Abstract:
A process and apparatus for forming a seal between a filter cartridge wall and a pleated filter disposed within the cartridge having a support for rotating the cartridge. A nozzle is connected to a source of sealant for injecting sealant into an area between the wall of the cartridge and the filter media. A valve connected to the nozzle valves sealant to the nozzle and has a draw back feature after a desired amount of sealant is injected. The method for sealing the filter media to the wall of the cartridge includes rotating the filter cartridge while disposing a nozzle into the interior of the cartridge and injecting a sealant through the nozzle controlled by a valve. The valve draws flow backwardly from the nozzle at the termination of the injection of sealant.

Description:
This application is a division of Ser. No. 09/060,656 filed Apr. 15, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,293. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of this invention lies within the art of respirator filter cartridges. It particularly relates to respirator particulate filters which have a filter media such as filter paper that is pleated and emplaced in a cartridge. The cartridge and paper is then sealed to prevent air passage around the filter media. It particularly relates to the field for the cartridge as well as the method of applying the seal. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A number of filter cartridges have evolved over the years. Many of the filter cartridge designs incorporate a filter cartridge having pleated filter media therein. The reason for the pleated filter media is due to the large surface area which the filter media encompasses thereby allowing for significant inflow of air that is to be filtered through the cartridges. 
     Such pleated filters generally rely upon pleats of material that are pleated and then bonded together so as to allow for a gap between the pleats of the media. As can be appreciated, if the filter media is at all clogged or filled with such items as sealant or other obstructions, the efficiency of the filter drops significantly. 
     In the past, there has been a significant problem in sealing filter media to a cartridge. The sealant often times is dripped or disposed onto the filter media. This creates closures or obstructions of the filter media so that it can not function correctly. Various methods have been employed to emplace a sealant with the filter media in the cartridge thereby preventing any migration or channeling of air around the filter media. 
     The prior art has tried to solve the problem of creating a seal without wetting the filter media with sealant. However, it has failed in great measure to eliminate the adhesive residue on the exterior of the filter and often times on the filter media itself. 
     Such designs as a plurality of spokes from a central hub extending radially outwardly have been utilized. The thought being that the spokes from the radial hub can disperse liquid sealant to the exterior for sealing. In such a manufacturing process, the adhesive is put on a central hub and allowed to centrifugally move along the spokes to the exterior and then be deposited against the interface of the filter media and the filter cartridge. 
     With such designs, the sealant is dispensed onto the center hub and after curing and drying remains on the hub. This is not only clearly visible but often times migrates to the filter media itself. 
     Other designs dispense the sealant onto the top outer surface of the filter body. This design also relates upon a centrifugal force to clear the sealant off the dispensing surface. However, because of the surface tension and the fact that very little energy is imparted into the sealant near the center of rotation a residual amount of sealant remains on the dispensing surface. The remaining sealant is left to cure on the exterior of the filter body. 
     Other methods have been provided in order to seal filter media to a cartridge. However, when such devices have been tried, they have been costly. For instance, in some cases, the adhesive or sealant is disposed around the edge of the media prior to manufacturing the entire cartridge. Also, dynamic means of maintaining the adhesive or sealant around the media during the manufacturing process have been tried. None have been eminently successful as to maintaining a clean filter media as well as a cartridge. 
     This particular invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by creating a unique seal in a filter assembly. The seal is created by injecting a pressurized sealant into a rotating assembly. The sealant forms a seal between the inner wall of a two piece molded body and a pleated filter disk. 
     The result of the process is a respirator filter which is clean and free of adhesive residue. Furthermore, it provides for a clean application and non-clogging of the adhesive on the filter media itself or on the exterior surfaces of the respirator filters. The result is that a substantially un-clogged filter media is provided with a proper seal at the exterior surfaces of where the filter media interfaces the interior of the cartridge. This sealant is a reliable sealant to create the seal while at the same time avoiding the substantial problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In summation, this invention provides a filter cartridge and process for sealing filter media to the interior of the cartridge with a sealant that is formed while injecting a sealant into a rotating filter cartridge and then curing the sealant. 
