TOOL FOR INSTALLING INSULATION

Abstract

A tool that can include a head configured to span a cavity, a first feeder configured to feed a membrane to the head, where the head is configured to fix the membrane across the cavity as the head moves along the cavity, and a second feeder configured to feed insulation into the cavity. A method can include engaging adjacent support structures in a building with a tool that includes a head; a first feeder; and a second feeder, feeding, via the first feeder, a membrane to the head, attaching the membrane to the adjacent support structures, and feeding, via the second feeder, insulation into a cavity between the adjacent support structures.

Claims

1. A tool for installing insulation, the tool comprising: a head configured to span a cavity; a first feeder configured to feed a membrane to the head, wherein the head is configured to fix the membrane across the cavity as the head moves along the cavity; and a second feeder configured to feed insulation into the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a cutter that severs a portion of the membrane from a remaining portion of the membrane, wherein the cutter is configured to cut the portion of the membrane to a desired length to accommodate a length of the cavity.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a left side, a right side, and a back side, wherein the right side opposes the left side, wherein the cavity is formed between adjacent support structures, wherein the adjacent support structures form the left side and the right side of the cavity, and wherein the membrane is compressed by the head to be essentially flush with a front side of the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the barrier is configured to extend into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the barrier is configured to allow at least a portion of the barrier to selectively move around one or more obstructions in the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

6. The tool of claim 4, wherein the barrier is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

7. The tool of claim 4, wherein the head further comprises a shield, wherein the barrier is coupled to the second feeder, receives the insulation from the second feeder, and directs the insulation into the cavity, wherein the shield is attached to the barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the shield is configured to extend into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the second feeder is configured to: receive insulation from a blower and direct the insulation into the cavity; or receive insulation from an insulation roll and direct the insulation into the cavity.

9. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a robotic arm that engages the tool and manipulates the tool to install insulation into the cavity.

10. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a handle that engages the tool, wherein the handle is configured for manipulation by an operator.

11. A method for installing insulation, the method comprising: engaging adjacent support structures in a building with a tool, the tool comprising: a head; a first feeder; and a second feeder; feeding, via the first feeder, a membrane to the head; attaching the membrane to the adjacent support structures; and feeding, via the second feeder, insulation into a cavity between the adjacent support structures.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising compressing the membrane, via the head, to be essentially flush with the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving insulation that is already attached to the membrane and inserting the insulation into the cavity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the insulation is formed as a roll of insulation with the membrane attached to the insulation prior to insertion into the cavity.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving loose fill insulation from a blower and injecting the loose fill insulation into the cavity.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: extending a barrier from the head into the cavity, and substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier, wherein the barrier adjusts to obstructions in the cavity as the tool moves along the adjacent support structures.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching a barrier to the head, the barrier having a shield mounted thereto; extending a shield from the barrier into the cavity; and substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield, wherein the shield adjusts to obstructions in the cavity as the tool moves along the adjacent support structures.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: expelling air through the membrane as the loose fill insulation is blown into the cavity, while substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity through the membrane while the loose fill insulation is being injected into the cavity.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: engaging the tool with a robot; and manipulating the tool via the robot to perform the engaging, feeding, and attaching.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: engaging the tool with a handle; and manipulating the tool via the handle to perform the engaging, feeding, and attaching.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of present embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1A-1C are representative perspective views of a prior art method for installing loose fill insulation in cavities of a building;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a representative partial cross-sectional top view of an installation tool for installing loose file insulation in cavities in a building, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a representative side view of various configurations of an installation tool that can be used to fill various cavities in a building with loose fill insulation, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0016] FIGS. 4A-4E are representative side views of an installation tool at various stages of filling a cavity with loose fill insulation, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a representative side view of another installation tool for filling a cavity with loose fill insulation, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a representative side view of another installation tool for filling a cavity with insulation received from a roll, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a representative perspective view of an installation tool coupled to a robot for robotic installation of loose fill insulation in cavities of a building, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0020] FIGS. 8A-8D are representative views of a detail 8 area shown in FIG. 2 that illustrate examples of a barrier, in accordance with certain embodiments;

[0021] FIGS. 9A-9D are representative partial cross-sectional views along line 9-9, as indicated in FIG. 3, of a shield, in accordance with certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description in combination with the figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a representative partial cross-sectional top view of an installation tool 100 for installing loose fill insulation 50 in cavities 40 in a building 10, in accordance with certain embodiments. The building 10 can include a structure constructed to form one or more cavities 40 into which loose fill insulation 50 can be installed to reduce heat transfer between one side of the structure and an opposite side of the structure. The structure of the building 10 can include a plurality of support structures 20 (e.g., wall studs, rafters, floor joists, ceiling joists, etc.) installed at a desired spacing with sheathing 22 (e.g., oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, construction panels, insulation panels, tongue and groove lumber, shiplap siding, dimensional lumber, a membrane, gypsum board, drywall, paneling, etc.) installed on one side of the support structures 20.

[0024] Plates (not shown) can be installed at opposite ends of the support structures 20. As used herein, the term plate, while not limiting, can refer to a sill plate or sole plate in construction and architecture that is the bottom horizontal member of a wall or building to which vertical members are attached. The term plate, can also refer to a top plate that is a top horizontal member of a wall or building to which the vertical members are also attached.

[0025] Adjacent support structures 20 can form opposite sides of the cavity 40, with the plates forming opposite ends of the cavity 40, and the sheathing 22 forming a back side of the cavity 40. This five-sided structure can form the cavity 40 with the sixth side (i.e., the front side) left open to allow access by the tool 100 to fill the cavity with loose fill insulation 50 and install a membrane 30 to form the sixth side of the cavity 40.

