Abstract: Methods for improving the tear strength in non-woven chopped strand mats during the manufacturing process of the mats are provided. In particular, the tear strength of the mat can be improved as the mat is being formed in response to current manufacturing conditions by the addition of a water soluble polyol, such as polyvinyl alcohol, or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit. Alternatively, a cationic dispersant may be added to the white water chest to improve the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit results in an immediate or nearly immediate improvement of the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. Both the polyvinyl alcohol and the cationic dispersant can be utilized to improve the tear strength of a chopped strand mat regardless of the type of binder or components in the white water.

Abstract: Methods for improving the tear strength in non-woven chopped strand mats during the manufacturing process of the mats are provided. In particular, the tear strength of the mat can be improved as the mat is being formed in response to current manufacturing conditions by the addition of a water soluble polyol, such as polyvinyl alcohol, or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit. Alternatively, a cationic dispersant may be added to the white water chest to improve the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit results in an immediate or nearly immediate improvement of the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. Both the polyvinyl alcohol and the cationic dispersant can be utilized to improve the tear strength of a chopped strand mat regardless of the type of binder or components in the white water.

Abstract: A glass fiber mat includes glass fibers saturated with a binder and then cured. A predetermined pattern of relatively high and low concentrations of binder is formed throughout the length of the glass fiber mat. The pattern produces at least one portion of the mat having a relatively high concentration of binder adjoining a portion of the mat having a relatively low concentration of binder. The pattern of high and low binder concentration is produced during a wet process. Liquid binder is either selectively applied to the glass fibers via an applicator or selectively removed from the glass fibers via a vacuum. Cover panels having predetermined slot configurations are used with vacuum boxes to create the desired pattern. Such glass fiber mats can be cut along an area of high binder concentration to produce cut edges which resist breaking and tearing. Shingles formed from such glass fiber mats have improved tear resistance and pliability.

Abstract: A binder applicator for applying binder to a moving substrate includes a distribution pipe extending transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate, with the distribution pipe having a bottom provided with a discharge opening. A distributor channel receives liquid binder from the discharge opening and directs the liquid binder upward. A horizontal reservoir receives the liquid binder material from the distributor channel, and a weir meters the discharge of the binder from the horizontal reservoir to form a thin horizontal flow of liquid binder material. A curved surface receives the thin flow of binder material and gradually changes the flow path to a substantially vertical thin flow of binder material for discharge onto the moving substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnating a porous substrate with foam, the method comprising transporting the porous substrate through a nip region defined by a rotating foraminous drum and a foam discharge head, the foam discharge head comprising one or more discharge openings, supplying foam to the discharge head with pressure sufficient to discharge foam through the discharge openings to impregnate the porous substrate, and urging the foam discharge head and the foraminous drum toward each other to compress the porous substrate as it passes the discharge openings. The foam discharge head is mounted to a hinged plate to enable the urging of the discharge head toward the foraminous drum.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed, the dispenser comprising a head adapted with one or more expandable members to regulate the quantity of flow from the head.