US1765778A

US1765778A - Method of saturating fibrous material

Info

Publication number: US1765778A
Application number: US57094A
Authority: US
Inventors: August E Schutte
Original assignee: Patent and Licensing Corp
Current assignee: Patent and Licensing Corp
Priority date: 1925-09-18
Filing date: 1925-09-18
Publication date: 1930-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1947-06-24

Description

June' 24, 1930.

A. E. SCHUTTE METHOD OF SATURATING FIBROUS MATERIAL .Filed Sept. 18, 1925 6 Sheets-Shea?I Jupe 24, 1930. A. E. scHuTTE `METHOD OF SATURATING FIBROUS MA'IIERIAL e sheets-smet Filed sept.y 18, m25

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METHOD OF SATURATING FIBROUS MATERIAL v Filed Sep.. 18 1925 G Sheets-Sheet 5 Iva/M i' www @www uNIrEn lSTATE' Patented June 24, 1930 AUGUST E. SCHUTTE, 03E"k NORTHBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE PATENT AND LICENSINGiCORPOR-ATION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, Av CORI?OIR'ATIONv OF MASSACHUSETTS l METHOD or sATURArrNc FIBRous MATERIAL Application led September Thisinvention relates to a methodof and machlnery for saturatmg or impregnatmg fibrous material with waterproofing agents,

asphalt for" a period of ltime suficient to a1- low the asphalt to pass into the pores and interstices between the fibres of the felt and to'be absorbed thereby, after which the felt emerges from the, bath and is drawn therefrom between the usual drawing or propellingrolls which also serve to remove or squeeze asphalt from the saturated sheet.

After the'saturation ofthe felt, itis frequently coated lon either. or both surfaces with coating or relatively high melting point asphalt (i. e., blown or oxidized asphalt of amelting point suflicientlyhigh so" as not to be rendered semi-fluid or to flow when exposed to extreme solar or atmosphericheat in the summer), in which may then be partially embedded, if desired onv -its exposed or outer face, while the asphalt F is still soft or semi-plastic, a surface layer and 'machinery employed for saturating v roofing felt does notvyield a saturated product having optimum waterproofingl and .weatherproong characteristics.' One very-I important cause underlying the imperfect saturationy which is effected by the usual method may be 'traced to the close proximity -to the saturating tank of the propelling rolls,

1s, 1925. serial. rre. 57,094. g

which not only remove superficial or vsurplus asphalt from the-surfaces of the .saturated vfelt but through their compressing or squeezing action on the saturated felt as it passes therebetween, squeeze or remove asphalt from the interstitial spaces within the felt, so that after passagetherebetween and the resumption or recovery of itsinitial and normal bulk or thickness, aV considerable portion of the asphalt previously contained therein has been extracted.

It is,J of. course, obvious that the more asphalt the saturated felt contains, the more waterproof, durable and satisfactory it will l' be for roofing or similar purpose, and that vthe saturated felt produced as ordinarily possesses such characteristics 'in proportion to the amount of asphalt contained therein, as well as the completeness or thoroughness and the uniformity of its saturation.' For urated felt and the efficacy of saturation, it has been proposed to employ pressure or vacuum apparatus for such saturation, but such apparatus is comparatively intricate,

increasing the amount of asphalt in the sat` troublesome, and expensive, and, so 'far as I A am aware, commercially unsatisfactory.

It is, moreover, highly desirable to employ coating or high melting point asphalt, Apreferably blown asphalt because of its desirable characteristics, for the saturation of the felt, as well as`for the coating thereof, vsince in such instance, if successfully carried out, thesaturating and coating operations may be simultaneouslyeffected. AA very advantageous feature in a 'roofing product thus manufactured is its homogeneity or uniformity of character lin -respect to its asphalt content,vsince the same vasphalt 'extends throughout the entire crossesection of thesleetand coats the surface or surfaces thereof, instead of comprising, as usual, an asphalt coatino` of a different character and melting point t an the saturating asphalt therewith.` But,if

such asphalt molten and sufhciently low in viscosity as to cause the rapid permeation of the sheet, as well as the lengthof contact necessary between the asphalt and the felt in order to effect a satisfactory saturation, the

and its strength and durability and its waterproofing and ,roofing qualities are thus impaired.`

Hence, the object of the present invention, broadly stated, is to provide an efficient method of and machine for the saturation of felt with either the saturating or low melting point asphalt or, preferably, with the coating 5 or high melting point asphalt, but without impairing the desired qualities of the felt and so that the felt will be completely saturated, will contain a maximum amount ofasphalt, and thus possess optimum waterand Weather-resisting qualities.