     More particularly, the process incorporates a seal that is dynamically disposed into a filter cartridge. The sealant is injected by a pressurized process through the movement of a sealing nozzle into an area to allow for the spray of sealant into an interfacing area between a cartridge wall and the filter media. 
     The injection of the stream of sealant is then curtailed through a snuff back valve which prevents further dripping of the sealant onto the filter media. This is by means of valve spools in the valve which retract to draw the sealant material in the spray nozzle of needle into the interior so that it does not trail off the end of the nozzle. 
     The cartridges are rotated at approximately 800 revolutions per minute (rpm) while the nozzle or needle is spraying sealant thereinto. This rotation maintains the sealant against the walls of the cartridge as well as allowing for subsequent cure. 
     The nozzle, once placed in position allows the stream of sealant to travel over the filter media and not touch it, and at the same time strike the inside of a molded cartridge body. Due to gravity and centrifugal forces, the sealant flows downwardly and outwardly to create a uniform seal between the body of the cartridge and the filter media. 
     The foregoing will be seen to be an effective sealant providing a unique cartridge for respirator purposes as seen in the following specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the process equipment for manufacturing the respirator cartridges of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of the respirator cartridges being manufactured and rotating on the table shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view taken from the side of FIG. 1 detailing the operating apparatus of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows the nozzle or needle having moved downwardly into the cartridge as cross-sectioned in preparation to inject sealant into the interface between the filter media and the cartridge wall. 
     FIG. 5 shows the actual injection of the sealant being applied after the nozzle has moved inwardly toward the periphery of the cartridge wall as cross-sectioned. 
     FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve utilized to draw back or snuff back the sealant as well as control the injection thereof. 
     FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic view of the sealant control and distributing system. 
     FIG. 8 shows a plan view looking downwardly at the cartridge opening along lines  8 — 8  of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A number of cartridges have been shown being processed in FIG.  1 . These filter cartridges are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4,  5  and  8  as well as in the ancillary figures. These cartridges will be shown in the process as set forth hereinafter. 
     Looking at FIGS. 4 and 5 which show the cartridges in a mid-line sectional view, it can be seen that the cartridge comprises a general cartridge filter member  10  having a cap, cover or lid  12  and a cup shaped canister or cylindrically walled lower portion  14 . The lower portion  14  is formed as a cup like member with a grid work  16  at the base. 
     The grid work  16  comprises a number of cross grid members  18  which allow for the passage of air through openings or interstices  20 . The openings or interstices  20  communicate with the interior and allow for the intake of air therethrough that is to be filtered by a pleated filter paper or media  26 . The pleated filter paper or media  26  is pleated from a large stock of material and then cut into a round biscuit like configuration. 
     The pleated filter paper is made from a micro-fibrous glass filter paper. After it is pleated, it is provided with a glue line on the surface  30  of the edges of the pleats in lines across the top so that the filter paper will not shift backwardly and forwardly in an accordion like manner. The resin or adhesive  30  that has been placed across the top pleat edges forms a thin line like a thread like strand in about two or three locations per filter. These thread like strands can be seen in FIG. 8 as passing along the top edges of the filter. As can be seen in FIG. 8, they are of a significantly thin proportion as to the entire plan view of the filter paper or media  26 . 
     Air being drawn into an opening such as opening  20  of the grid  16  should pass in the direction of arrow A and outwardly through the filter paper or media  26  to the outlet. Maintenance of the filter paper  26  in tight relationship with the bottom cup or canister at the circumference of the cup such as at the interior of the outside walls or circumference interface  34  should be maintained. To accomplish this, the seal that is utilized herein fills the interface gap  34  and maintains the filter in a tightened sealed relationship to prevent migration or channeling of air as it passes through the openings  20 . This causes the air to pass in the direction of arrow A through the filter media itself rather than migrating toward the ends of the cup  14  and around the circumference of the filter paper  26 . 
