Abstract:
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a novel and cost effective application of a thermoplastic heat-welding rod for welding thermoplastic standing seam profiles and other similar materials to thermoplastic roofing membrane, and providing secure attachment without roof penetration and profile/membrane separation. In addition, embodiments disclosed herein provide a welding attachment or apparatus for performing such heat-welding of thermoplastic materials. In one embodiment, an apparatus for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic membrane may comprise a first nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a first longitudinal edge of a horizontal base of a thermoplastic profile strip placed on a thermoplastic membrane. Also, such an apparatus may comprise a second nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a second, opposing longitudinal edge of the thermoplastic profile strip. Furthermore, the apparatus may also comprise a tubular splitter configured to simultaneously supply hot air to the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIMS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/291,766, filed Dec. 31, 2009, and claims priority to, and is a continuation-in-part of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/651,315, filed Dec. 31, 2009. Both of these applications, and any from which they may claim priority, are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    In accordance with the disclosed principles, a welding rod attachment for use with thermoplastic roofing membranes is disclosed, as well as related methods of welding thermoplastic materials. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Thermoplastic roofing membranes, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), are a rapidly growing in market acceptance. Thermoplastic standing seam profiles are designed to add aesthetics to otherwise plain thermoplastic roofing membrane. The standing seam profile thermoplastic roof assembly resembles a standing seam metal roof with the advantages of true waterproof performance, lower installed cost, sound and hail resistance. It can be applied for broad roof shapes, especially for curved roof installation. To enhance the appearance of such roofs, thermoplastic standing seam profiles (SSP) have been secured to the thermoplastic membranes, sometimes by adhesive, and sometimes by the application of heat, all of which is done manually. One of the key success factors is the secure attachment of thermoplastic standing seam profile to thermoplastic membrane without roof penetration. Utilizing peel &amp; stick adhesive tape technology is an easy and quick installation method. However, long-term tape attachment is a concern encountering uneven roof substrate and building movement. 
         [0004]    Utilizing a heat welding machine or hand gun requires a wide and flexible thermoplastic profile flange for conventional roofing heat welding practice. An alternative is to use a customized heat welding apparatus which have means to overcome central upstanding profile and to weld thermoplastic standing seam profile to thermoplastic roofing membrane. Applying heat to permanently attach the profiles may require a welder that is large and cumbersome. For a steep sloped roof, this is especially challenging. Also, the roofer will be required to guide the system in a straight line to achieve a good appearance, while keeping the profile in place, and maintaining a balance on a sloped roof. 
         [0005]    Extrusion welding is a manual welding process and as such, is dependent on operator skill. Unfortunately, manual application of the strips is a time consuming and labor intensive process, increasing the cost of the roofing and decreasing the cost advantage gained by selecting thermoplastic roofing over metal roofing. Manual application also increases opportunity for error and is not conducive to creating straight and/or parallel and/or equidistant lines. 
         [0006]    Extrusion welders are designed to maximize weld quality by ensuring certain parameters are accurately defined, such as, temperature of the welding material (extrudate), mass flow rate of the welding material, temperature of the hot gas for substrate pre-heat, and quantity of hot gas. The speed of welding is dependent on the flow rate of the extrudate, the material thickness, the cross sectional area of the seam and the size and design of the welding shoe. 
         [0007]    What is needed in the art is a quick and inexpensive apparatus and method of attaching thermoplastic strips to thermoplastic roofing membranes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Embodiments disclosed herein provide a novel and cost effective application of a thermoplastic heat-welding rod for welding thermoplastic standing seam profiles and other similar materials to thermoplastic roofing membrane, and providing secure attachment without roof penetration and profile/membrane separation. 
         [0009]    In addition, embodiments disclosed herein provide a welding attachment or apparatus for performing such heat-welding of thermoplastic materials. In one embodiment, an apparatus for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic membrane may comprise a first nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a first longitudinal edge of a horizontal base of a thermoplastic profile strip placed on a thermoplastic membrane. Also, such an apparatus may comprise a second nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a second, opposing longitudinal edge of the thermoplastic profile strip. Furthermore, the apparatus may also comprise a tubular splitter configured to simultaneously supply hot air to the first nozzle and the second nozzle. 
