Rust inhibitor application system

A rust inhibition system in which a rust inhibitor liquid is applied to a wand, which is then inserted into a cavity. The wand serves as a reservoir to provide the inhibitor liquid in areas susceptible to corrosion. A sleeve can be included to cause the inhibitor liquid to secrete from the wand.

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to corrosion inhibition and more specifically to a corrosion inhibition system for use in inhibiting corrosion such as rust in vehicle fenders and other vehicle components commonly susceptible to rust.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Corrosion inhibition liquids such as rust inhibitor liquids prevent the formation and spread of corrosion such as rust by coating surfaces such as metals to prevent and remove moisture and other contaminants from contacting the coated surfaces. Such corrosion inhibition liquids are typically chemicals that react with a metallic surface, or the environment this surface is exposed to, giving the surface a certain level of protection such as corrosion inhibition or resistance. Inhibitors often work by adsorbing themselves on the metallic surface, protecting the metallic surface by forming a film. Inhibitors are normally distributed from a solution or dispersion. Some are included in a protective coating formulation. Inhibitors slow corrosion processes by either increasing the anodic or cathodic polarization behavior (Tafel slopes), reducing the movement or diffusion of ions to the metallic surface, and/or increasing the electrical resistance of the metallic surface.

Conventional systems to apply corrosion inhibition liquids to vehicles typically involve spray systems in which a spray nozzle is inserted into the cavity to be treated, such as the area between the rear quarter panel near the rear wheel well, and a corrosion inhibitor fluid is sprayed into the cavity to coat the area potentially susceptible to rust. In such systems, it is difficult to ensure that all susceptible areas are sufficiently coated. In addition, the rust inhibitor coating can become depleted, leaving areas uncoated and susceptible to rust. There exists a continuing need for a rust inhibition system that better ensures that rust inhibitor will remain in place for areas susceptible to rust such as inside the rear quarter panel of a vehicle above the wheel well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a wand10according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Wand10typically comprises a conduit110and a liquid absorbing material120that protrudes or otherwise radiates from the conduit, typically radiating in a direction generally outward from the central axis of conduit110, which is typically the central axis of wand10. In the embodiment shown, conduit110comprises a pair of twisted wires112and114, into which liquid absorbing material120is interwoven. Any other structure or material suitable for supporting liquid absorbing material120may likewise be used for conduit110. Examples of such structure include wire, rods, straw, tubing, and other pliable materials and objects.

In another aspect of the invention, liquid absorbing material120comprises a material suitable for absorbing and retaining a liquid such as a corrosion inhibitor, which can be a rust inhibitor. In one embodiment, the material comprises a porous, fibrous materials such as a microfiber strands similar to those found in a car wash mitt. The liquid absorbing material120typically includes properties suitable for absorbing and retaining a liquid with the properties of a corrosion inhibitor liquid. Material120also typically includes properties that enable a liquid with the properties of a corrosion inhibitor liquid to wick from the material onto a surface such as metal surface for which rust inhibition is desired. Felt, cotton, and sponge are examples of other materials suitable for use as the liquid absorbing material according to other aspects of the present invention. When a microfiber fabric is used for liquid absorbing material120, in addition to enabling a rust inhibition liquid to wick onto the metallic surface, the fabric can also wick away corrosion particles from the surface, thereby reducing the advancement of the corrosion on the metallic surface.

Referring toFIG. 2A, in another aspect of the invention a sleeve150can be placed over conduit110and liquid absorbing material120. In another aspect, sleeve150typically includes handles152and154. Handles152and154are typically disposed proximate ends153and155of sleeve, but handles152and154can also be positioned at other locations throughout the length of sleeve150.FIG. 2Bshows a section of sleeve150that includes end153and handle152according to another aspect of the invention. In one aspect, sleeve150is constructed from a mesh151, such as a woven fiber mesh material. When one or more of ends152and154are pulled in a direction away from each other, sleeve150to will typically increase in length and decrease in diameter. The decrease in the diameter of sleeve150will typically apply an inward, radial force upon liquid absorbing material120. Such force will typically cause the liquid stored inside material120to secrete away from the material120and then towards the outer side of sleeve150. In one aspect, sleeve150is constructed from a nylon mesh material. In other aspects, sleeve150can be constructed from a polypropylene material. In other aspects, sleeve150can be constructed from a woven fabric or netting having properties that permit the fabric or netting to elongate or stretch when a force is applied to the end or ends of the fabric or netting. In another aspect, sleeve150is constructed from a material that does not absorb liquids such as a corrosion inhibitor. In other aspects, sleeve150can be constructed from a material having properties that at least partially absorb a liquid such a corrosion inhibitor. In another aspect, sleeve150can optionally cover the entire length of wand10. In other aspects, sleeve150can optionally cover a portion of the length of wand10.

