SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A FITTED CAP FOR APPLYING A SHAPED SEALANT SHROUD TO A PORTION OF A FASTENER
First Claim
1. A system for making a fitted cap, the fitted cap configured to apply a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the system comprising:
- a support plate, comprising;
a first side;
a second side, opposite the first side; and
a first plurality of through-openings, penetrating the support plate from the first side through to the second side;
a fastener template, dimensionally identical to the portion of the fastener and extending from the first side of the support plate such that the first plurality of through-openings is arranged about the fastener template;
a precursor cap, comprising a first surface, geometrically complementary to the fastener template, and a second surface, opposite the first surface and parallel to the first surface;
first means for heating a first polymer sheet to a specified temperature; and
second means for applying suction to the first polymer sheet, positioned a predetermined distance from the first side of the support plate and heated to the specified temperature by the first means, through the first plurality of through-openings from the second side of the support plate to vacuum-form the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, wherein the second means is configured to apply the suction such that;
after vacuum-forming the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, at least a portion of the first polymer sheet forms the fitted cap anda first inner surface of the fitted cap is geometrically complementary to the second surface of the precursor cap.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (200) for making a fitted cap (300) comprises a fastener template (202), dimensionally identical to a portion (106) of a fastener (100) and extending from a support plate (210), and a first plurality of through-openings (212) penetrating the support plate (210) and arranged about the fastener template (202). The system (200) also comprises a precursor cap (320) that is geometrically complementary to the fastener template (202), first means (217) for heating a first polymer sheet (270), and second means (219) for applying suction to the first polymer sheet (270) through the first plurality of through-openings (212) to vacuum-form the first polymer sheet (270) over the precursor cap (320). After vacuum-forming the first polymer sheet (270) over the precursor cap (320), at least a portion of the first polymer sheet (270) forms the fitted cap (300). The fitted cap (300) is configured to apply a shaped sealant shroud (590) to the portion (106) of the fastener (100).
0 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A system for making a fitted cap, the fitted cap configured to apply a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the system comprising:
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a support plate, comprising; a first side; a second side, opposite the first side; and a first plurality of through-openings, penetrating the support plate from the first side through to the second side; a fastener template, dimensionally identical to the portion of the fastener and extending from the first side of the support plate such that the first plurality of through-openings is arranged about the fastener template; a precursor cap, comprising a first surface, geometrically complementary to the fastener template, and a second surface, opposite the first surface and parallel to the first surface; first means for heating a first polymer sheet to a specified temperature; and second means for applying suction to the first polymer sheet, positioned a predetermined distance from the first side of the support plate and heated to the specified temperature by the first means, through the first plurality of through-openings from the second side of the support plate to vacuum-form the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, wherein the second means is configured to apply the suction such that; after vacuum-forming the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, at least a portion of the first polymer sheet forms the fitted cap and a first inner surface of the fitted cap is geometrically complementary to the second surface of the precursor cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11-50. -50. (canceled)
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51. A method of making a fitted cap, the fitted cap configured to apply a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the method comprising steps of:
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covering a fastener template with a precursor cap, wherein; the fastener template extends from a first side of a support plate; the support plate comprises a second side, opposite the first side, and a first plurality of through-openings, penetrating the support plate from the first side through to the second side and arranged about the fastener template; the precursor cap comprises a first surface, geometrically complementary to the fastener template, and a second surface, opposite the first surface and parallel to the first surface; and the fastener template is dimensionally identical to the portion of the fastener; heating a first polymer sheet to a specified temperature; and applying suction to the first polymer sheet, positioned a predetermined distance from the first side of the support plate and heated to the specified temperature, through the first plurality of through-openings from the second side of the support plate to vacuum-form the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, wherein; after vacuum-forming the first polymer sheet over the precursor cap, at least a portion of the first polymer sheet forms the fitted cap and a first inner surface of the fitted cap is geometrically complementary to the second surface of the precursor cap. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61-106. -106. (canceled)
Specification