Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing a two-part adhesive includes a first collapsible bag containing a first part of the two-part adhesive, a second collapsible bag containing a second part of the two-part adhesive, and a manifold that communicates with the first collapsible bag and the second collapsible bag. The manifold includes a first projection device that pierces the first collapsible bag and a second projection device that pierces the second collapsible bag. Each part flows from its respective collapsible bag into the manifold after the bag is pierced. The manifold directs each part of the two-part adhesive separately through the manifold and out of an exit of the manifold.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,250, filed Jun. 13, 2012. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/246,482, filed September 27, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/386,939, filed Sep. 27, 2010. The entire contents of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to packages for holding adhesives. More specifically, the present invention relates to collapsible packages for holding adhesives. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    In many roofing applications, for example in large, flat commercial roof decks, a roofing membrane is used to seal and protect the roof deck from environmental weather conditions. The roofing membrane may be made of various materials, such as polymeric materials including EPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-rubber) or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). The roofing membrane is adhered overtop insulation boards or panels. The insulation boards are typically secured to the roofing substrate or roof deck via an adhesive composition. A conventional adhesive composition used to adhere the insulation boards to the roof deck includes polyurethane. The polyurethane adhesives are oftentimes applied directly onto the roof deck via an applicator system and the insulation boards are then laid onto the roof deck surface. Conventional polyurethane adhesives oftentimes include two separate parts that are mixed by an applicator just prior to being applied onto the surface of the roof deck. The two parts include an isocyanate blend and a simple polyol blend. Upon mixing, the isocyanate blend reacts or crosslinks with the simple polyol blend to form the polyurethane adhesive. 
         [0005]    However, these conventional two-part polyurethane adhesives are sensitive to weather conditions due to the effects of temperature on the viscosity, and therefore the reaction speed, of the adhesive. Accordingly, conventional two-part polyurethane adhesives are packaged and formulated into various grades, such as Summer, Winter, and Regular, that vary the composition of the adhesive in order to account for temperature. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is room in the art for adhesive packages for a pump driven applicator system that reliably pumps adhesives of different viscosities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An apparatus for dispensing a two-part adhesive includes a first collapsible bag containing a first part of the two-part adhesive, a second collapsible bag containing a second part of the two-part adhesive, and a manifold that communicates with the first collapsible bag and the second collapsible bag. The manifold includes a first projection device that pierces the first collapsible bag and a second projection device that pierces the second collapsible bag. Each part flows from its respective collapsible bag into the manifold after the bag is pierced. The manifold directs each part of the two-part adhesive separately through the manifold and out of an exit of the manifold. 
         [0008]    Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram of a device for applying a two-part adhesive in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the device in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a particular arrangement for the pumps and adhesive package for the device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a manifold for applying a two part adhesive in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of the manifold shown in  FIG. 3A ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the manifold shown in  FIG. 3B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , a device for applying a two-part fluid to a substrate is generally indicated by reference number  100 . The device  100  may include a carrier or frame  112  to support the various components of the device  100  and may take many forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the carrier  112  may include a rectangular base with an upwardly extending portions or support columns. The rectangular portion includes two rotatable front wheels and two spindle mounted back wheels. Back wheels are pivotable and rotatable allowing the device  100  to move forward as well as turn and rotate. The portion supports an upper frame that is sized to receive two parts of a two-part compound. These two parts are packaged separately and include an “A” side package  122 A and a “B” side package  122 B. Each of the packages preferably contain one part of a two part all weather polyurethane adhesive for use on roofing substrates. The upper frame is designed to accommodate a particular package configuration of the “A” side  122 A and the “B” side  122 B. Each of the packages  122 A and  122 B may be a bag with one or more hoses  124 A and  124 B, respectively, extending from each bag. In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , seven hoses  124 A extend from bag  122 A and seven hoses  124 B extend from bag  122 B, and a shut-off valve  126  is associated with each hose to enable the operator of the device  100  to selectively open or close each of the hoses  124 A,  124 B. 
