ROOFING BLISTER REPAIR DEVICES AND METHODS

Abstract

In a method of repairing a blistered portion of a thermosoftening membrane, a heated air dispensing device is provided, having an elongated nozzle including at least one outlet aperture. The blistered portion of the thermosoftening membrane is pierced to form an opening sized to receive the elongated nozzle. The elongated nozzle is inserted through the opening and into an interior cavity of the blistered portion, with the interior cavity being at least partially defined by a thermosoftening material. The heated air dispensing device is operated to dispense heated air through the at least one outlet aperture into the interior cavity of the blistered portion to at least partially melt the thermosoftening material. A force is applied to an exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion, thereby substantially eliminating the interior cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and all benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/476,084, filed Mar. 24, 2017, titled ROOFING BLISTER REPAIR DEVICES AND METHODS, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Roofing membranes, as used, for example, in commercial roofing applications, commonly include a roofing felt or fibrous sheet impregnated or laminated with one or more thermosoftening materials (e.g., asphalt or other bituminous materials, acrylic or other thermoplastic materials, etc.) to provide a waterproof barrier for the roof. In some applications, the installed roofing membranes may absorb moisture (e.g., through the cut edges or surface imperfections of the membranes) that, when exposed to heat, expand as water vapor to form blisters in the membranes. These blisters can grow and form cracks in the membrane, compromising the waterproofing properties of the roofing material. A common method for repairing blistered portions of roofing materials is to cut out the blistered section of the membrane and adhere a small sheet of roofing membrane (i.e., a patch) over the hole in the roofing material. These types of repairs are time consuming and produce additional potential leak paths between the patch and the original roofing material.

SUMMARY

The present application contemplates devices and methods for repairing blistered portions of a membrane, such as, for example, a laminated roofing membrane.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a method of repairing a blistered portion of a membrane is contemplated. In the exemplary method, a heated air dispensing device is provided, having an elongated nozzle including at least one outlet aperture. The blistered portion of the membrane is pierced to form an opening sized to receive the elongated nozzle. The elongated nozzle is inserted through the opening and into an interior cavity of the blistered portion, with the interior cavity being at least partially defined by a thermosoftening material. The heated air dispensing device is operated to dispense heated air through the at least one outlet aperture into the interior cavity of the blistered portion to at least partially melt the thermosoftening material. A force is applied to an exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion, thereby substantially eliminating the interior cavity.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present application, a method of repairing a blistered portion of a membrane is contemplated. In the exemplary method, a glue dispensing device is provided, having an elongated nozzle including at least one outlet aperture. The blistered portion of the membrane is pierced to form an opening sized to receive the elongated nozzle. The elongated nozzle is inserted through the opening and into an interior cavity of the blistered portion. The glue dispensing device is operated to dispense glue through the at least one outlet aperture into the interior cavity of the blistered portion. A force is applied to an exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion, to adhere opposed interior surfaces of the interior cavity together with the glue, thereby substantially eliminating the interior cavity.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present application, a heated air dispensing device includes a housing, an air pumping mechanism disposed in the housing, an air heating mechanism positioned to heat air pumped through the air pumping mechanism, and an elongated nozzle in fluid communication with the air pumping mechanism and including a neck portion extending along an insertion axis to an end portion having a pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures for directing heated air laterally outward from the insertion axis.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present application, a hot glue dispensing device includes a housing, a glue pumping mechanism disposed in the housing, a glue heating mechanism positioned to heat glue pumped from the glue pumping mechanism, and an elongated nozzle in fluid communication with the glue pumping mechanism and having a neck portion extending along an insertion axis to an end portion having a pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures for directing heated glue laterally outward from the insertion axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to provide examples of the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side schematic view of a blistered portion of a membrane;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary heated air dispensing device for repairing a blistered portion of a membrane;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged front view of an exemplary blister piercing nozzle end portion for a heated air dispensing device, with aperture ports shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view of the blister piercing nozzle end portion of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged front view of another exemplary blister piercing nozzle end portion for a heated air dispensing device, with aperture ports shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side schematic view of a membrane having a blistered portion repaired by a heated air dispensing device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary glue dispensing device for repairing a blistered portion of a membrane;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary nozzle end portion;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of another exemplary nozzle end portion;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side schematic view of a membrane having a blistered portion repaired by a glue dispensing device;

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an exemplary dispensing device for repairing a blistered portion of a membrane;

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the nozzle and supply tube portion of the dispensing device of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, when one or more components are described as being assembled, connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members or elements.

