Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080236276 | Apparatus and method for determining density of insulation - An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density. | 10-02-2008 |
20080281006 | One-part non-toxic spray foam - A one-part spray foam formed by Michael addition chemistry is provided. The foamable composition includes at least one electron donor, at least one electron acceptor, an encapsulated catalyst, and one or more blowing agents. The catalyst is a weak or strong base. The encapsulation of the catalyst controls the polymerization of the Michael addition compounds such that the catalyst can be added and/or activated at a desired time to begin the foaming reaction. The catalyst may be encapsulated in a high molecular weight inert polymer or wax. In some embodiments, the chemical blowing agent(s) are also encapsulated. To produce a foam according to the invention, a single stream of the foamable composition is fed into an application gun where the slurry is heated and mixed. The heat and/or mixing in the gun releases the catalyst, which initiates the reaction between the Michael donor and Michael acceptor to form the foam. | 11-13-2008 |
20090061203 | Structured Adhesive System - A construction configuration for a building includes a fixture adhered to a framing structure with an adhesive system. The adhesive system has an outer pressure sensitive adhesive material, an inner pressure sensitive adhesive material, a bonding adhesive material, and at least one spacer material. The spacer material has at least one opening for containing a desired quantity of the bonding adhesive material. | 03-05-2009 |
20090206105 | Blowing Wool Bag And Method Of Using The Bag - A bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The bag has an end configured as a tear-away portion enabling the end of the bag to be readily torn away from the bag. | 08-20-2009 |
20100031602 | Blowing Machine For Loosefil Insulation Material - A bag of compressed blowing wool configured for use in a blowing wool machine is provided. The bag includes a body of compressed blowing wool. The compression of the blowing wool is in a radially inward direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bag. A bag is configured to substantially encapsulate the body of compressed blowing wool. The bag has an end configured as a tear-away portion enabling the end of the bag to be readily torn away from the bag. The bag is configured to retain the compression of the body of blowing wool in a radially inward direction after the tear-away portion has been torn away. | 02-11-2010 |
20100058836 | Method for determining density of insulation - An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure includes a sensor that is held in a substantially fixed position relative to the insulation for sensing the force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation comprises the step of providing a structure with a cavity having a known depth. The cavity is filled with insulation. A sensor is held in a substantially fixed position relative to the insulation to measure force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density. | 03-11-2010 |
20100175810 | ROOM TEMPERATURE CROSSLINKED FOAM - Low rise, user friendly latex foams for sealing insulative cavities of a building are provided. The foams may be applied to the interface of the sheathing and the studs within the insulative cavities to reduce air leaks. The latex foams may also be applied to the face of the studs to obtain an additional seal against air infiltration. The foam can be used to affix fiberglass batts, batt flanges, and vapor barriers to the framing without mechanical fasteners. A tackifier may be added to impart an adhesive quality to the foam. The tacky nature of the foam permits the drywall or vapor barrier to be repositioned without damage. Drywall is held onto the face of the studs by the tacky foam while mechanical fasteners are inserted to permanently affix the drywall to the framing. The compressive nature of the foam permits drywall to be attached without significant bowing or detachment. | 07-15-2010 |
20100189908 | FORMULATION METHOD FOR PLURAL COMPONENT LATEX- FOAM - Latex spray foams formed from a two-part foamable composition are provided. The A-side contains a functionalized latex and an acid and the B-side contains a polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent, a plasticizer, a base, and, optionally, a non-functionalized resin. The acid and the base form a blowing agent package that when mixed, react to form a gas. The A- and B-side also contain thickening agents. The polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent is diluted by a plasticizer, which reduces the viscosity of the B-side and reduces the amount of ethyleneimine, a toxic component in the polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent. The presence of a plasticizer also permits the inclusion of other materials that may add functionality and/or cost savings to the foamed product. The plasticizer should have no acidic protons to react with the crosslinking agent. When no acidic protons are present, the B-side is stable for extended periods of time. | 07-29-2010 |
20100219272 | EXIT VALVE FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips. | 09-02-2010 |
20100219273 | AGITATION SYSTEM FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate. | 09-02-2010 |
20100219274 | AGITATION SYSTEM FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders and an agitator. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured for rotation. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured to rotate at different speeds. | 09-02-2010 |
