Abstract: A method of producing porous calcined granules of a non-combustible material, the method including calcining agglomerates of said non-combustible material and a combustible material to effect combustion of said combustible material, wherein energy generated by the combustion of the combustible material is at least partially utilised for said calcining.

Abstract: A method of forming a water-extended polymer from a curable water-immiscible liquid, comprises emulsifying by means of an ethyl cellulose soluble in the curable liquid, a mixture of 60-88% by weight of water and 40-12% by weight of a solution of the ethyl cellulose in the curable liquid wherein the water and the curable liquid respectively comprise the disperse and continuous phases of the emulsion; and curing the liquid while maintaining the emulsion.

Abstract: A method of forming a panel having a surface pattern, comprising placing a superstate lamina shaped to define the desired pattern onto a substrate, the substrate and superstrate both comprising cellular thermoplastic materials which are mutually discernible, pressing a die face against the surface of the superstrate lamina and against at least that portion of the substrate adjacent the superstrate, said die face having a temperature above the softening temperature of both the superstate and substrate thermoplastic materials, to thereby collapse the cellular structure of the superstrate and the substrate where contacted by the die and form an integral non-cellular surface layer containing the pattern as an integral part thereof, cooling the die face to harden said layer, and removing the die.

Abstract: An article, such as a door, is made from a colored water-extended thermoplastic polymeric material, and is provided with a decorated pattern by fusion of a surface layer to form a non-cellular layer, the depth of fusion being different in different parts so that the depth of color is correspondingly different. The variation in color intensity provides a decorative pattern, and fusion of the cellular material is effected by pressing with a die in the shape of the desired pattern.

Abstract: Shaped articles such as doors, internal partitions and other building elements, are composed of a cellular thermoplastic material, and have at least one integral non-cellular transparent or translucent panel. The thermoplastic material is preferably a water-extended polymer, and may contain a colouring agent dispersed therethrough, e.g. a dye or pigment, or may be printed. The panels may be embossed to provide a visible decoration. Compared with equivalent articles having separately glazed panels as previously known, the present integral panels remove the need to fit and secure separate panes, e.g. of glass, during assembly, they provide a more unified appearance, and give designers greater scope in enabling them to incorporate panel shapes which would previously have been impossible or uneconomic to use.

Abstract: Sheets of cellular polymeric material are cast from a water-in-oil emulsion in a mould subdivided by one or more partitions.