U.S. patent application number 14/447087 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for method for forming a flexible, thermal-barrier sheet product, and associated apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.. Invention is credited to Daniel Baroux.
Application Number | 20170239910 14/447087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48904340 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170239910 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Baroux; Daniel |
August 24, 2017 |
METHOD FOR FORMING A FLEXIBLE, THERMAL-BARRIER SHEET PRODUCT, AND
ASSOCIATED APPARATUS
Abstract
A method is provided for forming a flexible fire-resistant and
thermal resistant sheet product. Such a method comprises securing a
first insulation material sheet to a first cover sheet to form a
first sheet product portion including a perimeter; securing a
second insulation material sheet to a second cover sheet to form a
second sheet product portion including a perimeter; and securing
the first sheet product portion to the second sheet product
portion, at least about the perimeters thereof and such that the
first insulation material sheet is disposed adjacent to the second
insulation material sheet, to form the sheet product. An associated
apparatus is also provided.
Inventors: |
Baroux; Daniel; (Nanaimo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC. |
Halifax |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160031180 A1 |
February 4, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
48904340 |
Appl. No.: |
14/447087 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CA13/50064 |
Jan 30, 2013 |
|
|
|
14447087 |
|
|
|
|
61592340 |
Jan 30, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 2307/3065 20130101;
D05B 1/04 20130101; B32B 2038/008 20130101; B32B 37/02 20130101;
B32B 3/02 20130101; B32B 33/00 20130101; A62C 8/06 20130101; B32B
37/12 20130101; B29K 2995/0016 20130101; B32B 2262/101 20130101;
B32B 5/06 20130101; B32B 7/08 20130101; B32B 5/26 20130101; B32B
2260/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B32B 5/06 20060101
B32B005/06; B32B 5/26 20060101 B32B005/26; D05B 1/04 20060101
D05B001/04 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a flexible fire-resistant and thermal
resistant sheet product, said method comprising: securing a first
insulation material sheet to a first cover sheet, with lateral
stitching using a first stitching material, to form a first sheet
product portion including a perimeter; securing a second insulation
material sheet to a second cover sheet, with lateral stitching
using the first stitching material, to form a second sheet product
portion including a perimeter; and securing the first sheet product
portion to the second sheet product portion, at least about the
perimeters thereof and with a plurality of point stitches
therebetween, the point stitches being comprised of a second
stitching material, such that the first insulation material sheet
is disposed adjacent to the second insulation material sheet, the
first and second sheet product portions cooperating to form the
sheet product.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing the first
insulation material sheet and securing the second insulation sheet
material each comprise securing the first and second insulation
material sheets, each comprised of filiform glass fibers, to the
respective first and second cover sheets.
3. (canceled)
4. A method according to claim 1, comprising interacting at least
one of the first and second insulation material sheets and the
first and second cover sheets with a fire-retarding solution
including one or more of a boron compound, a phosphorus compound, a
chlorine compound, a fluorine compound, an antimony compound, a
borate compound, a halogen compound, boric acid, an inorganic
hydrate, a bromine compound, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium
hydroxide, hydromagnesite, antimony trioxide, a phosphonium salt,
ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, methyl bromide, methyl
iodide, bromochlorodifluoromethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane,
dibromodifluoromethane, carbon tetrachloride, urea-potassium
bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.
5. A method according to claim 1, comprising: interacting at least
one of the first and second insulation material sheets with a
fire-retarding solution; and de-liquefying the at least one of the
first and second insulation material sheets to form at least one
dry melt-resistant insulation material sheet therefrom.
6. A method according to claim 1, comprising: interacting at least
one of the first and second cover sheets with a fire-retarding
solution; and de-liquefying the at least one of the first and
second cover sheets to form at least one dry ignition-resistant
cover sheet therefrom.
7. A method according to claim 1, comprising: interacting the first
stitching material with a fire-retarding solution; and
de-liquefying the first stitching material to form dry
ignition-resistant first stitching material therefrom.
8. (canceled)
9. A method according to claim 1, comprising: interacting the
second stitching material with a fire-retarding solution; and
de-liquefying the second stitching material to form dry
ignition-resistant second stitching material therefrom.
10. A method according to claim 4, wherein interacting at least one
of the first and second insulation material sheets and the first
and second cover sheets with a fire-retarding solution further
comprises interacting at least one of the first and second
insulation material sheets and the first and second cover sheets
with a fire-retarding solution comprising one of an aqueous
fire-retarding solution, a nontoxic liquid fire-retarding solution,
and a neutral pH liquid fire-retarding solution.
