building material, a building product having a unique product characteristic is created. In a second embodiment of the invention, a second tagging material is combined with the first tagging material to create a unique product. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a supplemental amount of the tagging material is added to the gypsum-based composition in addition to the carrier substance. Some tagging materials are useful in a gypsum-based composition to produce a visual confirmation of the presence of the tagging material.

Abstract: A corner bead for finishing a wallboard corner joint is provided, including a plastic body including a first flange and a second flange, each flange having a rib edge and an opposite free edge. The respective rib edges are joined to form a corner rib defining an angle. A web of face paper covers at least a portion of the body.

Abstract: A cling film system includes first and second film piles having different composition. Each film ply includes at least one cling layer and, desirably, one or more additional layers. Each film ply includes an overlapping portion and a second portion. The cling layer of the first film ply engages the cling layer of the second film ply in the overlapping portion of the first film ply and in the overlapping portion of the second film ply.

Abstract: A method for powder coating articles includes the steps of preheating the article to a preheating temperature, coating the article with a polymeric powder coating having a cross-linking temperature that is above the preheating temperature and curing the article having the powder coating applied thereto at a curing temperature. The curing temperature is between the powder coating cross-linking temperature and the melting point temperature of the articles. A system for carrying out the coating method is disclosed as is an article made by the method.

Abstract: A cling film system includes first and second film piles having different composition. Each film ply includes at least one cling layer and, desirably, one or more additional layers. Each film ply includes an overlapping portion and a second portion. The cling layer of the first film ply engages the cling layer of the second film ply in the overlapping portion of the first film ply and in the overlapping portion of the second film ply.

Abstract: A method for powder coating articles includes the steps of preheating the article to a preheating temperature, coating the article with a polymeric powder coating having a cross-linking temperature that is above the preheating temperature and curing the article having the powder coating applied thereto at a curing temperature. The curing temperature is between the powder coating cross-linking temperature and the melting point temperature of the articles. A system for carrying out the coating method is disclosed as is an article made by the method.

Abstract: A disengageable interconnecting floor system comprises two or more flooring panels, a connector and a sealant. Each flooring panel comprises a top wear surface and a bottom surface for contact with a support structure and at least two edges having identical recesses formed therein for receipt of an extension from a connector. The connector comprises a base and an extension extending vertically from the base. The extension is shaped to be received in a disengageable connected fashion into at least one recess of at least one panel. Sealant is disposed on the flooring panel, the connector, or both. The invention also includes flooring panels and sealants for use in a disengageable interconnecting floor system, and methods for sealing laminate flooring panels joined by connectors.