Sealing method and article
First Claim
1. A method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing over said discontinuity an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width, and (ii) a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary;
(b) heating said article to cause said melt-flowable composition to flow and seal said discontinuity;
said cap controlling the melt-flow behavior of said melt-flowable composition to substantially confine said melt-flowable composition to the area underneath said cap; and
(c) allowing said article to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said melt-flowable composition after said article is cooled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate comprises the steps of: (a) placing over the discontinuity an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width, and (ii) a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cup across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and thickness of the cap vary; (b) heating the article to cause the melt-flowable composition to flow and seal the discontinuity, where the cap controls the melt-flow behavior of the melt-flowable composition to substantially confine the melt-flowable composition to the area underneath the cap; and (c) allowing the article to cool while substantially retaining the pre-selected cross-sectional profile of the cap. The present invention also includes various articles for use in the method. The article and the method are particularly useful for sealing the joint in a motor vehicle roof ditch.
94 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing over said discontinuity an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width, and (ii) a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary; (b) heating said article to cause said melt-flowable composition to flow and seal said discontinuity; said cap controlling the melt-flow behavior of said melt-flowable composition to substantially confine said melt-flowable composition to the area underneath said cap; and (c) allowing said article to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said melt-flowable composition after said article is cooled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27)
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21. A method for sealing a joint formed in the floor of a roof ditch of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing over said joint an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width and (ii) a shaped polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary, said cross-sectional profile of said cap being characterized by a pair of opposed extensions to secure said article in place over said joint; (b) heating said article to cause said melt-flowable composition to flow and seal said joint, said cap controlling the melt-flow behavior of said melt-flowable composition to substantially confine said melt-flowable composition to the area underneath said cap; and (c) allowing said article to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said melt-flowable composition after said article is cooled. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a sealant composition over said discontinuity; (b) placing over said composition a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile shape in which the thickness of the cap across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and the thickness of the cap vary; (c) heating said sealant composition to cause said composition to seal said discontinuity, said cap controlling the behavior of said composition to substantially confine said sealant to the area underneath said cap; and (d) allowing said composition and said cap to cool while substantially retaining said pre-selected cross-sectional profile of said cap, wherein said cap remains adhered to said sealant composition after cooling.
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Specification