         [0018]    Each of the hoses  124 A,  124 B connects to respective pumps  128 A,  128 B. Specifically, the seven hoses  124 A extending from package  122 A connect to pump  128 A, and the seven hoses  124 B extending from package  122 B connect to pump  128 B. In another arrangement, all of the hoses  124 A and  124 B from the packages  122 A and  122 B connect to a single pump. In a particular arrangement, each of the hoses  124 A and  124 B connects to a separate pump; that is, the number of pumps is the same as the number of hoses  124 A and  124 B. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , a set of seven outlet hoses  130 A extends from the pump  128 A and another set of outlet hoses  130 B extends from the pump  128 B. Each of the outlet hoses  130 A is paired with a respective outlet hose  130 B, and each of the paired outlet hoses  130 A and  130 B connects to respective inlet ports  131 A and  131 B of a manifold  132 . Accordingly, there are seven manifolds, each associated with a pair of outlet hoses  130 A and  130 B, and associated with each manifold  132  is a mixer nozzle  134 . The manifolds  132  may be made from aluminum or from a disposable plastic. Each of the manifolds  132  may include two inlet ports that communicate with separate channels or bores which in turn communicate with respective outlet ports. 
         [0020]    The nozzle  134  is an extended member that mixes the “A” side fluid with the “B” side fluid. The nozzle  134  is coupled to manifold  132  and communicates with the outlet ports of the manifold  132 . The nozzle  134  is disposable and is preferably a  36  element mixing nozzle, though it should be appreciated that other types and grades of nozzles may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Once the fluids from the “A” and “B” sides are mixed, the combined fluid exits in the nozzle  134  and is dispensed in the form of elongated beads on the roofing substrate. A restriction orifice may be disposed between the manifold  132  and the nozzle  134 . The orifice may be integrated into the nozzle. The nozzle  134  may be threaded into the manifold  132  or it may be a quick release nozzle for faster change-outs. The mixer nozzle  134  may be configured to be quickly releasable from the manifold  132  by eliminating the threads and attaching the nozzle to the manifold  132  with or similar device. 
         [0021]    When the device  100  is in use, an operator activates the device  100  to drive the pumps  128 A and  128 B. The pumps  128 A and  128 B draw fluid from the “A” and “B” side packages  122 A and  122 B through the hoses  124 A and  124 B, respectively, that have not been closed with shut-off valves  126 . In turn, the pumps  128 A and  128 B pump the “A” and “B” fluids through the outlet hoses  130 A and  130 B to the manifolds  132 . Accordingly, each manifold  132  receives “A” and “B” fluids and directs the fluids to respective nozzles  134  for mixing. The pumping action of the pumps  128 A and  128 B ejects the mixture through the outlet of the nozzle  134  as a foam adhesive that is applied to a substrate such as a roof. By widening or narrowing the distance between adjacent nozzles  134 , the operator can adjust the width of the area covered with the device  100 . 
         [0022]    In some arrangements, the adhesive package may be combined or integrated into a portion of the pump. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  B, the “A” component  122 A is inserted or contained directly in the pump  128 A, thus eliminating the hoses  124 A. Although  FIG. 1B  shows the “B” component  122 B connected to the pump  128 B with hoses  124 B, the “B” component could be contained in the pump  128 B as well. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a particular arrangement of the device shown in  FIG. 1B  and is generally indicated by the reference number  200 . Note that like components are indicated by like reference numbers shown in the previous figures. The primary components of the device  200  include a motor  202  connected to a gear box  204 . In turn, the gear box  204  is connected to the pump  128 B that draws “B” fluid from “B” package  122 B via hoses  124 B and pumps “B” fluid through the hoses  130 B to the manifolds  132 . Other adhesive applicators that can be employed to pump components of the adhesive from the packages  122 A or  122 B described above as well as those below include the applicator described in U.S. Patent No.  7 , 056 , 556 , the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0024]    The gear box is also connected to a jack and ball screw mechanism  208  via a mechanism  210 . The mechanism  210  can be, for example, a ring and pinion mechanism or a chain and sprocket mechanism. A disk member  211  is attached to one end of the jack and ball screw mechanism  208 . Also associated with each jack and ball screw mechanism  208  is a cylinder or tube  212 . 