In accordance with the present invention, provision is made to materially decrease the time of Contact between the felt and molten asphalt, and to increase the efficacy and the 5 rate of saturation over the usual prior practice. Briefly stated, in the practice of the present invention, the saturation of the felt is accomplished byk passing the felt through a bath of molten asphalt, and between squeeze rolls which are submerged in the molten asphalt so that upon the resumption or recovery by the felt of its usual or normal thickness after the squeezing action, the felt immediately contacts with the molten asphalt of 5 the bath and isA penetrated or permeated thereby, resulting in a thoroughly saturated sheet. Another prominent or salient feature of the present invention resides in passing a plurality of sheets of felt between squeeze rolls which are subi'nerged in molten asphalt. In accordance with such practice, the sheets are conducted separately through the bath and then joined or brought together between the subn'ierged squeeze rolls. In so doing, molten asphalt is entrapped between the confronting surfaces of the sheets and upon passage between the nip of the submerged squeeze rolls. the severe compression exerted on the relatively large amount of compres- 0 sible material of the sheets passed therebetween, drives or forces the asphalt from the outer surfaces thereinto, and the asphalt entram'ied between the surfaces outwardly through the sheets. tration or passage of the asphalt clear through the sheets is effected by the squeeze rolls. After passage therebetween, the felt tends to recover or resume its original bulk or thickness, and in so doing any voids or interstices produced therein are immediately filled by the contacting molten asphalt so that a completely saturated sheet emerges from the h atli. If desired, the sheets may be caused to undergo several squeezings or compressions while submerged 1n asphalt, to afford a felt becomes `markedly scorchedA and brittle, f

Thus a complete pcne-,

very complete penetration by the molten asphalt, but ordinarily only' one or two' such compressions are sufficient to obtain the desired results. l

The entire saturating action hereinbefore l outlined is effected in a period of time sufficiently shortfso that the felts are substantially unscorched and unimpaired in quality, even where a high 'melting point or coating asphalt is used under abnormally hightemf The preliminary and subsequent i as in previous practice, this invention pro#- vides for a rapid and complete penetration of the felts by forcing or driving the asphalt directly thercinto under compression, and then allowing the fibers and the interstices and voids formed therein after such compression to contact with and take up more molten asphalt, so 'that the finished, saturated sheets are completely saturated and coated and contain a maximum amount of asphalt as they ein ergefrom the bath.

Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, as the sheets emerge from the bath of molten asphalt with a film of asphalt covering or overlying their surfaces, provision is made for retaining the asphalt contained therewithin. Accordingly, after emergence from the bath, the sheets are initially cooled sufliciently to cause any moisture or gas contained therewithin to be cooled or condensed, but without congelation or hardening of the molten asphalt, thereby causing a partial vac,n uum therewithin, and force a contraction of the contained asphalt and a further absorption into the sheet of the asphalt of the surface layers.

After such initial cooling, onl the excess saturant on the surfaces ofthe s eet may be removed, if desired, by passage by a pair of scrapers positioned to engage the surfaces of the sheets so as to remove surplus un-l congealed asphalt, without, however, compressing or squeezing the felt to cause the extraction or removal of asphalt from the 1 by the same operation and therooing mater1-al is characterized by its homogeneity or continuity in respect'to its asphalt content.

Where the excess or surface saturant is removed from the surfaces of the sheets by Scrapers, the sheets are then subjected to another cooling action, to cause the asphalt therewithi'n to be congealed or hardened sufi ficiently to permit passage between propelling rolls which servey to vdraw them from the saturating tank without squeezing asphalt therefrom, without, however,` causing a sufficient congelation .to prevent the 'separation of the sheets.

