A temporary sign panel is made by placing sheets of used newspaper on a flat surface to form a first layer, fixing two edges of the first layer to the surface, and covering the layer with a flour and water paste. A second layer of newspaper is placed on the first, with the sheets staggered so lines between sheets do not coincide. Two edges of the second layer are fixed to the surface, and the second layer is covered with flour and water paste. Next, a third layer of newspaper is placed over the second, staggered so no lines between sheets coincide. The paste is allowed to dry, then the panel is removed from the surface, and the entire panel is painted with an exterior grade of house paint. The resulting panel can be painted with the desired sign, and the panel is stiff enough for normal display.

The present invention provides a heat-insulating structure using a fluff-like heat-insulating material such as cellulose insulation fibers, capable of allowing convenient handling and preventing a so-called settling-down phenomenon in which the top of the heat-insulating material will settle down with time. The heat-insulating structure comprises a plurality of strap-shaped partition members 2 arranged to define an array of heat-insulating segments therebetween, and cellulose insulation fibers filled in each of the heat-insulating segments. A surface member 3 such as an underlying member or a facing member may be adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the interleaved structure of the partition members and the heat-insulating segments filled with the cellulose insulation fibers to provide a discrete heat-insulating panel.

A method and apparatus for providing loose-fill insulation to the wall of a building. The preferred apparatus of the present invention includes a support frame or table on which an adjustable form may be positioned, an adjustable form to make an insulation batt sized to be frictionally supported in a wall, means to downwardly incline the top of the support frame, a device for providing loose-fill insulation material into a bag contained in the form, and a device to control the movement of the form down the inclined support frame as the liner bag is filled. The use of the apparatus includes determining the dimensions of a cavity in the wall of a building, adjusting the dimensions of the form to produce a loose-filled insulation batt which can be friction fit into the wall cavity to be insulated, lining the form with a thin, flexible plastic, bag-shaped liner, injecting loose-fill insulation into the liner contained within the form, sealing the edges of the liner to create a loose-fill insulation batt, and placing the loose-fill insulation batt in the wall of a building.

An insulating facing material in accordance with the present invention may include at least two longitudinal sheets formed from a flexible, foldable material that is suitable for coiling for storage purposes. In a preferred embodiment, each sheet includes two substantially parallel longitudinal edges disposed between first and second ends, wherein the longitudinal sheets are arranged on top of one another such that the longitudinal edges of each sheet overlap one another. At least one sheet in the facing material includes at least one fold disposed therein, wherein each fold allows a folded sheet to expand and have a greater area than that of an adjacent sheet, thereby allowing an air gap to form between adjacent sheets. The backing may also include an attaching mechanism for attaching overlapping longitudinal edges of each sheet to one another. One or more sheets within the facing material may include a reflective foil layer disposed on at least one surface thereof for reflecting radiant energy to contribute to the insulating effect of the air gap. The inventive facing may comprise a backing attached to a fiber glass layer.

A cellulose mixture including a protein based adhesive binder and colorant. The mixture can be compression molded or extruded and upon curing in the presence of microwave or radio frequency energy or in thermally controlled appliance, produces board or shape formed stock. The produced stock exhibits colorations and a grain pattern comparable to natural stone. Unlike stone, the material exhibits a light weight, low density, structural rigidity and ready machinability. A preferred method includes admixing separate, colorized batches of feedstock, each feedstock includes shredded waste newsprint, soybean flour, water and a colorant; reducing the moisture content of each feedstock or a proportioned admixture of several feedstocks, such as by air drying or compressing or performing the admixture in the presence of heat; compacting the admixture to final shape; and curing the shaped material. Final forming and finishing apparatus complete the process.