     As an aside, the cup  14  is formed in a molding process and is then bonded to the top or cap  12  by means of ultrasonic bonding at the circumferential area  38  surrounding the circumference of the cap  12  and the cup  14 . 
     The cap  12  is formed with an interior depression or boss  40  having a series of female threads  42 . These female threads  42  receive a series of male threads from a respirator that it is attached to in order to create a seal. The cap  12  has an enlarged opening  46  formed with a circumferential peripheral opening  48  and allows for the passage of air being breathed to move therethrough. A grid work formed with an interior grid member  50  can be seen in FIG. 8 which is a plan view along lines  8 — 8  of FIG.  5 . This interior grid work  50  is supported by four quadrant grid members  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58 . These grid members are in turn again supported by a base portion  60  forming the area adjacent the female threads  42  that receive the male thread portion of the respirator in tight juxtaposition thereto. 
     One of the major problems with respirators is that the filter media  26  must be maintained with a clear passage for air from openings such as openings  20  up through openings  46  and  48  outwardly. However, at the same time the filter media  26  being very soft micro-fibrous material must be protected against fingers or impact against other items whether they be inadvertent or just from curious probing fingers. The grill work including grid members  52  through  58  and the interior rounded grid portion  50  are emplaced in the upper molded cap  12 . This serves to prevent incursion of a user&#39;s fingers or other objects that would damage the filter media. However, this presents the problem of having to seal the filter media which has not been satisfactorily resolved to the satisfaction of the manufacturers or users of cartridges. As stated in the description of the prior art, it is necessary to place a sealant in the area adjacent the space  34  at the inner circumference of the outer walls, while at the same time not leaving any residue either on the top of the filter media  26 , the filter cartridge itself, or the threads. 
     Looking more particularly at FIG. 1, showing the process of manufacture, it can be seen that an indexing table  82  is shown rotationally indexing in the direction of arrow  70 . The indexing table  82  is driven by a drive motor not shown. The stations  100  are driven by a drive motor  72 . The drive motor  72  is connected by means of a pulley or sheave  74  and idler pulleys  76  and  78  to a belt  80 . This moves the belt  80  and stations  100  that will be described hereinafter in the direction of arrow  70 . 
     The table is shown as table  82  which rotationally indexes within a peripheral apron  84 . The indexing table  82  is driven by one indexing drive unit  75 . The indexing drive unit  75  consists of a precision cam indexing mechanism and drive motor. It is mounted between the underside of the table and the support framework. In this manner it rotates the table to index each station or nest  102  upon command in a sequential manner. The peripheral apron  84  supports stanchions  86  and  88 . 
     Stanchions  86  and  88  support a curing tunnel cover  90  forming the upper portion of a curing tunnel as seen with an inner wall  92  and an outer wall  94  that is in an arcuate relationship around the periphery of the table  82 . The curing tunnel is also supported by means of a cross member  96 . Cross member  96  also serves to support some of the operating elements of this invention as will be described hereinafter. 
     As the table  82  moves in the direction of arrow  70 , it carries with it a series of stations  100  that can be seen moving around the table. These stations  100  are provided with a series of nests  102 . The nests  102  are formed by a cup concave receptacle or socket  104 . The cup or socket  104  is supported on a rotating base  106  that is in turn connected to a shaft  108 . Shaft  108  is housed with a bearing housing  110  that is in turn bolted a flange  112  to the table  82  by means of bolts  114 . The bearing housing  110  terminates with the shaft  108  being connected to a pulley or sheave  120  driven by the belt  80 . This configuration allows the nests  102  to turn at a high speed and rotate a cartridge  10  that has been shown in the sockets  104  of the nests  102 . 
     It should be understood that the table  82  can be substituted by a continuous belt or other means to hold the nests  102  for rotational movement in an automated process. 
