WO1996026013A1

WO1996026013A1 - Spray technique for loose fill insulation

Info

Publication number: WO1996026013A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/002392
Authority: WO
Inventors: James A. Adamoli, Jr.; Mark A. Adamoli
Original assignee: Adamoli James A Jr; Adamoli Mark A
Priority date: 1995-02-21
Filing date: 1996-02-21
Publication date: 1996-08-29
Also published as: AU4991896A

Abstract

Loose fill insulation can be applied to substrates using hot melt adhesive to produce an insulating composition. The fill and adhesive are mixed by use of a spray nozzle (12) and the mixture is applied to the wall using a spray technique. Apparatus (10), including nozzle design, is disclosed for carrying out the process.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: SPRAY TECHNIQUE FOR LOOSE FILL INSULATION

Technical Field

The invention generally relates to insulating materials and, in particular, to an apparatus for applying thermally and/or acoustically insulating materials. The invention also relates to methods for applying insulating and/or sound control materials for thermal and sound control purposes. Further, the invention concerns novel insulating/acoustic control materials.

Background Art

It is often desirable to thermally insulate and/or acoustically treat the partitions which form buildings and other structures to provide a thermal and/or acoustic barrier across the partition for temperature and/or sound control and energy savings. For example, substantial benefits can be gained by thermally insulating and/or acoustic treating the outer walls, ceiling and/or roof interiors, and flooring system of a building from the outside environment.

The types of thermal insulation most commonly used are batt or blanket- type and loose fill insulation. Batt or blanket-type insulation is well suited for surfaces where structural integrity against gravitational forces is important, such as under floors and roofs and in vertical walls, whereas loose fill is well suited for application on a stable horizonal surface, such as in attic floors. Because loose fill self conforms to the volume to be filled, it provides a monolithic layer of insulation without gaps and is generally less labor intensive to install than batts or blankets. It is also generally less expensive than batts or blankets. Because of these factors, techniques to enable loose fill insulation to be used for insulating and/or acoustically treating non-horizontal surfaces are much sought after.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RUU 26 One of the problems with loose fill insulation is that it is prone to settling with time, resulting in a reduction of its thermal insulating properties. This is particularly a problem where the loose fill has been introduced into a completed wall or onto a horizontal surface, such as in an attic floor. A technique to reduce the settling of loose fill insulation with time would be very desirable.

Another problem with loose fill insulation is that it is generally subject to dusting to a greater degree than batts or blankets. A technique to reduce the dust- generating tendencies of loose fill insulation would be very desirable.

Prior art techniques for the use of loose fill insulation for vertical walls, sloped areas and inverted horizontal surfaces have generally required the use of a containment structure to provide the fill with stability against gravitational forces. Such containment structure is expensive and labor intensive to use. A technique which permits the use of loose fill insulation for vertical walls, sloped areas and inverted horizontal surfaces without the use of a containment structure would be very desirable.

Prior art techniques for applying loose fill insulation to vertical walls have also generally involved the use of liquids such as solvents, adhesives and water.

The presence of water can lead to rust, corrosion, fungus and mildew. Insulation applied with water must also be allowed to dry, thereby slowing the construction process. Outgassing of solvents can also create potential health hazards. A technique for applying loose fill insulation to walls which eliminates the need for a waiting period afterwards, reduces the likelihood of rust, corrosion, fungus and mildew, and avoids the exposure of applications personnel to potentially harmful vapors would be very desirable.

It is an object of this invention to provide a technique for applying loose fill thermal insulation and/or acoustic attenuating materials. It is a further object of this invention to provide a technique which has the capability of applying divided particulate or fiber insulation/acoustic material to non supportive surfaces such as to walls, and inverted surfaces, such as ceilings or under roofs or under floors, as well as to traditional surfaces, such as on the surface of attic floors.

It is another object of this invention to provide a technique for applying loose fill insulation/acoustic material in a manner which reduces its dusting and settling tendencies.

It is another object of this invention to provide a technique for applying loose fill insulation/acoustic material without the use of either containment structures or materials which are volatile at room temperature.