[0026] One of the cavities 40 is shown already filled with loose fill insulation 50 with the tool 100 in position to engage the next cavity 40 to also fill it with loose fill insulation 50. The tool 100 can sequentially (or randomly) access each cavity 40 and substantially fill it with loose fill insulation 50. The tool 100 can be manipulated by an arm 160 to perform installation of the loose fill insulation 50. The arm 160 can be manipulated by a user 12 (or various robots) to facilitate installation of the loose fill insulation 50 in each of the cavities 40. The tool 100 can supply a membrane 30 via the head 110 to span the cavity 40 and engage the adjacent support structures 20, and cut the membrane 30 to a desired length to extend the length of the cavity 40. A portion of the membrane 30 can be severed by a cutter 134 of the tool 100 from a remainder of the membrane 30 and attached to the adjacent support structures 20. The membrane portion 30 can form the sixth side (or front side) of the cavity 40. The head 110 can span the cavity 40 to apply the membrane 30 across the cavity 40 and to attach the membrane 30 to the adjacent support structures 20. As used herein adjacent support structures refer to two of a plurality of support structures 20 that are used in a construction of a wall, floor, ceiling, or roof, where the two of a plurality of support structures 20 are adjacent to each other in the wall, floor, ceiling, or roof, such that no other of the plurality of support structures 20 are positioned between the two support structures 20 in the wall, floor, ceiling, or roof.

[0027] The tool 100 can include a first feeder 120 that can supply the membrane 30 from a storage location to the head 110. The head 110 can position the membrane 30 to span the cavity 40 and engage the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool 100 is being moved along the adjacent support structures 20. A fastener applicator 150 can apply fasteners to secure the portion 30 to the adjacent support structures 20 and hold the loose fill insulation 50 in the cavity 40. The fasteners can include staples, nails, nailing strips, tacks, tacking strips, screws, screw strips, adhesives, adhesive strips, or combinations thereof.

[0028] For example, the fastener applicator 150 can be a heating element that applies heat to an adhesive strip that has been preinstalled on right and left edges of the membrane 30. Heating of the adhesive strip by the fastener applicator 150 can cause the adhesive strip to adhere the membrane 30 to the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool 100 moves along the adjacent support structures 20. For example, the fastener applicator 150 can spray an adhesive on to right and left edges of the membrane 30 and the fastener applicator 150 or the head 110 can engage the right and left edges to the adjacent support structures 20, thereby attaching the right and left edges to the adjacent support structures 20. For Example, the fastener applicator 150 can heat an adhesive and extrude the heated adhesive on to right and left edges of the membrane 30 or the support structures 20 and the fastener applicator 150 or the head 110 can engage the right and left edges of the membrane 30 to adhere to the adjacent support structures 20, through the process of the cooling of the adhesive and thereby attaching the right and left edges to the adjacent support structures 20.

[0029] The cutter 134 can be positioned at any location along the membrane 30 between the first feeder 120 and an output of the head 110. The cutter 134 can be manually or automatically operated to severe the portion 30 from the remaining membrane 30 material. The cutter 134 can include an edge that slices through the membrane, a heated bar or wire that burns or melts though the membrane, an edge that tears the membrane, an edge that sheers the membrane, a laser that burns through the membrane, or combinations thereof. Tearing the membrane 30 can include applying a tension in the membrane 30 at a point along the membrane 30 that has been pre-weakened (e.g., perforations, etc.) such that the tension can cause the membrane 30 to tear at that point. In a non-limiting embodiment, the membrane 30 can be precut into desired lengths for a particular cavity 40, such that active cutting or tearing of the membrane 30 during the process may not be necessary. The pre-cut portions of the membrane 30 can be fed to the head by the first feeder 120 much like a printer feeds sheets of paper from a storage location.

[0030] The head 110 can include a counter 136 that counts the linear distance of the membrane 30 that is feed through the head 110. A controller 170 can calculate the square footage of the membrane 30 that has been used on a job (or at least a portion of the job) based on the detected linear distance and the width of the membrane 30.

[0031] The head 110 can include a barrier 140 that can be extended into the cavity 40 to prevent the blown loose fill insulation 50 from exiting the cavity 40 during filling the cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50. The barrier 140 can generally conform to the interior shape of the cavity 40. The barrier 140 can be configured to accommodate (or conform to) one or more obstructions 14 present in the cavity 40. The obstructions 14 can include electrical boxes, plumbing, wiring, switches, framing obstructions, nails, screws, etc.

[0032] The barrier 140 can include: 1) one or more brushes that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the one or more brushes, 2) a flexible material that molds around the one or more obstructions, 3) a plurality of flexible strips that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of flexible strips, 4) a plurality of wheels that extend into the cavity and roll over the one or more obstructions, 5) or a combination thereof.

[0033] It should be understood that the head 110 and the barrier 140 can be adjusted to fit various sized cavities 40. The head 110 and the barrier 140 can be replaced with configurations that correctly accommodate a cavity 40 with a particular width. However, the head 110 and the barrier 140 can be configured to be automatically or manually adjusted to accommodate various cavity widths without replacing them.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a representative side view of various configurations of an installation tool 100 that can be used to fill cavities 40 in a building 10 with loose fill insulation 50, in accordance with certain embodiments. Each of the tools 100b-d can generally include more or fewer of the components indicated for the tool 100a. The tool 100a can include a first feeder 120 for feeding the membrane 30 material to the head 110, which can attach the membrane 30 to adjacent support structures 20. A cutter 134 can be provided to severe a portion 30 of the membrane 30 from a remaining portion of the membrane 30. A fastener applicator 150 can be used to attach the membrane portion 30 to the adjacent support structures 20.

[0035] An arm 160 can be coupled to the head 110 and used to manipulate the tool 100a to perform the process of filling the cavities 40 with the loose fill insulation 50. A second feeder 130 can be used to deliver the loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40 by transmitting the loose fill insulation 50 to the head 110 (or barrier 140 or shield 142) which can direct the loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40. The second feeder 130 can be a flexible hose coupled to a loose fill insulation blower 132, which can receive bulk insulation (e.g., bags, bales, or other compressed or uncompressed quantities of a bulk insulation), separate the bulk insulation into the loose fill insulation 50, provide the loose fill insulation 50 to the head 110 (or the barrier 140 or shield 142), which can direct the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavity (shown as insulation 52 being blown into the cavity 40).