     Variously sized nests  102  with sockets  104  can be emplaced within the base  106  so as to facilitate different sized cartridges being processed by this invention. In effect, the sockets  104  can be of various diameters or in variously sloped configurations to allow for the cartridge  10  to be placed therein and rotated. 
     The indexing drive unit  75  turns or rotates the table  82  in an indexing type manner. The belt and motor  72  only drives the stations  100  (see FIG.  2 ). This causes the bases  106  connected to shaft  108  to turn in a counter-clockwise direction and rotate the nests  102  in a rapid manner. The relative ratios of rotation are such where the belt  80  rotates the spindles  120  so as to allow the nests  102  to rotate at approximately 800 rpm. This serves the function of driving the adhesive that shall be described hereinafter in a manner by centrifugal force and gravity into the edge region  34  against the walls of the cartridges  10 . 
     In order to implement the process, the cartridges  10  are placed in the sockets  104  incrementally such as shown in the empty station  100 . The cartridges  10  can be emplaced by hand or in an automatic manner such as by vacuum, fluidic, hand or mechanical means whereby they are caused to move downwardly into the sockets  104  and placed therein. After processing, the cartridges  10  can be removed from the sockets  104  and dropped onto a conveyor belt or lifted to another area by vacuum, fluidic, hand or mechanical means. 
     In order to determine whether there is any cartridge  10  in a nest  102 , a sensor tube  130  has been shown. The sensor tube  130  can hold an infrared sensor or any other type of sensor such an optical and other types in order to determine whether there is a cartridge  10  in the socket  104 . The sensor  130  is electrically interfaced to warn or stop movement of the table  82  if there is a cartridge in the socket  104  so that it will not process onwardly and be moved through the like process again in the manner to be described. 
     As table  82  indexes nest  102  into a position adjacent to where a sealant is to be emplaced, a sensor  136  connected to a lead  138  is utilized. The sensor  136  can be an infrared or other type of sensor to determine whether a cartridge  10  has been placed in the nest  102  of a station  100  adjacent the sensor  136 . These cartridges are to be emplaced in the sockets  104  for processing such as at station  100 A. The cartridges again can be placed by a fluidic, mechanical, hand or vacuum placement means so that they are emplaced in the nest  102 . This of course is after the cartridges have been displaced from the stations  100  so that there is no longer one at for instance station  100 B. 
     When station  100 A has a cartridge  10  in the nest  104 , it is initially rotated in the direction of arrow  144 . This is the point as can be seen in FIG. 2 where the belt  80  begins to pick up the spool or pulley  120  to initiate the rotation thereof. If there is not a cartridge  10  in the nest  102 , it will be sensed by the sensor  136  at which time, the process can be stopped as to rotation of the table  82  and the other elements of the process. However, assuming that a cartridge  10  is in the socket  104  of nest  102  and it arrives at station  100 C, the sensor allows the process to continue so that the injection of sealant in the process can begin. 
     Application of sealant is initiated by injection through a needle or nozzle  150  that is shown in FIG.  3 . The needle or nozzle  150  is formed as a right angle member, but can be formed with an arcuate or multiple angled turns. The needle or nozzle  150  is moved and driven on a sliding table  156 . Sliding table  156  is supported by a pair of rods  158  and  160 . The rods  158  and  160  are in turn supported by support structures comprising end supports or brackets  162  and  164 . The end support  162  is supported on a stanchion  166  wile end support  164  is supported on another stanchion  168  that is supported in turn on the apron  84 . Stanchion  166  is supported on cross member  196 . 
     In order to drive the support table  156 , a piston driven pneumatic rod  172  is provided. The rod  172  is connected to the movable table  156  to cause it to slide backwardly and forwardly on rods  158  and  160 . This thereby causes the movement as can be seen in FIG. 3 backwardly and forwardly in the direction of arrow  176 . 
     Table  156  is supported on rods  158  and  160  by means of bearings that can be roller bearings or other low friction bearing surfaces such as linear bearings within bearing members  180  and  182 . Analogous bearing members, that can not be seen, support the table  156  on rod  160 . 
