Method of providing flow control of heat activated sealant using a combination sealant/flow control agent
AssigneeAdco Products, Inc.
InventorsRichard Bolling, Michael E. Speicher, David Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of controlling the flow of a heat activated expandable sealant is provided in which a heat activated sealant is coated with a flow control agent having a melt flow rate which is lower than that of the sealant. The combination sealant/flow control agent is preferably used to seal gaps or cavities in parts such as components in automotive vehicles with minimal sagging.
Claims12
A combination consisting of a heat activated expandable sealant and a flow control agent directly contacting and covering at least a portion of the surface of said sealant, said combination overlying a gap or cavity in a substrate with said sealant directly contacting said substrate;
- wherein said heat activated expandable sealant has a melt flow rate which is higher than the melt flow rate of said flow control agent;
- and wherein said heat activated expandable sealant has been heated to a temperature sufficient to cause said sealant to flow into and seal said gap or cavity;
- and wherein said heat activated expandable sealant with said flow control agent exhibits less sagging over said gap or cavity than a heat activated expandable sealant without said flow control agent.
A combination consisting of a heat activated expandable sealant and a flow control agent directly contacting and covering at least a portion of the surface of said sealant, said combination overlying a gap or cavity in a substrate with said sealant directly contacting said substrate;
- wherein said heat activated expandable sealant includes a blowing agent and said sealant has been heated to a temperature sufficient to cause said sealant to flow into and seal said gap or cavity;
- and wherein said heat activated expandable sealant has a melt flow rate which is higher than the melt flow rate of said flow control agent.
A combination consisting of a heat activated expandable sealant and a flow control agent directly contacting and covering at least a portion of the surface of said sealant, said flow control agent comprising polyvinyl acetate, said combination overlying and sealing a gap or cavity in a substrate with said sealant directly contacting said substrate;
- wherein said heat activated expandable sealant has a melt flow rate which is higher than the melt flow rate of said flow control agent.
A combination consisting of a heat activated expandable sealant in the form of a thermoformed part and a flow control agent directly contacting and covering at least a portion of the surface of said sealant said combination overlying and sealing a gap or cavity in a substrate with said sealant directly contacting said substrate;
- said heat activated expandable sealant having a melt flow rate which is higher than the melt flow rate of said flow control agent.
A combination consisting of a heat activated expandable sealant and a flow control agent directly contacting and covering at least a portion of the surface of said sealant, said combination overlying and sealing a gap or cavity in substrate with said sealant directly contacting said substrate;
- wherein said heat activated expandable sealant has a melt flow rate which is higher than the melt flow rate of said flow control agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.