[0036] The tool 100 can generally be used to fill insulation between various types of support structures 20 in the building 10. For example, the tool 100a can be used to fill cavities 40 in a wall formed by support structures 20a (e.g., studs, etc.). The tool 100a can be manipulated up or down the wall to blow the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavities from an interior of the building 10.

[0037] The similarly shaped items shown in the other tools 100b-d can provide the same function as in the tool 100a, except that they may be reconfigured due to varying requirements of various installation locations, such as the tool 100d that can supply the loose fill insulation 50 into cavities formed by support structures 20d (i.e., floor joists). The tool 100d is shown blowing the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavities 40 formed between the support structures 20d from underneath the support structures 20d. However, it should be understood that the tool 100d can also blow the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavities 40 formed between the support structures 20d from above the support structures 20d.

[0038] The tool 100b illustrates that the loose fill insulation 50 can be blown into the cavities 40 formed between the support structures 20a from an exterior of the building 10. In this configuration, a sheathing 22 can be attached to an interior side of the support structures 20a. The tool 100b also illustrates that the loose fill insulation 50 can be installed in the cavity 40 from top to bottom as opposed to from bottom to top, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.

[0039] The tool 100c illustrates that the loose fill insulation 50 can be blown into the cavities 40 formed between the support structures 20c from below the support structures 20c. In this configuration, a sheathing 22 can be attached to an upper side of the support structures 20c. Not shown, but a tool 100 can be configured to install the loose fill insulation 50 into cavities 40 formed by the support structures 20b.

[0040] FIGS. 4A-4C are representative side views of an installation tool 100 at various stages of filling a cavity 40 with loose fill insulation 50, in accordance with certain embodiments. This tool 100 is very similar (if not the same) as the tool 100a shown in FIG. 3 and the discussion above related to the tool 100a is applicable to the tool 100 in FIGS. 4A-4C. In FIG. 4A, the tool 100 has been manipulated by the arm 160 to engage the adjacent support structures 20 near the bottom and extend the barrier 140 into the cavity 40. The barrier 140 can prevent or at least minimize upward loss of loose fill insulation 50 past the barrier 140. The membrane 30 can be attached proximate to the bottom of the adjacent support structures 20 to begin attaching the portion 30 to the adjacent support structures 20.

[0041] The second feeder 130 can supply loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40 via the blown insulation 52. The loose fill insulation 50 will begin to fill up the cavity 40 from the bottom. As the cavity 40 continues to be filled by the loose fill insulation 50, the tool 100 can be moved upward (arrows 92) along the adjacent support structures 20. As the tool 100 is moved upward, the first feeder 120 continues to supply the membrane to be attached to the adjacent support structures 20, thereby capturing the deposited loose fill insulation 50 within the cavity 40.

[0042] That among other factors, speed of movement of the tool 100 along the adjacent support structures 20 can be used to control density of the loose fill insulation 50 as it is being packed into the cavity 40. For example, a slower installation speed may be correlated to an increase in the installed density of material supplied at a constant rate. Density of the deposited loose fill insulation 50 within the cavity 40 can also be adjusted or controlled by adjusting parameters of the blower 132, adjusting parameters of the second feeder 130 (e.g., the delivery hose), adjusting parameters of the loose fill insulation 50, etc.

[0043] FIG. 4B shows that the tool 100 has moved up the adjacent support structures 20 with the loose fill insulation 50 being deposited into a lower portion of the cavity 40 and captured within the cavity by the portion 30 of the membrane 30. FIG. 4C shows that the tool 100 has moved to the top of the adjacent support structures 20 with the loose fill insulation 50 deposited into a lower portion of the cavity 40 and captured within the cavity 40 by the portion 30 of the membrane 30 that is attached to the adjacent support structures 20. The tool 100 can be configured to severe the portion 30 (i.e., via the cutter 134) from the remaining portion of the membrane 30 such that the portion 30 extends to the top of the cavity 40 when the cavity is filled with the loose fill insulation 50.

[0044] Additionally, as the tool 100 is being manipulated to move upward along the adjacent support structures 20, as the membrane portion 30 is being attached to the adjacent support structures 20, and as the loose fill insulation 50 is filling the cavity, the head 110 can be used to compress the membrane portion 30 to reduce or eliminate any bulge in the membrane portion 30 caused by the installed loose fill insulation 50 in the cavity 40. This can provide a more planar surface for when sheathing (e.g., OSB, plywood, construction panels, insulation panels, tongue and groove lumber, shiplap siding, dimensional lumber, a membrane, gypsum board, drywall, paneling, etc.) is installed on the membrane 30 side of the support structures 20.

[0045] Installing the loose fill insulation 50 at a fixed rate into an expanding volume of the cavity 40 (created by moving the tool 100 along the adjacent support structures 20) and moving the tool 100 at a fixed rate can produce a uniform density of the loose fill insulation 50 in the cavity 40. The head 110 can be used to minimize any bulging tendencies of the installed loose fill insulation 50 in the cavity 40 as the second feeder 130 blows the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavity 40. The head 110 can include a generally flat surface that engages the membrane 30 as the membrane portion 30 is being attached to the adjacent support structures 20 and provides an area along the adjacent support structures 20 that provides a resistance to bulging of the membrane portion 30 as the loose fill insulation 50 is forced into the cavity 40.

[0046] This process combines the three operations of the prior art shown in FIGS. 1A-1C into one operation to fill a cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50. As the tool 100 is moved upward along the adjacent support structures 20, the membrane portion 30 is attached to the adjacent support structures 20, while the second feeder 130 blows the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavity, and while the head 110 can be used to compress a bulge in the membrane portion 30 caused by the installed loose fill insulation 50. Further efficiency increases can be realized by using a robot (e.g., robot 190, see FIG. 7) to manipulate the arm 160 to perform the installation of the loose fill insulation 50 into cavities 40.