With theseandother features and objects in view, the Ainvention consists in certain novel features of procedure, as well as in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts of a preferred embodiment of saturating lmachine, more fully described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l illustrates conventionally and diagrammatically in front elevation a machine for carrying out the saturating process.

' Figure 2 vshows in front elevation a saturat.- l

ing machine embodying the present invention, with the side of the tank broken away to lshow the mechanism therein, but with the cooling means omitted for conveniently illustrating the machineA in enlarged detail. Figure 3 representaba plan view of the machine of Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a( vertical, partly brhken section through the machine on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a fragmentary detailed end elevation of a portion of an adjusting mechanism used in connection with the Scrapers:

JFigure 6 illustrates a section on the line 6 6 of Figure 4 and shows in detail a sec-y f tion through the Scrapers and the supporting means therefor.

Figure 7 4.represents in front elevation a modified construction lof saturating machine in which" only a single pair of submerged squeeze rolls is employed, with the side of theI tank broken away to show the mechanism therein. l Y i Figure 8 represents a lsection through the s crapers employed with the saturating machine shown in Figure 7, similar to Figure 6. Figure 9 represents a section on the line 9- -9 of Figure 7, and shows in detail certain construction yhereinafter described.

Figure 10 represents a section on -the line 10,-10 of Figure 7,\ and shows the various instrumentalities which are disposed' within the tank. l

Referring to the diagrammatic representa-f tion of the saturating machine and the process carried out therewith illustrated in Fig# ure 1 of the drawings, a roll of roofing felt or paper 3 is represented as beingmounted for unwinding adjacent to each end of a saturating tank 10. Each roll 3-is carried by a core 4 extending axially therethrough,

which supported at either end by a forked upper bearing portion 6, afforded by a triangular frame support. Each roll of felt is preferably steadied or tensioned while be` ing unwound, and in the present instance is accomplished by imposing a f rictional resistance on its core. indicated as a whole at B, are provided to act on both ends of each core. prises anarm, or lever 7, which is pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot pin 8 furnished by a bracket 9 which is secured to an end of the saturating tank 10. Thearm/includes an intermediate shoe portion bearing against the core, and is provided with a plu-- rality'of notches 13 near its other end, with any selected one of whichv may engage a hook 14 on which is suspended weights W. The amount `of braking orftensioning of the paper may be adjusted or regulated by movingthe hooks from one to another of said notches. Any other suitable arrangement for supporting and tensioning the paper in its unwinding may be employed, if desired.

Thefelt sheets from each roll are contin-iv uously unwound, each being guided "over a guide roll 15 mounted above the tank, thence downwardly into the molten asphalt con- .tained in the tank, under a guide roll 16,

from which both sheets are brought together into facial contact between a pair of coact-

ing squeeze rollsV

17, 17, arranged side by side and submerged in the molten asphalt. Thus, in passing into the molten asphalt, each For this purpose, brakes,

Each brake comsheet of felt is coated onboth surfaces withl a film of saturant and in being united and/ passed between the nip of the rolls 17 and 17a,

the molten asphalt entrapped between the confronting or 'united surfaces of the sheets vis forced outwardly through the sheets, and

' the asphalt on the outer surfaces of the sheets the sheets are separated from one another as they emerge from the squeeze rolls by a pipe l19 extending transversely therebetween and engaging the abutting surfaces, thus forming a chamber between the sheets, to which molten asphalt is supplied on the surfaces of the sheets through slots or openings inthe ipe 19, to which molten asphalt is su plied Funer pressure, if desired) from te pipe 20 countered. The sheets are then drawn from.

the rolls 18, 18a into the presence of the molten asphalt of the bath, so that any voids caused in the sheet after compression are refilled by contact with and immersion in the asphalt.

