Abstract: The invention, provides a curable, formaldehyde free coating composition comprising a composition comprising a polyacid copolymer crosslinked with a hydroxyl group-containing compound and calcium aluminosilicate powder, panels coated with the coating composition, and a method of coating a panel with the coating composition.

Abstract: An acoustical ceiling panel comprising a flat core and an acoustically transparent face sheet adhesively attached to one of two oppositely facing major sides of the core, the core comprising a multitude of layers of corrugated fiberboard laminated together, the corrugated fiberboard layers each having a corrugated medium adhesively attached to a flat liner board, the corrugated medium forming regularly spaced flutes of curvilinear cross-section, the flutes of the layers of fiberboard being arranged in parallel directions extending perpendicularly to the major faces of the core.

Abstract: An acoustical ceiling panel comprising a flat core and an acoustically transparent face sheet adhesively attached to one of two oppositely facing major sides of the core, the core comprising a multitude of layers of corrugated fiberboard laminated together, the corrugated fiberboard layers each having a corrugated medium adhesively attached to a flat liner board, the corrugated medium forming regularly spaced flutes of curvilinear cross-section, the flutes of the layers of fiberboard being arranged in parallel directions extending perpendicularly to the major faces of the core.

Abstract: An acoustical panel construction useful as a suspended ceiling tile having a rectangular shape bounded by edges and establishing a face area comprising at least one corrugated layer or layers of a total thickness, the layer or layers having a multitude of parallel flutes extending across an expanse of the rectangular shape substantially from one edge of the panel to an opposite edge, the flutes being formed by walls of the layer or layers and being of known volume, a series of apertures each of known area through the wall or walls of the flutes communicating with the atmosphere at the face, the aperture area, flute cavity volume associated with an aperture, and the total thickness of the corrugated layers associated with an aperture being arranged to produce a maximum absorption frequency between 200 and 2,000 Hz.

Abstract: An acoustical panel is made by applying a thin, acoustically-transparent coating to an acoustical base mat. A pulp is made from one or more fillers, a fibrous filler, a binder and water. A thickener solution is prepared from a thickener and water. A portion of the pulp and the thickener solution are mixed under high shear conditions to degrade the fibrous filler and form a smooth coating. The coating is applied to and distributed over a base mat and the coated base mat is then cut and dried to form a coated acoustical panel. The panel is free of visible mineral nodules on the surface of the coating. Optionally, the pulp is a portion of a pulp used to make the base mat. Other embodiments include the use of recycled dust or fine particles of the acoustical panel obtained from cutting or shaping the base mat or coated panels.

Abstract: The invention, provides a curable, formaldehyde free coating composition comprising a composition comprising a polyacid copolymer crosslinked with a hydroxyl group-containing compound and calcium aluminosilicate powder, panels coated with the coating composition, and a method of coating a panel with the coating composition.

Abstract: A lightweight cast article that is made by the method of the present invention. A foamed acoustical product is prepared by blending a starch with cold water, then heating the starch/water blend to form a starch gel. Mineral wool is added to the starch gel to form a pulp and the pulp is wet-mixed until wool nodules are formed. The pulp is then combined with a surfactant and an amount of foam water. The foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of a linear sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, a cocamidopropyl betaine, a cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, their salts and mixtures thereof. Mixing of the foaming agent and pulp continues to form a foamed pulp. The foamed pulp is cast into a mold and allowing the foamed pulp to dry forming a foamed product. The foamed product is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A lightweight cast article that is made by the method of the present invention. A foamed acoustical product is prepared by blending a starch with cold water, then heating the starch/water blend to form a starch gel. Mineral wool is added to the starch gel to form a pulp and the pulp is wet-mixed until wool nodules are formed. The pulp is then combined with a surfactant and an amount of foam water. The foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of a linear sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, a cocamidopropyl betaine, a cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, their salts and mixtures thereof. Mixing of the foaming agent and pulp continues to form a foamed pulp. The foamed pulp is cast into a mold and allowing the foamed pulp to dry forming a foamed product. The foamed product is removed from the mold.

Abstract: An acoustical panel is made by applying a thin, acoustically-transparent coating to an acoustical base mat. A pulp is made from one or more fillers, a fibrous filler, a binder and water. A thickener solution is prepared from a thickener and water. A portion of the pulp and the thickener solution are mixed under high shear conditions to degrade the fibrous filler and form a smooth coating. The coating is applied to and distributed over a base mat and the coated base mat is then cut and dried to form a coated acoustical panel. The panel is free of visible mineral nodules on the surface of the coating. Optionally, the pulp is a portion of a pulp used to make the base mat. Other embodiments include the use of recycled dust or fine particles of the acoustical panel obtained from cutting or shaping the base mat or coated panels.

Abstract: The invention provides a board forming system comprising a forming table comprising a belt with a surface for conveying a backing layer; a mixer fitted with a mechanism capable of depositing cementitious slurry material over a top surface of the backing layer; and a slurry spreader positioned downstream of the mixer, wherein a portion of the slurry spreader comprises a plurality of apertures which are connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The slurry spreader is configured such that the pressurized fluid flows out of the slurry spreader through the apertures so as to provide a continuous film of fluid across an outer surface of the slurry spreader. The slurry spreader is positioned such that it can contact at least a portion of the cementitious slurry after the slurry exits the discharge and before the slurry is spread across the width of the backing layer such that the thickness of the slurry is approximately equal to the desired slurry thickness for board formation.

Abstract: A process for making an improved gypsum/wood fiber board is described. Products resulting from the process are also described. The process comprises adding a diisocyanate, specifically methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) to an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate material and cellulosic fibers, where the MDI is added as an emulsion stable in the conditions in which the slurry is maintained. The process further includes passing the MDI containing slurry onto a flat porous forming surface to form a filter cake; removing a substantial portion of the water from the filter cake through the porous surface; pressing the filter cake to form a board and remove additional water; and drying the board to remove the remaining free water.

Abstract: A process for making an improved gypsum/wood fiber board is described. Products resulting from the process are also described. The process comprises adding a diisocyanate, specifically methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) to an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate material and cellulosic fibers, where the MDI is added as an emulsion stable in the conditions in which the slurry is maintained. The process further includes passing the MDI containing slurry onto a flat porous forming surface to form a filter cake; removing a substantial portion of the water from the filter cake through the porous surface; pressing the filter cake to form a board and remove additional water; and drying the board to remove the remaining free water.

Abstract: A process for making an improved gypsum/wood fiber board is described. Products resulting from the process are also described. The process comprises adding a diisocyanate, specifically methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) to an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate material and cellulosic fibers, where the MDI is added as an emulsion stable in the conditions in which the slurry is maintained. The process further includes passing the MDI containing slurry onto a flat porous forming surface to form a filter cake; removing a substantial portion of the water from the filter cake through the porous surface; pressing the filter cake to form a board and remove additional water; and drying the board to remove the remaining free water.