Process for coating modified bitumen membranes using reflective laminate coatings

Abstract

A method of applying a laminate composition containing a whitening pigment during manufacture of modified bitumen roll roofing membranes, is provided. The laminate composition is heat activated providing greater adherence to surfaces that it applied to, and greater reflective properties. The laminate has an initial energy efficiency rating greater than or equal to 0.65 for a low-sloped roof, or an initial energy efficiency greater than or equal to 0.25 for a steep-sloped roof.

1 . A method of coating a modified bitumen roll roofing membrane in-plant comprising the steps of: 
 (a) applying a layer of a reflective laminate upon a surface of a modified bitumen roll roofing membrane exiting from a formation line;    (b) permitting said reflective laminate to heat activate; and    (c) allowing the laminate to cure and adhere to said surface.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying two or more layers of reflective laminate therein over said modified bitumen roll roofing membrane.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the applying includes die extrusion, air spraying, dip coating, knife coating, roll coating or a film application.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the applying comprises lamination.  
     
     
         5 . A method for improving adhesion between a reflective laminate and a modified bitumen membrane, which method comprises: 
 (a) treating a surface of a modified bitumen roll roofing membrane with a reflective laminate while said membrane is still hot exiting the formation line during manufacture;    (b) permitting said reflective laminate to heat activate; and    (c) allowing the laminate to cure and adhere to the surface.    
     
     
         6 . A method for improving reflectivity of a roof coating, which method comprises: 
 (a) treating a surface of a modified bitumen roll roofing membrane with a reflective laminate while said membrane is still hot exiting the formation line during manufacture;    (b) permitting said laminate to heat activate; and    (c) allowing the laminate to cure and adhere to the surface.    
     
     
         7 . A highly reflective laminate composition comprising: 
 a laminate that has an initial energy efficacy rating greater than or equal to 0.65 for a low-sloped roof, or an initial energy efficacy greater than or equal to 0.25 for a steep-sloped roof; wherein said laminate adheres to roll roofing membranes by heat activation during manufacturing.    
     
     
         8 . The laminate composition of  claim 7  wherein said roll roofing membrane is a polymer-modified bitumen membrane.  
     
     
         9 . The laminate composition of  claim 8  wherein said polymer-modified bitumen membrane is modified with a polymer selected from the group consisting of atactic polypropylene, polypropylene-ethylene copolymers, polyvinyl toluene, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene, styrene, butadiene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         10 . The laminate composition of  claim 7 , wherein the coating is a plastic wrap laminate blended with a pigment, whereby said laminate reflects radiant energy.  
     
     
         11 . The laminate composition of  claim 7 , wherein the coating is a synthetic resin or film.  
     
     
         12 . The laminate composition of  claim 7 , having at least one layer comprising a blend of: 
 (a) at least one synthetic resin or film selected from the group consisting of, polyvinyl chlorides, polyolefins, polybutylene and polyethylene terephthalates, polyester, aromatic polyesters, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl toluene, acrylic resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyamides, polyimides, polyetherimides, cellulosics, poly(arylate), liquid crystal polymers, blends, alloys of the foregoing resins, polyethers, polycyclopentanes, polymethylpentane and copolymers thereof; and    (b) at least one pigment.    
     
     
         13 . The laminate composition of  claim 12  wherein the pigment is a whitening agent.  
     
     
         14 . The laminate composition of the  claim 13  wherein the whitening agent is titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         15 . The laminate composition of  claim 12 , having at least one layer comprising a blend—of: 
 (a) at least one synthetic resin or film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVT and PET; and    (b) at least one whitening pigment.    
     
     
         16 . A laminated modified bituminous membrane coated with the laminate composition of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         17 . A laminate modified bituminous membrane coated with the laminate of  claim 12  to a thickness of 1-10 mils.  
     
     
         18 . The laminate modified bituminous membrane of  claim 12  further comprising additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of dispersants, defoamers, fillers, solvents, coalescing aids, microbiocides, thickening agents, fire retardants, pH modifiers, wetting agents, polymeric binders, polymeric carriers, light stabilizers, adhesion promoters, and UV stabilizers.