Treatment for improving cellulose insulation

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a fire retardant cellulose insulation with reduced density and reduced settling. The method consists of adding a material, the fibers of which have a positive electrostatic charge, onto a shredded newspaper base either before or after the addition of a pre-coat, consisting of a mixture of limestone and an antistat. A fire retardant agent is then added and the materials are ground in a finish mill. The newspaper fibers become positioned at an angle to the paper pieces, increasing the distance between the paper pieces, thereby lowering the density of the cellulose. Fibers such as ground cardboard, wood mulch, sawdust, fiberglass fibers and polyester fibers, are examples of materials with electrostatically positively charged fibers.

1 . An improved cellulosic insulation having reduced density and settling comprising 
 (a) shredded cellulosic fibers and paper pieces which are precoated with a mixture of limestone and an antistatic agent either before or after the addition of    (b) electrostatically positively charged fibers and    (c) fire retardant chemicals which are adhered on said shredded cellulosic fibers, electrostatically positively charged fibers and paper pieces.    
     
     
         2 . An insulation in accordance with claim wherein said anti-static agent is a quaternary ammonium compound.  
     
     
         3 . An insulation in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said insulation comprises substantially 0.001% to 0.002% by weight of said antistatic agent, based on the weight of cellulosic fibers, paper pieces and positive electrostatic fiber input.  
     
     
         4 . An insulation in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said mixture of antistat and limestone comprises substantially 1% to 2% of the weight of cellulosic fibers, paper pieces and electrostatic positively charged fibers.  
     
     
         5 . An insulation in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said insulation comprises positively charged electrostatic fibers such as wood fibers, shredded cardboard, wood mulch and sawdust at a level of substantially 2% to 8% of the weight of cellulosic fibers, paper pieces and electrostatic positively charged fibers.  
     
     
         6 . An insulation in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said insulation comprises positively charged electrostatic fibers such as fiberglass or polyester fibers at a level of substantially 0.5% to 2% of the weight of cellulosic fibers, paper pieces and electrostatic positively charged fibers.  
     
     
         7 . An insulation in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the electrostatically negative paper fibers are angled predominantly from about 15% to perpendicular to the surface of the paper pieces.  
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing fire retardant cellulosic insulation of the type comprising shredded cellulosic fibers precoated with a mixture of limestone and an antistatic agent and having a fire retardant agent deposited on it wherein the improvement comprises adding a positively charged electrostatic fiber either before or after the addition of the mixture of limestone and an antistatic agent.  
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein positively charged electrostatic fibers such as ground cardboard, wood mulch, and sawdust are added in the amount of substantially 2% to 8% of the weight of the cellulosic fibers, paper pieces and electrostatic positively charged fibers.  
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein positively charged electrostatic fibers such as fiberglass or polyester are added substantially in the amount of 0.5% to 2% of the weight of cellulosic fiber, paper pieces and electrostatic positively charged fibers.