The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed and described is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. For example, while the specific embodiments described herein relate to devices and methods for the repair of blistered portions of a thermosoftening (e.g., asphalt-coated) roofing membrane, the inventive devices and methods described herein may additionally or alternatively be applied to other types of membranes (e.g., wall covering, flooring), other membrane materials (e.g., rubber, acrylic), and other types of repairs (e.g., cracks, delamination).

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary blistered roofing membrane 10 secured to a structural roofing deck D of a building, in which an upper layer 13 is separated from a lower layer 12 at a blistered portion 15, forming an interior cavity 17 in the membrane 10. The upper and lower layers may comprise separate plies or laminated layers of a single membrane or sheet, separate sheets adhered together by a sealant (e.g., a bitumen), or portions (i.e., sub-layers) of a single layer or ply that have become delaminated by blistering within the layer.

The present application contemplates, in part, devices and methods for repairing a blistered portion of a membrane, for example, to prevent blister growth, cracking, and further damage, and associated leakage therethrough. According to an exemplary aspect of the present application, a blistered portion of a membrane may be repaired by heating and compressing the blistered portion, such that softened/melted membrane materials on the interior surfaces of the blister cavity may be rebonded to flatten and substantially eliminate the blister. In an exemplary embodiment, heated air (or other such heated gas) is injected into the interior cavity of the blister through an opening formed in the blistered portion, thereby softening or at least partially melting a thermosoftening material (e.g., asphalt or other bituminous material, acrylic, etc.) at least partially defining the interior cavity. A force is then applied to the exterior surface of the blistered portion, causing the softened/melted material to bond together to flatten and substantially eliminate the blister.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary heated air dispensing device 100 for use in repairing a blistered portion 15 of a membrane 10. The device includes a housing 110, an air pumping mechanism 120 (e.g., a fan or compressor) disposed in the housing 110, and an air heating mechanism 130 positioned to heat air pumped through the air pumping mechanism 120 to an outlet nozzle 140 connected with the housing 110. The housing 110 may be a hand-held unit, such that the user carries or holds the housing (e.g., by a housing handle 113). Alternatively, the housing may be a stationary unit (which may be provided with wheels for portability) connected with a hand-held nozzle by a tube, hose, or other such conduit. The air heating mechanism 130 may be disposed in the housing 110, and may for example, include an electrical heating coil or other heat source configured to heat the air to a temperature of, for example, at least about 500° F., or up to about 900° F. (or other suitable heated temperatures), and may be configured to be activated by user operation of a switch, trigger, button, or other such heat control element 112. The heat control element may include a thermostat or other such mechanism for selective adjustment of the temperature setting of the heated air. The air pumping mechanism 120 may be configured to supply air at a pressure of at least about 1 psig (or other suitable pressures), and may be configured to be activated by user operation of a switch, trigger, button, or other such pump control element 115, for selective dispensing of the heated air. The housing 110, air pumping mechanism 120, and air heating mechanism 130 may be formed from a conventional handheld heat gun, such as, for example, the Leister Triac ST 120V/1600 W heat gun, or a stationary or portable ground-supported unit.

To facilitate the supply of heated air into the interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15, the device 100 may be provided with an elongated nozzle 140 connected with an exhaust port 114 of the housing 110, and in fluid communication with the air pumping mechanism 120. As shown, the elongated nozzle 140 may include a neck portion 142 extending along an insertion axis X to an end portion 144 defining at least one outlet aperture 146, 147 for dispensing the heated air supplied through the nozzle 140. While the nozzle may be provided as a flexible extension, in one embodiment, at least the neck portion 142 of the nozzle is substantially rigid to facilitate extension and redirection of the nozzle 140 within the blister cavity. The neck portion 142 may be provided in a length sufficient to reach interior edge portions 17a, 17b of the blister cavity 17, for example, from an opening 19 in the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the neck portion 142 is between about 12 inches and about 24 inches, or between about 16 inches and about 18 inches.

