Certainteed Corporation

Hal J Robbins

Kenneth D Knapp

Christopher R Donnelly

Encapsulated glass fiber insulation is made by forming a covering material over the top surface of a mineral fiber core, with the formed covering material extending adjacent the side surfaces. The covering material is greater in width than the sum of the widths of the top and two side surfaces, so that the edges of the formed covering material extend beyond the mineral fiber core. A vacuum is applied below the mineral fiber core to draw the formed covering material extending beyond the side surfaces under the core.

Process for encapsulating glass fiber insulation

A length of pipe insulation is provided, that has a longitudinal slit that enables it to be positioned over a pipe that is to be insulated. A facing material is provided on the exterior of the generally tubular shaped insulation material. The facing material on one side of the slit has a somewhat adhesive-resistant material that lends itself to an adhesive strip not being permanently secured thereto, and a flap of facing material extends across the opening, having an adhesive flap portion generally in overlying relation to the somewhat adhesive-resistant material. The flap is capable of being extended by grasping it and moving it such that the adhesive portion extends further around the tubular shape to be able to engage the facing material, a securement strip holds the flap folded in a restrained fold but is capable of being broken when force is applied. This results in an insulation covering and a method of covering pipe, whereby the use of discardable release paper is avoided, in that the somewhat adhesive-resistant strip of release paper is captured in the installation, after the pipe is wrapped with the insulation.

Growing community of inventors

Douglasville, GA, United States of America

Hal J Robbins