Sealing method and article

A method for sealing a joint formed in the floor of a roof ditch of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing over said joint an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width and (ii) a shaped polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary,
• said cross-sectional profile of said cap being characterized by a pair of opposed extensions to secure said article in place over said joint;
• (b) heating said article to cause said melt-flowable composition to flow and seal said joint,
• said cap controlling the melt-flow behavior of said melt-flowable composition to substantially confine said melt-flowable composition to the area underneath said cap;
• and
• (c) allowing said article to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said melt-flowable composition after said article is cooled.

A method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a sealant composition over said discontinuity;
• (b) placing over said composition a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary;
• (c) heating said sealant composition to cause said composition to seal said discontinuity,
• said cap controlling the behavior of said composition to substantially confine said sealant to the area underneath said cap;
• and
• (d) allowing said composition and said cap to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said sealant composition after cooling.