To facilitate extension of the nozzle along an insertion axis substantially parallel to and adjacent to the roofing deck D, an offset or branch portion 141 of the nozzle 140 may extend between the housing 110 and the nozzle neck portion 142 at an angle a with respect to the insertion axis X, thus allowing a user to stand or squat on the roofing deck D while operating the device 100. The branch portion 141 may be formed as a rigid bent extension of the neck portion 142. Alternatively, the branch portion may be flexible to facilitate adjustment of the angle of the branch portion 141 with respect to the insertion axis X. As shown a guide handle 150 may extend laterally from the branch portion 141 of the nozzle 140 to assist the user in supporting and orienting the nozzle.

To insert the end portion 144 and at least a portion of the neck portion 142 of the nozzle 140 into the blister cavity, an opening 19 is formed in the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15. While a separate tool (not shown) may be utilized to cut the opening 19 in the upper layer, in the illustrated embodiment, the end portion 144 of the elongated nozzle 140 includes a pointed tip 145 capable of puncturing or piercing the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15, thereby generating an opening 19 sized for insertion of the nozzle neck portion 142 therethrough. The pointed tip may be provided in many different shapes, including, for example, conical, spear shaped, wedge shaped, diamond shaped, or triangular. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pointed tip 145 is conical in shape.

The outlet aperture or apertures in the nozzle end portion may be provided in a variety of quantities, sizes, shapes and orientations. In one embodiment, a plurality of outlet apertures are disposed on opposed lateral side surfaces of the end portion, such that heated air supplied through the inserted nozzle is directed substantially horizontally between opposed upper and lower interior surfaces 16, 18 of the interior cavity 17, and such that the apertures are less likely to be clogged or obstructed by the softening interior material within the blister. Lateral orientation of the outlet apertures on the inserted nozzle end portion may be facilitated by positioning these apertures laterally with respect to the nozzle branch portion 141, as the nozzle branch portion will extend along a plane that is substantially vertical or perpendicular to the membrane 10 when the nozzle neck portion 142 is inserted through the blister opening and positioned to be substantially parallel to and adjacent to the roofing deck.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the nozzle end portion 144 includes a first pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 146a, 146b disposed on opposed lateral sides of a cylindrical portion 143 of the nozzle end portion 144, and a second pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 147a, 147b disposed on opposed side surfaces of the conical pointed tip 145. By locating the second pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 147a, 147b on the conical tip 145 of the end portion, these apertures are angled for directing heated air laterally outward and axially forward with respect to the insertion axis X, while the first pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 147a, 147b are oriented to direct heated air primarily laterally outward with respect to the insertion axis X. As shown, the conical tip apertures 147a, 147b include a cross-drilled portion 148 that intersects with slot or groove portions 149 along the conical surface of the pointed tip 145 to direct the heated air laterally outward and axially forward with respect to the insertion axis X. In one embodiment, the plurality of laterally oriented apertures may be arranged to direct heated air in an arc-shaped curtain from the nozzle end portion, forming, for example, an arc of between about 90° and about 270°, or an arc of about 180°.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, a nozzle end portion 144′ is provided with one or more laterally oriented apertures 146a′, 146b′ disposed on lateral sides of a cylindrical portion 143′ of the nozzle end portion 144′, but without any apertures on the pointed tip 145′, for example, to avoid clogging such apertures with the roofing material pierced by the pointed tip. In such an embodiment, the shape of the pointed tip may be configured without regard to facilitating passage of heated air therethrough (e.g., allowing for a flat blade or other such configuration).

In an exemplary method of repairing a blistered portion 15 of a membrane 10, the blistered portion of the membrane is pierced or punctured by the pointed tip 145 of the nozzle end portion 144 to form an opening 19 sized to receive at least a portion of the neck portion 142 of the elongated nozzle 140. The end portion 144 is inserted through the opening and into an interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15, with the interior cavity being at least partially defined by a meltable or softenable material. The heated air dispensing device 100 is operated (e.g., using a pump control element 115) to dispense heated air through the outlet apertures 146a, 146b, 147a, 147b into the interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15 to at least partially melt or soften the thermosoftening material forming the blister cavity. The nozzle end portion 144 is moved within the blister cavity to apply heated air substantially uniformly within the cavity, for example, by positioning the outlet apertures at a plurality of edge positions 17a, 17b of the interior cavity 17. The dry, heated air from the nozzle may also evacuate any moist air present in the blistered portion of the membrane. Additionally, the heated air passing through the nozzle 140 may be effective to heat the exterior surfaces of the nozzle, such that the heated surfaces of the blister inserted portion of the nozzle may also at least partially melt or soften the thermosoftening material within the blistered portion of the membrane.