It is another object of this invention to eliminate a waiting period for drying time as is required with some prior art techniques.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention generally relates to the application of loose fill insulation/acoustic material using a thermoplastic adhesive. Suitable adhesives are generally known as hot melt adhesives.

One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for spraying a mixture of particulate or fiber material and adhesive material. The apparatus is well suited for applying an insulating and/or acoustic attenuating layer of particulate or fiber and adhesive to a vertical wall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a spray nozzle operably connected to sources of adhesive and particulate or fiber material. The spray nozzle mixes a stream of the liquid adhesive with a stream of gas, generally air, containing the particulate or fiber material. A heating element is provided in the nozzle for supplying heat to maintain the temperature of the liquid adhesive passing through the nozzle. The apparatus has a reservoir for the liquid adhesive and a heating element is operably associated with the reservoir for heating liquid adhesive contained therein.

A control means controls the heating element to maintain the temperature of the liquid adhesive in the reservoir. Conduit or pipe means define a liquid flow path connecting the liquid adhesive reservoir and the spray nozzle. A heating element can be included in this pipe means for supplying heat to liquid adhesive flowing through the pipe means. A pump is operably associated with the pipe means for causing the liquid adhesive to flow from the reservoir to the nozzle. The apparatus has a means for forming a gas stream and a second conduit or pipe means forming a flow path between the means for forming the gas stream and the nozzle. A particulate or fiber material supply chamber is connected to the second pipe means by a flow metering means. In another embodiment of the invention, a nozzle, which is highly suitable for employment in the above described apparatus, is formed from a nozzle body and a heating element. The nozzle body has a first or input end, a second or outlet end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end. The nozzle body defines an axial passage extending from an inlet at the first end of the nozzle to an outlet at the second end of the nozzle body. Generally speaking, the axial passage has a cross sectional area in the range of about 1 cm² to about 200 crfi , preferably in the range of about 5 cm² to about 100 cm². A generally circumferential chamber is formed in the body adjacent the second or outlet end extending at least partially around the axial passage. A plurality of generally longitudinally oriented passages for the flow of adhesive are spaced around the periphery of the outlet end of the axial passage and connect the circumferential chamber to the outlet face. Each of the generally longitudinally oriented passages generally has a cross sectional area in the range of from about 0.0001 cm² to about 0.10 cm² , preferably in the range of from about 0.001 cm² to about 0.01 cm². The heating element is positioned in the nozzle body so as to supply heat to the circumferential chamber to assure the flow of the liquid adhesive therethrough. For use, the axial passage is connected to a source of gas and particulate or fiber material and the circumferential chamber is connected to a source of liquid adhesive.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for depositing a mixture of divided particulate or fiber material and finely divided adhesive material on a surface. The method comprises forming a gas stream containing the divided particulate or fiber material and this gas stream is mixed with a hot stream of liquid adhesive material to form a mixture of the particulate or fiber material and adhesive which is carried by the gas stream onto the surface to be covered. The method can be conveniently carried out using the above described apparatus and is well suited for applying both sound proofing and thermally insulating materials to vertical walls, inverted surfaces, and traditional surfaces.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a composition of matter is well suited for insulating and/or acoustically treating both vertical surfaces, such as walls, as well as horizontal or substantially horizontal surfaces, such as sloped walls and ceilings. The composition is formed by a body of finely divided insulating material and a sufficient amount of an adhesive material dispersed throughout the body to provide the body with structural integrity against gravitational forces. The composition is formed by a body of finely divided insulating/acoustic material and a sufficient amount of an adhesive material dispered throughout the body to provide the body with structural integrity against gravitational forces. The composition can be formed using the method or apparatus described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation, partly in schematic, illustrating the apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal section through the nozzle portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing additional structural details and further illustrating certain features of the method of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, an apparatus 10 is provided for spraying a mixture of particulate or fiber material (not shown) and adhesive material (also not shown). The apparatus has a spray nozzle 12 operably connected to a source of adhesive material 14 and to a source of particulate or fiber material 16. The spray nozzle 12 mixes a stream of the liquid adhesive with a stream of gas containing the particulate or fiber material and directs the combined stream at a surface 18 (see Fig. 2). Preferably, a heating element 20, as shown in Figure 2, is housed in the nozzle for maintaining the temperature of liquid adhesive passing through the nozzle 12.

