The present invention relates to systems and methods for joining adjacent ends of sections of insulation tubing.
Insulation tubing is used for pipes and fittings that convey steam, hot materials, condensate, lubricants, cryogenic fluids and cold materials typically used in heating and air conditioning, power facilities, food processing facilities and petrochemical facilities. Thus, insulation tubing is used in a wide array of industrial applications, such as boilers and petrochemical plants, and for a variety of purposes, including, for example, condensation control and energy conservation (e.g., minimizing thermal leakage).
Insulation tubing generally is applied in sections to the exterior of the pipe before or after the pipe itself is joined. A problem arises of how to ensure a stable connection between two adjacent sections of insulation tubing placed around the exterior of the pipe.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,784, issued to Princell et al., discloses a pressure-sensitive adhesive insulation structure for joining two adjacent insulation structures. The pressure-sensitive insulation comprises a carrier having a first side and second side. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is in communication with the first side and in communication with the second side for adhering an insulation structure, such as those used to insulate piping. When used for joining two adjacent insulation structures, the carrier remains in place between the adjacent insulation structures.
A method of applying a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive to at least two end faces of insulation tubing, using a rolled connection system for adjacent ends of insulated tubing sections having a substrate roll of continuous release liner. Pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members configured to conform with the ends of insulated tubing sections to be joined are spaced at selected distances from each other along the length of the continuous release liner. A second release liner covers each pressure sensitive adhesive material member and includes a tab to facilitate removal of the second release liner from the adhesive material members to facilitate joining juxtaposed face portion of the ends of the insulated tubing to be connected.
In some aspects, the present general inventive concept includes a method of applying a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive to at least two end faces of insulation tubing, the method including fitting a first section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to a pipe; peeling a release liner from a continuous substrate roll by holding the substrate, holding a release liner tab of the release liner, and applying a force opposite the substrate to the release liner tab until an exposed pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material release liner detaches from the continuous substrate roll; contacting the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing with the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material of the exposed pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material release liner; applying pressure to the release liner to adhere the exposed pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material to the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing; peeling the release liner from the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material by holding the release liner tab and applying a force opposite the end face of the first section of insulation tubing to expose the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material; and fitting a second section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to the pipe and contacting the at least one end face of the second section of insulation tubing with the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material previously adhered to the first section of insulation tubing.
In some aspects, a method of applying a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive to at least two end faces of insulation tubing includes fitting a first section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to a pipe; peeling a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member and attached release liner from a continuous substrate roll that includes multiple pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members configured to conform with end faces of insulation tubing sections, said multiple pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members being spaced at selected distances from each other along the continuous substrate roll's length, each said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member being covered by a release liner, whereby peeling said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member and attached release liner from said continuous substrate roll exposes one face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member; contacting the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing with the exposed face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member; applying pressure to the release liner to adhere the exposed face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member to the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing; peeling the release liner from said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member; and fitting a second section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to the pipe and contacting the at least one end face of the second section of insulation tubing with the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member previously adhered to the first section of insulation tubing.
In some aspects, a method of applying a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive to at least two end faces of insulation tubing includes fitting a first section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to a pipe; peeling a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member and attached release liner from a continuous substrate roll that includes at least three pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members configured to conform with end faces of insulation tubing sections, said continuous substrate roll including a paper-based web and a release coating on the paper-based web, said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members being spaced at selected distances from each other along the continuous substrate roll's length, each said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member being covered by a release liner, each said release liner including an inner concentric circle and an outer concentric circle, with the outer concentric circle including a release liner tab protruding tangentially from the outer concentric circle, whereby peeling said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member and attached release liner from said continuous substrate roll exposes one face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive member; contacting the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing with the exposed face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member; applying pressure to the release liner to adhere the exposed face of said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member to the at least one end face of the first section of insulation tubing; peeling the release liner from said pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material member by holding the release liner tab and applying a force opposite the end face of the first section of insulation tubing to expose the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material; and fitting a second section of insulation tubing having at least one end face to the pipe and contacting the at least one end face of the second section of insulation tubing with the pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material previously adhered to the first section of insulation tubing.
The invention is better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
Continuous rolls of adhesive elements configured to join the faces of two congruent sections of insulation tubing around pipe are disclosed. The continuous rolls include multiple release liners with the associated pressure sensitive transfer material. The roll may be perforated to allow individual release liners or a subset of release liners with the associated pressure sensitive transfer material to be removed from the roll. The release liners include a tab to facilitate removal of the release liner from the adhesive before joining the faces of insulation tubing. The substrate of the roll may include a substrate tab to facilitate removal of the substrate from the adhesive before applying the adhesive to one face of the insulation tubing.
The PSTAM 120 is a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive that adheres to a surface that the adhesive is pressed against after contact. Thus, the PSTAM does not adhere or does not adhere well to a surface unless pressure is applied to “activate” the adhesive. The PSTAM 120 may be made from adhesives including acrylic-based, water emulsion acrylics, and the like. Other pressure sensitive transfer adhesives that release from the substrate roll 130 and the release liners 110, but adhere to the desired insulation tubing may be used as the PSTAM 120.
The continuous perforated substrate roll 160 also may have additional lateral perforations 175 through the perforated substrate 135 providing for a rectangular section of the perforated substrate 135 with the one or multiple release liners 110 to be separated from the continuous perforated substrate roll 160. In this way, one or more rectangular sections of the continuous perforated substrate roll 160 may be separated at the lateral perforations 175 and carried without the need to transport the continuous perforated substrate roll 160.
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A cut 376 may be placed along the distance 350 through the release liner 310 and the PSTAM 320. Thus, the cut 376 may run from the outer concentric circle 312 to the inner concentric circle 314 of the release liner 310. While the cut 376 may extend through the substrate 330, 335, this is not required. The cut 376 allows for the release liner 310 and the associated PSTAM 320 when separated from the substrate 330, 335 to be placed around a pipe that is continuous, thus joined at both ends with other pipe. The cut 376 is used to slip the release liner 310 including the PSTAM 320 around the pipe to be insulated. If the cut 376 is omitted, the release liner 310 and the associated PSTAM 320 are configured for placement around pipes having at least one un-joined end.
When the release liner 310 is peeled from the substrate 330, 335 of the roll, the PSTAM 320 associated with the release liner 310 has a greater affinity for the release liner 310 than for the substrate 330, 335. Peeling is preferably facilitated by holding the substrate 330 or substrate tab 380 with a downward force while holding and applying an upward force to the release liner tab 316. Peeling the release liner 310 from the substrate 330, 335 breaks adhesion of the PSTAM 320 with the substrate 330, 335 to expose the face of the PSTAM 320 opposite the release liner 310.
To provide a clear and more consistent understanding of the specification and claims of this application, the following definitions are provided.
The term “on” is defined as “above” and is relative to the orientation being described. For example, if a first element is deposited over at least a portion of a second element, the first element is said to be “deposited on” the second. In another example, if a first element is present above at least a portion of a second element, the first element is said to be “on” the second. The use of the term “on” does not exclude the presence of substances between the upper and lower elements being described. For example, a first element may have a material over its top surface, yet a second element over at least a portion of the first element and its top material can be described as “on” the first element. Thus, the use of the term “on” may or may not mean that the two elements being related are in physical contact with each other.
While various aspects of the invention are described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
This Application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/467,437, filed Mar. 23, 2017, the entire content of which is herein incorporated.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15467437 | Mar 2017 | US |
Child | 16890244 | US |