     Connected to the table  156  is cylinder and rod support block  190 . The cylinder and rod support block support two rods  192  and  194  that can be seen in both FIGS. 1 and 3. These in turn support a pneumatic piston support block  198  that travels upwardly and downwardly along rods  192  and  194 . The movement is created by a pneumatic cylinder mounted in housing  200  that drives along rod  202  to provide for movement in the direction of arrow  204  upwardly and downwardly. Thus, movement can be accomplished along rods  158  and  160  in the direction of arrow  176  to move the entire mechanism inwardly and outwardly and in the direction of arrow  204  upwardly and downwardly. 
     Direction of movement in the direction of arrow  176  is provided by a pneumatic piston rod  172  that drives table  190 . This is accomplished by a pneumatic cylinder within housing  210 . Housing  210  creates movement through its pneumatic cylinder being operated through control lines  212 . Thus, lateral or inward and outward movement is caused by pneumatic cylinder and housing  210  and upward and downward movement is caused by movement of a pneumatic cylinder in housing  200 . 
     In order to mount the block  198  to a nozzle or needle injection head, a grouping of block supports  220 ,  222  and  224  have been shown. However, any configured brace, bracket or holder that suitably mounts support  198  to the needle or nozzle support and valve member can be used. Also to this extent any means to drive the needle or nozzle respectively in the direction of arrows  176  and  204  can be used, such as electro mechanical servos, solenoids or other fluidic or mechanical actuators. 
     A valve housing  230  is shown connected to a nozzle needle holder or injector  232  that is in turn connected to the needle or nozzle  150 . The nozzle holder  232  is connected to the valve housing  230  that can be seen in FIG.  6 . Valve housing  230  is connected to a resin or adhesive line  240  and a hardener line  242 . These two respective lines  240  and  242  are connected to the valve housing  230  by means of a fitting generally shown as fitting  246  which is connected to a pivotal valve connection  248 . The pivotal valve connection  248  allows the lines  240  and  242  to move arcuately in the direction of the arrow  256  that has been shown in FIG.  3 . This permits rotational movement as the nozzle or needle holder  232  moves upwardly and downwardly as well as inwardly and outwardly in the manner to be described. 
     Looking more particularly at the showing of FIG. 6 which shows a fragmented view, it can be seen that two valve stems, spools, valve heads or spindles  264  and  266  have been shown. These valve spools  264  and  266  are connected to the inlet lines  240  and  242  respectively carrying the adhesive or resin and the hardener the combination of which forms the sealant. The mixing process for the resin and hardener to form the sealant in the two lines  240  and  242  is proportionally effected by a proportionalizing and pumping system as will be seen in FIG.  7 . When the resin or adhesive arrives with the hardener at the valve housing  230  controlled by valve spools  264  and  266 , it is in a correct proportion. 
     Valve spools  264  and  266  are sealed by dynamic seals in the upper portions namely seals  276  and  278 . In their lower areas they are sealed by seals  280  and  282 . These respective seals allow the valve heads and the valve stems of the valve spools  264  and  266  to move upwardly and downwardly and be sealed by the seals  276  and  278 . The valve spools or spindles  264  and  266  have necked down portions that terminate in heads  286  and  288  that are sealed against the respective seals  280  and  282  in their closed position. The valve heads  286  and  288  are connected by the narrow or necked down portion of the spindle as can be seen connected to the main body of the spools  264  and  266 . The necked down portion allows for the passage of adhesive and hardener into an injection mixture area  294  for further passage through the holder  232  to the hollow needle or nozzle  150 . 
     One of the most important features of this invention is the pneumatic cylinder  230  action when it lifts and moves the spools or spindles  264  and  266  inwardly and outwardly. This provides for the flow of fluid through the adjacent chambers when it moves downwardly or outwardly. It also allows for a drawing back or snuffing back of the fluid within the needle or nozzle housing  232  within passage  233  when the spools  264  and  266  move upwardly or inwardly. This reverse or inward movement of spools  264  and  266  fundamentally draws the sealant backwardly so that it does not create a dribble, stream, or residual dropping of sealant onto the cartridge  10 . 