The source of adhesive 14 has a reservoir 22 containing a supply of the liquid adhesive. A heating element 24 within the reservoir 22 is connected to power source 26. A control means 28 is connected to the power source 26 and temperature sensor 30 to control the temperature of the liquid adhesive in the reservoir 22. First conduit or pipe means 32 forms a liquid flow path connecting the liquid adhesive reservoir 22 to the spray nozzle 12. A valve 33 and a pump 34 are connected in the first pipe means 32 for controlling the flow of the liquid adhesive from the reservoir 22 to the nozzle 12. Preferably, a second heating element 36 is associated with the first pipe means 32 for maintaining the temperature of the liquid adhesive passing therethrough. A second control means 38, having a power source 40 and regulator 42 is connected to the heating elements 36 for controlling the temperature of the adhesive passing through the first pipe means 32 and the spray nozzle 12.

The source of particulate or fiber material 16 has means 44, such as the blower shown or a compressed air source (not shown), for forming a gas stream and second conduit or pipe means 46 forming a flow path between the source 16 and the nozzle 12. The source of particulate or fiber material 16 also has a supply chamber 48 for the particulate or fiber material and a particle feeding means 50, such as the schematically illustrated rotary feeder.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, (see Figure 2) the nozzle

12 has a nozzle body 54 with a first or inlet end 56, a second or outlet end 58, and a longitudinal axis 60 extending from the first end to the second end. The nozzle body 54 defines an axial passage 63 which extends from the first end 56 to the second end 58 of the nozzle body 54. Generally speaking, the axial passage 63 has a cross sectional area in the range of about 1 cm² to about 200 cm² preferably in the range of about 5 cm² to about 100 cm². A circumferential chamber 62 extends at least partially around the axial passage 63 and opens onto the second end 58 of the nozzle through at least one generally longitudinally oriented passage 66 positioned around the periphery of the axial passage 63, each preferably provided with a spray tip 68. When the spray tip is used, the longitudinally oriented passage is formed by the body of the spray tip.

The spray tip can be screwed into the nozzle body by providing the nozzle body with a suitably sized borehole. If desired, an additional pipe 70 can be added with one end (not shown) connected to the circumferential chamber 62 and the other end positioned to provide an axial spray tip 72 aligned with the longitudinal axis 60 of the nozzle 12. Each of the spray tips 68, 72 has a cross sectional area in the range of from about

0.0001 cm² to about 0.10 cm². The heating element 20 is positioned in an outwardly directed annular groove 74 in the nozzle body 54 so as to supply heat to the circumferential chamber 62. In one embodiment of the invention, the heating element 20 extends along all four sides of the nozzle body. The heating element 20 in the groove 74 can be embedded in a high temperature potting material 76 or simply enclosed by suitable cover means (not shown). The heating element 20 is a electrically resistive heating element and is operated by using a regulated flow of electrical current. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a third control means 39, having a power source 41 and a regulator 43 is connected to the heating element 20 for controlling the temperature of the adhesive passing through the spray nozzle 12. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of spray tips 68 are substantially uniformly spaced around the second or outlet end 58 of the nozzle body 54. However, for some applications such as for applying insulation to attics, it is expected that only the axial spray tip 72 need be employed. Preferably, the spray tips 68 are oriented to intersect the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, although for some applications the spray tips can be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and provide good results, as the gas stream tends to pull the adhesive stream into it. When the spray tip tips are oriented toward the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, an angle between the axis of the tip bore and the longitudinal axis of the nozzle between about 2° and about 10° is expected to provide good results. Although a wide variety of spray tip styles can be used, such as a 0° solid stream, a 15° cone, and a 45° cone, it is expected that flat fan sprays will provide best results for spray tips positioned on the outer periphery. A flat fan spray having a divergence of 45° has been tested with good results. The number of spray tips will generally vary from between about 1 and about 10. It is expected that from 2 to 6 spray tips will usually be used. The orifice size employed in the spray tips will depend on a number of factors. Generally speaking, however, it is believed that an orifice size in the range of 0.0001 cm², to about 0.10 cm². , preferably in the range of 0.001 cm², to about 0.02 cm².