[0047] FIG. 4D is a representative side view of an installation tool 100 for filling a cavity 40 with loose fill insulation 50, in accordance with certain embodiments. This tool 100 is very similar to the tool 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and the related discussion above of the tool 100 of FIGS. 4A-4C is similarly applicable to the tool 100 in FIG. 4D. In FIG. 4D, the tool 100 has been initially manipulated by the arm 160 to engage the adjacent support structures 20 near the bottom of the cavity 40.

[0048] The barrier 140 can be extended into the cavity 40, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C or it can be rotated (arrows 96) approximately 90 degrees such that the barrier 140 is substantially parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20 (as shown in FIG. 4D). The barrier 140 can be rotationally coupled to the head 110, such that the barrier 140 can be rotated between positions (e.g., extended into the cavity 40 or rotated to be substantially parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20) at any location along the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool is moved up or down along the adjacent support structures 20. The barrier 140 can also be rotated to a desired position and not changed during the process of filling the cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier 140 can be rotated from a horizontal orientation (extended into the cavity 40) to a vertical orientation (rotated to being parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20) when the tool 100 approaches the top of the support structures 20 to facilitate filling the top of the cavity 40.

[0049] The barrier 140 can prevent (or at least minimize) loss of loose fill insulation 50 past the barrier 140. The membrane 30 can be attached proximate to the bottom of the adjacent support structures 20 to begin attaching the portion 30 to the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool 100 begins moving upward to fill the cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50.

[0050] The second feeder 130 can supply loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40 via the blown insulation 52. The loose fill insulation 50 will begin to fill up the cavity 40 from the bottom. As the cavity 40 continues to be filled by the loose fill insulation 50, the tool 100 can be moved upward along the adjacent support structures 20. As the tool 100 is moved upward, the first feeder 120 continues to supply the membrane 30 to be attached to the adjacent support structures 20, thereby capturing the deposited loose fill insulation 50 within the cavity 40.

[0051] FIG. 4E is a representative side view of an installation tool 100 for filling a cavity 40 with loose fill insulation 50, in accordance with certain embodiments. This tool 100 is very similar to the tool 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and the related discussion above of the tool 100 of FIGS. 4A-4D is similarly applicable to the tool 100 in FIG. 4E. The tool 100 of FIG. 4E can differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4D in that the barrier 140 can be fixed in a vertical orientation with an additional shield 142 extending horizontally from the barrier 140. The shield 142 can be extended into the cavity 40 and at least a portion of the shield 142 can be configured to selectively move around one or more obstructions in the cavity 40 as the head 110 moves along the cavity 40. FIG. 4E shows the shield 142 positioned at one edge of the barrier 140, but it should be understood that the shield 142 can be positioned at other locations and orientations on the barrier 140 as desired.

[0052] The shield 142 can include: 1) one or more brushes that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the one or more brushes, 2) a flexible material that molds around the one or more obstructions, 3) a plurality of flexible strips that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of flexible strips, 4) a plurality of wheels that extend into the cavity and roll over the one or more obstructions, 5) or a combination thereof. In a non-limiting embodiment, it can be preferred that the barrier 140 is made of a rigid (or at least semi-rigid) material to extend from one adjacent support structure 20 to the other adjacent support structure 20 and provide an impediment to loose fill insulation 50 exiting the cavity 40 past the barrier 140. The barrier 140 can also provide structural support for the hose 130 as the loose fill insulation 52 is being forced into the cavity 40.

[0053] In FIG. 4E, the tool 100 has been initially manipulated by the arm 160 to engage the adjacent support structures 20 near the bottom of the cavity 40. The shield 142 can be extended into the cavity 40, and can prevent (or at least minimize) loss of loose fill insulation 50 past the shield 142. The membrane 30 can be attached proximate to the bottom of the adjacent support structures 20 to begin attachment of the portion 30 to the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool 100 begins moving upward to fill the cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50.

[0054] The second feeder 130 can supply loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40 via the blown insulation 52. The loose fill insulation 50 will begin to fill up the cavity 40 from the bottom. As the cavity 40 continues to be filled by the loose fill insulation 50, the tool 100 can be moved upward along the adjacent support structures 20. As the tool 100 is moved upward, the first feeder 120 continues to supply the membrane to be attached to the adjacent support structures 20, thereby capturing the deposited loose fill insulation 50 within the cavity 40.

[0055] The shield 142 can be extended into the cavity 40, as shown in FIG. 4E or it can be rotated (arrows 97) approximately 90 degrees such that the shield 142 is substantially parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20. The shield 142 can be rotationally coupled to the barrier 140, such that the shield 142 can be rotated between positions (e.g., extended into the cavity 40 or rotated to be substantially parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20) at any location along the adjacent support structures 20 as the tool is moved up or down along the adjacent support structures 20. The shield 142 can also be rotated to a desired position and not changed during the process of filling the cavity 40 with the loose fill insulation 50. In a preferred embodiment, the shield 142 can be rotated from a horizontal orientation (extended into the cavity 40) to a vertical orientation (rotated to being parallel with the front side of the adjacent support structures 20) when the tool 100 approaches the top of the support structures 20 to facilitate filling the top of the cavity 40.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a representative side view of another installation tool 100 for filling a cavity 40 with loose fill insulation 50, in accordance with certain embodiments. This configuration shows an articulated arm 160 used to manipulate the tool 100, with a base 192 used to manipulate the arm 160. The base 192 can be used manually by pushing and pulling the base 192, or the base 192 can be a robot that controls movement of the arm 160. The arm 160 can include multiple segments 162 with adjacent segments 162 coupled to each other via couplings 164 (e.g., chevrons, etc.).

