Abstract: A loosefill insulation installation includes a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers. The loosefill insulation material unexpectedly has improved thermal performance, even though the amount of mineral oil applied to the fiberglass fibers is reduced. For example, the fiberglass fibers can be coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers, such as about 0.375%.

Abstract: An improved unbonded loosefill insulation material having a multiplicity of tufts and a plurality of voids between the tufts is provided. The tufts have an average major tuft dimension. The average major tuft dimension of the tufts of the improved unbonded loosefill insulation material is shorter than an average major tuft dimension of tufts of conventional unbonded loosefill insulation material, thereby providing the improved unbonded loosefill insulation material with a higher insulative value than conventional unbonded loosefill insulation material.

Abstract: A loosefill insulation installation includes a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers. The loosefill insulation material unexpectedly has improved thermal performance, even though the amount of mineral oil applied to the fiberglass fibers is reduced. For example, the fiberglass fibers can be coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers, such as about 0.375%.

Abstract: A loosefill insulation installation includes a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers. The loosefill insulation material unexpectedly has improved thermal performance, even through the amount of mineral oil applied to the fiberglass fibers is reduce. For example, the fiberglass fibers can be coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers, such as about 0.375%.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation product with improved thermal resistance and method of making it are provided. A plurality of base fibers (e.g. glass) are formed into an insulation product, which may be bindered or unbonded. At least one infrared opacifying agent, such as soot, carbon black or graphite, is applied to the fibrous insulation product such that the base fibers are substantially uniformly coated with opacifying agent. The opacifying agent may be applied, for example, from a fluid suspension or by pulling the fiber through a sooty flame. When opacifying agent applied via a suspension and a binder is desired, it is preferable to avoid binder dispersions that can dislocate the opacifying agent. Alternative binder applications may include co-mingling of base fibers with binder fibers, or other physical or mechanical distributions.

Abstract: A loosefill insulation installation includes a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers. The loosefill insulation material unexpectedly has improved thermal performance, even through the amount of mineral oil applied to the fiberglass fibers is reduce. For example, the fiberglass fibers can be coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers, such as about 0.375%.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing unbonded loosefill insulation material configured for distribution in a blowing insulation machine is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing apparatus configured for making fibrous materials, the apparatus including structures configured to provide molten materials to fiberizing apparatus and collection apparatus configured to collect the formed fibrous materials, determining whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products, and formulating a composition of the molten material in response to the determination of whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing unbonded loosefill insulation material configured for distribution in a blowing insulation machine is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing apparatus configured for making fibrous materials, the apparatus including structures configured to provide molten materials to fiberizing apparatus and collection apparatus configured to collect the formed fibrous materials, determining whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products, and formulating a composition of the molten material in response to the determination of whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing unbonded loosefill insulation material configured for distribution in a blowing insulation machine is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing apparatus configured for making fibrous materials, the apparatus including structures configured to provide molten materials to fiberizing apparatus and collection apparatus configured to collect the formed fibrous materials, determining whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products, and formulating a composition of the molten material in response to the determination of whether the formed fibrous material will be further processed as loosefill insulation material or other fibrous products.

Abstract: An unbonded loosefill insulation material formed from a glass batch is provided. The glass batch comprises, in weight percent: 62.0-69.0% of SiO2, 0.0-4.0% of Al2O3, 7.0-12.0% of CaO, 0.0-5.0% of MgO, 3.0-14.0% of B2O3, 13.0-18.0% of Na2O and 0.0-3.0% of K2O. The unbonded loosefill insulation material is configured for distribution in a blowing insulation machine.