11. A flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product
apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a first sheet product portion
secured to a second sheet product portion, each sheet product
portion including a perimeter, and comprising an insulation
material sheet secured to a cover sheet with a first stitching
material arranged to form lateral stitching, the sheet product
portions being secured together at least about the perimeters
thereof with a second stitching material arranged to form a
plurality of point stitches, such that the insulation material
sheet of the first sheet product portion is disposed adjacent to
the insulation material sheet of the second sheet product portion,
and such that the secured together sheet product portions cooperate
to form the sheet product apparatus.
11. l) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each insulation
sheet material is comprised of filiform glass fibers.
13. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a
fire-retarding solution including one or more of a boron compound,
a phosphorus compound, a chlorine compound, a fluorine compound, an
antimony compound, a borate compound, a halogen compound, boric
acid, an inorganic hydrate, a bromine compound, aluminum hydroxide,
magnesium hydroxide, hydromagnesite, antimony trioxide, a
phosphonium salt, ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, methyl
bromide, methyl iodide, bromochlorodifluoromethane,
dibromotetrafluoroethane, dibromodifluoromethane, carbon
tetrachloride, urea-potassium bicarbonate, and combinations
thereof, interacted with at least one of the first and second
insulation material sheets and the first and second cover
sheets.
14. (canceled)
15. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a
fire-retarding solution having one or more of a boron compound, a
phosphorus compound, a chlorine compound, a fluorine compound, an
antimony compound, a borate compound, a halogen compound, boric
acid, an inorganic hydrate, a bromine compound, aluminum hydroxide,
magnesium hydroxide, hydromagnesite, antimony trioxide, a
phosphonium salt, ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, methyl
bromide, methyl iodide, bromochlorodifluoromethane,
dibromotetrafluoroethane, dibromodifluoromethane, carbon
tetrachloride, urea-potassium bicarbonate, and combinations
thereof, interacted with at least one of the first stitching
material and the second stitching material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/CA2013/050064, filed Jan. 30, 2013, which
International Application was published by the International Bureau
in English on Aug. 8, 2013, claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/592,340, filed Jan. 30, 2012, all which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for
forming improved thermal barrier sheet products, and, more
particularly, to a method for forming a melt-resistant,
fire-resistant, and/or otherwise thermally-resistant flexible sheet
product, and associated apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Fire blankets or other flexible, and supposedly fireproof or
fire-resistant, sheet products are often depended upon to protect
life and/or property in case of a fire. Such fire blankets and the
like may also be used to smother open flame, for example, in the
event of a kitchen or stove fire. In such configurations, the fire
blankets may be produced from fibers treated for fire-resistance.
Such fibers may include, for instance, cotton fibers, polyester
fibers, or the like, or combination thereof In some instances, such
fire blankets may be made from a "fireproof" fabric such as
Nomex.RTM., Kevlar.RTM., or the like. However, such fiber- or
fabric-based fire blankets may tend to smolder when exposed to
flame (particularly fire blankets having a fiber filling), or emit
toxic fumes. In addition, even if treated with a fire-retardant,
such conventional fire blankets may be prone to "burn through" and
may not provide any protection against heat.
[0006] Thus, there exists a need for a fire blanket or other
flexible sheet having improved ignition/fire- and/or
thermal/heat/melt-resistance. Further, such a fire blanket or
flexible sheet should provide improved resistance to burn-through
and should desirably act as an insulator in the event of a fire. In
addition, it would be desirable for such a fire blanket or flexible
sheet to not emit toxic fumes upon exposure to heat or flame.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present
disclosure, wherein one such aspect relates to a method of forming
a flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product. Such
a method comprises securing a first insulation material sheet to a
first cover sheet to form a first sheet product portion including a
perimeter; securing a second insulation material sheet to a second
cover sheet to form a second sheet product portion including a
perimeter; and securing the first sheet product portion to the
second sheet product portion, at least about the perimeters thereof
and such that the first insulation material sheet is disposed
adjacent to the second insulation material sheet, to form the sheet
product.
