Sealant applicator and method for sealing headed fasteners

• US 5,322,381 A
• Filed: 05/15/1992
• Issued: 06/21/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard S. Argo II
• Original Assignee: Richard S. Argo II
• Inventors: Argo, Richard S. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US07/883,451
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 401/9, 401/10, 401/11, 401/265, 401/266, 401/261, 425/87, 222/566, 222/568, 222/575
• US Class Current: 401/9
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00516 Shape or geometry of the outlet orifice or the outlet element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/06 with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages with slidable spouts B65D47/26

Abstract

An applicator tip structure and method for applying a flexible sealant material on and around the heads of fasteners and on and around the surface surrounding the fastener head to prevent fluid passage between the fastener and the materials through which the fastener passes. The applicator tip has an outlet opening that is greater than the diameter of the sealant passageway in the applicator tip and that also is greater than the largest transverse dimension of the fastener, to provide an overlap area around the fastener head. In use the applicator tip is applied over the fastener head and is pressed into the surrounding surface around the fastener head to define an enclosure around the fastener head, into which enclosure the sealant material is injected to completely surround the fastener head and the adjacent surface to completely seal the fastener from fluid passage therearound.

Claims

1. An applicator tip for applying a sealant to the head of a fastener that is in fastening position with the fastener head overlying a portion of a surface surrounding the fastener, said tip comprising:

a) a tubular body, including a tubular through passageway extending between a first end of the tubular body and a second end of the tubular body, and a connection at the first end of the tubular body for connecting the tubular body with a sealant container, wherein the tubular passageway includes a first constant area portion adjacent the first end of the tubular body and having a first diameter, and a second constant area portion downstream of the first constant area portion and having a second diameter, wherein the second constant area portion has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first constant area portion;

b) a dispensing opening provided at the second end of the tubular body and communicating with the tubular passageway, the dispensing opening having a diameter greater than the second diameter of the tubular passageway and greater than a largest transverse dimension of a fastener head to be sealed, so that the dispensing opening completely surrounds the fastener head in spaced relationship with the periphery of the fastener head to permit sealant to be deposited completely around the fastener head.

2. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body at the dispensing opening is about twice the diameter of the second constant area portion.

3. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the diameter of the second constant diameter portion is substantially equal to the diameter of the dispensing opening.

4. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 3, including an outwardly diverging portion positioned between the first constant diameter portion and the second constant area portion.

5. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the dispensing opening is circular.

6. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 5 wherein the dispensing opening lies in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

7. An applicator tip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tip includes a flat annular land surrounding the dispensing opening.

8. A method of sealing the head of a headed fastener to a surrounding surface to prevent passage of a fluid around the fastener head and along the fastener shank, said method comprising:

a) providing a sealant applicator including an applicator tip with a tubular body including a sealant discharge opening having a diameter greater than the largest transverse dimension of the head of the fastener to be sealed, the discharge opening defined by an annular collar having an inner surface along which a viscous sealant is adapted to flow, the collar having an end face for providing at least closed line contact of the applicator tip end with the surface surrounding the fastener, the tubular body, including a tubular through passageway extending between a first end of the tubular body and a second end of the tubular body, and a connection at the first end of the tubular body for connecting the tubular body with a sealant container, wherein the tubular passageway includes a first constant area portion adjacent the first end of the tubular body and having a first diameter, and a second constant area portion downstream of the first constant area portion and having a second diameter, wherein the second constant area portion has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first constant area portion;

b) positioning the applicator tip over the head of the fastener with the collar end face placed against the surface surrounding the fastener and the collar inner surface spaced from the head of the fastener;

c) pressing the applicator tip tightly against the surrounding surface to define a sealant enclosure around the fastener head;

d) while the applicator tip is pressed against the surrounding surface, forcing sealant from the sealant applicator into the applicator tip and into the sealant enclosure to completely surround outer edges of the fastener head so that the sealant flows into any spaces between the fastener head and the surrounding surface;

e) withdrawing the applicator tip axially outwardly from the fastener and the surrounding surface; and

f) allowing the sealant to cure.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 including the additional step of causing sealant to flow from the applicator tip as the applicator tip is being withdrawn from around the fastener head.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 including the additional step of providing a silicone-rubber-based sealant in the sealant applicator.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 including the step of providing an applicator tip having an outwardly diverging flow zone immediately inwardly of the collar end face.