[0057] Movement of the base 192 (arrows 94) toward the adjacent support structures 20 can move the tool 100 (arrows 92) upward along the adjacent support structures 20, while movement of the base 192 (arrows 94) away from the adjacent support structures 20 can move the tool 100 (arrows 92) downward along the adjacent support structures 20. Similarly, with the other tools, as the tool 100 is moved upward along the adjacent support structures 20, the membrane portion 30 can be attached to the adjacent support structures 20, while the second feeder 130 blows the loose fill insulation 50 into the cavity, and while the head 110 compresses any bulge in the membrane portion 30 caused by the installed loose fill insulation 50.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a representative side view of another installation tool 100 for filling a cavity 40 with packed insulation 54 that can be received from a roll 138, in accordance with certain embodiments. This configuration of the tool 100 can receive packed insulation 54 from a roll 138 via the second feeder 130. An additional cutter 135 can be used to severe a portion 54 of the packed insulation from the roll 138 when the tool 100 reaches the top of the cavity. The additional cutter 135 can be any of the types of cutters mentioned above for the cutter 134. As the tool 100 is moved upward along the adjacent support structures 20, the membrane portion 30 is attached to the adjacent support structures 20, while the second feeder 130 supplies the packed insulation 54. While the head (or barrier 140) delivers the packed insulation 54 to the cavity 40, the head 110 can compress any bulge in the membrane portion 30 caused by the installed portion 54 of the packed insulation 54.

[0059] It should be understood that the membrane 30 can also be already installed on the packed insulation 54 when the insulation roll 138 is delivered to the job site. In this configuration, the packed insulation 54 along with the membrane 30 can be fed to the tool 100, which can direct the membrane backed insulation 54 into the cavity 40 with the portion of the insulation 54 positioned in the cavity 40 and the portion 30 of the membrane 30 being attached to the adjacent support structures 20 and positioned to span across the cavity 40.

[0060] In some embodiments, the packed insulation 54 can be held together with an adhesive or binder to retain a rigid or semi rigid shape that expands and assists to hold itself into the cavity by the nature of this inherent rigidity. Alternatively, the packed insulation may be free of a binder or adhesive, and can be held by a constraint such as a film, fabric or mesh that can enclose the packed insulation 54.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a representative perspective view of an installation tool 100 coupled to a robot 190 for robotic installation of loose fill insulation 50 in cavities 40 of a building 10, in accordance with certain embodiments. The robot 190 can include a base 102 with a plurality of wheels 104 mounted to the base 102. The wheels 104 can be multi-directional wheels that can be used to move the base 102 in any horizontal direction which can allow the robot to easily move from one cavity 40 to another. The wheels 104 can be replaced with autonomously controlled articulating legs that can maneuver the base 102 in any horizontal direction and move the base 102 in a vertical direction for a limited distance. It will further be appreciated that other methods of locomotion of the robot may be employed, such as treads, belts, slides, skis, runners, or hovercraft.

[0062] The arm 160 can be a multiple segment articulating arm for manipulating the tool 100. The first feeder 120 can be positioned in the base and used to feed the membrane 30 to the head 110 for attachment to the adjacent support structures 20. The barrier 140 can be extended into the cavity 40 to minimize loss of insulation from the cavity 40 past the barrier 140. The second feeder 130 can supply loose fill insulation 50 to the cavity 40 from a blower 132. Alternatively, or in addition to, the arm 160 can be a scissor-type lift arm that moves the tool 100 vertically, with the base performing horizontal movement as needed.

[0063] The base 102 can include a sensor 180 which can be a distance sensor (e.g., Light Detection and Ranging sensor LIDAR, Radar, Sonar, 2-dimensional camera, 3D camera, etc.). The robot 190 can use the sensor 180 to scan and map the cavities in a room in which the loose fill insulation 50 is to be installed. The robot 190 can use the room mapping for positioning the tool 100 at the appropriate set of adjacent support structures 20 to begin filling a cavity 40.

[0064] The robot 190 can also use a three-dimensional (3D) depth sensor 182 (e.g., a 3D profile sensor, a computer 3D vision system, a 3D image object recognition, a stereo 2D image sensor, a 3D image sensor, etc.) to provide a visual 3D identification of the cavity 40 to be filled by the insulation. These sensors can be used by an artificial intelligence (AI) controller 170 to provide automatic cavity detection (e.g., via AI image recognition). The AI controller 170 can provide control of the tool 100 as well as provide control for the robot 190.

[0065] The AI controller 170 can be used to control the blower 132, the tool 100, and the robot 190 to automatically control density of the loose fill insulation 50 as it is installed in the cavity 40. The AI controller 170 can adjust the density of the loose fill insulation 50 by adjusting a volumetric rate of the loose fill insulation 50 delivered to the cavity 40 via the second feeder 130 and by adjusting a speed of travel of the tool 100 along the adjacent support structures 20.

[0066] A density sensor 184 can be used to measure a density of the loose fill insulation 50 in the cavity 40 after the tool 100 has filled the cavity with the loose fill insulation 50 or while the tool 100 is filling the cavity with the loose fill insulation 50. By detecting the insulation density during the installation, the tool 100 or blower 132 can be controlled to increase or decrease the insulation density in the cavity in real-time. By detecting the insulation density after the installation, the AI controller 170 (or non-AI controller 170) can log the density measurements and can present these to a user 12 in a job report to verify compliance with insulation requirements.

[0067] The AI controller 170 can autonomously control installation of the insulation without human interaction, or the AI controller 170 (or non-AI controller 170) can semi-autonomously control the installation with the user 12 providing periodic input to confirm the next operations or validate previous operations.

[0068] The loose fill insulation 50 can be unbindered fiberglass insulation, a ground bindered fiberglass insulation, a stone wool fiber, a textile fiber, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose material, a polymer (such as a polymer fiber, foam bead, or polymer particle), a mineral fiber or particle (such as a vermiculite or perlite).

