Patent ID: 7479245
Filing Date: 2009-01-20
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A process for applying a material to a member, the process comprising: providing a member having a surface suitable for receiving a material; providing a mold having at least one contour; locating the mold upon a rotating table surface; placing the member adjacent to the mold, wherein the surface of the member includes a contour; extruding a bead of the material robotically as a continuous bead in a viscoelastic state to the mold, the member or both and wherein the material includes a relatively minimal amount of residual stress upon application of the material to the member such that the material undergoes less deformation, wherein: i) the material is positioned adjacent the at least one contour of the mold, the surface of the member or both with an automated apparatus; and ii) the material is a thermally activatable polymeric sealing or reinforcing material that is activated at a temperature greater than about 70 degrees Celsius, 120 degrees Celsius or 150 degrees Celsius; conforming the material, in a viscoelastic state, at least partially to the shape of the at least one contour of the mold and the contour of the member while the material is contacting the surface of the member, such that the material is formed into any shape or configuration depending upon the shape and configuration of the chosen contour; and moving the member away from the mold with the material adhered to the surface of the member by rotating the rotating table surface.