[0008] In some aspects, the insulation material sheets may comprise
filiform glass fibers, and the filiform glass fibers and/or the
cover sheets may be interacted with a fire-retarding solution. The
material securing the insulation material sheets to the respective
cover sheets may also be interacted with the fire-retarding
solution, and well as the material securing the first and second
sheet product portions together. The fire-retarding solution may be
an aqueous fire-retarding solution. It may be preferred that the
fire-retarding solution be nontoxic and/or have a neutral pH and/or
be hypoallergenic and/or have any number of otherwise desirable
properties. In some aspects, the fire-retarding solution may
comprise any one of a boron compound, a phosphorus compound, a
chlorine compound, a fluorine compound, an antimony compound, a
borate compound, a halogen compound, boric acid, an inorganic
hydrate, a bromine compound, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium
hydroxide, hydromagnesite, antimony trioxide, a phosphonium salt,
ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, methyl bromide, methyl
iodide, bromochlorodifluoromethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane,
dibromodifluoromethane, carbon tetrachloride, urea-potassium
bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.
[0009] As such, aspects of the present disclosure provide a fire
blanket or other flexible sheet having improved ignition/fire-
and/or thermal/heat/melt-resistance; a fire blanket or flexible
sheet having improved resistance to burn-through and a capability
to act as an insulator in the event of a fire; and a fire blanket
or flexible sheet which does not emit toxic fumes upon exposure to
heat or flame.
[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure thus address the
identified needs and provide other advantages as otherwise detailed
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0011] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus for forming a
flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product,
according to one aspect of the disclosure; and
[0013] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a method of forming a
flexible fire-resistant and thermal resistant sheet product,
according to one aspect of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] The present disclosure now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, the
disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather,
these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to
apparatuses and methods for forming a flexible, thermal-resistant
sheet product. In one such aspect, the sheet product may be termed
a fire blanket. As previously discussed, possible limitations in
the treatment of as-formed filiform glass fiber products, such as a
glass fiber-based insulation or board product, for fire resistance,
particularly with a liquid fire retardant, include difficulty in
achieving an even and consistent treatment of that glass fiber
product, as well as difficulty in effecting thermal/heat resistance
in the as-formed product. That is, the result of some fire
resistance surface-treatment processes may be an uneven,
non-uniform, or otherwise inconsistent or incomplete application of
the fire retardant to the glass fiber product. In those cases, such
uneven surface treatment may result in varying levels of fire
resistance of the treated glass fiber product which may, in turn,
become a hazard in the event of a fire which the product is
intended to retard or otherwise provide some resistance. Moreover,
such surface fire-retardant treatments may have little effect on
the overall thermal/heat resistance of the as-formed product.
[0016] As such, one aspect of the present disclosure is generally
directed to apparatuses and methods for forming an
ignition-resistant (fire-resistant) and/or melt-resistant
(thermal-resistant) filiform glass fiber product. Filiform glass
fibers may be first combined with a fire-retarding solution so as
to at least saturate the filiform glass fibers. The filiform glass
fibers may be comprised of, for example, E-glass (i.e.,
alumino-borosilicate glass with less than about 1% w/w alkali
oxides), A-glass (i.e., alkali-lime glass with little or no boron
oxide), E-CR-glass (i.e., alumino-lime silicate with less than 1%
w/w alkali oxides), C-glass (i.e., alkali-lime glass with high
boron oxide content), D-glass (i.e., borosilicate glass), R-glass
(i.e., alumino silicate glass without MgO and CaO), and/or S-glass
(i.e., alumino silicate glass without CaO but with high MgO
content). Such filiform glass fibers may be formed, for example,
using a direct melt process or a marble remelt process, wherein
bulk glass material is melted and then extruded through appropriate
bushings or nozzles. In a continuous filament process, a sizing may
be applied to the drawn fibers before the fibers are wound. In a
staple fiber process, the glass material can be blown or blasted
with heat or steam after exiting a formation machine. For example,
in rotary process formation machine, molten glass enters a rotating
spinner, and due to centrifugal force is thrown
horizontally/laterally outward, wherein air jets may push the glass
vertically downward while a binder is applied, and wherein a
resulting fiber mat may be vacuumed to a screen and the binder then
cured in an oven to form a cohesive mat. That is, the rotary or
spinner process may be used to make glass wool, wherein the
produced fibers fall onto a conveyor belt, where they interlace
with each other in a fleecy mass. This can be used for insulation,
or the wool can be sprayed with a binder, compressed into the
desired thickness, and cured in an oven. The heat sets the binder,
and the resulting product may be a rigid or semi-rigid board, or a
flexible batt. As such, the filiform glass fibers implemented
herein may vary considerably with respect to the applicability
thereof to the disclosed process. However, in some aspects, the
filiform glass fibers to be combined with the fire-retarding
solution may be in "glass wool" or "batt" form.
