Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for the production of heat-activable adhesive pellets that can be formed into elements for holding an article to a surface such as a glass surface. The apparatus and method for the manufacture of the heat-activable pellets include the steps of introducing at least a first component comprising at least one difunctional polymer with at least one multifunctional polymer into an extruder, heating the first component, introducing a second component comprising isocyanate and a powder flow enhancer (such as fumed silica) at a point downstream of the introduction of the first component, combining the first and second components in the extruder to form a flowable compound, pelletizing the extruded compound exiting the extruder by cutting to form heat-activable adhesive pellets, and drying the pellets. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention a catalyst is applied to the pellets to form catalyst-coated heat-activable adhesive pellets.

Abstract: A manually operated or automated bonding tool for the attachment of a formed adhesive element to a bonding part is disclosed. The bonding tool includes a loading module in which the bare bonding part is loaded, an oven module in which the bare bonding part is heated, an adhesive picking station module in which the adhesive is attached to the heated bare bonding part, and a part transfer module which advances the bare bonding part sequentially from the loading module, through the oven module, and to the adhesive picking station module. The oven module includes an elongated heating block having a bonding part guide by which the bare bonding parts are transferred through the oven and to the adhesive picking station module. The part transfer module is used to push the unheated bare bonding part into and through the oven module and into position on the adhesive picking station module.