Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-woven fabric made of inorganic fibers, which has a coating of at least two layers on one of both surfaces, wherein (i) the non-woven fabric made of inorganic fibers has a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, (ii) the first layer of the coating comprises particles, whose particle size is between 50 and 100 ?m, (iii) the second layer of the coating, which is applied onto the first layer, comprises particles, wherein more than 90% of the particles have a particle size of less than 20 ?m. The non-woven fabric made of inorganic fibers according to the invention, in particular glass non-woven fabrics, are in particular suitable for producing decorative coatings for floor coverings, ceiling coverings and wall coverings.

Abstract: A prefabricated roofing panel composite includes a prefabricated cover board having a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer having a density between 6 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3 and an insulation board that has a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer having a density less than or equal to about 2 lbs/ft3. The cover board may have a waterproofing membrane forming the top major surface of the cover board. The low-density foam core layer of the insulation board may be formed with the high-density core layer of the cover board being currently or subsequently formed over and bonded to a top major surface of the low-density foam core layer in the same operation or preformed insulation boards may be fed into a production line with the high-density core layer of the cover board being formed over and bonded to top major surfaces of the low-density foam core layers of the insulation boards.

Abstract: An exemplary bushing system utilizes a bushing having a bottom plate having a plurality of holes from which filaments are drawn, and a plurality of support-receiving elements that are each configured to receive an elongated support. The support-receiving elements extend through the bushing generally along a longitudinal axis. A frame supports the bushing and includes a pair of horizontal rails upon which the supports rest. The horizontal rails comprise a treated surface that permits movement of the elongated supports relative to the frame in the longitudinal direction as the bushing expands and contracts due to thermal heating and cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter composed of a multi-ply filter medium which (i) has at least one textile stiffening layer (layer 4), preferably a non-woven layer, of synthetic, polymer fibers, glass fibers or mixtures of the same, (ii) at least one filtration layer (layer 3), which is attached to at least one side of the non-woven stiffening fabric, the filtration layer being made up of glass fibers, (iii) at least one further filtration layer (layer 2), which is applied on the filtration layer according to ii), the further filtration layer being made up of glass fibers, and at least one textile cover layer (layer 1), which is applied on the filtration layer according to (iii), the cover layer being made up of synthetic polymer fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel binder system and its use for bonding textile fabrics as well as products containing such bonded textile fabrics. The materials of the invention are suitable for the manufacture of lining materials which can be used in the manufacture of sarking membranes, roofing sheets and water-proof sheetings, in particular of coated sarking membranes, roofing sheets and water-proof sheetings, or in the manufacture of carpets and PVC floorings as a textile backing or as a textile reinforcement.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation, and a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each insulation board includes a polymer foam material having a first density. Each cover board includes a material including polyisocyanurate, the material having a second density greater than the first. The foam material of the insulation boards may include, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane, or a phenolic material. The insulation boards and cover boards may include facers on top or bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation, and a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each insulation board includes a foam material that includes polyisucyanurate, the foam material having a first density. Each cover board includes a material including polyisocyanurate, the material having a second density greater than the first. The roofing system may further include a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the cover boards. The insulation boards and cover boards may include facers on top or bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing a first polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor and allowing the precursor to rise and at least partially set to form a foam core layer for an insulation board, the foam core layer having a first density. The method further comprises dispensing a second polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor and allowing the second precursor to rise and set to form a core layer for a cover board, the core layer for the cover board having a second density greater than the first density. The second foam precursor may include polyisocyanurate. The method may also include feeding facer materials over the precursors to form facers on the core layers. Such insulation boards and cover boards may be cut to length and installed on a roof.

Abstract: Compositions for binding organic or inorganic fibers is described. The compositions may include an aqueous solution having a pH of about 4.5 or more. The aqueous solution may include a polycarboxy polymer that is about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; and a polyol. The compositions can maintain a pH of about 5 or more after being cured into a thermoset plastic with the fibers. Processes for preparing a binder composition for organic or inorganic fibers are also described. The processes may include providing an aqueous solution of polycarboxylic acid polymers, where the polymers comprise about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; adding a polyol to the aqueous solution; and maintaining the pH of the aqueous solution at about 5 or more.

Abstract: A surface-modified fibrous material is provided for incorporation in a thermoplastic matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite article. Good binding between the fibrous material and the thermoplastic matrix is achieved through the presence of finely roughened surfaces on the fibers of nanoparticles of an inorganic material. Such nanoparticles are provided from an alkaline aqueous size composition containing the nanoparticles dispersed therein (as described). The fibrous material may be provided in continuous or discontinuous form. In a preferred embodiment glass fibers are initially provided in continuous form followed by cutting into discontinuous lengths and drying with the retention of the nanoparticles on the surfaces of the fibers. The surface-roughened fibrous material is incorporated in a thermoplastic matrix as fibrous reinforcement with the application of heat whereby the thermoplastic matrix is rendered melt processable. In preferred embodiments injection or compression molding is utilized.

Abstract: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proxy server is described. The VoIP proxy server is placed in a DMZ of a company's secure internal communication network. The VoIP proxy server receives VoIP control messages and VoIP media streams and based on the MAC address and source IP address contained in the control message, pushes a policy change to the internal network's external firewall to open call control protocol ports and Real Time Protocol (RTP) ports only for packets from the source IP address. The VoIP proxy server manages the hiding of the company's internal network address and directs incoming VoIP packets to an IP-PBX connected to the company's internal network.

Abstract: A method for recycling glass mat waste, wound rovings, and other products includes providing a source of glass mat, or a plurality of rovings, for example on a roll, and routing the glass mat or rovings into a submerged combustion melter. An unwind system and a pair of powered nip rolls, powered conveyors, or other arrangement may work in combination to provide a substantially consistent rate of material into the melter. The melter may operate under less than atmospheric pressure to avoid fumes escaping the melter. A slot in the melter allows ingress of the glass mat or rovings into the melter, and a glass mat former such as a folder may be used to ensure that the mat fits through the slot. Alternatively, the glass mat may be cut by a slitter prior to entering the slot.