Inventors:
Albert J. Bracalielly - Mars PA
Glenn E. Kautz - Sewickley PA
Robert G. Lindner - Sewickley PA
Bernard H. Davis - Stoney Creek, CA
Assignee:
H. H. Robertson Company - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
B32B 1308
B32B 1312
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming shaped articles from glass fiber reinforced gypsum. An aqueous slurry of gypsum hemi-hydrate, water and glass fibers contains between 22 and 45 parts by weight water, 100 parts by weight gypsum hemi-hydrate and 3 to 10 parts by weight glass fiber. The slurry is deposited as a continuous ribbon on a moving, water-impermeable formable sheet which is pre-shaped and thereafter the slurry ribbon is pressed into a desired profile. The formable sheet and slurry ribbon are maintained in the desired profile until the slurry sets. Thereafter the product ribbon is cut transversely into lengths as desired. The formable sheet may be removed before cutting, or may be retained in engagement with the product ribbon during and after cutting to serve as a protective cover for the surface of the article. The process and apparatus are especially adapted to produce liner sheets for building construction panels. The process and apparatus also are applicable to producing continuous ribbons of other dough-like formable compositions such as glass-fiber reinforced cement.