Abstract: A process for using shredded scrap or virgin fiber glass in combination with starch, water and other components to make ceiling tiles. The tiles are made by initially preparing a mixture of water, starch, boric acid and fire clay. That initial mixture is then heated to form a gel. Fiber glass is then added to the gel to form a pulp. The pulp is fed into trays to form slabs. The slabs are dried and finished into tiles.

Abstract: A process for consistently making ceiling tiles having uniform density and surface texture includes using a conveyor along which trays are moved in a generally horizontal direction. A feeder box is used to deposit pulp in the trays, the pulp being comprised of a mixture of water, starch, fibrous material, and other ingredients. The feeder box through which pulp is deposited in the trays is of a special design, and includes a sloping front edge which creates a negative rake angle with respect to layers produced by the system. The lower front edge of the feeder box includes a surface having a compound curvature. Ceiling tiles are produced by the process having improved uniformity of density and surface texture.

Abstract: A lightweight asphalt roofing product wherein the asphalt-based coating has a specific gravity less than 1.0. A lightweight filler is used which has an effective specific gravity in the range of 0.10-0.50 and is present in the coating in the range of 3%-25% by weight of the filled coating. In a preferred embodiment, the filler particles have hollow, gas filled inclusions, and comprise expanded perlite particles or expanded permicite particles.

Abstract: A process for the rapid annealing of refractory fiber is disclosed. Air at a temperature of 750.degree. F. (400.degree. C.) to 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.) is passed through a refractory fiber body for a period of 5 to 200 seconds while the body is held securely in place for dimensional integrity. Apparatus for performing the process of this invention comprises an annealing unit containing opposed foraminous platens and means for passing hot air through the platens and through the fiber body retained between the platens or opposed foraminous belts and adjacent conduits and means for passing the hot annealing air through the conduits and belts and through the fiber body retained between the belts. The process and apparatus may be used to produce fiber bodies of a single material or laminated bodies of a plurality of interlocked layers, which may be of different fiber materials.

Abstract: The present invention concerns stacking of shingles, in particular shingles having one edge portion thicker than the other edge portion. Such shingles require that at least some of the shingles in a stack be oriented to place the thicker edge thereof opposite the thicker edge of the other shingles in the stack to form a neat and easily packaged stack of shingles. Such a stack of shingles must be formed quickly and accurately in order to keep up with the high rate of shingle production. The present invention accomplishes this by permitting selected shingles to be dropped and simultaneously rotated about a longitudinal axis as the shingles drop from one star wheel catcher (20) to another star wheel catcher (30). This rotation takes place by applying a substantial moment to the shingle as it falls by interposing specially shaped flipping fingers (46) in the path of the shingle.

Abstract: A process for the rapid annealing of refractory fiber is disclosed. Air at a temperature of 750.degree. F. (400.degree. C.) to 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.) is passed through a refractory fiber body for a period of 5 to 200 seconds while the body is held securely in place for dimensional integrity. Apparatus for performing the process of this invention comprises an annealing unit containing opposed foraminous platens and means for passing hot air through the platens and through the fiber body retained between the platens or opposed foraminous belts and adjacent conduits and means for passing the hot annealing air through the conduits and belts and through the fiber body retained between the belts. The process and apparatus may be used to produce fiber bodies of a single material or laminated bodies of a plurality of interlocked layers, which may be of different fiber materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for forming a series of shingles from two shingle members. In the past such apparatus has required an inordinate number of hand operations and warehousing of such shingle members. These hand operations and warehousing functions have resulted in a substantial number of non-conforming shingles, which must be rejected, and also causing other problems which affect the overall productivity of such prior art apparatus. The present invention anticipates forming from stock material a complete set of such shingle members, maintaining the shingle members in a set in a predetermined positional relationship throughout the manufacturing operation up to and including the formation of stacks of shingles formed thereby. When such a set of shingle members includes a pair of overlay portions formed of interdigitated tabs, the present invention permits these tabs to be defined to form two styles of shingles.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for the formation of thermal insulation blocks from rolls of fibrous blankets. The apparatus comprises folding means to make alternating transverse folds in the blanket, insertion means to insert block supporting members (pronged beams) into and through folds of the block, and sequencing means to control the location of beam insertion according to a predetermined pattern.