Multi-bead applicator
View Patent ↗An apparatus for concurrently applying to a substrate a plurality of substantially parallel strips of an adhesive is provided. The apparatus includes a housing or carrier with motive supports for transporting the carrier along a path of travel over the substrate. A plurality of cradles are mounted on the carrier and are arranged in a line transversely of the path of travel of the carrier over the substrate. Each cradle is adapted to hold a canister of the adhesive. A discharging mechanism is mounted on the carrier and is adapted, when a driving force is applied, to concurrently discharge the adhesive from the plurality of canisters in the cradles. Also mounted on the carrier is an actuating mechanism for selectively providing a driving force to the discharging mechanism. The discharging mechanism may include at least one plunger located at each cradle.
1. An apparatus for applying an adhesive onto a substrate where the adhesive is stored within a plurality of canisters, the apparatus comprising:
a carrier having a front end and a back end, wherein the front end and the back end are perpendicular to a path of travel of the carrier;
a first, second, and third support member each connected to the carrier, wherein the second and third support members each include a fork slot for allowing a forklift to engage and lift the apparatus;
a first and second marker attached to the back end of the carrier on opposite sides thereof, wherein each marker, which is substantially straight and extends perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the back end of the carrier, allow an operator to align each marker with a linear feature on the substrate;
a plurality of cradles connected to the carrier at the front end, wherein the plurality of cradles are arranged in a line transversely to the path of travel of the carrier, and wherein each of the plurality of cradles is adapted to receive one of the plurality of canisters of adhesive; and
a discharge mechanism connected to the carrier, the discharge mechanism operable to concurrently contact the plurality of canisters of adhesive within the plurality of cradles to discharge the adhesive from the plurality of canisters onto the substrate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first support member is located proximate the rear end of the carrier and the second and third support members are located proximate the front end of the carrier.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second and third support members each include a coaxial wheel and the first support member includes two caster wheels.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the caster wheels are spaced apart to fit within parallel, spaced apart valleys disposed on the substrate where the substrate is a corrugated type B steel deck.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the discharge mechanism is driven by an electric motor attached to one of the carrier, the first support member, the second support member, and the third support member.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a battery disposed on a tray connected proximate the back end of the carrier.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the discharge mechanism includes at least one plunger located at each cradle that is adapted to fit within the canister of adhesive within the cradle, and wherein each plunger is displaced within a respective canister so as to concurrently discharge the adhesive from the plurality of canisters upon the electric motor selectively providing a driving force to the discharging mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the discharge mechanism includes two plungers located at each cradle and wherein each of the two plungers at each cradle is adapted to fit within a complementary pair of segregated compartments of the canister that contain adhesive reactants within the canister.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lift bar connected to the carrier.
10. An apparatus for applying an adhesive onto a substrate where the adhesive is stored within a plurality of canisters, the apparatus comprising:
a carrier having a bottom surface facing the substrate, a front end and a back end, wherein the front end and the back end are perpendicular to a path of travel of the carrier;
a first, second, and third support member each connected to the carrier, wherein the first support member is located proximate the back end of the carrier and the second and third support members are located proximate the front end of the carrier, and wherein the second and third support members each include a coaxial wheel and the first support member includes at least one caster wheel; and wherein the second and third support members each include a fork slot for allowing a forklift to engage and lift the apparatus,
a marker connected to the back end of the carrier on opposite sides thereof, wherein the marker, which is substantially straight and extends perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the carrier facing the substrate, allows an operator to align the marker with a linear feature on the substrate;
a plurality of cradles connected to the carrier at the front end, wherein the plurality of cradles are arranged in a line transversely to the path of travel of the carrier, and wherein each of the plurality of cradles is adapted to receive one of the plurality of canisters of adhesive; and
a discharge mechanism connected to the carrier, wherein the discharge mechanism is driven by an electric motor attached to one of the carrier, the first support member, the second support member, and the third support member and the discharge mechanism operable to concurrently contact the plurality of canisters of adhesive within the plurality of cradles to discharge the adhesive from the plurality of canisters onto the substrate.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first member includes two caster wheels that are spaced apart to fit within parallel, adjacent, spaced apart valleys disposed on the substrate where the substrate is a corrugated steel deck.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a battery disposed on a tray connected proximate the back end of the carrier.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the discharge mechanism includes at least one plunger located at each cradle that is adapted to fit within the canister of adhesive within the cradle, and wherein each plunger is displaced within a respective canister so as to concurrently discharge the adhesive from the plurality of canisters upon the electric motor selectively providing a driving force to the discharging mechanism.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the discharge mechanism includes two plungers located at each cradle and wherein each of the two plungers at each cradle is adapted to fit within a complementary pair of segregated compartments of the canister that contain adhesive reactants within the canister.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a lift bar connected to the carrier.