APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HOT MELT THERMOPLASTIC ADHESIVE FOAM

摘要

A novel method and several different unique modifications of apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing a novel adhesive product. The product which results from use of the foam is a pair of substrates adhered together by compressed foam. The adhesive foam is created by intimately mixing air or any relatively inert gas with thermoplastic adhesive while the adhesive is in the liquid state and then pressurizing the liquid/gas mixture so as to force the gas into solution with the liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive is subsequently dispensed at atmospheric pressure with the result that the gas is released from the solution and becomes entrapped in the adhesive to form a homogenous closed cellular adhesive foam.