GB2289230A

GB2289230A - Applicator nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2289230A
Application number: GB9408996A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Charles Porter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-06
Filing date: 1994-05-06
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Also published as: GB9408996D0

Abstract

An applicator device has a nozzle by which mastic material can be extruded into a desirable profile, and then installed onto a work piece. This shape or profile of the nozzle tip and therefore the extruded material is that which is best described as an extended D [drawing (C1) x ]. The tapering sides are there to form the variation of width when required, together with parallel curved top and flat bottom surfaces. Obtaining various widths of material conforming to this profile over the device's entire range is possible, by removing the required section of the tip. This is now made available without any variation to the cross sectional height of the material extruded. <IMAGE>

Description

APPLICATOR DEVICE The invention relates to a applicator device, and concerns in particular a mechanism for use with a mastic applicator.

Most motor manufacturers from around the world use numerous types of mastic sealers during the manufacture of car bodies, mainly for rust prevention and/or to stop water ingression to interior spaces.

In general, the sealer is extruded into place, as a strip or bead, from a nozzle affixed to a suitable container, and for the most part this sealer is not visible when the car is constructed and so does not require to be decorative.

However, some areas where the sealer is permanently on view can be observed around the inside of the doors, boot, tailgate, and bonnet, at the point where the steel skin is folded onto the frame (this fold is commonly termed a hemming flange). The sealer bead which provides the flexible corrosion barrier is visible when any of these access panels are opened, and because of its semi-exposed position its implementation requires an element of decorative continuity.

During the production of new panels and the eventual construction of a new vehicle, manufacturers use machinery to achieve this sealer beading. This then provides continuity of shape and position over the production cycle for many thousands of identical units. The problems of replicating this sealer beading to panels becomes evident when at a later stage of its life the vehicle suffers panel damage as a result of an accident, and the panel skin is deemed uneconomical to repair.

The task for the specialist repairer is to replace, for example a damaged door skin (the outer part of the door), and duplicate as near as possible the manufacturers original pre-damaged condition of the panel, including the sealer beading.

After the old skin is removed along with the original manufacturers sealer bead a new door skin is folded over the old frame (this operation is normally achieved by hand) and after welding the skin to the frame the manufacturers specifications require that a new sealer bead is produced to provide as mentioned a corrosion-free repair and to replicate as best as possible the original sealing.

The present invention proposes a application nozzle attached to a mastic container, to ensure or at least increase the chances of - the strip or bead of sealant being of neat and tidy appearance more in tune with refurnish industry requirements. More specifically, it suggests a mastic applicator/ nozzle, which device comprises: a specifically shaped nozzle through which the sealer is to be extruded onto the surface to be coated.

It is in the design ofthe nozzle that significant improvements can be made. Previous designs relies on the fact that to increase the width of the extruded sealant bead, a section of the tip is removed by cutting corresponding to the required width. Unfortunately because all the sides of the device are tapered, cutting to increase the width of the bead will also increase the cross sectional height/depth of the extruded bead, and not necessary in proportion to the requirements of the application.

To over come this shortfall, provision has been made to the design and now includes the use of parallel upper and lower surfaces to the working tip of the nozzle with conventional tapered sides together with a modified D shaped tip orifice. This combination provides for the varying widths of sealant with the required profile, together with the desired consistency to the depth, or cross sectional height of the extruded bead, over its entire range band. To be more precise the shape of the nozzle is confirmed in the accompanying diagrams, the modified (D) shape allows for a correct profile bead corresponding to most manufactures original format of shape and width.

Some specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings (C1) Illustrates the nozzle on it's own, attention is drawn to the orifice profile marked by (X) this is best described as an extended D shape.

(C2) Illustrates in profile two nozzles attached to guidance devices (Y) (not part of this application} demonstrating how the device would be used in operation together with the working tip in a three dimensional form.

(C3) Illustrates the nozzle in three dimensional form, once again attached to a guidance device.

(C4) Illustrates an operator using the nozzle with a guidance device together with a mastic application gun.

Claims

(1) Applicator device which device comprises-: a mastic/sealer material nozzle through which any suitable material can be extruded. On to a surface to be coated, in a predefined shape, and in a redefined width determined by the application (2) An applicator device as claimed in claim (1) wherein the nozzle design described, takes the shape of a tapered rectangle, evolving from a common base.

(3) An applicator device as claimed in claim (1 & 2) wherein the nozzle design is constructed so that the working area or tip, top and bottom surfaces that are parallel.

(4) An applicator device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle shape uses two tapering sides to effect a change to the width of material extruded.

(5) An applicator device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle is so designed as to include a tip shape that best corresponds to a tapering extended (D) shape. This (D) shaped profile tapers so that if the length is reduced, the cross sectional height is not effected with the only desirable effect being the increasing width of the extruded material.

(6) An applicator device as claimed in claims (1-5) wherein the nozzle orifice shape is defined as any shape similar to the shape described wether it be rectangular or a (D) shape in appearance, or any similar profile contrasting to that which is hear described. By way of effecting the angles of taper curves or dimensions.

(7) An applicator device as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as described hereinbefore.