Abstract: A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g.

Abstract: A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g.

Abstract: A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g.

Abstract: A nonwoven web has a weight sufficient for construction industry use and comprises at least forty percent (40%) recycled waste paper. At least one surface of the web bears a biocide, e.g., has a biocide applied thereto. Preferably the weight of the web is greater than fifteen pounds per thousand square feet (15-lbs/MSF). Preferably the biocide is zinc pyrithione. The web preferably bears at least 50-grams of biocide per thousand square feet per side of said web. One example use of the web is as builders felt, with other uses including as a facer for a laminate board and for asphalt-impregnated webs. The biocide-bearing nonwoven web is specifically directed to use in building construction. One example use of the web is as builders felt, with other uses including as a facer for a laminate board and for asphalt-impregnated webs.

Abstract: A nonwoven web has a weight sufficient for construction industry use and comprises at least forty percent (40%) recycled waste paper. At least one surface of the web bears a biocide, e.g., has a biocide applied thereto. Preferably the weight of the web is greater than fifteen pounds per thousand square feet (15-lbs/MSF). Preferably the biocide is zinc pyrithione. The web preferably bears at least 50-grams of biocide per thousand square feet per side of said web. One example use of the web is as builders felt, with other uses including as a facer for a laminate board and for asphalt-impregnated webs. The biocide-bearing nonwoven web is specifically directed to use in building construction. One example use of the web is as builders felt, with other uses including as a facer for a laminate board and for asphalt-impregnated webs.

Abstract: A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g.

Abstract: A rigid closed cell polyisocyanate-based foams is created by reacting at least one organic polyisocyanate with compounds having at least two active hydrogen atoms in the presence of an n-pentane blowing agent. When the foam is formed into a laminated board with facers, the foam formulation includes a sufficient amount of a common blend of cleaning solvent chemicals to cause a noticeable improvement in facer adhesion. The chemicals used to improve facer adhesion are a standard blend of industrial cleaning solvents called “Di-Basic Esters” or DBE. The actual chemical compounds in one mode of this mixture are the methyl esters of about 59% glutaric acid, about 20% succinic acid, and about 21% adipic acid. The minimum rate of addition of the Di-Basic Esters”[DBE] thought to be effective may be less than about 0.5 parts per hundred parts of polyol (pphpp). The currently preferred embodiments use add-on rates within the range of about 0.5 to about 5.

Abstract: A rigid closed cell polyisocyanate-based foams is created by reacting at least one organic polyisocyanate with compounds having at least two active hydrogen atoms in the presence of an n-pentane blowing agent. When the foam is formed into a laminated board with facers, the foam formulation includes a sufficient amount of a common blend of cleaning solvent chemicals to cause a noticeable improvement in facer adhesion. The chemicals used to improve facer adhesion are a standard blend of industrial cleaning solvents called “Di-Basic Esters” or DBE. The actual chemical compounds in one mode of this mixture are the methyl esters of about 59% glutaric acid, about 20% succinic acid, and about 21% adipic acid. The minimum rate of addition of the Di-Basic Esters” [DBE] thought to be effective may be less than about 0.5 parts per hundred parts of polyol (pphpp). The currently preferred embodiments use add-on rates within the range of about 0.5 to about 5.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.

Abstract: A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g.