Once the interior cavity has been sufficiently and uniformly heated, the nozzle end portion 144 is withdrawn from the blistered portion 15 of the membrane 10, and a force F is applied to an exterior surface 13 of the blistered portion 15 to flatten the blistered portion (FIG. 4), causing the softened or melted materials of the internal cavity to re-bond together, thereby substantially eliminating the blister. This flattening force F may be applied, for example, by the user's foot, or by a separate flattening plate or roller tool (not shown). The opening 19 may then be sealed, for example, by pressing the opening against a portion of the melted or softened interior cavity material, or by externally applying a sealant s to the opening 19.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present application, a blistered portion of a membrane may be repaired by injecting a glue or sealant material into the interior cavity of the blistered portion, and compressing the blistered portion, such that interior surfaces of the blister cavity may be bonded together by the glue to flatten and substantially eliminate the blister. In an exemplary embodiment, glue is injected into the interior cavity of the blister through an opening formed in the blistered portion. A force is then applied to the exterior surface of the blistered portion, causing the injected glue to bond with the blistered material to flatten and substantially eliminate the blister. Many different suitable glues and sealants may be utilized, including, for example, glues that may be dispensed and applied at ambient temperatures, such as a two-part urethane adhesive. In other embodiments, a hot glue dispensing device may be configured to dispense a heated glue into a blistered portion of a membrane. Exemplary hot glues may include, for example, PolyTec Polyamide hot melt glue sticks.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary glue dispensing device 200 for use in repairing a blistered portion 15 of a membrane 10. The device includes a housing 210, a glue reservoir 211 disposed in or connected to the housing, a heated glue pumping mechanism 220 (e.g., an electrical pump) disposed in the housing 210 in fluid communication with the glue reservoir 211, and a secondary glue heating mechanism 230 positioned to further heat glue pumped through the heated glue pumping mechanism 220 to a heated outlet nozzle 240 connected with the housing 210. The housing 210 may be a hand-held unit, such that the user carries or holds the housing (e.g., by a housing handle 213). The housing 210, glue reservoir 211, and heated glue pumping mechanism 220 may be formed from a conventional hot glue gun, such as, for example, the Surebonder Pro 9700A adjustable temperature glue gun. Alternatively, the housing may be a stationary or portable ground-supported unit (which may be provided with wheels for portability) connected with a hand-held nozzle by a tube, hose, or other such conduit.

To facilitate the supply of glue into the interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15, the device 200 may be provided with an elongated heated nozzle 240 connected with an outlet port 214 of the housing 210, and in fluid communication with the glue pumping mechanism 220. As shown, the elongated nozzle 240 may include a neck portion 242 extending along an insertion axis X to an end portion 244 defining at least one outlet aperture 246, 247 for dispensing the glue supplied through the nozzle 240. While the nozzle may be provided as a flexible extension, in one embodiment, at least the neck portion 242 of the nozzle is substantially rigid to facilitate extension and redirection of the nozzle 240 within the blister cavity 17. The neck portion 242 may be provided in a length sufficient to reach interior edge portions 17a, 17b of the blister cavity 17, for example, from an opening 19 in the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the neck portion 242 is between about 12 inches and about 24 inches, or between about 16 inches and about 18 inches.

To facilitate extension of the nozzle along an insertion axis substantially parallel to and adjacent to the roofing deck D, an offset or branch portion 241 of the nozzle 240 may extend between the housing 210 and the nozzle neck portion 242 at an angle a with respect to the insertion axis X (e.g., an angle between about 45° and about 60°), thus allowing a user to more easily stand or squat on the roofing deck D while operating the device 200. The branch portion 241 may be formed as a rigid bent extension of the neck portion 242. Alternatively, the branch portion may be flexible to facilitate adjustment of the angle of the branch portion 241 with respect to the insertion axis X. As shown a guide handle 250 may extend laterally from the branch portion 241 of the nozzle 240 to assist the user in supporting and orienting the nozzle.

