Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fissured, acoustical ceiling panel wherein the pins used to fissure the panel are roll applied thereto. The pins are embedded in flexible, resilient polymeric plates, and a plurality of the plates are attached to a rotary drum which is used to apply the fissuring pins to the surface of the panel. The invention also includes the method for manufacturing the polymeric plates which are molded and formed with the fissuring pins embedded therein.

Abstract: A fabric-surfaced fiber board having pressed and non-pressed portions. The board includes a low density fiber board composition having a re-activatable binder therein and having a fabric bonded thereto to form a laminate therewith. The laminate has peripheral portions wherein said fiber board composition has been compressed and reformed to have a reduced height, a higher density and a greater strength as compared to the non-pressed portion of the board.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for punching holes in continuously moving board material are disclosed. The holes may be decorative or functional and are punched so that no or negligible elongation results. The board is continuously moved in a first direction at a first speed and at least one member having pins or other projections thereon is rotated simultaneously about two axes at angular speeds such that the pins contact and punch the board during a portion of the rotation of the member while the speed of the member and the first speed are approximately equal and with the projections being in an essentially predetermined orientation to the board. Since the projections are oriented with respect to the board and are moving at approximately the same speed as the board while they contact and punch the board, there will be no or negligible elongation of the punched holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating and, if desired, eroding fibrous board surfaces in a non-repetitive pattern are disclosed. The boards perforated according to the present invention are especially useful as acoustical tiles and panels. The board is formed and dried with a surface pattern developed on the board surface if desired and thereafter the board surface is punched by a series of randomly arranged pins or tacks on a plurality of rolls whereby a non-repetitive pattern results.