The nozzle body can be formed from a wide variety of materials, preferably a material of low density which has good heat conductance and temperature resistance. Metal is preferred and aluminum has been used with good results. The nozzle body should be at least partially encased in an insulating jacket to provide for user comfort and/or safety.

The outlet of the axial passage can assume a wide variety of shapes, depending on the desired spray pattern. A flat spray pattern is preferred. To achieve a flat spray pattern in one embodiment of the invention, the outlet of the axial passage is flattened so that it has a length greater than its width. The spray tips are preferably designed and oriented to emit a fan shaped spray spreading in the direction of the length of the outlet of the axial passage. It is further preferred to pinch the midsection of the flattened outlet, as it is believed that this configuration facilitates obtaining good distribution of particulate or fiber materials when the nozzle is employed for application to vertical surfaces. However, a circular cross section is expected to provide good results when used to apply particulate or fiber to supportive surfaces, such as on attic floors.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for depositing a mixture of finely divided particulate or fiber material 78 and finely divided adhesive material 80 on a substrate 18. The method comprises forming a gas stream containing the divided particulate or fiber material. The gas stream is then mixed with a hot liquid stream of hot adhesive material to form a mixture of divided particulate or fiber material and finely divided hot adhesive carried by the gas stream. This mixture is deposited on the substrate. The method can be conveniently carried out using the above described apparatus and is well suited for applying insulating and/or acoustic materials to vertical walls as well as to attic floors, sloped walls and ceilings and other inverted surfaces. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas stream is preferably air, and the means 44 preferably constitutes a blower.

The divided particulate or fiber material can be of numerous types. Preferably, the particulate or fiber material comprises a loose fill type insulating/acoustic material. Generally speaking, it is believed that cellulosic fibers and mineral fibers will be highly suitable. Exemplary mineral fibers are rockwool and fiberglass. Exemplary cellulosic fibers are wood fibers, cotton, and paper fibers. Exemplary suitable other materials include foam particles such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polystyrene. Other materials, such as cellular glass, calcium silicate, perlite and vermiculite are also believed suitable. More preferably, the paniculate or fiber material is selected from the group consisting of a mineral based insulating/acoustic material, a mineral derived insulating/acoustic material, a cellulose insulating/acoustic material and a synthetic insulating/acoustic material. Recycled paper which has been comminuted and treated for conversion to loose fill insulation, fiberglass insulating material and rock wool insulating material have been tested with good results.

In one embodiment of the invention, the particulate or fiber and/or the adhesive material contains a fire retardant additive or is nonflammable by its nature. Treatment of a cellulose insulating material with ammonium sulfate and boric acid produces a suitable material for use in the present invention. Cellulose insulating materials will generally have generally been prepared by hammer milling or other mechanical comminution. The particle size can vary over a wide range. The particulate or fiber material is stored in the supply chamber 48 for the particulate or fiber material. For particulate or fiber material having abrasive tendencies, it is preferred that metering into the gas stream occur downstream of the blower means 44 for forming the gas stream. Nonabrasive particulate or fiber materials could, in some cases, be metered into the gas stream upstream of the blower means 44.

Generally speaking, the hot liquid adhesive can be characterized as a water insoluble synthetic polymer, although tacky, waxy substances which can be melted and applied are also believed to be suitable. Preferred materials are generally known as hot melt adhesives and can be characterized as solid thermoplastic materials which are heated and applied molten. A strong bond forms upon cooling of the adhesive. Hot melts usually consist of four components: polymers, waxes, tackifiers and anti-ox idants. The many different combinations of these materials result in a wide range of products for different applications. Usually, a suitable thermoplastic adhesive will exhibit a melting point in the range of from about 50° C to about 230° C, preferably about 75° C to about 200° C. It is fed in solid form into the reservoir 22 for melting. The control means 28 is set to melt the adhesive and hold a desired temperature. The heating element 36 is actuated by power source 40 and adjusted for the particular adhesive by regulator 42. After a warm up period, the blower 44 is activated, along with the feeder 50, to commence flow of particulate or fiber material and gas to the nozzle 12. The pump 34 is actuated and valve 33 in the first pipe means 32 is opened to commence flow of liquid adhesive to the nozzle.