[0069] The membrane 30 can comprise a fabric, a woven material, a non-woven material, a spunbond material, or a polymer sheet. It can also be a film or foil, such as a plastic, a metal or a metalized film. Such membranes may have a variety of properties to aid in the building construction and building envelope process, such as being either moisture vapor open, or moisture vapor closed, or having a variable moisture vapor property depending to temperature and humidity. Alternately the material may have a static moisture vapor property but allow for air passage through the fabric or polymer sheet. Such materials may have combinations of properties that may help the building and cavity construction meet air permeance, air tightness, moisture permeance, or other building code requirements for the final construction.

[0070] FIGS. 8A-8D are representative views of a detail 8 area shown in FIG. 2 that illustrate examples of a barrier 140, in accordance with certain embodiments. In a non-limiting embodiment, the barrier 140 can include one or more brushes 144 (as shown in FIG. 8B) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the one or more brushes 144. The barrier 140 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the one or more brushes 144 to other components of the head 110. The edge 145 can support coupling the flexible hose of the second feeder 130 to the barrier 140.

[0071] In a non-limiting embodiment, the barrier 140 can include a flexible material 141 (as shown in FIG. 8A) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass by one or more portions of the flexible material 141. The barrier 140 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the flexible material 141 to other components of the head 110. The edge 145 can support coupling the flexible hose of the second feeder 130 to the barrier 140.

[0072] In a non-limiting embodiment, the barrier 140 can include a plurality of flexible strips 146 (as shown in FIG. 8C) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of flexible strips 146. The barrier 140 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the plurality of flexible strips 146 to other components of the head 110. The edge 145 can support coupling the flexible hose of the second feeder 130 to the barrier 140.

[0073] In a non-limiting embodiment, the barrier 140 can include a plurality of wheels 149 (as shown in FIG. 8D) rotationally coupled to a respective flexible strip 148 that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of wheels 149. The barrier 140 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the plurality of flexible strips 148 to other components of the head 110. The edge 145 can support coupling the flexible hose of the second feeder 130 to the barrier 140.

[0074] The materials in FIGS. 8A-8D can also be combined to form a barrier 140. It should be understood that these examples are not exclusive to other materials and configurations, as long as the materials allow the barrier 140 to allow obstructions 14 to pass through or by the barrier 140 while the barrier 140 substantially prevents loss of the insulation past the barrier 140.

[0075] FIGS. 9A-9D are representative partial cross-section views along line 9-9 as shown in FIG. 3 that illustrate examples of a shield 142, in accordance with certain embodiments. The shield 142 can be coupled to the shield 142 as is shown in an example in FIG. 4E. In a non-limiting embodiment, the shield 142 can include one or more brushes 144 (as shown in FIG. 9B) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the one or more brushes 144. The shield 142 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the one or more brushes 144 to the barrier 140.

[0076] In a non-limiting embodiment, the shield 142 can include a flexible material 143 (as shown in FIG. 9A) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass by one or more portions of the flexible material 143. The shield 142 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the flexible material 143 to the barrier 140.

[0077] In a non-limiting embodiment, the shield 142 can include a plurality of flexible strips 146 (as shown in FIG. 9C) that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of flexible strips 146. The shield 142 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the plurality of flexible strips 146 to the barrier 140.

[0078] In a non-limiting embodiment, the shield 142 can include a plurality of wheels 149 (as shown in FIG. 9D) rotationally coupled to a respective flexible strip 148 that can extend into the cavity 40 and allow the one or more obstructions 14 to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of wheels 149. The shield 142 can include a rigid or semi-rigid edge 145 for coupling the plurality of flexible strips 148 to the barrier 140.

[0079] The materials in FIGS. 9A-9D can also be combined to form a shield 142. It should be understood that these examples are not exclusive to other materials and configurations, as long as the materials allow the shield 142 to allow obstructions 14 to pass through or by the shield 142 while the shield 142 substantially prevents loss of the insulation past the shield 142.

[0080] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0081] The use of a or an is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise.

[0082] The use of the word about, approximately, generally, or substantially is intended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. Thus, differences of up to ten percent (10%) for the value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of exactly as described. A significant difference can be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%).

VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0083] Embodiment 1. A tool for installing insulation, the tool comprising:

[0084] a head configured to span a cavity;

[0085] a first feeder configured to feed a membrane to the head, wherein the head is configured to fix the membrane across the cavity as the head moves along the cavity; and

[0086] a second feeder configured to feed insulation into the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0087] Embodiment 2. The tool of embodiment 1, further comprising a cutter that severs a portion of the membrane from a remaining portion of the membrane, wherein the cutter is configured to cut the portion of the membrane to a desired length to accommodate a length of the cavity.

[0088] Embodiment 3. The tool of embodiment 2, wherein the cutter comprises at least one of:

[0089] an edge that slices through the membrane;

[0090] a heated bar or wire that burns or melts though the membrane;

[0091] an edge that tears the membrane;

[0092] an edge that sheers the membrane;

[0093] a laser that burns through the membrane; or

[0094] combinations thereof.

[0095] Embodiment 4. The tool of embodiment 2, wherein the cutter is disposed with the head, with the first feeder, or is standalone between the head and the first feeder.

[0096] Embodiment 5. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the cavity comprises a left side, a right side, and a back side, and wherein the right side opposes the left side.

[0097] Embodiment 6. The tool of embodiment 5, wherein the cavity is formed between adjacent support structures, and wherein the adjacent support structures form the left side and the right side of the cavity.

[0098] Embodiment 7. The tool of embodiment 6, wherein the membrane is compressed by the head to be essentially flush with the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

[0099] Embodiment 8. The tool of embodiment 6, wherein the adjacent support structures are part of an interior wall, or an exterior wall, or a floor, or a ceiling, or a roof, or an attic in a building.

[0100] Embodiment 9. The tool of embodiment 8, wherein the adjacent support structures have a sheathing attached to a side of the adjacent support structures that is opposite to a side on which the membrane is to be attached.

[0101] Embodiment 10. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the head comprises a barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the barrier is configured to extend into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier.