20100230441 | ENTRANCE CHUTE FOR BLOWING INSULATION MACHINE - A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the loosefill insulation and a lower unit associated with the chute. The lower unit includes a first and second shredder configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation and an agitator configured for final shredding of the loosefill insulation. The lower unit further includes a first shredder guide shell positioned partially around the first shredder, a second shredder guide shell positioned partially around the second shredder and an agitator guide shell positioned partially around the agitator. A discharge mechanism is positioned in the lower unit and is configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the lower unit. The position of a second end of the first shredder guide shell is offset in a vertical direction from the position of a second end of the second shredder guide shell. | 09-16-2010 |
20100230522 | ENTRANCE CHUTE FOR BLOWING INSULATION MACHINE - A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation having a cross-sectional shape is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end has opposing longitudinal sides configured to be substantially horizontal in orientation. The inlet end also has opposing lateral sides connected to the longitudinal sides. The opposing lateral sides are configured to be shorter than the opposing longitudinal sides and further configured to be substantially vertical in orientation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is provided for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation. | 09-16-2010 |
20100319275 | Vapor Barrier With Valve For A Building - A vapor barrier for sealing an interior of a building from an insulation cavity defined by framing members of the building includes a flexible and substantially impermeable sheet having apertures to allow air to exit the insulation cavity during filling of the insulation cavity with loose fill insulation. The vapor barrier also includes one-way valves mounted across the apertures. The valves are configured to allow air flow out of the insulation cavity and into the building interior through the apertures and to prevent air flow and moisture diffusion from the building interior into the insulation cavity. | 12-23-2010 |
20110000990 | ENTRANCE CHUTE FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation and the plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute. | 01-06-2011 |
20110123717 | TWO PART SPRAY FOAM USING A BLOWING AGENT AS A PLASTICIZER AND A ROOM TEMPERATURE CROSSLINKING AGENT - Latex spray foams formed from a non-aqueous two-part foamable composition are provided. The A-side contains includes a dry latex polymer, a multifunctional acid, and a liquid blowing agent and the B-side contains a polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent a plasticizer, and, optionally, a non-functionalized resin. The multifunctional acid may be a secondary emulsion that is added to the composition separately. The polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent may be diluted by a plasticizer, which reduces the viscosity of the B-side. The plasticizer should have no acidic protons to react with the crosslinking agent. When no acidic protons are present, the B-side is stable for extended periods of time. Additionally, the inventive foam and composition are desirably free of water. The lack of water or small amount of water in the inventive foam composition permits the foam to be sprayed at temperatures below freezing and to a greater thickness compared to water-containing compositions. | 05-26-2011 |
20110146176 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING BOARD INSULATION AS BLOWN INSULATION - Apparatus for processing board insulation into granules of loosefill insulation are provided. The apparatus includes an upper unit having inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end is configured to receive board insulation. The upper unit is configured to break the board insulation into small pieces. A lower unit is connected to the upper unit. The lower unit is configured to receive the small pieces of board insulation exiting the upper unit. The lower unit includes a plurality of conditioning mechanisms configured to condition the small pieces thereby resulting in granules of loosefill insulation. The lower unit further includes a distribution mechanism configured to distribute the granules of loosefill insulation into an airstream. A distribution hose is connected to the lower unit and configured to convey the granules from the apparatus to a building insulation cavity. The granules are configured for use as loosefill insulation within the building cavity. | 06-23-2011 |
20110174906 | ENTRANCE CHUTE FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. The machine further includes a discharge mechanism for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute, such that the insulation feeds in a substantially vertical direction into the plurality of shredders. | 07-21-2011 |
20110198422 | LOOSEFILL BAG DIGESTER FOR BLOWING INSULATION MACHINE - Machines for distributing loosefill insulation from a package of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The package of compressed loosefill insulation includes a bag encapsulating a body of compressed loosefill insulation. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the chute is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation. A bag digester is configured to shred the bag into short strips of shredded bag. The short strips of shredded bag are configured to mix with the shredded loosefill insulation. A discharge mechanism is positioned downstream from the bag digester and the shredders and is configured for distributing the shredded loosefill insulation and the short strips of shredded bag into an airstream. | 08-18-2011 |