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Generally speaking, the flows of the particulate or fiber material and liquid adhesive are adjusted so that the mixture formed by the nozzle contains in the range of from about 3 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of thermoplastic adhesive material, based on weight of particulate or fiber material and thermoplastic adhesive material and not including the weight of the gas stream. Adjustment can be made in a number of ways, including adjustment of feeder 50 or a valve 52 positioned upstream of the feeder 50 or the valve 33 in the adhesive flow line. Preferably, the amount of adhesive used is minimized for reasons of economy.

The mixture is sprayed onto a substrate, where it produces an insulating/acoustic treatment composition. The composition comprises a body of divided insulating/acoustic material and a sufficient amount of a thermoplastic adhesive material dispersed throughout the body to provide the body with structural integrity against gravitational forces. Where the particulate or fiber material is cellulose loose fill, it will usually exhibit an apparent bulk density in the range of from about 10 kg/m³ to about 125 kg/m³, preferably in the range of from about 16 kg/m³ to about 65 kg/m³, and most preferably in the range of from about 20 kg/m³ to about 32 kg/m³

Where sheathing is to be applied over the insulating composition, the applied composition can first be raked off flush with the studs using a power abrader or a screed tool to allow the sheathing to lay flush with studs. It can be sealed to reduce dusting tendencies, with or without leveling, by applying an overlayer of hot melt from the nozzle in the absence of particulate or fiber flow. The overlayer can also be applied over existing insulations to provide these benefits.

EXAMPLE

The invention was tested using a Krendl Model #1000 Fiber Insulation

Blowing machine in conjunction with a Nordson Series 3500 Hot melt machine. A 2 V₂ inch diameter hose 25 feet long carried the fiber insulation to the nozzle. The glue line to the nozzle was supplied by Nordson and was traced with an electrical resistance

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) heating element.

The spray nozzle used was substantially as shown in the drawing and had an outlet area of 3 in² (19 cm²). The outlet was pinched in the middle to a width of % inches and had a width of 1 inches near the ends. It was constructed of aluminum and was traced with an electrical resistance heating element supplied by Nordson. The nozzle was tested successfully using both 2 and 4 spray tips. The spray tips were 40° flat fan sprays with an orifice diameter of 0.019 inches from Spraying Systems Company.

Five types of insulation were tested, namely, Tascon Sound Wall, which is derived primarily from recycled corrugated stock, Tascon Enviro Pro (loose fill), which is derived primarily from recycled newsprint, and Certainteed Insulsafe III Blowing Insulation, which is a mineral fiber insulating material, American Rockwool Insulation, High Density Grade A, and Owens-Corning Fiberglass, ThermaGlas, both also mineral fibers. For these materials, the product flow gate of the fiber insulation blowing machine was set between "2" and "4". The variable speed blower was set at " VA

Four types of hot melt adhesives has been tested with good results.

They are United Resin #80-8498, 80-7938, 80-8563, and 80-8531.

The flow rate of hot melt adhesive was set at maximum. The flow of insulating material was adjusted to provide good adhesion on the substrate and good cohesion as thickness was built up. The glue temperature, hose temperature and nozzle temperature were all set at 350° F. The distance from the nozzle to the substrate being sprayed was generally in the range of 1 to 2 feet.

When the Enviro Pro loose fill and United Resin adhesive were tested, good results were obtained at an estimated flow rate of loose fill of 210 lbs/hr and an estimated flow rate of adhesive of 63 lbs/hr.

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The present invention may be subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment should therefore be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising: a spray nozzle for mixing a liquid hot melt adhesive stream with a gas stream containing a particulate or fiber material; a heating element operably associated with the nozzle for supplying heat to the liquid hot melt adhesive in the nozzle; reservoir means for the liquid hot melt adhesive; a heating element associated with the reservoir means for heating the liquid hot melt adhesive contained therein; a control means associated with the reservoir means and the heating element for controlling the temperature of the liquid hot melt adhesive in the reservoir means; conduit means defining a flow path between the reservoir means and the spray nozzle; a heating element associated with the conduit means for supplying heat to the liquid hot melt adhesive contained therein; pump means associated with the conduit means for causing the liquid hot melt adhesive to flow from the reservoir means to the nozzle; means for forming a gas stream; second conduit means forming a flow path between the means for forming the gas stream and the nozzle; a particulate or fiber material supply chamber; and means for metering paniculate or fiber material from the supply chamber into the second conduit means.