The secondary glue heating mechanism may be disposed in the housing, and may for example, include an electrical heating coil, or other such heat source. Additionally or alternatively, the secondary glue heating mechanism 230 may be disposed along the nozzle 240 to ensure a heated condition of the glue as it is dispensed. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the secondary glue heating mechanism 230 includes an electrical heating coil 231 wrapped around an internal glue conduit 232 in the nozzle branch and neck portions 241, 242. The heating coil 231 is surrounded by an outer tube 233. To insulate the heating element and/or more evenly distribute the heat within the outer tube, the annular space 235 between the glue conduit 232 and the outer tube 233 may be filled with a mastic or other insulating material rated for exposure to high temperatures (e.g., up to 1200° F.). A thermocouple (not shown) is connected to the heating coil to control the temperature of the coil and the resulting temperature of the glue dispensed through the conduit 232. The secondary glue heating mechanism 230 may be configured to heat the glue to a temperature of about 400° F. to about 450° F. (or any other suitable heated temperature), and may be configured to be activated by user operation of a switch, trigger, button, or other such heat control element 212. The heat control element may include a thermostat or other such mechanism for selective adjustment of the temperature setting of the heated glue. The glue pumping mechanism 220 may likewise be configured to be activated by user operation of a switch, trigger, button, or other such pump control element 215, for selective dispensing of the glue. Additionally, the glue heating mechanism 230 may be effective to heat the exterior surfaces of the nozzle, such that the heated surfaces of the blister inserted portion of the nozzle may at least partially melt or soften the thermosoftening material within the blistered portion of the membrane, for example, to facilitate bonding of the membrane material with the dispensed heated glue.

In another embodiment, heated air may be supplied through an annular space between a glue conduit and an outer tube, to heat the glue to a desired temperature (e.g., to a temperature of about 400° F. to about 450° F. or any other suitable heated temperature). While the heated air may be circulated through the annular space and evacuated through a rear portion of the device, in one embodiment, the dry heated air is exhausted through the inserted end portion of the nozzle, into the blistered portion of the membrane when the device is in use, for example, to dry or evacuate any moisture present in the blistered portion of the membrane to facilitate stronger adhesion of the repaired blistered portion, and reduced likelihood of further blistering. FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a nozzle end portion 244′ including an internal glue conduit 232′ and an outer tube 233′ (both extending from the nozzle branch and neck portions) defining an annular space 235′ therebetween, forming an annular heated air duct through which heated air may be supplied. The glue conduit 232′ extends to one or more apertures 247a′, 247b′ in the pointed tip 245′ of the nozzle end portion 244′, to deliver heated glue through the nozzle into the blistered portion of the membrane. The outer tube 233′ includes one or more air exhaust apertures 246a′, 246b′ to deliver heated air through the nozzle into the blistered portion of the membrane. Additionally, the heated air passing through the nozzle may be effective to heat the exterior surfaces of the nozzle (e.g., the exterior surfaces of the outer tube 233′), such that the heated surfaces of the blister inserted portion of the nozzle may at least partially melt or soften the thermosoftening material within the blistered portion of the membrane, for example, to facilitate bonding of the membrane material with the dispensed heated glue.

Referring back to FIG. 5, to insert the end portion 244 and at least a portion of the neck portion 242 of the nozzle 240 into the blister cavity, an opening 19 is formed in the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15. While a separate tool (not shown) may be utilized to cut or form the opening 19 in the upper layer, in the illustrated embodiment, the end portion 244 of the elongated nozzle 240 includes a pointed tip 245 capable of puncturing or piercing the upper layer 13 at the blistered portion 15, thereby generating an opening 19 sized for insertion of the nozzle neck portion 242 therethrough. The pointed tip may be provided in many different shapes, including, for example, conical, spear shaped, wedge shaped, diamond shaped, or triangular. In the illustrated embodiment, the pointed tip 245 is conical in shape, similar to the pointed tip nozzle end portion of FIG. 3.