     Looking more specifically at the process in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that in order to implement a stream of sealant at station  100 C, it is necessary to drive the housing  198  downwardly in the direction of arrow  204 . This causes the needle  150  to be emplaced within the cartridge as seen in FIG. 4 namely through cartridge opening  46 . At this point, the needle or nozzle  150  overlies the top of the filter media  26 . 
     As the cartridge  10  is spinning, the needle  150  is then moved by the movement of support  190  through the action of pneumatic cylinder  210  in the direction of arrow  176 . The movement can take place with and without spinning of the cartridge  10  in the direction of arrow  144 . However, to be such where a degree of surety is provided, the spinning should take place as previously stated at station  100 A so that it arrives at approximately a speed of 800 rpm for purposes of dispersing the sealant in the most effective manner. 
     At the point where the nozzle  150  is shown in FIG. 5 in proximate location to the periphery of the opening  46 , the valves provide the sealant by movement of the pneumatic cylinder housing  230 . Specifically valve stems and spools  264  and  266  are opened by lowering to provide a flow of adhesive and hardener forming the sealant under pressure that can be seen as a stream  320 . Stream  320  is injected for a time period long enough to allow for sealant to be centrifugally driven to the outside walls and gravitationally fed into the interfacing space  34 . This can be seen now as adhesively sealed area  322  that peripherally surrounds the interior of the cartridge cup or canister  14 . The process continues by the cartridge continuing to spin in the respective station that it is at and continues while the sealant that has been injected cures. 
     In order to assure that the stream of adhesive does not drip onto the filter media  26  or onto any part of the cartridge, the valve spools  264  and  266  are withdrawn or pulled upwardly. This is performed by the pneumatic cylinder  230  moving backwardly such that it draws the adhesive and hardener in their respective chambers inwardly into their adjacent chambers  265  and  267 . The lower chamber areas namely areas  287  and  289  when the heads  286  and  288  withdraw backwardly, have the sealant pulled backwardly or snuffed back. This snuffing back of sealant attendantly draws the sealant in the needle or nozzle passage  233  backwardly. This causes a withdrawal of the material in the bore of the needle and nozzle extension  233  to be pulled upwardly or snuffed backwardly so that it does not drip out of the end of the nozzle or needle. The foregoing is accomplished by means of the fluidic displacement of the ends of the spools  286  and  288  drawing the fluid backwardly in a pull back or snuffing back manner. 
     The urethane adhesive requires approximately two and one half minutes to cure. It should be cured at approximately 75° to 100° F. However, for certain urethanes and other adhesives, the tunnel  90  can be provided with a heated source of air or other heating means. Furthermore, removal of any volatiles or other airborne materials can be effectuated through a fan  400  that has been shown connected to an opening  402  in the tunnel  90 . It can also recirculate the flow by having its input drawn at the ends  406  and  408 . This withdraws the flow at such points with the attendant volatiles or other material and recirculating it by the fan  400  or in turn circulating it outwardly into another vent. 
     Various sealants can be used. These include industrial adhesives or bindings, liquid polyisocyanate prepolymers used as coating and adhesive systems. 
     Two part systems consisting of a catalyst such as an active hydrogen monomer and an isocyanate, mostly commonly methylene diphenylene diisocyanate (MDI). Another widely used isocyanate is toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Blends of TDI and MDI are also used. 
     Most polyurethane (PUR) systems are processed by mixing-activated polymerization based on two or more liquid, solvent-free, monomer streams called components. Two-component systems are the most common. 
     In order to provide positive pressure at the valve nozzle outlet as controlled by the spindles or spools  264  and  266 , the method as seen in FIG. 7 has been implemented. FIG. 7 specifically shows a pair of pumps  416  and  418  connected to respective tanks of resin or adhesive  420  and hardener  422 . The pumps  416  and  418  maintain positive pressure in the direction of the arrows as shown until a signal causes a reversal through the three way valves as will be described hereinafter. 
