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US 7,043,815 B2Granted
Method for applying flowable materials
AssigneeL&L Products, Inc.
InventorsMaurice Lande, Michael J. Czaplicki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for applying melt flowable materials to components of articles of manufacture. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein are concerned with formation of appropriate flowable materials, control over the manner in which the flowable materials are applied, treatment of the components prior to application of the flowable materials and the like. Moreover, the apparatuses and methods may be particularly suited for applying flowable materials to surfaces and components found in automotive, aerospace, and marine vehicles.
Claims22
A method for applying a flowable material to a plurality of components for one or more automotive vehicles the method comprising:
- providing a first surface of the plurality of components;
- providing a dispenser capable of applying the flowable material to the plurality of components;
- providing an automated apparatus for moving the plurality of components during application of the flowable material to the plurality of components, the automated apparatus being selected from a carousel or a robot arm;
- applying the flowable material with the dispenser upon the first surface of the plurality of components in a slightly flowable state such that the flowable material wets and adheres to the first surface;
- and
- transporting the plurality of components to or within an assembly plant;
- assembling the plurality of components to the one or more automotive vehicles prior to painting the body of the one or more automotive vehicles;
- and
- expanding the flowable material through the use of heat typically encountered in an e-coat or other automotive paint oven operation.
6 more elements
A method for applying a flowable material to a component of an article of manfacture, the method comprising:
- providing a first surface of the component;
- and
- extruding the flowable material upon the first surface in a slightly flowable state such that the flowable material wets and adheres to the first surfacem the flowable material being extruded with an automated apparatus, which includes:
- (i) a supply of the flowable material, the flowable material being provided as pellets in a container;
- (ii) an extruder in communication with the supply of flowable material for receiving the pellets, the extruder capable of intermixing the pellets of flowable
2 more elements
A method for applying a flowable material to a component of an article of manufacture, the method comprising:
- providing a first surface of the component;
- and
- extruding the flowable material upon the first surface in a slightly flowable state such that the flowable material wets and adheres to the first surface, the flowable material being extruded with an automated apparatus, which includes:
- i) a supply of the flowable material, the flowable material being provided as pellets in a container;
- ii) an extruder in communication with the supply of flowable material for receiving the pellets, the extruder capable of intermixing the pellets of flowable material into a viscoelastic state and dispensing the flowable material, the extruder including a rotatable screw for dispensing the flowable material wherein the extruder includes a nozzle arrangement including an extrusion die through which material is extruded from the extruder to the component and wherein the extruder die is attached to the extruder with a quick change attachment device selected from a quick nut and bolt fastener, a hydraulic quick connect fastener or a male/female quick connect fastener and further wherein the extrusion die includes a plurality of openings for emitting a plurality of beads of flowable material;
- iii) a system for moving the extrusion component during dispensing of the flowable material wherein the system includes a robot arm, a conveyor or a carousel for moving the component;
- and
- iv) a programmable logic controller in communication with the extruder and the system wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed with a profile that relates an output rate of flowable material to a position angle of the extruder and a rotational speed of the extruder screw and wherein the programmable logic controller employs closed loop control in conjunction with the profile to set the output rate at a desired level and wherein the controller is programmed to reverse a direction of rotation of the extruder screw for retracting the flowable material a short distance after an application of the flowable material to the component.
5 more elements
A method for applying a flowable material to a component for an automotive vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a first surface of a plurality of components of an automotive vehicle, each of the plurality of components being formed of plastic and including a cavity, a gap or a seam at least partially defined by the first surface;
- providing a dispenser capable of applying the flowable material to the plurality of components, the dispenser including a metering system and the material being an adhesive sealant;
- providing an automated apparatus for moving the plurality of components during application of the flowable material to the plurality of components wherein the automated apparatus is a carousel and the plurality of components are mounted upon supports associated with the carousel;
- applying the flowable material with the dispenser as a bead to the cavity, gap or seam that is at least partially defined by the first surface of the plurality of components in a slightly flowable state such that the flowable material wets and adheres to the first surface wherein the flowable material is applied in metered amounts about the periphery of each of the plurality of components using the metering system;
- and
- transporting the component along with a plurality of other components to or within an assembly plant;
- assembling the component to the automotive vehicle prior to painting the body of the automotive vehicle;
- and
- expanding the flowable material through the use of heat typically encountered in an e-coat or other automotive paint oven operation.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.