The outlet aperture or apertures in the nozzle end portion may be provided in a variety of quantities, sizes, shapes and orientations. In one embodiment, a plurality of outlet apertures are disposed on opposed lateral side surfaces of the end portion, such that glue supplied through the inserted nozzle is directed substantially horizontally between opposed upper and lower interior surfaces 16, 18 of the interior cavity 17, and such that the apertures are less likely to be clogged or obstructed by the interior material within the blister. Lateral orientation of the outlet apertures on the inserted nozzle end portion may be facilitated by positioning these apertures laterally with respect to the nozzle branch portion 241, as the nozzle branch portion will extend along a plane that is substantially vertical or perpendicular to the membrane 10 when the nozzle neck portion 242 is inserted through the blister opening and positioned to be substantially parallel to and adjacent to the roofing deck D.

In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle end portion 244 includes a first pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 246a, 246b disposed on opposed lateral sides of a cylindrical portion 243 of the nozzle end portion 244, and a second pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 247a, 247b disposed on opposed side surfaces of the conical pointed tip 245. By locating the second pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 247a, 247b on the conical tip 245 of the end portion, these apertures are angled for directing glue laterally outward and axially forward with respect to the insertion axis X, while the first pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures 247a, 247b are oriented to direct glue primarily laterally outward with respect to the insertion axis X. The apertures 246a, 246b, 247a, 247b may, but need not, substantially match the apertures of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In one embodiment, the plurality of laterally oriented apertures may be arranged to direct glue in an arc-shaped curtain from the nozzle end portion, forming, for example, an arc of between about 90° and about 270°, or an arc of about 180°.

In an exemplary method of repairing a blistered portion 15 of a membrane 10, the blistered portion of the membrane is pierced or punctured by the pointed tip 245 of the nozzle end portion 244 to form an opening 19 sized to receive at least a portion of the neck portion 242 of the elongated nozzle 240. The end portion 244 is inserted through the opening and into an interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15. The glue dispensing device 200 is operated (e.g., using a pump control element 215) to pump hot glue g through the outlet apertures 146a, 146b, 147a, 147b into the interior cavity 17 of the blistered portion 15 to dispense glue g into the blister cavity. The nozzle end portion 244 is moved within the blister cavity to dispense glue substantially uniformly within the cavity, for example, by positioning the outlet apertures at a plurality of edge positions 17a, 17b of the interior cavity. Once the interior cavity has been provided with a sufficient amount of glue, the nozzle end portion 244 is withdrawn from the blistered portion 15 of the membrane 10, and a force F is applied to an exterior surface 14 of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion (FIG. 7), causing the glue g to bond to opposed interior surfaces 16, 18 of the interior cavity together, thereby substantially eliminating the blister. The opening 19 may then be sealed, for example, by pressing the opening against a portion of the dispensed glue interior cavity material, or by externally applying a sealant to the opening 19.

The heated air dispensing devices and hot glue dispensing devices of the present application may utilize additional features and configurations in accordance with inventive aspects of the present application. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing apparatus 300 including a dispenser 305 (e.g., a hot air gun or hot glue gun, as described herein) with a nozzle attachment assembly 301 configured to be attached to an outlet port 314 of the dispenser 305. Similar to some of the embodiments described above, the nozzle 340 may include a branch portion 341 and a neck portion 342, with an end portion 344 of the neck portion including a cylindrical portion defining laterally oriented apertures 346 and a pointed tip 345 defining laterally oriented apertures 347.

While many different attachment arrangements may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, a branch or supply tube 307 is attached to the outlet port 314 by a split collar 308 held in coupling engagement with the supply tube 307 and outlet port 314 by fasteners 309, to facilitate disassembly and reassembly of the nozzle attachment assembly 301 with the dispenser 305 (e.g., for ease of cleaning, replacement, and storage).

To facilitate handling and operation of the dispensing apparatus 300, the nozzle attachment assembly may be provided with two laterally extending handles 350, 360 attached to a handle support frame 351 that is attached (e.g., welded) to the supply tube 307. In the illustrated embodiment, a heat cage 352 is attached to the first handle 350 to surround the handle support frame 351, to protect the user from contact with the handle support frame 351, which may become extremely hot during use. An adjustable foot support 353 is adjustably connected (e.g., by threaded connection) to the handle support frame 351, to support the nozzle attachment assembly 301 when the dispensing apparatus is placed down on a roof or other surface, to space the heated portions of the nozzle attachment assembly apart from the roof surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 340 is configured to be disassembled from and reassembled with the supply tube 307, for example, for ease of cleaning, replacement, and storage. While many different attachment arrangements may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the supply tube is provided with a threaded end 307a that is joined with a coupling nut 317 that can be tightened with the threaded end 307a to clamp a gripping member 318 installed within the nut against an inserted portion of the nozzle branch portion 341. To maintain a desired orientation of the nozzle neck portion 342 with respect to the dispenser 305, the supply tube 307 may be provided with an alignment pin 306, welded or otherwise attached to the threaded end 307a. A notched portion 348 of the nozzle branch portion 341 interlocks with the alignment pin 306 to prevent rotation of the nozzle 340 with respect to the supply tube 307.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, hardware, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, the specific locations of the component connections and interplacements can be modified. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures can be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A method of repairing a blistered portion of a membrane, the method comprising:

providing a heated air dispensing device having an elongated nozzle including at least one outlet aperture;

piercing the blistered portion of the membrane to form an opening sized to receive the elongated nozzle;

inserting the elongated nozzle through the opening and into an interior cavity of the blistered portion, the interior cavity being at least partially defined by a thermosoftening material;

applying heated air through the at least one outlet aperture to the interior cavity of the blistered portion to at least partially melt the thermosoftening material; and

applying a force to an exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion, thereby substantially eliminating the interior cavity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated nozzle includes a neck portion extending along an insertion axis to an end portion defining the at least one outlet aperture, wherein inserting the elongated nozzle through the opening comprises inserting the neck portion through the membrane along the insertion axis.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising orienting the at least one outlet aperture of the inserted elongated nozzle substantially horizontally, such that the heated air is directed substantially horizontally between opposed upper and lower interior surfaces of the interior cavity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying heated air through the at least one outlet aperture comprises applying air at a temperature of at least about 500° F., or up to about 900° F.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying heated air through the at least one outlet aperture comprises applying air at a pressure of about 1 psig.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealing the opening after applying the force to the exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein sealing the opening comprises pressing the opening against a portion of the at least partially melted thermosoftening material.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein sealing the opening comprises applying a sealant to the opening.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein applying heated air through the at least one outlet aperture to the interior cavity of the blistered portion comprises moving the elongated nozzle to position the at least one outlet aperture at a plurality of edge positions of the interior cavity.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermosoftening material comprises a bituminous material.

11. A method of repairing a blistered portion of a membrane, the method comprising:

providing a glue dispensing device having an elongated nozzle including at least one outlet aperture;

piercing the blistered portion of the membrane to form an opening sized to receive the elongated nozzle;

inserting the elongated nozzle through the opening and into an interior cavity of the blistered portion;

applying glue through the at least one outlet aperture to the interior cavity of the blistered portion; and

applying a force to an exterior surface of the blistered portion to flatten the blistered portion, to adhere opposed upper and lower interior surfaces of the interior cavity together with the glue, thereby substantially eliminating the interior cavity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein applying the glue through the at least one outlet aperture comprises applying glue at a temperature between about 400° F. and about 450° F.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein applying glue through the at least one outlet aperture comprises heating the glue as the glue passes through the elongated nozzle.

14. A fluid dispensing device comprising:

a housing;

a fluid pumping mechanism disposed in the housing;

a fluid heating mechanism positioned to heat fluid pumped through the fluid pumping mechanism;

an elongated nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid pumping mechanism and including a neck portion extending along an insertion axis to an end portion having a pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures for directing heated fluid laterally outward from the insertion axis.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the fluid pumping mechanism comprises one of an air pumping mechanism and a glue pumping mechanism, and the fluid heating mechanism comprises a corresponding one of an air heating mechanism and a glue heating mechanism.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the end portion of the elongated nozzle includes a pointed tip for puncturing a membrane and inserting the neck portion through the membrane along the insertion axis.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the pointed tip is conical.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures are angled for directing heated air laterally outward and axially forward with respect to the insertion axis.

19. The device of claim 16 wherein the pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures are disposed on the pointed tip.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the pair of opposed laterally oriented apertures are disposed on a cylindrical portion of the end portion of the elongated nozzle.