2. A spray nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, said nozzle body defining an axial

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) passage and a generally circumferentially extending chamber; wherein the axial passage extends from an inlet at the first end of the nozzle to an outlet at the second end of the nozzle and has a cross sectional area in the range of about 1 cm² to about 200 cm² ; wherein the circumferential chamber extends at least partially circumferentially around the axial passage and opens onto the second end of the nozzle through a plurality of generally longitudinally oriented passages spaced around the periphery of the outlet of the axial passage, each of said passages having a cross sectional area in the range of from about 0.0001 cm² to about 0.10 cm²; and a heating element positioned in the nozzle body.

3. A nozzle as in claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of spray tips defining the plurality of generally laterally oriented passages at the second end of the nozzle.

4. A nozzle as in claim 3 wherein: the spray tips are oriented to intersect the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

5. A nozzle as in claim 4 wherein: the spray tips emit a fan shaped spray.

6. A nozzle as in claim 5 wherein: the outlet of the axial passage is flattened, having a length greater than its width, and the spray tips are oriented to emit a fan shaped spray spreading in the direction of the length of the outlet of the axial passage.

7. A method comprising: providing a source of particulate or fiber material; providing a source of molten adhesive material; forming a gas stream entraining said particulate or fiber material; mixing the gas stream with a hot liquid stream of molten adhesive material to form a mixture of particulate or fiber material and molten adhesive carried

ET RULE 26) by the gas stream; and depositing the mixture on a substrate to form a body of divided insulating/acoustic material; and a sufficient amount of a thermoplastic adhesive material dispersed throughout the body to provide the body with structural integrity against gravitational forces.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein: the paniculate or fiber material is selected from the group consisting of a mineral fiber and a cellulose fiber.

9. A method as in claim 7 wherein: the paniculate or fiber material is selected from the group consisting of comminuted paper, fiberglass and rockwool and the molten adhesive material comprises a water insoluble thermoplastic adhesive material.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein: the water insoluble thermoplastic adhesive material comprises a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point in the range of from about 50 °C to about 230°C.

11. A method as in claim 9 wherein: the mixture contains in the range of from about 3 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of thermoplastic adhesive material.

12. A composition of matter comprising: a body of divided insulating/acoustic material; and a sufficient amount of a thermoplastic adhesive material dispersed throughout the body to provide the body with structural integrity against gravitational forces.

13. A composition of matter as in claim 12 wherein: the divided insulating material is selected from the group consisting of a mineral based insulating/acoustic material, a mineral derived insulating/acoustic material, a cellulose insulating/ acoustic material, and a synthetic insulating/acoustic material.

14. A composition of matter as in claim 13 further comprising: an amount of divided insulating/acoustic material and an amount of thermoplastic adhesive material sufficient to provide the composition with in the range of from about 3 to about 40 parts by weight of divided insulating/acoustic material to each part by weight of thermoplastic adhesive material.

15. A composition of matter as in claim 14 wherein: the thermoplastic adhesive material has a melting point in the range of from about 50°C to about 230^CC and the divided insulating/acoustic material is selected from the group consisting of comminuted paper, fiberglass, and rockwool.

16. A composition of matter as in claim 15 which has an apparent bulk density in the range of from about 10 kg/m³ to about 125 kg/m³.

17. A composition of matter as in claim 16 wherein: the thermoplastic adhesive material comprises a water insoluble synthetic polymer.

18. A composition of matter as in claim 12 wherein the insulating material comprises a fiberglass insulating material.

19. A composition of matter as in claim 14 wherein the insulating material comprises comminuted paper.

20. A composition of of matter as in claim 14, wherein the insulating material

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) comprises rockwool.

SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26)