Pressurized Construction Adhesive Applicator for Solvent-Free Bead Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction adhesives used in the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries are often flammable due to solvents, cause repetitive strain injuries from manual application, and contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from aerosol foam adhesives, while also providing inconsistent bead placement and high viscosity that requires excessive pressure.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized construction adhesive applicator system that uses a canister filled with a one-part curable adhesive devoid of solvents and blowing agents, allowing for uniform bead application on both vertical and horizontal surfaces without mechanical pumps or foaming, utilizing a trigger-activated wand for efficient and consistent adhesive dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual caulking guns are used to apply mastic adhesive, then adhesive application is possible, but worker fatigue and repetitive strain injuries occur due to excessive repetitive grip force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical caulking gun system with a pressurized aerosol canister system. The adhesive is dispensed through a valve mechanism activated by simple hand pressure on the canister, eliminating the need for repetitive squeezing motions. This substitution of the mechanical application system resolves the contradiction by maintaining adhesive application capability while removing the source of worker fatigue and strain injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure within a sealed canister to force adhesive through a nozzle. The pressurized adhesive flows automatically when the valve is opened, requiring minimal user force. This pneumatic system replaces the manual mechanical force requirement, solving the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of worker injury.
2Strength
If mastic adhesive with high viscosity is used, then adhesive bonding strength is achieved, but excessive pressure is required for dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses internal pneumatic pressure within the canister to overcome the high viscosity of the mastic adhesive. The pressurized environment forces the thick adhesive through the nozzle without requiring external mechanical pressure from the user. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining strong adhesive bonding properties while eliminating the need for excessive dispensing pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the adhesive system by formulating it as a pressurized aerosol suspension. The adhesive particles are suspended in a pressurized carrier gas, allowing the high-viscosity material to flow easily under pressure. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between maintaining adhesive strength and reducing dispensing pressure requirements.
3Ease of operation
If aerosol spray foam adhesives are used, then adhesive application is simplified, but greenhouse gas emissions occur from blowing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful blowing agents (such as HFC-134a) from the adhesive formulation. Instead of using foam-based aerosols that require greenhouse gas propellants, the invention uses a non-foaming mastic adhesive suspended in a pressurized canister without blowing agents. This extraction of the harmful component resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplified aerosol application while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of requiring propellants into a benefit by using a formulation that does not require traditional aerosol propellants. The pressurized canister system allows for simplified application mechanics while using alternative pressurization methods that do not involve greenhouse gas emissions. This transforms the potential harm into a beneficial emission-free solution.
4Ease of operation
If solvents are added to adhesive formulation, then adhesive flow and application are improved, but flammability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes solvents from the adhesive formulation, creating a solvent-free mastic adhesive. The adhesive is applied in a pressed-flower or extruded form directly from the canister without requiring solvent carriers. This extraction of the harmful solvent component resolves the contradiction by maintaining adequate adhesive flow and application properties while eliminating flammability risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by formulating it as a solvent-free material. The adhesive particles are suspended in a pressurized carrier rather than dissolved in flammable solvents. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by preserving application performance while eliminating the flammability hazard associated with solvent-based formulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces worker fatigue, ensures consistent adhesive placement, eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, and provides a more efficient and safer application process, improving assembly quality and reducing the need for multiple adhesive cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurant in the volume in an amount sufficient to urge the one-part curable construction adhesive from the volume and out of the applicator as a bead with depression of a trigger
Data Source
AI summary
A pressurized construction adhesive applicator system is provided that is able to apply adhesive to vertical surfaces without foaming, solvents, or resort to mechanical pumps. The pressurized construction adhesive applicator system including a canister having a volume, a one- part curable construction adhesive in the volume a lid forming a seal with said canister, an applicator wand having a trigger in fluid communication with the one-part curable construction adhesive via a tube, and a pressurant in the volume in an amount sufficient to urge the one-part curable construction adhesive from the volume and out of a nozzle of the applicator as a bead with depression of the trigger.