FIGS. 3 and 4show a wand10installed into a rear truck fender200according to one aspect of the invention. Fender200typically includes an outer panel210and inner panel220. Panels210and220are commonly pinch welded together during or prior to installation in the vehicle. Corrosion such as rust is a common occurrence in the rear fender200of trucks and other vehicles, as well as other locations throughout a variety of vehicles. Fenders200and other vehicle components are commonly made from steel or other similar materials. Such components are commonly painted to protect the steel or other underlying material from corrosion. When this protective paint is chipped off or otherwise damaged, the underlying material is exposed to external contaminants such as moisture, salt, and other materials. Contaminants such as moisture and salt will cause corrosion to form on the steel of fender200through oxidation and other chemical reactions resulting in iron oxide and other compounds. Gravel commonly becomes trapped between panels210and220and causes damage to the paint coating on panels210and220. Such gravel damage is one common cause of corrosion to fender200.

Referring toFIG. 4, wand10is typically installed between inner panel220and outer panel210of rear fender200. There is commonly an opening in the vehicle wheel well into which wand10can be inserted. Wand ends130and140are typically cut to size and then bent around the edges of fender200to hold wand10in place. Wand10can likewise be installed at any other suitable location on a vehicle where rust inhibition is desired. Example of such other locations include, without limitation, rocker panels, door panels, tailgates, trunk lids, leading edges of hoods, and shock towers.

Before installation, wand10is typically saturated with a corrosion inhibitor liquid (not shown). One example of a corrosion inhibitor liquid that can be used in connection with the present invention is Seal Out® Backcoat834rust inhibitor, available from WK Products, Inc. Any other corrosion inhibitor liquid can likewise be used in connection with the present invention. Once installed between panels210and220, wand10enables the constant presence of corrosion inhibitor fluid along the surfaces of panels210and220. In another aspect, once wand10is installed between panels210and220, one or more of the ends152and154of sleeve150are pulled to cause the corrosion inhibitor fluid to secrete from wand10and onto the surfaces of panels210and220. After installation, wand10also typically serves a reservoir for corrosion inhibitor fluid, ensuring that corrosion rust inhibitor fluid will be present should corrosion start to form on a surface or a surface become damages and susceptible to corrosion. The corrosion inhibitor fluid typically will wick from liquid absorbing material120onto panels210and220. The wicking is commonly the result of the capillary action of the corrosion inhibitor fluid within material120.

Referring toFIG. 5a storage tube300for wand10is shown. According to one aspect of the invention, storage tube300can be used to store wand10in a cavity310after corrosion inhibitor fluid has been pre-applied to wand10and absorbed by liquid absorbing material120. Tube300typically includes removably attached endcaps320and330. In another aspect of the invention, tube300can be constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material such as a plastic, which will permit observation of wand10when it is stored within tube300.

Following is an illustrative example of the use and installation of the present invention. Wand10is immersed in a rust inhibitor liquid such as Seal Out® Backcoat834rust inhibitor. Following immersion, or any other application of the corrosion inhibitor liquid to wand10, wand10is inserted into tube300, which is sealed shut using end caps320and330. While enclosed within tube300, wand10can be easily transported or shipped without rust inhibiting liquid unintentionally coming into contact with other items or surfaces. When desired, wand10can be removed from tube300by removing one or both of end caps320and330. Referring toFIG. 2, wand10can then be sized by bending wand10to match the contour of wheel well215, which is part of fender200. Approximately two inches of ends130and140should extend beyond the contour of wheel well215. Liquid absorbing material120can optionally be shaved or otherwise removed from conduit110in the event that wand10will be shortened such that wires112and114at ends130and140would have material120interwoven after shortening. A box cutter knife, or any other suitable cutting tool, can be used to shave or otherwise remove material120from wires112and114. In one aspect, the sleeve ends153and155typically do not need to be shortened prior to installation of wand10into the cavity of wheel well215. Optionally, after installation, the cutting tool can also be used to cut sleeve150to a desired length. As another option, the ends153and155of sleeve can be folded over and inserted into the wheel well cavity. In other aspects, handles152and154are removably affixed to the ends153and155of sleeve150. Here, sleeve150can be shortened to a desired length before installation, and handles152and154can be attached or reattached to the shortened sleeve150. In other aspects, drawstrings or other structures that can be used to apply a longitudinal force to one or both ends of sleeve150can be used in place of or in addition to handles152and154.

In one aspect, approximately two inches of wires112and114free from material120will be left beyond the contour of wheel, with wires112and114used to secure wand to the fender. Now bent to approximately match the contour of wheel well215, a user can insert wand10into the cavity created by the inner and outer panels210and220and then position the wand such that it rests along the contour of wheel215between panels210and220as shown inFIG. 4. Once inserted, one or more of ends152and154of sleeve150are pulled to cause the rust inhibitor to secrete from wand10and onto the surfaces of panels210and220. Once installed, wand10typically provides a reservoir for a constant source of corrosion inhibiting liquid along the inner and outer panels210and220, thereby reducing the likelihood that corrosion such as rust will form in this area. In the event the corrosion has already formed in this area, corrosion inhibiting liquid typically will wick from wand10into the corroded area, impeding the formation of further corrosion.

All patents, patent publications, and peer-reviewed publications (i.e., “references”) cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. In case of conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated references, the present disclosure controls.

It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the claims.