         [0010]    In a more specific embodiment, an apparatus for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic membrane may comprise a first nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a first longitudinal edge of a horizontal base of a thermoplastic profile strip placed on a thermoplastic membrane, and a second nozzle configured to direct hot air along a portion of a second, opposing longitudinal edge of the thermoplastic profile strip. Additionally, this embodiment of such an apparatus may comprise a tubular splitter configured to simultaneously supply hot air to the first nozzle and the second nozzle, wherein the first and second nozzles further comprise corresponding guides for placing thermoplastic welding rods along the first and edges of the thermoplastic profile strip proximate to the portions of the first and second edges receiving the hot air simultaneously. 
         [0011]    In other aspects, the disclosed principles provide for methods for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic membrane. In one embodiment, such a method may comprise placing a thermoplastic profile strip on a thermoplastic membrane, where the profile strip has a horizontal base extending longitudinally and a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, wherein the thermoplastic membrane is in close proximity to the first and second longitudinal edges when the strip is placed on the membrane. Such an exemplary method may also comprise placing a first thermoplastic welding rod along a portion of the first longitudinal edge, and placing a second thermoplastic welding rod along a portion of the second longitudinal edge. Further, the method may include simultaneously directing hot air along the portion of the first longitudinal edge and along the portion of the second longitudinal edge, the directing being simultaneous with the placing of the first and second thermoplastic welding rods. In such embodiments, the hot air sufficiently melts the portions of the first and second edges and the first and second welding rods, respectively, such that a nozzle guides and shapes the melted portions of the first and second welding rods into contact with the melted portions of the first and second edges and the membrane, thereby heat-welding the portions of the first and second edges and portions of the first and second welding rods to the membrane. Furthermore, such a method may also comprise advancing the hot air along the remaining length of the first and second edges and additional portions of the first and second welding rods until the entire length of the first and second edges are welded to the membrane. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a dual welder for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2F  are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of thermoplastic profile strips for use with a split nozzle. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2G-2J  are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of welding rods for use with a split nozzle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a dual nozzle for use with the welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a housing for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a nozzle end for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a nozzle end for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a nozzle end for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5C  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a nozzle end for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of an embodiment of a rod guide for use with the dual welder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a pressure cylinder for use with embodiments of the dual welder. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a pressure cylinder for use with embodiments of the dual welder. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7C  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a pressure cylinder for use with embodiments of the dual welder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a dual welder for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a dual welder for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a dual welder for welding a thermoplastic profile strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    A first exemplary embodiment of a dual welder  100  for welding a thermoplastic profile strip  200  to a thermoplastic roofing membrane is shown in  FIG. 1 . The dual welder  100  includes a split nozzle  300 , a welder platform  400 , a welder drive unit  500 , a welding rod feed apparatus  600 . Like numerals are used across the figures to describe similar parts of the dual welder  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of the welder platform  400 . In one embodiment, the welder platform  400  includes a platform  410  and one or more wheels  420 . In some embodiments, there is a first wheel  420   a  and a second wheel  420   b . In some embodiments, there are a pair of first wheels  420   a  and a pair of second wheels  420   b . In some embodiments, the pair of wheels  420   a  straddle the thermoplastic profile strip  200  while in others they do not. In some embodiments, the pair of wheels  420   b  straddle the thermoplastic profile strip  200  while in others they do not. The welder platform  400  may be shaped and sized by one of skill in the art to support the split nozzle  300 , the welder  500 , the welding rod feed apparatus  600 , and associated parts. The welder  500  may be any commercially available welder for use in welding thermoplastic roofing material such as, but not limited to, Leister Varimat V, Sarnafil Sarnamatic and Forsthoff Forplast hot air welders. The welder platform  400  moves the split nozzle  300  and the welder  500  along the length of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, the welder platform  400  supports the welder  500  and associated parts. In some embodiments, the welder platform  400  also moves and supports the welding rod feed apparatus  600 . In some embodiments, the welder platform  400  may be self-propelled while in other embodiments the welder platform  400  may be manually propelled by an operator. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2A-2F  shows various cross-sections of thermoplastic profile strips  200  which are contemplated for being welded to the thermoplastic membrane using the split nozzle  300  described.  FIGS. 2A through 2D  are cross-sectional profiles of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . In some embodiments, the cross-section of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may be, but is not limited to, standing seam, batten seam or triangular. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may be hollow or solid.  FIGS. 2E and 2F  are cross-sectional profiles of various edges of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . In some embodiments, the cross-section of the edge of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may be, but is not limited to, angled or tapered.  FIGS. 2G-2J  are cross-sectional profiles of various embodiments of a welding rod  700  for use with the split nozzle  300  described. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the welding rod  700  may be, but is not limited to, triangular, round, square, or hexagonal. In some embodiments, the welding rod  700  may be hollow or solid. The welding rod  700  may be made be made from, but is not limited to, polyolefin, PVC, polycarbonate, PET, nylon, polystyrene, ABS, copolymer, filled polymers (fillers such as talc, CaCO 3  etc.) or any other suitable thermoplastic or thermoset plastic. In some embodiments the welding rod  700  may be made of two dissimilar coaxial materials fused together, with the outer material amenable to welding having an inner harder core. In other embodiments, metal coated rods may be used with the welding rod  700  to provide strength. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , an exemplary embodiment of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  is preferably produced as an integrally formed seamless thermoplastic object. Methods of production of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may include extrusion, molding, etc. The thermoplastic profile strip  200  preferably includes an upstanding central portion  205  extending lengthwise along the strip and opposed flange portions  215  extending widthwise from the central portion  205 . In some embodiments, the opposed flange portions  215  extend from the central portion  205  in the range from about 0.5 inch to about 1 inch, and in a more specific embodiment may be about ⅝ inch. The opposed flange portions  215  length may depend on the height of the upstanding central portion  205  that needs to be supported. In some embodiments, the upstanding central portion  205  height ranges from about 1 inch to about 3 inches, more preferably from about 2 inches to about 2.5 inches. In a more specific embodiment, the upstanding central portion  205  height is 1.25 inches. Opposite the upstanding central portion  205  and the opposed flange portions  215  is a bottom surface  210 . In one embodiment, the bottom surface  210  is about ¾ inch. In other embodiments, the bottom surface  210  may range from about ⅛ inch to about 1 inch. In some embodiments, the bottom surface  210  may be coated with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the upstanding central portion  205  includes an integral hook  235 . In an exemplary embodiment, the hook  235  has a cross section similar to an upside down U. In an alternate embodiment, the hook  235  may also include a lip. 
         [0032]    Moreover, the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may be made from, but is not limited to, polyolefin, PVC, polycarbonate, PET, nylon, polystyrene, ABS, copolymer, filled polymers or any other suitable thermoplastic. More specifically, the specific composition of the thermoplastic strip  200  may be selected, perhaps even in combination with its selected cross-sectional profile design, to provide a rigid strip or a flexible strip. For example, exemplary rigid strips may be constructed of thermoplastic olefin, and may have a flexural modulus greater than about 70,000 p.s.i. per ASTM D790. Alternatively, exemplary flexible strip may be constructed of thermoplastic olefin, and may have a flexural modulus of less than about 50,000 p.s.i. per ASTM D790. Furthermore, the cross-sectional design of profile strips  200  may be coincide with the rigidity of the strip. For example, the profile strip  200  designs in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C,  2 E and  2 F may be better tailored for the higher (i.e., rigid) flexural modulus numbers since there is less rigidity provided be the actual design of the strip  200  structure. Conversely, the profile strips  200  in  FIGS. 2B and 2D  may be better tailored for the lower (flexible) flexural modulus numbers since there is more rigidity provided be the design of the strip  200  structure. However, no limitation to any particular cross-sectional design and flexible modulus range should be implied, and each application may have a different combination of design parameters. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7 , illustrating other exemplary embodiments, the split nozzle  300  includes a splitter  305 , a pair of nozzles  310 , a housing  320 , a width adjuster  330 , and one or more pressure devices  340 , or combinations thereof. The splitter  305  preferably includes an inlet  301  and a plurality of outlets  302 . In one embodiment, the splitter  305  is connected to the outlet of the welder  500 . In some embodiments, the inlet  301  of the split nozzle  300  is rotatably connected to the welder  500  allowing the splitter  305  to rotate around the z-axis. In other embodiments, the splitter is also able to rotate about multiple axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable connection is a socket, including a swivel pin, for placing the splitter  305  onto the outlet of the welder  500 , more preferably the socket is grooved to nest with the welder  500 . Other methods of connecting the welder  500  and the splitter  305  would be understood by one skilled in the art. The outlets  302  are preferably connected to a first nozzle  310   a  and a second nozzle  310   b . The welder  500  provides hot air to the splitter  305 . The splitter  305  supplies hot air to the nozzles  310 . The nozzles  310  supply hot air from the welder  500  to the welding rod  700 , the thermoplastic profile strip  200  and the thermoplastic roofing membrane. 