Abstract: The non-woven web of the present invention is comprised of recycled cellulose fiber and untreated Clarifier Sludge, and optionally, recycled glass fiber. Unlike uses of reclaimed Clarifier Sludge whereby the material has been treated in some fashion to improve its quality, the non-woven web of the present invention utilizes untreated Clarifier Sludge. The Clarifier Sludge of the present invention is dry enough to handle, and in one example varies between about 30% and about 45% solids. The Clarifier Sludge can be added to web-forming equipment (e.g., papermaking equipment) either in a waste paper disintegrator or into a recycling apparatus (e.g., broke pulper) whose output is metered into a refiner tank of the web-forming equipment. In an embodiment utilizing a broke pulper for introduction of the Clarifier Sludge, the broke pulper is filled with clarifier sludge and water to a consistency of about 3.5% solids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for treating (e.g., recycling) polystyrene foam scrap particulate in a manner which increases the density of the polystyrene while minimizing an amount of heat required to convert the polystyrene into densified solid polystyrene plastic (e.g., polystyrene flakes), thereby avoiding noticeable polymer degradation. The invention involves first heating polystyrene particulates to a semi-molten state in a heating zone so that polystyrene particulates coalesce. Pressure is then applied in a pressure zone to the polystyrene while the polystyrene is coalescing. The pressure is applied by a pressure mechanism which crushes the heated and softened polystyrene, and which preferably maintains the pressure on the polystyrene until the polystyrene cools below the softening temperature of the polystyrene. The pressure mechanism squeezes essentially all gases (entrained air and expansion gases) from the polystyrene, and thus precludes, e.g.

Abstract: Rigid closed cell polyisocyanate-based insulation foams are created by reacting at least one organic polyisocyanate with compounds having at least two active hydrogen atoms in the presence of acetone used as an expansion, or blowing, agent. Various additives common to rigid closed-cell foam such as cell size controlling silicone surfactants are used to produce a thermal insulating rigid foam. Also, catalysts, flame retardant chemicals, and organic surfactants can be any of the ordinary products normally used by those experienced in the art of foam production. The utilization of acetone and water reduce the amount of hydrocarbon VOCs needed to obtain any given density thus reducing the volatile organic compounds released from the foam insulation. This benefit comes without detriment to the other important qualities needed in such a foam.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.

Abstract: A rigid closed cell polyisocyanate-based foams is created by reacting at least one organic polyisocyanate with compounds having at least two active hydrogen atoms in the presence of an n-pentane blowing agent. When the foam is formed into a laminated board with facers, the foam formulation includes a sufficient amount of a common blend of cleaning solvent chemicals to cause a noticeable improvement in facer adhesion. The chemicals used to improve facer adhesion are a standard blend of industrial cleaning solvents called “Di-Basic Esters” or DBE. The actual chemical compounds in one mode of this mixture are the methyl esters of about 59% glutaric acid, about 20% succinic acid, and about 21% adipic acid. The minimum rate of addition of the Di-Basic Esters” [DBE] thought to be effective may be less than about 0.5 parts per hundred parts of polyol (pphpp). The currently preferred embodiments use add-on rates within the range of about 0.5 to about 5.

Abstract: The non-woven web of the present invention is comprised of recycled cellulose fiber and untreated Clarifier Sludge, and optionally, recycled glass fiber. Unlike uses of reclaimed Clarifier Sludge whereby the material has been treated in some fashion to improve its quality, the non-woven web of the present invention utilizes untreated Clarifier Sludge. The Clarifier Sludge of the present invention is dry enough to handle, and in one example varies between about 30% and about 45% solids. The Clarifier Sludge can be added to web-forming equipment (e.g., papermaking equipment) either in a waste paper disintegrator or into a recycling apparatus (e.g., broke pulper) whose output is metered into a refiner tank of the web-forming equipment. In an embodiment utilizing a broke pulper for introduction of the Clarifier Sludge, the broke pulper is filled with clarifier sludge and water to a consistency of about 3.5% solids.

Abstract: A non-woven web such as a facer comprises recycled cellulose fiber; recycled glass fiber, and, a sizing agent which provides the mat with decreased liquid penetrability over time. An example suitable sizing agent is alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) which has a dry basis add-on rate of from about 0.15% to about 0.4%, and preferably a dry basis add-on rate of from about 0.2% to about 0.3%. The sizing agent provides the mat with decreased liquid penetrability four weeks after mat production. In one aspect of the invention, the mats/facers can be employed as a facer for a rigid cellular foam board.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.