As the sheets emerge from the bath, they are completely saturated and their outer surfaces are covered with films of molten asphalt.. In order to confine and maintain a maximum amount of saturant within the sheets, provision is made to cool'them sufficiently to. cause any-moisture or gases con-` tained therein to be condensed or cooled, thus forming a partial vacuum therewithin, and causing the contraction of the asphalt on the surfaces of the sheets and thus to be forced thereinto. While cooling of the sheets may be eected by permitting them/to contact with the air of the surrounding atmosphere for a sufficient period of time, in accordance with the present invention the cooling is preferably accomplished by causing a suitable cooling medium to play on the outer surfaces of the sheets. For'` this purpose, I have shown a pair of nozzles 21, 21a communicating, respectively, through the conduits 22 and 22a with a centrifugal blower (not shown). The

open ends of the nozzles are arranged in close proximity to the surfaces of the sheets, and air may be'delivered or sucked therethrough, causing air currents to-play on and coolvthe sheets, the last procedure being preferable, since in this case any hot air or vapors emanating from the sheets are withdrawnfrom the room, thus aiding in ventilation.

After the initial cooling only .the excess or superficial asphalt on the surfaces of the sheets may be removed by passage by a'pair of Scrapers 23, 23a, positioned to engage the exposed surfaces of the joined sheets. The Scrapers merely `remove, superficial asphalt without, however, squeezing any from the interior of the sheet. After scraping, the sheets are conducted by a second pair of cooling nozzles 24, 24a communicating, respectively, through the conduits 25 and 25a with the fan blower `(not shown) and arrangedsto cause air currents to again `play on the sheets.`

The second cooling effects a sufficient congelation or hardening of the asphalt to permit passage between propelling rolls without the squeezing of asphalt therefrom, but Without, however, preventing a separation or disunion of the previously and temporarily combined sheets. sheets are disunited, each passing between a pair of adjacentlyv arranged and superposed shaft and meshing After suc'h cooling, the` propelling rolls 27, 27a, and may thereupon be further treated, if desired, as by coating and surfacing operations for the manufacture ofl vention and the instrumentalities employed therefor.. I

I will now refer to Figures 2 to 6, inclusive, whichillustrate a form of practical saturating machine embodying the principles hereinbefore set forth in connection with Figure l, and which may be employed for carrying out the present saturating process. As vpreviously, each felt sheet 29 is unwound from its lcorresponding roll (not shown) near an end of the saturating tank 33, and is guided downwardly into the molten asphalt over a guide roll 30 supported at either end in a bea-ring 31 afforded by a bracket 32 depending from an end of the tank. Each felt then passes horizontally toward one another under a ingllaterally from the side of a box 40, which serves as a supporting structure and housing for the pressure or squeeze rolls. Both felts are then united and are passed between a pair of squeeze rolls 42, 42a, which serve to force or drive the asphalt therethrough. The roll 42 is journaled at each end in a bearing 44 furnished by a ribbed bracket 45 on a side of the box 40. To regulate the aperture or amount of clearance between the squeeze rolls so that-the degree of squeezingwor constriction of the felt may be controlled as desired, the roll 42a is horizontally adjustable in reference to the roll 42. To this end, the roll 42a is journaled at each end in a horizontally adjustable bearing 46, which is provided at its upper and lower portions with protrusionsy or

tongues

47, 47, which engage and are movable in guides or

ways

48, 48 furnished by the

ribbed brackets

49, 49, on the side of the box 40. Each bearing 46 is provided with a laterally extending and internally threaded lug or nut member 51, in -vvhich is screwed one end of a threaded shaft or screw member 52 journaled at its lother end in a fork 53a of a bifurcated bracket 53. Rotation of each shaft 52 and consequent horizontal movement of each bearing 46 and the roll 42a is effected through a bevel gear 54 fixed at one end of the with a bevel gear 55 fixed at the lower end of afforded by the bracket 53. The up- Guide roll 35 supported at either end in a a vertical shaft 56 which*y is journaled at its lower portion in the other of the shaft 56 is journaled in a beara fork of the upstanding bearing 37, provided by a bracket 38 extendy the bracket 57. Rotation of the shaft may be effected b any suitable means, as by a handwheel`64 xed at an outer end thereto. From the` construction described, it is obvious that such rotation effects an adjustment of the roll 42 toward or away from the roll 42.