         [0025]    Typically, the operator of the device  200  drops a sausage package  122 A of “A” fluid into the tube  212 . A sharp projection  216 , for example, at the bottom of the tube  212 , pierces the package  122 A. Accordingly, as an operator, such as a roofer, operates the device  200 , the motor  202  turns the gears in the gear box  204  that in turn causes the jack and ball screw mechanism  208  via the mechanism  210  to push the disk  211  against the package  122 A. This causes the “A” fluid to be pushed out of the package  122 A. The “A” fluid flows through respective hoses  130 A to each manifold  132 , and, as described previously, the “A” and “B” fluids are mixed together in the nozzle  134 , and the mixture is ejected as an adhesive foam onto a substrate such as a roof.  FIG. 2  shows device  200  arranged with one nozzle merely for illustrative purposes. Depending upon the application, there may as many as seven or more nozzles  134  associated with the device  200 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , there is shown another arrangement  300  with a manifold  332  and a pair of cylinders  322 A and  322 B, which are similar to the cylinder  212  described previously. The cylinders  322 A and  322 B are attached to the manifold  332  with respective connectors  324 A and  324 B as shown in  FIG. 3B . Disposed within each connector is a projection device  328 A and  328 B. Accordingly, when an “A” and “B” package is inserted into the cylinders  322 A and  322 B and then compressed for example with mechanism  210 , the “A” and “B” packages are pushed against the projections  328 A and  328 B to pierce the packages contained within the cylinders  322 A and  322 B. 
         [0027]    Specifically, the operator of the device drops a sausage package of an “A” fluid into the tube  322 A and a sausage package of “B” fluid into the cylinder  322 B. The sharp projections  324 A and  324 B of the manifold  322  pierce the “A” and “B” packages. Accordingly, as an operator, such as a roofer, operates the device employing one or more of the manifolds  300 , the “A” and “B” fluids are pushed out of their respective packages. Instead of flowing through the hoses  130 A and  130 B as described earlier, the “A” and “B fluids flow directly and separately through the manifold  332 . A nozzle such as the nozzle  134  is attached to the manifolds spout  330 , for example, by threading the spout to the threads  331  of the spout  330  ( FIG. 3C ). Hence, as the “A” and “B” fluids flow separately out of the manifold  332 , they flow into the nozzle  134  where the fluids are mixed together. Accordingly, the manifold  332  is a two-part manifold that directs each part of a two-part adhesive separately through the manifold. The “A” and “B” are ejected from the manifold  332  in about a 1:1 ratio. However, other ratios are contemplated as well. The mixture is then ejected as an adhesive foam onto a substrate such as a roof. 
         [0028]    The manifold  332  and the nozzle  134  may be produced as a singled unit. For example, the manifold and the nozzle  134  may be machined or molded as a single unit and then shipped to the customer. Or, in other arrangements, the nozzle  134  and the manifold  332  are shipped as a single unit, but the nozzle  134  may be detachable from the manifold  332 . 
         [0029]    In some arrangements, the sausage packages are adhered and sealed to the connectors  324 A and  324 B and then shipped to the customer as a single unit. This unit would then be placed in a container such as the container  212  described above and a mechanism  210  would be employed to apply pressure to both sausage packages to eject the “A” and “B” parts out of the respective sausage packages. In particular arrangements, each sausage package can be provided with a valve mechanism to ensure that the respective part of the two-part adhesive flows in just one direction. Specifically, after the sausage package has been punctured, the fluid in the package could only flow out of the package since the valve would prevent any backflow back into the package. 
         [0030]    Each of the packages for the “A” and “B” fluids generally include a flexible and collapsible bag made from, for example, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, which is a polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate and is generally available under the trade name Mylar®. Mylar® has a high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, and gas barrier properties that are desirable for use as containers for adhesives. The manifold  332  may be useable and made from any suitable metal such as, for example, aluminum. Or the manifold may be made from any suitable plastic, such that they can be disposed after one or more uses. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the cylinders  322 A and  322 B are of a generally cylindrical shape to accommodate cylindrically shaped packages. However, other shapes are contemplated as well, including but not limited to cubic or rectangular shapes. 
         [0031]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.