[0017] More particularly, a wetted mixture may first be formed,
including the filiform glass fibers and the fire-retarding
solution. In some instances, the wetted mixture exclusively
includes filiform glass fibers interacted with the fire-retarding
solution. The wetted mixture may be formed such that the solids
content of the fire-retarding solution is substantially uniformly
and thoroughly dispersed therethrough. In some instances, the fire
retarding solution may substantially coat each of the filiform
glass fibers, wherein the coating includes at least some of the
solids content of the fire-retarding solution. The wetted mixture
may then be de-liquefied, for example, by heating or other suitable
drying process, by pressing or compression, via heated circulated
air (i.e., air heated with combusted natural gas or other suitable
fuel source), or through microwave or infrared drying techniques,
to form dry melt-resistant filiform glass fibers.
[0018] The dry filiform glass fibers may be rendered melt-resistant
by the coating of the glass fibers formed by particular solid
components of the fire-retarding solution remaining on the glass
fibers following the heating/de-liquefying/drying process and/or
bonding of such solid components to the exposed surfaces of the
glass fibers. In such instances, the solid coating may form an
insulating barrier capable of diffusing incident heat (i.e.,
provide thermal/heat/melt resistance for the glass fibers) while
also resisting ignition by incident flame (i.e., provide
ignition/fire/flame resistance for the glass fibers).
[0019] On this basis, according to some aspects, the dry
melt-resistant filiform glass fibers themselves may be implemented
as a glass fiber end product. For example, the dry melt-resistant
filiform glass fibers may be used as blown-in insulation or
insulation sheets in bat or roll form. In other aspects, such
"pre-treated" filiform glass fibers may be processed, as necessary
or desired, in the same of similar manner as previously disclosed
herein, so as to prepare pre-treated filiform glass fibers having a
particular average length. One skilled in the art will appreciate,
however, that the "average length" of the filiform glass fibers
disclosed herein do not necessarily require a relatively small or
narrow range of fiber lengths. That is, the average length of the
glass fibers as used herein is for general guidance only and does
not preclude the effectiveness of the methods and apparatuses
herein if a relatively large range of lengths of filiform glass
fibers is implemented.
[0020] Further, in some instances, the glass fibers implemented to
form the resulting glass fiber product may be exclusively or
substantially exclusively comprised of filiform glass fibers of the
type disclosed herein (i.e., excluding materials other than such
filiform glass fibers). One skilled in the art will appreciate from
the disclosure herein, however, that in some aspects, that
contaminants in reasonable levels in the filiform glass fibers will
likely have little if any detrimental effect with respect to the
resulting as-formed glass fiber product. As such, a decontamination
process/apparatus may not necessarily be contemplated (e.g., for
the filiform glass fibers), but could be included to perform such
decontamination, should there be a need or desire for a
contaminant-free glass fiber product.
[0021] In some aspects, the fire-retarding solution, used to
pre-treat the filiform glass fibers, may comprise, for example, one
of a phosphorus compound, a chlorine compound, a fluorine compound,
an antimony compound, a halogen compound, an inorganic hydrate, a
bromine compound, magnesium hydroxide, hydromagnesite, antimony
trioxide, a phosphonium salt, ammonium phosphate, diammonium
phosphate, methyl bromide, methyl iodide,
bromochlorodifluoromethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane,
dibromodifluoromethane, carbon tetrachloride, urea-potassium
bicarbonate, and combinations thereof. In this regard, one skilled
in the art will appreciate that various fire-retarding or fire
resistant substances, either currently known or later developed or
discovered, in solution form, may be applicable to the disclosed
processes and apparatuses herein within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0022] In particular aspects, the fire-retarding solution may be an
aqueous fire-retarding solution. It may be preferred that the
fire-retarding solution be nontoxic and/or have a neutral pH and/or
be hypoallergenic and/or have any number of otherwise desirable
properties affecting human / animal and/or environmental safety,
while maintaining the necessary efficacy, as implemented and upon
exposure of the filiform glass fibers and/or the glass fiber
product to heat and/or flame. In some aspects, the fire-retarding
solution may include a component which, standing alone, may not
necessarily exhibit one or more of the previously-disclosed
preferred or desirable properties. However, one skilled in the art
will appreciate that other different components of the
fire-retarding solution may interact with the noted component so as
to neutralize, minimize, or otherwise eliminate, chemically or
otherwise, the non-preferred or undesirable properties of the noted
component such that the overall fire-retarding solution exhibits
one or more of the preferred or desirable properties. One skilled
in the art will further appreciate that the fire-retarding solution
may be formed by adding a solid fire-retardant product to a liquid
(i.e., water) or other chemical mixed with the filiform glass
fibers such that the solid fire-retardant product forms a solution
with the liquid or other chemical. In some aspects, the filiform
glass fibers may be interacted with the fire-retarding solution
such that the fire retarding solution substantially coats each of
the filiform glass fibers. In yet another aspect, the
fire-retarding solution itself may be configured to substantially
coat each of the filiform glass fibers when interacted therewith.