Abstract: An unbonded loosefill insulation material formed from a glass batch is provided. The glass batch comprises, in weight percent: 62.0-69.0% of SiO2, 0.0-4.0% of Al2O3, 7.0-12.0% of CaO, 0.0-5.0% of MgO, 3.0-14.0% of B2O3, 13.0-18.0% of Na2O and 0.0-3.0% of K2O. The unbonded loosefill insulation material is configured for distribution in a blowing insulation machine.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation product with improved thermal resistance and method of making it are provided. A plurality of base fibers (e.g. glass) are formed into an insulation product, which may be bindered or unbonded. At least one infrared opacifying agent, such as soot, carbon black or graphite, is applied to the fibrous insulation product such that the base fibers are substantially uniformly coated with opacifying agent. The opacifying agent may be applied, for example, from a fluid suspension or by pulling the fiber through a sooty flame. When opacifying agent applied via a suspension and a binder is desired, it is preferable to avoid binder dispersions that can dislocate the opacifying agent. Alternative binder applications may include co-mingling of base fibers with binder fibers, or other physical or mechanical distributions.

Abstract: A method of forming fibers from molten mineral material is provided. The method comprising the steps of: rotating a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, the orificed peripheral wall having a top row of orifices, introducing molten mineral material to the spinner to create a fan of primary glass fibers, creating an annular combustion flow of heated gas and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas substantially through the primary fibers, creating an annular flow of attenuating air with an annular blower, the annular flow of attenuating air being sufficient to attenuate the primary fibers into secondary fibers, directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are radially spaced apart at the level of the top row of orifices, and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are brought together at a position below the top row of orifices.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing high quality glass wool fibers, and more particularly to a spinner including a radiation shield is disclosed. The spinner includes a number of radiation shield positioned beneath the spinner base and decreases the temperature gradient along the peripheral sidewall of the spinner and improves the quality of the glass fibers. One suitable material for the radiation shield is a high temperature nickel alloy.

Abstract: An improved unbonded loosefill insulation material having a multiplicity of tufts and a plurality of voids between the tufts is provided. The tufts have an average major tuft dimension. The average major tuft dimension of the tufts of the improved unbonded loosefill insulation material is shorter than an average major tuft dimension of tufts of conventional unbonded loosefill insulation material, thereby providing the improved unbonded loosefill insulation material with a higher insulative value than conventional unbonded loosefill insulation material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing mineral fibers includes rotating an orificed spinner and supplying molten mineral material to the spinner to centrifuge streams of molten mineral material. A downward annular flow of attenuating gases is directed to attenuate the streams of molten mineral material into mineral fibers. A mixture of combustion air and combustion gas is supplied to an annular burner positioned around the spinner. Heat from the annular burner is directed toward the spinner and the streams of molten mineral material to heat the spinner and assist in attenuating the streams of molten mineral material into mineral fibers. A pressure sensor senses the pressure of the combustion air prior to the introduction of the combustion air to the burner. The pressure of the combustion air is controlled in response to the sensed pressure to maintain the pressure of the combustion air at a specific pressure.

Abstract: A method of forming fibers from molten mineral material is provided. The method comprising the steps of: rotating a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, the orificed peripheral wall having a top row of orifices, introducing molten mineral material to the spinner to create a fan of primary glass fibers, creating an annular combustion flow of heated gas and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas substantially through the primary fibers, creating an annular flow of attenuating air with an annular blower, the annular flow of attenuating air being sufficient to attenuate the primary fibers into secondary fibers, directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are radially spaced apart at the level of the top row of orifices, and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are brought together at a position below the top row of orifices.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing high quality glass wool fibers, and more particularly to a spinner including a radiation shield is disclosed. The spinner includes a number of radiation shield positioned beneath the spinner base and decreases the temperature gradient along the peripheral sidewall of the spinner and improves the quality of the glass fibers. One suitable material for the radiation shield is a high temperature nickel alloy.

Abstract: A spinner for centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material is disclosed. The spinner includes a generally annular peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of eyelets mounted in the apertures, each eyelet having multiple orifices formed therethrough.

Abstract: In a method for making bicomponent polymer fibers, first and second molten polymers are supplied to a rotating spinner having an orificed peripheral wall. The molten polymers are centrifuged through the orifices as molten bicomponent polymer streams. The streams are cooled to make bicomponent polymer fibers.