After passage through the squeeze rolls 42jy l which is delivered through a plurality of slots lao or openings 65a arranged diagonally side by side in the pipe 65, the molten asphalt being applied to and entrapped between Athe inner surfaces of the sheets Thel molten asphalt is preferably supplied to the pipe 65 under pressure suicient to pass into or penetrate the pores and interstices in the sheet, although this feature is merely an advantageous incidental and is not at all necessary. Since the pipe is maintained stationary in reference to 4the felts, because of the inclined or diagonal form of the slots, the entire width of the felts will pass under the flow of asphalt. After the application of molten asphalt, ,theysheets are again made vto converge and unite by passage between a second pair of squeeze rolls 67,

67% arranged immediately above but without contacting `with the peripheries of the first v pair, so that any excess molten asphalt not ltaken up by the sheets is permitted to escape through the aperture or clearance left lbetween the pairs or rolls, as well as between the clearance left between the ends of the rolls and the sides of the box! These clearances I are preferably made sufciently small 4so that a substantially confined chamber or space is enclosed by the superposedpress rolls and the side of the box to allow the pressure afforded by the'asphalt supplied under pressure from the pipe to be maintained and to thereby allow a more perfectipenetration and saturation of the` feltto be effected. The roll 67 -is supported by construction similar to that employed in connection with roll 42, and the roll 67, 1s adjustably supported in reference thereto by mechanism similar to that associ,

arated and each felt passed through separate,

t. propelling rolls. Provision is made to drive i es the upperand lower pairs of press rolls simultaneously andindependently by common driving means. To this end, fixed to thev endl of the rolls 42, 42a are intermeshing

gears

107, 107, driven by a gear 108 on one end of a shaft 109, suitably journaled in brackets 110, 110f, on the sides of the box 40. To the other end of the shaft 109 is fixed a sprocket 111, driven through a chain 112 by a sprocket 113 fixed to one end of a driving shaft y114. The shaft 114 is journaled in brackets fixed to

uprights7

6, 76 on either side of the tank 40, and .is provided at its other end with a sprocket 115, which is driven through a chain 116 from a motor er countershaft (not shown). j The same end of the shaft 109 is also provided with agear 118 intermeshing with a gear 119 at one end of one of the upper squeeze rolls 42, which, in turn, meshes with a gear on the other squeeze roll 67 a. To permit the lateral adjustment of the press rolls, the shaft 109 must be horizontally adjust- (able, and to this 'end the

brackets

110, 110, in which it is journaled, are

provideclwith slots

117, 117, through which the fastening bolts 140, secured to the sides of the box V 40, extend. Thus, by loosening the bolts, the

brackets may be moved horizontally to peranism associated therewith, out of or intoxthe tanln To this end, thesides of the box 40 are fixed to the ends of arms'71, 71a, respec-` tively, `having internally threaded or nut members 72 and 72a at their other ends, in which are respectively screwed vertical screw members or threaded

shafts

73 and 73a, which are respectively journaled at their lower ends in step bearings 74 and 74a, afforded by the brackets 75 and 75kL Isecured to the side walls of the tank 40. IThe shafts 73vand 73a are respectively journaled atA theirv upper ends in transverse bars 76El andv76b secured to supporting

uprights

76, 76, and are respectively provided with bevel gearsv 80 and 8O*1 cooperating respectively with

bevel gears

77 and 77a, respectively affixed to the ends of a pair of shafts 78 and 78a. is journaled at one end in a bracket 79, and at its other end in the fork 81a of a trifurcated bracket' 81, the fork 81b of which affords a fbearingcfor the stud shaft 78. With the construction described, it will be seen that simultaneous rotation of the vertical shafts 73 and "(3il will. cause a vertical movement of the box 40, together with the squeeze and guide rolls associated therewith, into and out of the tanks. To this end, the shafts 78 and 7 8a are respectively provided at one .end with

gears

82, 82a, both intermeshing with an idler The shaft 78a thetrifurcated bracket 81. To the other end of the idler shaft 84 is fixed a gear 85 meshing with a gear 86 fixed to a short shaft- 87 journaled in a bearing furnished by the upright 76 and to which is aiiixed a hand- 'wheel 88, so that in rotating the hand-wheel the box 40 and its associated structure is bodily moved vertically.