In such instances, the fire-retarding solution may interact with
the filiform glass fibers, for example, such that the
fire-retarding solution or a component thereof etches the exposed
surfaces of the glass fibers so as to promote and/or facilitate
bonding of particular solid components of the fire-retarding
solution with the exposed surfaces of the glass fibers and/or
formation of a coating over the exposed surfaces.
[0023] In any instance, particular aspects of the present
disclosure contemplate that the treated filiform glass fibers are
provided in a roll, sheet, or batt form, wherein the filiform glass
fibers are sufficiently engaged to form a cohesive member or
insulation material sheet. One skilled in the art will appreciate,
however, that the filiform glass fibers provided in such
configurations do not necessarily have to be tightly compacted, but
may be provided as a "fluffed," loose fill, or otherwise relatively
loose conglomeration of such fibers in the manner as, for example,
a bat or roll of fiberglass insulation, hence an "insulation
material sheet."
[0024] Once the filiform glass fibers have been treated and dried,
the cohesive member/insulation material sheet formed therefrom may
be applied to a first cover sheet. Such a first cover sheet may
comprise, for example, cotton, polyester, poly-cotton, filfiorm
glass fibers, Kraft paper, encasement paper, a foil sheet (aluminum
or other metal), or any other suitable sheet member or combinations
thereof In another aspect, a second cohesive member comprised of
the treated filiform glass fibers may be applied to a second cover
sheet, which may be the same as or different from the first cover
sheet. In particular instances, it may be desired for the first and
second cover sheets to be comprised of a fibrous material that may
also be treated with a fire-retarding solution of the types
previously disclosed. In such instances, the fibers may be treated
with the fire-retarding solution prior to forming the respective
cover sheet, of the as-formed cover sheet may be subjected to a
saturating treatment of the fire retarding solution followed by
appropriate de-liquefication. The inclusion of the fire-retarding
solution in the preparation of the respective cover sheets may
facilitate a more ignition/fire- and/or thermal/heat-resistant
filiform glass fiber product when applied to the respective
cohesive members of the filiform glass fibers.
[0025] In one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the first
and second cover sheets 100, 200 is secured to the respective
cohesive member of the filiform glass fibers 300, 400 (see, e.g.,
blocks 1200 and 1300 in FIG. 2). Such securement may be
accomplished in different manners, as will be appreciated by one
skilled in the art. For example, an appropriate adhesive material
may be applied between the respective cover sheet and cohesive
member. In other instances, particularly when the cover sheets
comprise fibrous sheets, the cover sheet may be stitched to the
respective cohesive member of filiform glass fibers. When stitched
together, the cover sheet/cohesive member may be secured by one or
more laterally-extending stitches 500, 600 using a first stitching
material. The stitches may extend through the cover sheet and
cohesive member and extend laterally about the perimeter and/or
between edges. In some instances, point stitches may be used to
secure the cover sheet to the cohesive member. Each cover sheet
having a cohesive member secured thereto forms, for example, a
sheet product portion 800, 900. The first stitching material may
comprise any suitable material, as will be appreciated by one
skilled in the art. In some instances, the first stitching material
may comprise a fibrous material, such as cotton, poly-cotton,
filiform glass fibers, or the like, which may also be treated with
a fire-retarding solution of the types disclosed herein, also
rendering the first stitching material ignition/fire- and/or
thermal/heat-resistant.
[0026] The first and second sheet product portions 800, 900 are
then secured together to form the flexible fire-resistant and
thermal-resistant sheet product 1000 (see, e.g., block 1400 in FIG.