20110224317 | SPRAY FOAMS WITH FINE PARTICULATE BLOWING AGENT - Latex foams for filling cavities and crevices and for forming foamed products are provided. The latex foam includes a functionalized latex, a crosslinking agent and a blowing agent package, and optionally a non-functionalized latex. The foamable compositions may be two-part, having an A-side and a B-side to keep reactants separate until use. The blowing agent package may be the combination of two or more chemicals, such as acid and base, that when mixed together form a gas. In two-part compositions, the acid and base preferably are in separate sides to prevent premature gassing; in alternative one-part compositions, the spray latex foam may include a functionalized latex, a crosslinking agent, and an encapsulated dry acid and dry base. The encapsulating agent may be a protective, non-reactive shell that can be broken or melted at the time of application. The acid and/or base are preferably dry powder particulates, for example milled bicarbonate having a median particle diameter of from about 0.5 to about 40 microns, e.g. from about 2 to about 40 microns or from about 0.5 to about 5 microns. | 09-15-2011 |
20110226881 | AGITATION SYSTEM FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement. | 09-22-2011 |
20120032012 | AGITATION SYSTEM FOR BLOWING WOOL MACHINE - A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder. | 02-09-2012 |
20120261053 | CONTAINED FOAM ENVELOPE FOR INSULATING AND SEALING LARGE VOLUMES - A system for sealing large volumes or gaps includes a flexible envelope that can assume the shape of the volume when filled with a foaming composition that expands the envelope to the boundaries of the volume. The foaming composition may be integral with the envelope or delivered in bulk by an external device. The foaming composition may be one or multiple parts, typically two parts such as a poly isocyanate and a polyols, in which case it is necessary to keep the two parts separate until foaming is desired. Separation may be accomplished by providing multiple compartments that deliver components via a mixing device into the interior. The envelope may include ribs for structural strength and shaping, and leak pores around its perimeter to enhance bonding and sealing. It may also include perforations for bulk, modular seals or for separation of portions of the envelope to seal irregular shapes. | 10-18-2012 |
20120263817 | CONTAINED FOAM ENVELOPE FOR INSULATING AND SEALING LARGE VOLUMES - A system for sealing or insulating a large volume is provided. The system includes an envelope having walls defining an interior. The interior is configured to receive a foaming composition. The envelope is initially configured in a retracted configuration. A foaming composition is configured for insertion into the interior of the envelope. The envelope is configured such that the foaming composition expands the envelope such as to fill a large gap. | 10-18-2012 |
20140209630 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND APPLYING MATERIAL - Methods and apparatus for mixing and applying a bead of material. For example, the bead of material can be used to seal gaps cracks and seams of a building. The apparatus includes a supply machine and an applicator. The supply machine provides each of the parts of the material to the applicator at a controlled rate. The applicator mixes the parts of the material at a nozzle. The applicator provides a bead (rather than spraying) of the mixed material through the nozzle. The bead of material may be applied in a precise manner to seal gaps, cracks and seams of an existing building and/or the bead may be provided during new construction of a building between components of the building. | 07-31-2014 |
20150013880 | ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR CROSSLINKED FOAM - Foams for filling cavities and crevasses and for forming foamed products are provided. The latex foam may include an A-side containing a functionalized latex and a B-side that contains a crosslinking agent and optionally a non-functionalized latex. The A- and/or B-side contain a blowing agent package or components forming the blowing agent package. The blowing agent package may be the combination of two or more chemicals that when mixed together form a gas or a chemical compound that, when activated by heat or light, forms a gas. In an alternate embodiment, the latex foam includes a functionalized latex, an acid, and an encapsulated crosslinking agent and base. Alternatively, the spray latex foam may include a functionalized latex, a crosslinking agent, and an encapsulated dry acid and dry base. The encapsulating agent may be a protective, non-reactive shell that can be broken or melted at the time of application. | 01-15-2015 |
20150028059 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND APPLYING MATERIAL - Methods and apparatus for mixing and applying a bead of material. For example, the bead of material can be used to seal gaps cracks and seams of a building. The apparatus includes a supply machine and an applicator. The supply machine provides each of the parts of the material to the applicator at a controlled rate. The applicator mixes the parts of the material at a nozzle. The applicator provides a bead (rather than spraying) of the mixed material through the nozzle. The bead of material may be applied in a precise manner to seal gaps, cracks and seams of an existing building and/or the bead may be provided during new construction of a building between components of the building. | 01-29-2015 |