To permit the vertical movement of the Asupply pipes without interrupting the flow of the molten asphalt, the upper end of the pipe 66 is threaded in one end of a swivel joint elbow 104, in the other end of which is swiveled one end of a supply line 1.05. rIhe other end of the supply line 105 is similarly swiveled to a pipe line (not shown), which communicates with a pump and a source of molten asphalt (not shown). Any other suitable arrangement or construction for permitting the raising and lowering of the pipe 65, together with the squeeze rolls, may be employed, if desired.

To facilitate the threading of the felts between both pairs of rolls and through the slot at the top of the box, the box is preferably provided at one of its sides with a door 150, hinged thereon so that easy and ready access may be had into the interior of the box when it is raised from the tank to permit the insertion and the threading of the felts. After such threading, the box is lowered bodily into the molten asphalt contained in the tank and the saturating operation may be commenced.

YThe asphalt is maintained in fluid or molten condition in the tank by any suitable heating means, as by steam-heating coils 100, arranged in zigzag or sinuous courses at the bottom of the tank, to which steam is supplied through an inlet 100, and from which condensate is withdrawn through an outlet 100". If desired, in addition to the asphalt supplied thereto through the pipe 65, the tank may be provided with hot molten asphalt from an auxiliary supply line 102 entering there into and supplied with `molten asphalt from a. suitable source (not shown). Any asphalt f tending to rise above a certainfixed level in the tank overflows through an outlet or overiiow pipe 103 and is conducted back to the asphalt supply to be re-employed in the saturating tank. 1 After the saturation of the felts in the tank has been effected, they may be initially cooled, as previously described.. After such cooling, the excess or superficial asphalt on the surfaces of the felts may be removed by passing them b suitably positioned and angularly adj usta le Scrapers or doctors, which engage the asphalt on their outer surfaces, to cause the removal thereof, but without squeezin or constricting the sheets to forcel asphalt rom the interior thereof. For this purpose, the conjoined sheets are passed by -two Scrapers, 120 and 121, each of which is mounted on a shaft 120, 121s, journaled in bearings afforded by a plurality of brackets or hangers 122 fixedly hung on the transverse 123 the shaft 120a is provided with a handle| 125, having a lug 126 on its inner side, which is adapted to engage in the apertures of a radially apertured disc 129 provided with such apertures in arcuate relationship. By pulling the handle 125 and the shaft 120a to which it is fixed, against the' action of the spring, the handle is removed from engagement with an aperture in the disc, and the doctor may be turned to the desired angle for engagement with the surfaces of the felt. The handle may then be released and made to engage the particular aperture corresponding with the angular position of the scraper. After the scraping action, the sheet is then cooled, as previously indicated, so as to considerably congeal the asphalt contained therein prior to passage through the propelling rolls.

In place of an arrangement where two pairs of squeeze rolls are submerged in the molten asphalt, I may employ an arrangement shown in Figures 7 to 10, inclusive, where only a single pair of squeeze rolls 130, 130"L is employed. In suchl construction, the squeeze rolls are. horizontally adjustable in reference to one another, and are vertically movable into and out of the tankby a mechanism substantiall similar to that described in connection wit the machine already out- 135 abutting the upper surface of the fork, and atits lower end by the shoulder afforded by the hub 133. In raising the rolls from the tank, the bracket fixed thereto, together with the bevel gear 133 journaled therein, slide or move vertically in the slot, thus permitting the vertical movement of the box. Thus, instead of supporting the unsubmerged portion of the roll-adjusting mechanism on the box, it may construction is substantially similar to that described .in connection with the other machine.