2), In so forming the sheet product, the first and second sheet
product portions are secured together at least about the perimeters
thereof The first and second sheet product portions are also
secured together such that the first and second insulation material
sheets are disposed adjacent to each other. In particular
instances, the first and second sheet product portions may be
secured together by point stitches 700 using a second stitching
material. The second stitching material may comprise any suitable
material, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. In some
instances, the second stitching material may comprise a fibrous
material, such as cotton, poly-cotton, filiform glass fibers, or
the like, which may also be treated with a fire-retarding solution
of the types disclosed herein, also rendering the second stitching
material ignition/fire- and/or thermal/heat-resistant. One skilled
in the art will also appreciate that, according to some aspects of
the present disclosure, the resulting flexible sheet product may be
ignition-resistant/melt-resistant due to the
ignition-resistant/melt-resistant characteristics of the glass
fibers, wherein such ignition-resistance/melt-resistance may be
facilitated, in some instances, through heat and/or fire resistance
characteristics of the selected cover sheets and stitching or other
securement provisions. Further, in some instances, the glass fiber
product formed in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure, particularly through treatment of the filiform glass
fibers with the fire-retarding solution, may provide a more uniform
and thorough dispersion and distribution of the fire-retarding
solution within the formed glass fiber product, thus enhancing fire
resistance (flame spread), as well as thermal barrier (thermal
resistance/insulation) and/or other characteristics of the
resulting flexible sheet product.
[0027] Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosures set
forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which
these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. In some instances, other appropriate
substances/materials/chemicals may be added to the filiform glass
fibers. For example, a mold inhibitor; a water repellant,
waterproofing, and/or otherwise water resistant substance may be
added to the filiform glass fibers, in addition to the
fire-retarding solution. In some instance, the filiform glass
fibers themselves may provide a measure of termite resistance, or a
separate termite inhibitor may be added. In any instance, it may be
preferable that any additional substances received into the
filiform glass fibers be suitably introduced so as to be
substantially uniformly and thoroughly distributed and dispersed
within the filiform glass fibers.
[0028] In other aspects, other filiform fibers, whether natural or
synthetic/man-made, may be implemented with respect to the methods
and apparatuses disclosed herein. For example, such synthetic or
man-made fibers may generally be derived from synthetic materials
such as petrochemicals, though some types of synthetic fibers may
be manufactured from natural cellulose, including but not limited
to rayon, modal, and Lyocell.TM.. Cellulose-based fibers may be of
two types, regenerated or pure cellulose such as from the
cupro-ammonium process, and modified cellulose such as the
cellulose acetates. Fiber classification in reinforced plastics may
fall into two classes: (i) short fibers, also known as
discontinuous fibers, with a general aspect ratio (defined as the
ratio of fiber length to diameter) between 20 to 60, and (ii) long
fibers, also known as continuous fibers, the general aspect ratio
is between 200 to 500.
[0029] Mineral fibers may be implemented, in some instances, such
as purified natural quartz fibers, silica fiber made from sodium
silicate (water glass), and basalt fiber made from melted basalt.
Metallic fibers can be drawn from ductile metals such as copper,
gold or silver and extruded or deposited from more brittle metals,
such as nickel, aluminum or iron. Stainless steel fibers may also
be implemented. Carbon fibers may be based on oxidized and, via
pyrolysis, carbonized polymers like PAN, though the end product may
be almost pure carbon. Silicon carbide fibers can be implemented,
where the basic polymers are polymers and not hydrocarbons, and
where about 50% of the carbon atoms are replaced by silicon atoms
(i.e., poly-carbo-silanes). Polymer fibers based on synthetic
chemicals may be made from, but are not limited to: polyamide
nylon, PET or PBT polyester, phenol-formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl
alcohol fiber (PVA) vinylon, polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC)
vinylon, polyolefins (PP and PE) olefin fiber, acrylic polyesters,
pure polyester PAN fibers used to make carbon fiber, acrylic fiber,
aromatic polyamids (aramids) such as Twaron.TM., Kevlar.TM., and
Nomex.TM., and elastomers such as Spandex.TM. or urethane fibers.
The disclosed filiform glass fibers may also comprise, in some
aspects, microfibers (i.e., sub-denier fiber such as polyester
drawn to 0.5 do (Denier)). Generally, microfibers may be ultra-fine
fibers (i.e., glass or meltblown thermoplastics) that may be
formed, for example, by extruding fiber that is then split into
multiple finer fibers.
[0030] Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are
not to be limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that
modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within
the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *