Method for filling hollow cavities with polymer foam

摘要

Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls.

主权项

1. A method of providing a polymer foam within a hollow cavity, comprising:
a) introducing a mesh tube at least partially into the cavity, the mesh tube being characterized in that (1) the volume of the mesh tube is smaller than the volume of the hollow cavity, (2) the mesh tube has an entrance for introducing an foamable liquid mixture containing at least one blowing agent and at least one organic polymer or organic polymer precursor into the mesh tube and (3) the mesh tube contains openings each having an area of from 0.01 cm2 to 5 cm2, which openings in the aggregate constitute at least 50% of the surface area of that portion of the mesh tube within the cavity; b) then at least partially filling the mesh tube with the foamable liquid mixture, and then c) expanding the foamable liquid mixture such that the foamable liquid mixture expands and upon expansion at least a portion of the foamable liquid mixture flows through at least some of the openings in the mesh tube and into the hollow cavity and forms a polymeric foam adherent to at least one internal surface of the hollow cavity.