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: 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: This invention relates to pipe insulation useful at relatively high temperatures, e.g., 850.degree. F. Mineral fibers bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resins and conventional anti-punking liquid resin systems have been developed as a means of producing thermal insulation of relatively low density. However, sustained punking of the binders employed caused exothermic reactions whose temperatures fused the low density mineral fibers causing thermal and structural degradation of the insulation. The present invention utilizes a relatively dense layer of fiber glass having a relatively low binder content, bonded with a binder comprising an antipunk phenolic resin and high levels of silane based on the solids content in the resin. An outer layer may surround the dense layer and be constructed with a lower density and a higher binder content.

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: A web of jacketing material is unwound from a reservoir thereof and conveyed at constant speed. A double sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, having one side protected by a removable sheet covering, conveyed in a direction normal to that of the jacketing material, is cut to predetermined lengths, positioned subjacent to and then applied across the width of the jacketing material at predetermined intervals. The jacketing material is sheared into sections by making cuts across the material along the middle of the adhesive strip and at a line midway between adhesive strips.

Abstract: A web of jacketing material is unwound from a reservoir thereof and conveyed at constant speed. A double sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, having one side protected by a removable sheet covering, conveyed in a direction normal to that of the jacketing material, is cut to predetermined lengths, positioned subjacent to and then applied across the width of the jacketing material at predetermined intervals. The jacketing material is sheared into sections by making cuts across the material along the middle of the adhesive strip and at a line midway between adhesive strips.

Abstract: In the manufacture of glass fibrous products wherein gaseous streams of fibers are directed through conduits from a generally horizontal direction downwardly in a generally vertical direction towards a moving collection surface, the improvement wherein forming tubes are telescopically associated with downwardly sloping portions of the conduits and supported so that the forming tubes may be positioned at various distances above the collection surface and at various angular orientations relative to the moving collection surface. Also, the shaping of the forming tubes allows additional gaseous streams of fibers to be produced. By selectively manipulating the height and orientation of the forming tubes, the ability to produce a uniform deposition of material onto the moving collection surface is greatly improved. A method and apparatus for the application of binder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting fibrous material, particularly small diameter glass fibers, i.e. within the range of 0.05 to 2.60 microns, from a gaseous medium in an efficient, environmentally sound manner is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a collection chamber which partially encloses a rotating drum having a perforated peripheral surface and having a fine mesh collection screen superimposed thereover. The drum is positioned in such a manner that the screen intercepts a gaseous stream of fibers, e.g. glass microfibers. A suction force established interiorly of the peripheral surface of the drum draws the gaseous stream through the collection screen in order to thereby continuously collect a layer of fibers upon a portion of the rotating screen. The layer of fibers is removed from the drum and wound on a mandrel at a point outside the collection chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the drum surface is cleaned of any residual fibers.