         [0034]    In exemplary embodiments, the splitter  305  is fabricated from pipe components, i.e., fittings. In an alternate embodiment, the split nozzle  300  is an integrally fabricated piping component. The sizing of the split nozzle  300  including the inlet  301  and the plurality of outlets  302  will be dependent on the sizing of the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b , which will be sized dependent on the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . The splitter  305 , inlet  301 , outlet  302  may be any size, for example, but not limited to a diameter of about 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 inches. Although the splitter  305 , inlet  301 , outlet  302  are shown as having a circular cross-sectional shape, they may be of any cross-sectional shape such as, but not limited to, square, rectangular or polygonal. 
         [0035]    The first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  are substantially identical, therefore only the first nozzle  310   a  will be described. The first nozzle  310   a  includes an inlet  303  and an outlet  304 . The inlet  303  will be connected to one of the outlets  302  of the splitter  305 . The inlet  303  may be any size, for example, but not limited to a diameter of about 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 inches. In some embodiments, from the inlet  303  to the outlet  304 , the first nozzle  310   a  is tapered and crescent-like. The outlet  304  delivers a hot air stream to the welding rod  700 . In some embodiments, the outlet  304  is substantially lateral to the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . The length of the outlet  304  may be may be any size, for example, but not limited to about 0.5, 0.75, 1, or 1.25 inches. The height of the outlet  304  may be may be any size, for example, but not limited to about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches. The shape of the outlet  304  will provide various shapes of the welding rod  700  after welding. The outlet  304  is preferably shaped and sized to provide a triangular or smooth bead of the welding rod  700  after welding. In some exemplary embodiments, the outlet  304  is about 5 to about 90 degrees off vertical. In other exemplary embodiments, the outlet  304  is about 45 degrees off vertical.  FIG. 5  depicts the outlet  304  and the welding rod  700  prior to welding.  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C, depict embodiments of the shape of the outlet  304  and the type of seam they produce after welding including triangular, curved or concave. The cross section of the outlet  304  is preferably shaped to provide an even flow of hot air across welding rod  700 . In some embodiments, the outlet  304  height may be adjustable. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in another exemplary embodiment, the first nozzle  310   a  may also include a tubular guide  306  for providing the welding rod  700  into position for welding the thermoplastic profile strip  200  and the thermoplastic roofing membrane together. In some embodiments, the guide  306  is adjacent to the outlet  304 . In other embodiments, the guide  306  will be on an angle α ranging from about 0 to about 90 degrees off the horizontal axis and an angle β ranging from about 0 to about 90 degrees off the vertical axis. These offsets ensure the welding rod  700  will be properly placed for welding. In other embodiments, the guide  306  is optional and the pair of wheels  420   b  may be used to ensure the welding rod  700  will be properly placed for welding. 