[0102] Embodiment 11. The tool of embodiment 10, wherein the head and the barrier adapt to various cavity sizes.

[0103] Embodiment 12. The tool of embodiment 10, wherein the barrier is configured to allow at least a portion of the barrier to selectively move around one or more obstructions in the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0104] Embodiment 13. The tool of embodiment 12, wherein the barrier comprises:

[0105] one or more brushes that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the one or more brushes;

[0106] a flexible material that molds around the one or more obstructions;

[0107] a plurality of flexible strips that extend into the cavity and allow the one or more obstructions to pass through one or more portions of the plurality of flexible strips;

[0108] a plurality of wheels that extend into the cavity and roll over the one or more obstructions; or

[0109] a combination thereof.

[0110] Embodiment 14. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the first feeder is configured to retrieve the membrane from a storage location.

[0111] Embodiment 15. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the membrane comprises a fabric, a woven material, static vapor retarder material, a variable vapor retarder material, a non-woven material, a spunbond material, a polymer sheet, a film, or a foil, or combinations thereof.

[0112] Embodiment 16. The tool of embodiment 15, wherein the film or the foil comprises a plastic, a metal, or a metalized film.

[0113] Embodiment 17. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the second feeder is configured to receive insulation from a blower and direct the insulation into the cavity.

[0114] Embodiment 18. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the insulation comprises an unbindered fiberglass insulation, a ground bindered fiberglass insulation, a stone wool fiber, a textile fiber, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose material, a polymer, a polymer fiber, foam beads, polymer particles, a mineral fiber, particles, vermiculite particles, perlite particles, or combinations thereof.

[0115] Embodiment 19. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the insulation is supplied to the second feeder from an insulation roll, and wherein the second feeder and the head cooperate to feed a portion of the insulation roll into the cavity.

[0116] Embodiment 20. The tool of embodiment 19, further comprising a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to cut the insulation to separate the portion of the insulation from a remaining portion of the insulation roll.

[0117] Embodiment 21. The tool of embodiment 1, wherein the membrane is attached to the insulation and the insulation is rolled together to form an insulation roll, wherein the first feeder is configured to retrieve the membrane with the insulation roll, and wherein the second feeder and the head cooperate together to feed a portion of the insulation roll into the cavity.

[0118] Embodiment 22. The tool of embodiment 21, further comprising a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to cut the membrane and the insulation to separate the portion of the insulation from a remaining portion of the insulation roll.

[0119] Embodiment 23. The tool of embodiment 1, further comprising:

[0120] a robotic arm that engages the tool and manipulates the tool to install insulation into the cavity.

[0121] Embodiment 24. The tool of embodiment 1, further comprising:

[0122] a handle that engages the tool, wherein the handle is configured for manipulation by an operator.

[0123] Embodiment 25. A method for installing insulation, the method comprising:

[0124] engaging adjacent support structures in a building with a tool, the tool comprising:

[0125] a head;

[0126] a first feeder; and

[0127] a second feeder;

[0128] feeding, via the first feeder, a membrane to the head;

[0129] attaching the membrane to the adjacent support structures; and

[0130] feeding, via the second feeder, insulation into a cavity between the adjacent support structures.

[0131] Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 25, further comprising compressing the membrane, via the head, to be essentially flush with the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

[0132] Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the insulation is loose fill insulation, and wherein feeding the insulation comprises feeding the insulation in the cavity such that a density of the loose fill insulation is substantially uniform throughout the cavity.

[0133] Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 25, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving insulation that is already attached to the membrane and inserting the insulation into the cavity.

[0134] Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the insulation is formed as a roll of insulation with the membrane attached to the insulation prior to insertion into the cavity.

[0135] Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 29, further comprising:

[0136] unrolling, via the second feeder, insulation from the roll;

[0137] inserting at least a portion of the roll into the cavity; and

[0138] cutting the insulation to separate the portion of the roll from a remaining portion of the roll.

[0139] Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 30, further comprising:

[0140] engaging a second set of adjacent support structures in the building with the tool;

[0141] unrolling, via the second feeder, additional insulation from the remaining portion of the roll;

[0142] inserting the additional insulation into a second cavity between the second set of adjacent support structures; and

[0143] cutting the insulation to separate the additional insulation from a second remaining portion of the roll; and

[0144] attaching, via the head, the membrane to the second set of adjacent support structures.

[0145] Embodiment 32. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the insulation is loose fill insulation, and wherein feeding the insulation further comprises feeding the loose fill insulation in the cavity such that a density of the loose fill insulation is substantially uniform throughout the cavity.

[0146] Embodiment 33. The method of embodiment 25, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving loose fill insulation from a blower and injecting the loose fill insulation into the cavity.

[0147] Embodiment 34. The method of embodiment 33, further comprising:

[0148] extending a barrier from the head into the cavity, and

[0149] substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier.

[0150] Embodiment 35. The method of embodiment 34, wherein the barrier adjusts to obstructions in the cavity as the tool moves along the adjacent support structures.

[0151] Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 33, further comprising:

[0152] expelling air through the membrane as the loose fill insulation is blown into the cavity, while substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity through the membrane while the loose fill insulation is being injected into the cavity.

[0153] Embodiment 37. The method of embodiment 25, wherein attaching the membrane further comprises:

[0154] physically attaching the membrane to the adjacent support structures.

[0155] Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 25, wherein attaching the membrane further comprises:

[0156] driving fasteners through the membrane into the adjacent support structures as the membrane is laid over the adjacent support structures;

[0157] applying adhesive or adhesive strips between the membrane and the adjacent support structures as the membrane is laid over the adjacent support structures;

[0158] activating an adhesive or an adhesive strip that has been pre-applied to the membrane as the membrane is laid over the adjacent support structures;

[0159] spraying an adhesive on left and right edges of the membrane and engaging the left and right edges to the adjacent support structures 20 as the membrane is laid over the adjacent support structures; or

[0160] a combination thereof.