be mounted on the framework 76, 7 6' secured tothe side of the tank. The other' meagre While l have conned myselfl to the description y of a procedure and ap aratus wherein the felts are threaded and 'ed up- ,.fwardly between the submerged squeeze rolls it is to be understood that the direction o feed of the felts may be reversed: that is the felts may be fed downwardl int-o the hath and between the submerge squeeze rolls, then separated and drawn from the bath ley m propelling rolls located at the side of the tan l-lavn thus described this invention, it is evident t at various changes might be resorted to in procedure, as well as in form, con! 35 struction and arrangement of parts, without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Hence l do not wish to limit myself strictl to the structure or procedure herein set orth, but Y What ll claim is:

l. ln the manufacture of roong, a process which comprises conducting a plurality `of sheets of fibrous material into a bath of molten asphalt, cnj oining and then s ueezing said sheets together in said bath to fierce asphalt entrapped between the'facing surfaces outwardly thereinto, and on the outer surfaces of said sheets inwardly thereinto, to effect a thorough penetration orvpermeation thereof.

2. ln the manufacture of roofing, a process which comprises conducting a plurality of sheets of fibrous material into a bath of molten asphalt, conjoining and then s ueezing said sheets together in sald bath to orce asphalt on its outer surfaces and asphalt entrapped between the con onting surfaces thereinto, separating said sheets, owing against the confronting surfaces thereof a stream of molten asphalt, and again conjoincontained therein, and thereby causing the" asphalt on the surfaces of the sheets to con-.

tract and be drawn or absorbed into the pores and interstices thereof.

4. In the -manufacture of roofing, a process which comprises conducting a plurality ofVv sheets of fibrous material into a bath of molten asphalt,4 conjoining and squeezing said sheets together in said asphalt, cooling said sheets but without causing the asphalt contained therein to congeal, and removing excess asphalt from only the outer surfaces of said sheets.

` 5. In the manufacture of roofing, a process which comprises conducting a plurality of sheets of fibrous material into a bath of molten asphalt, conjoining and ysqueezing said said sheets together in said asphalt, cooling ing and s ueezin said sheets together whilel said sheets in a manner to congeal the asphalt contained therein, but without ed'ecting a congelation sufficient to prevent theseparation of the sheets,separating said sheets and propelling or drawing each sheet from said bath, said. propelling action taking y place subsequent to the cooling and substantially without removing asphalt from said sheets.

6. ln the manufacture of rooing, a'process which comprises conducting a plurality of sheets ,of brous material into av bath of Huid molten asphalt, conjoining said sheets and -subjecting them to a squeezing orl compress,

ing action while suhmergedin said hath to force ordrive asphalt thereinto from its surfaces, cooling said sheet, and thenseparating and separately propelling each sheet substantially without squeezing asphalt therefrom.

7. ln the manufacture of roon'g, a process which comprises conducting sheets of hbrous materialinto a bath of molten asphalt, subjecting said sheets to squeezing or compressing action while submerged in said hath, to force asphalt on their surfaces therein, cooling said sheets after they leave 'the bath to cause asphalt on the surfaces of said sheets to be forced thereinto, sera, ing excess asphalt from only the outer sur aces of said sheets, cooling said sheets in a manner to congeal the asphalt contained therein but without pre-- venting the separation of the united sheets, and then separating said sheets and separately propelling or drawing each sheet from said bath substantiallywithout removing asphalt therefrom. v

8'. ln the manufacture of rooting, a process which comprises conducting a p ura ity off sheets of fibrous material into a bath of molten asphalt, pressing said sheets together at successive spaced points in their travel through said bath, forming a pocket between said sheets in their passage from one said point to the next, and supplg huid, molten asphalt to said pocket. l

`9. ln the manufacture of roong, a process which comprises applying molten asphalt-to a lurality' of separate traveling sheets, pressthe sheets together at successive spaced Mig points in their travel, separating the sheets? etween said pointsof pressure application, and applying molten asphalt to the confronting faces ot separated sheet portions.

l0. lin the manufacture of roofing, a lprocess which'comprises squeezing two traveling sheets together at successive spaced points 1n their travel, separating the stretches of the v sheets between said points to form a compartment extending width wise of the sheet, Vsubstantially closing the ends of said compartment, and maintaining said. compart-VA ment full of molten asphalt under ressure.

ln testimony whereof l have ae Lmy sig'- nature.

-lill