         [0037]    In advantageous embodiments, the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  are separated by a space to place the outlets  304  of each nozzle  310  on either side of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . In some embodiments, the space also accommodates the housing  320 , the width adjuster  330  and the pressure devices  340 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  are connected by the width adjuster  330  which traverses the space between the two nozzles  310 . In other embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is optional. In some embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is connected to the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  in a substantially horizontal position. In some embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is welded to the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b . In other embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is threaded onto the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b . In still other embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is a threaded rod  334  and a wheel  336 . In other embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is a spring. The threaded rod  334  preferably has the wheel  336  threaded onto itself before being connected to the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b . In one embodiment, the wheel  336  is a knurled wheel. The threaded rod  334  includes a left end  331  and a right end  332 . Outwardly from the wheel  336 , the left end  331  is threaded with left-handed threads and connected to the first nozzle  310   a  of the split nozzle  300  and the right end  332  is threaded with right-handed threads and connected to the second nozzle  310   b . The left end  331  may be threaded or welded to the first nozzle  310   a  of the split nozzle  300  and the right end  332  may be threaded or welded to the second nozzle  310   b  When the wheel  336  is turned clockwise from the point of view of a user standing facing it, the legs  310  are driven farther apart ( FIG. 3B ) and when the wheel  336  is turned counterclockwise, the nozzles  310  are drawn closer together ( FIG. 3A ). The housing  320  preferably rotatably supports the one or more pressure devices  340 . In other embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are optional. The housing  320  includes an adjustment slot  335  where the width adjuster  330  allows for application of pressure on the thermoplastic profile strip  200 , ensuring contact between the thermoplastic roofing membrane and the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . The length of the adjustment slot  335  may range from about 1 to about 2.25 inches. In some embodiments, the adjustment slot  335  is angled to allow the width adjuster  330  to rise or lower depending upon the adjustment being made by the width adjuster  330 . In some embodiments, the angle of the adjustment slot  335  may depend on the height of the housing  320  and may range from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the width adjuster  330  may be any mechanism capable of adjusting the distance between the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b . In other embodiments, the width adjuster  330  is a spring capable of adjusting the width between the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b.    
         [0038]    In exemplary embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are cylinders for applying pressure to the thermoplastic profile strip  200  while welding is occurring. In some embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are rotatably connected to the housing  320 . In some embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are rotatably connected to the housing  320  using a rotating shaft-bearing pressure cylinder fitted onto the housing  320 . In some embodiments, the housing  320  rests on the width adjuster  330  passing through the adjustment slot  335 . In other embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are rotatably connected to the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b . The pressure devices  340  may be any weight that will provide enough pressure to seal the weld without damaging the thermoplastic profile strip  200  or the thermoplastic roofing membrane. In some embodiments, the pressure is provided by the adjustment slot  335  and is independent of pressure devices  340  weight. The pressure devices  340  may be steel, Teflon or any material with a smooth surface and low friction. In some embodiments, there is a forward pressure device  340   a  which sits forward of the width adjuster  330 . In other embodiments, there is also a rearward pressure device  340   b  which sits aft of the width adjuster  330 . The pressure devices  340  are capable of being raised or lowered dependent upon the height of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . In some embodiments, the adjustment slot  335  locks in place and applies pressure via the pressure device  340  over the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , various shapes of the pressure devices  340  are contemplated for use with the dual welder  100 . The shape of the pressure device  340  may be, but is not limited to, smooth ( FIG. 7 ), tapered ( FIG. 7A ), stepped ( FIG. 7B ) or grooved ( FIG. 7C ) and will preferably be chosen to complement the cross-section of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  to provide optimal contact between the thermoplastic profile strip  200  and the pressure device  340 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure devices  340  may be self-aligning. In other embodiments, the one or more pressure devices  340  are any mechanism capable of applying an even pressure to the thermoplastic profile strip  200  as the split nozzle  300  traverses the length of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the welding rod feed apparatus  600  is connected to the welder platform  400 . The welding rod feed apparatus  600  includes one or more spools of welding rod  700 , a counterweight  605 , and a handle  610 . The handle  610  may include a longitudinal segment  615  which attaches the handle to the welder