     Pumps  416  and  418  respectively maintain positive pressure of the resin and the hardener into two respective cylinders  424  and  426 . Cylinder  424  is utilized for the hardener and cylinder  426  is utilized for the resin. The proportion in this particular case of resin to hardener is such wherein the cylinder for the hardener is approximately in a ratio of 1.32 to 1.5 with respect to the resin cylinder  426 . Thus, for every movement of the pistons  428  and  430 , a proportionalized amount of hardener of 1.32 to 1.5 resin is effected. This is based upon the cylinder diameters respectively  424  and  426  to implement the ratio of 1.32 hardener and 1.5 resin by driving the pistons  428  and  430  on a unified single rod  436  that is interconnected by a connection  438 . 
     As the rod  436  moves in the direction of arrow  444  it draws and drives hardener as can be seen in the direction of the arrows through the hardener connection  242 . At the same time, piston  430  in proportionalizing resin in cylinder  426  through resin line  240 . This is also in the same direction of the arrows as shown. This proportionalizing is taking place with the pumps  416  and  418  providing constant pressure. 
     Further to this extent, a pair of three way valves  450  and  452  are shown in order to provide passage of the hardener through the line  242  in the direction of the arrows as shown. 
     In like manner, a pair of three way valvev  454  and  456  are shown to allow for the passage of resin or adhesive into the line  240  in the direction of the arrows as shown so that they can both be properly proportionalized by the respective pistons  424  and  426  for the hardener and the resin. 
     Sensors  460  and  462  are shown for sensing the movement of the connector  438 . In this particular showing, when the connector  438  is being driven in the direction of arrow  444  it arrives at sensor  462 . Sensor  462  senses the position and signals that the direction should be in the reverse of arrow  144 , so that the drive of rod  436  is in the opposite direction. 
     The sensor  462  also signals to provide a unified reversal of the respective valves  450 ,  452 ,  454  and  456 . Flow then goes in the opposite direction out of the proportionalizing cylinders  424  and  426  which is in the opposite direction from the arrows shown in FIG.  7 . Consequently, a continuous proportionalizing and drive of the adhesive and resin can take place under the positive pressure of the pumps  416  and  418 . Final flow is controlled by the pneumatic cylinder action of pneumatic cylinder housing  230  controlling the valve spools  264  and  266 . 
     In order to provide for a pre-established flow through the valve spools  264  and  266 , a movement of rod  436  is measured by a sensor  470 . Movement of the rod  436  as detected by the sensor  470  signals an on and shut off function of the valve spools  264  and  266 . Thus a given amount of resin and hardener or sealant is injected in the proper amount from the nozzle or needle  150 . All that is necessary to control the flow of resin from the needle  150  is the proportionalizing movement of the respective pistons  428  and  430  as sensed by the sensor  470 . The positive pressure is controlled as to the on and off functions by the valve spools  264  and  266 . 
     After injection and centrifugal movement of the sealant into the adjacent interface areas  34  which are filled as seen in FIG. 5, the nests  102  continue to spin at 800 rpm and are cured through the cycle during passage through the tunnel  90 . As previously stated, the cure rate can be controlled by temperature or other means when passing through the tunnel  90  by heaters, hot air or the like. Just before station  100 B, the cartridges are removed. At this particular point, they are in a cured relationship as to the sealant. The sealed areas create a flexible sealant for the cartridge to avoid migration or channeling of air around the edges of the filter paper  26 . 
     In order to have a proper flow, of urethane, it has been found that the sealant, or urethane combination of the adhesive and hardener should be combined at 1000 to 2000 centipoise (cps). The opening of the needle or nozzle can be approximately 0.045 inches. The range of the needle openings can be 0.015 on either side of the 0.045 inches described thus making the range of openings substantially 0.03 to 0.06 inches in diameter. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that an effective and significant sealing and curing function has been invented which should be covered broadly with the following claims.