James Roberson

US Patent:

54825539, Jan 9, 1996

Filed:

Jun 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/252910

Inventors:

Joe F. Loftin - Plano TX
James E. Roberson - Hermitage TN
Wayne A. Wood - Brampton, CA

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B05B 716
B05B 1502

US Classification:

118302

Abstract:

A system for pin-point injection or application of a viscous, hot-melt conformal coating which is injected or applied onto a surface of an article and is readily removable from the surface to provide a temporary mask to selected areas of the article. The system includes a material supply unit which can accept the coating in at least one of granular, flake, chunk or block form and can heat the coating to transform the coating into a substantially viscous form for pumping out of the unit by a pump member. A heatable hose is also included having first and second opposite ends, the first end being connected for operable communication with the pump member and the hose including a heating element controlled by the supply unit and positioned along the length of the hose for maintaining a desired temperature within an interior of the hose. A pin-point nozzle member is connected to the second end of the hose for dispensing the coating at least onto localized minute areas of the article, the nozzle member including a valve member positioned therein which conducts heat from the hose to the nozzle member to maintain a desired temperature of the adhesive at the point of application and provides a precise cut off of the coating upon demand.