[0161] Embodiment 39. The method of embodiment 38, wherein the fasteners that are driven through the membrane are at least one of staples, nails, screws, tacks, tacking strips, and nailing strips.

[0162] Embodiment 40. The method of embodiment 25, further comprising:

[0163] engaging the tool with a robot; and

[0164] manipulating the tool via the robot to perform the engaging, feeding, and attaching.

[0165] Embodiment 41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the robot comprises a robotic arm and the method further comprises manipulating the tool via the robotic arm.

[0166] Embodiment 42. The method of embodiment 40, further comprising measuring a density of the insulation that is fed into the cavity via a density measurement device.

[0167] Embodiment 43. The method of embodiment 42, further comprising adjusting, via the robot, a rate at which the insulation is fed into the cavity by the second feeder based on measurements of the density measurement device.

[0168] Embodiment 44. The method of embodiment 25, further comprising:

[0169] engaging the tool with a handle; and

[0170] manipulating the tool via the handle to perform the engaging, feeding, and attaching.

[0171] Embodiment 45. The tool of embodiment 1, further comprising:

[0172] a barrier, wherein the barrier is configured for manipulation by an operator.

[0173] Embodiment 46. The tool of embodiment 10, wherein the barrier is configured to rotate to different orientations with respect to the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0174] Embodiment 47. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the barrier is configured for manipulation by an operator.

[0175] Embodiment 48. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the barrier is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

[0176] Embodiment 49. The tool of embodiment 10, wherein the head further comprises a shield coupled to the barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the shield is configured to extend from the barrier into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield.

[0177] Embodiment 50. The tool of embodiment 49, wherein the shield is configured to rotate to different orientations with respect to the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0178] Embodiment 51. The tool of embodiment 49, wherein the shield is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

[0179] Embodiment 52. The tool of embodiment 49, wherein the shield is configured for manipulation by an operator.

[0180] Embodiment 53. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the head further comprises a shield coupled to the barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the shield is configured to extend from the barrier into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield.

[0181] Embodiment 54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the shield is configured to rotate to different orientations with respect to the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0182] Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the shield is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

[0183] Embodiment 56. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the shield is configured for manipulation by an operator.

[0184] Embodiment 57. A tool for installing insulation, the tool comprising:

[0185] a head configured to span a cavity;

[0186] a first feeder configured to feed a membrane to the head, wherein the head is configured to fix the membrane across the cavity as the head moves along the cavity; and

[0187] a second feeder configured to feed insulation into the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0188] Embodiment 58. The tool of embodiment 57, further comprising a cutter that severs a portion of the membrane from a remaining portion of the membrane, wherein the cutter is configured to cut the portion of the membrane to a desired length to accommodate a length of the cavity.

[0189] Embodiment 59. The tool of embodiment 57, wherein the cavity comprises a left side, a right side, and a back side, wherein the right side opposes the left side, wherein the cavity is formed between adjacent support structures, wherein the adjacent support structures form the left side and the right side of the cavity, and wherein the membrane is compressed by the head to be essentially flush with a front side of the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

[0190] Embodiment 60. The tool of any one of embodiments 57-59, wherein the head comprises a barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the barrier is configured to extend into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier.

[0191] Embodiment 61. The tool of embodiment 60, wherein the barrier is configured to allow at least a portion of the barrier to selectively move around one or more obstructions in the cavity as the head moves along the cavity.

[0192] Embodiment 62. The tool of embodiment 60, wherein the barrier is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

[0193] Embodiment 63. The tool of embodiment 60, wherein the head further comprises a shield, wherein the barrier is coupled to the second feeder, receives the insulation from the second feeder, and directs the insulation into the cavity, wherein the shield is attached to the barrier, and wherein at least a portion of the shield is configured to extend into the cavity and substantially prevent insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield.

[0194] Embodiment 64. The tool of any one of embodiments 57-59, wherein the second feeder is configured to:

[0195] receive insulation from a blower and direct the insulation into the cavity; or

[0196] receive insulation from an insulation roll and direct the insulation into the cavity.

[0197] Embodiment 65. A method for installing insulation, the method comprising:

[0198] engaging adjacent support structures in a building with a tool, the tool comprising:

[0199] a head;

[0200] a first feeder; and

[0201] a second feeder;

[0202] feeding, via the first feeder, a membrane to the head;

[0203] attaching the membrane to the adjacent support structures; and

[0204] feeding, via the second feeder, insulation into a cavity between the adjacent support structures.

[0205] Embodiment 66. The method of embodiment 65, further comprising compressing the membrane, via the head, to be essentially flush with the adjacent support structures that define the cavity.

[0206] Embodiment 67. The method of embodiment 65, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving insulation that is already attached to the membrane and inserting the insulation into the cavity.

[0207] Embodiment 68. The method of embodiment 65, wherein feeding the insulation further comprises receiving loose fill insulation from a blower and injecting the loose fill insulation into the cavity.

[0208] Embodiment 69. The method of embodiment 68, further comprising:

[0209] extending a barrier from the head into the cavity, and

[0210] substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity past the barrier, wherein the barrier adjusts to obstructions in the cavity as the tool moves along the adjacent support structures.

[0211] Embodiment 70. The method of embodiment 68, further comprising:

[0212] attaching a barrier to the head, the barrier having a shield mounted thereto;

[0213] extending a shield from the barrier into the cavity; and

[0214] substantially preventing the loose fill insulation from exiting the cavity past the shield, wherein the shield adjusts to obstructions in the cavity as the tool moves along the adjacent support structures.

[0215] Embodiment 71. The method of any one of embodiments 65-68, further comprising:

[0216] engaging the tool with a robot or a handle; and

[0217] manipulating the tool via the robot or the handle to perform the engaging, feeding, and attaching.

[0218] While the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and tables and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims. Further, although individual embodiments are discussed herein, the disclosure is intended to cover all combinations of these embodiments.