platform  400 . The handle  610  may also have a lateral segment  620  for providing spools of welding rod  700  on a first end  625   a  and the counterweight  605  on an opposite second end  625   b . the welding rod feed apparatus  600  may be any of those known to one skilled in the art or manufactured by one skilled in the art. The welding rod feed apparatus  600  may be any apparatus capable of providing the welding rod  700  to the guide  306  of the split nozzle  300 . In some embodiments, the counterweight  605  is optional. In some embodiments, the welding rod  700  is guided by the wheels  420   b    FIG. 1A  and passes through the guide  306 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, when the guides  306  are used, the welding rod  700  may be loosely fed from the welding rod feed apparatus  600 , under the wheels  420   b , or just by laying the welding rod  700  along the length of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . The guides  306  allow greater freedom in how the welding rod  700  is fed/laid to the welding locations along the edges of the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . However, if guides  306  are not used, then the welding rods  700  could be laid along the length of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  prior to the welder  500  being moved along the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . This could be done with the wheels  420  shown in  FIG. 1 , or the welding rod  700  could just be laid all along the length of the thermoplastic profile strip  200  prior to the welder  500  being moved along the thermoplastic profile strip  200 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in an alternate embodiment, the dual welder  100  is similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1 , except the welding rod  700  is loose laid, and thus not fed from the welding rod feed apparatus  600  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, the nozzles of the welder may not include the guides discussed above since the thermoplastic welding rods may be laid along the longitudinal edges of the profile strip. In other respects, the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8  is substantially similar, and operates as such, as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , in another embodiment, the split nozzle  300  attached to a hand held welder  800 . The split nozzle  300  is connected to the outlet of the handheld welder  800 . In some embodiments, the split nozzle  300  does not have the housing  320 , the width adjuster  330 , or the one or more pressure cylinders  340 . In some embodiments, the operator will choose a split nozzle  300  having the appropriate width, dependent upon the thermoplastic profile strip  200  being welded. In some embodiments, the split nozzle  300  may not be rotatably connected to the hand held welder  800 . The hand held welder  800  may be any of those known to one skilled in the art. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment of the dual welder  100  is an integrated split nozzle and welder  900 . In some embodiments, the integrated split nozzle and welder  900  is width adjustable, rotatable and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the integrated split nozzle and welder  900  is a combination of all the features of the split nozzle  300  and the hand held welder  800 . In other embodiments, the split nozzle  300  includes all the features described above or combinations thereof. In yet other embodiments, the integrated split nozzle and welder  900  is a combination of all of the features of the hand held welder  800  with the split nozzle  300  without the housing  320  and the width adjuster  330 . In some embodiments, the split nozzle  300  may be rotatable about all axes. In further embodiments, the split nozzle  300  includes the width adjuster  330 . The one or more pressure devices  340  may be connected to the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  in a substantially horizontal rotatable method. The welder platform  400  is modified to suspend the integrated split nozzle and welder  900  over the thermoplastic profile edge  200  with the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  being on either side of the thermoplastic profile edge  200 . In some embodiments, the integrated split nozzle and welder  900  is rotatably connected to the welder platform  400 . The welder platform  400  is connected to the welding rod feed apparatus  600  by attachment of a handle  610 . The handle  610  includes the lateral segment  620  for providing spools of welding rod  700 . The welder platform  400  may also include a drive mechanism  450  which will propel the welder platform  400  and its associated parts along the thermoplastic profile edge  200  for welding. The platform  410  of the welder platform  400  includes space for providing counterweights  605  on it. 
         [0044]    To weld the thermoplastic profile strip  200  to the thermoplastic membrane, the first nozzle  310   a  and the second nozzle  310   b  may be positioned as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  7  and  9 . The outlets  304  and guides  306  are properly positioned by use of a properly sized split nozzle  300  or by adjustment of the width adjuster  330 . The welder  500 ,  800 , or  900  is propelled along the thermoplastic profile strip  200  causing the welding rod  700  to melt and weld the thermoplastic profile  200  to the thermoplastic roofing membrane. In some embodiments, the welder  500 ,  800 , or  900  may be automatically propelled or manually propelled by the operator or the welder platform  400 . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, before the thermoplastic profile strip  200  is welded to the thermoplastic roofing membrane, the thermoplastic profile strip  200  may be temporarily attached to the thermoplastic roofing membrane in straight parallel lines using an adhesive  125 . 
         [0046]    While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principles have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages. 
         [0047]    Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R.1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.