Self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone
OwnerMichael Hacikyaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone includes a base configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to the weld zone and an adhesive skirt extending from the base and configured to engage portions of the air passage. An adhesive on the adhesive skirt allows the skirt to be adhered to the air passage. An optional removable backing covers the adhesive prior to installation. The purge dam is installed by peeling the removable backing (if present) and exposing the adhesive for adhesion.
Claims48
A self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone, comprising:
- a base configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to said weld zone;
- an adhesive skirt on said base configured to engage portions of said air passage;
- adhesive on said adhesive skirt for adhering said skirt to said air passage;
- and
- a removable backing covering said adhesive;
- whereby said purge dam can be installed by removing said removable backing and exposing said adhesive for adhesion.
A method for fabricating a self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone, comprising:
- patterning a planar material sheet to facilitate subsequent shape-forming of the patterned material sheet into a non-planar article;
- shape-forming said patterned material sheet to provide a non-planar article;
- either prior to or after shape-forming said patterned material sheet, applying adhesive and a removable adhesive backing to a portion of said patterned material sheet;
- and
- said non-planar article including:
- a base configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to said weld zone;
- an adhesive skirt on said base configured to engage portions of said air passage;
- adhesive on said skirt for adhering said skirt to said air passage;
- and
- a removable backing covering said adhesive;
- whereby said purge dam can be installed by removing said removable backing and exposing said adhesive for adhesion.
A method for fabricating a self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone, comprising:
- patterning a planar material sheet to define a configuration to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to said weld zone;
- attaching an adhesive skirt to a base portion of said patterned material sheet;
- said skirt being configured to engage portions of said air passage;
- and
- said skirt having adhesive and a removable adhesive backing covering said adhesive;
- whereby said purge dam can be installed by removing said removable backing and exposing said adhesive for adhesion.
A method for installing a purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone, comprising:
- selecting a self-adhesive purge dam having adhesive on a base portion thereof and a removable backing covering said adhesive;
- said purge dam being sized to substantially block an air passage leading to said weld zone;
- removing said backing from said adhesive;
- placing said purge dam in said air passage;
- and
- adhering said adhesive to portions of said air passage.
A self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone, comprising:
- an laterally interior portion extending to a laterally peripheral portion configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to said weld zone;
- adhesive on said peripheral portion for adhering said peripheral portion to said air passage;
- and
- means for preventing adhesion of said adhesive to said air passage prior to installation;
- whereby said purge dam can be installed by adhering said adhesive to said air passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.