Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of mixing and applying a foam sealant which comprises a thermoplastic base material that is solid at ambient temperatures and a liquid material containing a foaming agent, characterised in that it comprises the steps of heating the solid base material to melt it, periodically delivering the molten base material to a first metering chamber (l4) in a first line (ll, l2) periodically delivering the liquid material at ambient temperature in a second line (l6, l7) to a second metering chamber (l8), periodically metering the hot molten base material and the liquid material from the first and second chambers (l4, l8) through separate third and fourth lines (22, 23) to a mixer (24) where they are mixed and dispensed through a valve (V₅) and a nozzle (25a).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of mixing and applying a foam sealant which comprises a thermoplastic base material that is solid at ambient temperatures and a liquid material containing a foaming agent, characterised in that it comprises the steps of heating the solid base material to melt it, periodically delivering the molten base material to a first metering chamber (l4) in a first line (ll, l2) periodically delivering the liquid material at ambient temperature in a second line (l6, l7) to a second metering chamber (l8), periodically metering the hot molten base material and the liquid material from the first and second chambers (l4, l8) through separate third and fourth lines (22, 23) to a mixer (24) where they are mixed and dispensed through a valve (V₅) and a nozzle (25a).
Claim 3
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim l, characterised in that the base material includes a first reactive component, and the liquid material includes a second reactive component.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim l or 2, characterised in that the hot molten base material and the liquid material are delivered from the first and second chambers (l4, l8) substantially simultaneously.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
64 words
A method according to any of claims l to 3, characterised in that it includes the further steps of heating the first line (ll, l2) delivering the hot molten base material to the chamber (l4), and heating the third line (22) delivering the hot molten material from the first chamber (l4) to the mixer (24) to maintain the temperature of the hot molten material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
42 words
A method according to any of claims l to 4, characterised in that it includes the further steps of heating the hot molten material in the first chamber (l4) and in the mixer to maintain the temperature of the hot molten material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
37 words
A method according to any of claims l to 5, characterised in that the first and second reactive components are such that the resultant foam product has structural adhesion, high temperature retention (thermal insulation) and moisture resistance.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
55 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes the further step of continuously recirculating excess liquid material from the second line (l7), which connects a source of liquid material (l5) to the cocond metering chamber (l8), through a fifth line (33) back to the source of liquid material (l5).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for mixing and applying a foam sealant which comprises a thermoplastic base material that is solid at ambient temperatures and a liquid material containing a foaming agent, characterised in that the apparatus comprises means (26) for heating the solid base material to melt it, means (29) for delivering the hot molten base material to a first metering chamber (l4), means (32) for delivering the liquid material at ambient temperature to a second metering chamber (l8), a mixer (24), means (l9, 20, 2l) operable periodically to force the molten base material and the liquid material from the respective first and second chambers through separate lines (l2, 22; 17, 23) to the mixer (24) where they are mixed, and a dispensing valve (V₅) associated with the mixer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for mixing and applying a foam sealant which comprises a thermoplastic base material that is solid at ambient temperatures and a liquid material containing a foaming agent, characterised in that the apparatus comprises means (26) for heating the solid base material to melt it, means (29) for delivering the hot molten base material to a first metering chamber (l4), means (32) for delivering the liquid material at ambient temperature to a second metering chamber (l8), a mixer (24), means (l9, 20, 2l) operable periodically to force the molten base material and the liquid material from the respective first and second chambers through separate lines (l2, 22; 17, 23) to the mixer (24) where they are mixed, and a dispensing valve (V₅) associated with the mixer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that it further includes first valve means (V₁) for controlling the flow of hot molten material to and from the first chamber (l4), and second valve means (V₂) for controlling the flow of liquid material at ambient temperature to and from the second chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
l0. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that it includes valve means (V₆) for controlling the operation of the means (l9, 20, 2l) for forcing material out of the first and second chambers (l4, l8).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to l0, characterised in that the means for forcing material from the first and second chambers (l4, l8) comprises pistons (l9, 20) associated with the respective chambers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to ll, characterised in that it further includes heater means associated with lines (ll, l2) extending from the means (26) for melting the solid material to the first chamber (l4), heater means associated with a line (l2, 22) from the first chamber (l4), to the mixer (24), and heater means associated with the mixer for maintaining the temperature of the base material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, and any claim appended thereto, characterised in that the first and second valve means are each in the form of a single valve.