Apparatus for applying gasket-forming material to workpieces

Claim 2

Apparatus for applying a bead of gasket-forming material in a pattern of predetermined size and shape to a mateable surface of a workpiece, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the workpiece, a source of gasket-forming material, a supporting member, a transfer member rotatably supported by said supporting member, applicator means for applying gasket-forming material to said transfer member from said source in the shape of the bead to be applied to the mateable surface, means for moving said supporting member in a lineal path toward and away from said applicator means and said workpiece supporting means, and means mounted on said supporting member for moving said transfer member in an arcuate path from a position with the transfer surface facing toward the mateable surface of the workpiece when on said supporting means and a position with the transfer surface facing said applicator means.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a supporting frame, and guide means mounting said supporting member on said supporting frame for movement in the lineal path.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by said guide means comprising guide blocks mounted on said supporting member and guide rods mounted on said supporting frame.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said source of gasket-forming material comprising a cartridge of gasket-forming material having a spout at one end, a cartridge holder for said cartridge, a plunger at an end of said cartridge holder and having a plunger rod extending outwardly therefrom, a fluid-operated cylinder aligned with said plunger rod, said cylinder having a piston therein, said piston being connected to said plunger rod, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the blind end of said cylinder, and switch means associated with said cylinder for shutting off the gasket-forming apparatus when the cartridge is substantially empty.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by said switch means being mounted on said cylinder and actuated when said piston is near the end of said cylinder toward aaid cartridge holder.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said source of gasket-forming material comprising a cartridge of gasket-forming material having a spout at one end and a cup at the other end, said cup having a concave surface facing said other end of said cartridge, a plunger having a contour of substantially the same size and shape as the concave surface of said cup, a plunger rod extending from said plunger, a fluid-operated cylinder receiving an end of said plunger rod, said cylinder having a piston therein, said piston being connected to said plunger rod, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the blind end of said cylinder.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by said plunger having threaded means extending therefrom to threadedly receive the end of said plunger rod opposite the end in said cylinder.

Claim 9

Apparatus for applying a bead of gasket-forming material in a pattern of predetermined shape to a mateable surface of a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a source of gasket-forming material, a transfer member having a transfer surface conforming to the mateable surface of the workpiece to which the bead of gasket-forming material is to be applied, applicator means for supplying gasket-forming material to said surface of said transfer member from said source in the shape of the bead to be applied to the mateable surface, said applicator means comprising a screen having a perforate portion of the same size and shape as the bead and a spreader for spreading gasket-forming material from said source over said screen and through the perforate portion, means for moving said transfer member from a position with the transfer surface adjacent the mateable surface of the workpiece and a position with the transfer surface adjacent said screen, said source of gasket-forming material comprising a cartridge holder for holding a cartridge of gasket-forming material, a plunger associated with said cartridge holder and having a plunger rod extending outwardly therefrom, a fluid-operated cylinder aligned with said plunger rod, said cylinder having a piston therein, said piston being connected to said plunger rod, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the blind end of said cylinder, and switch means associated with said cylinder for shutting off the gasket-forming apparatus when the cartridge is substantially empty.

Claim 10

Apparatus for applying a bead of gasket-forming material in a pattern of predetermined shape to a mateable surface of a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a source of gasket-forming material, a transfer member having a transfer surface conforming to the mateable surface of the workpiece to which the bead of gasket-forming material is to be applied, applicator means for supplying gasket-forming material to said surface of said transfer member from said source in the shape of the bead to be applied to the mateable surface, said applicator means comprising a screen having a perforate portion of the same size and shape as the bead and a spreader for spreading gasket-forming material from said source over said screen and through the perforate portion, means for moving said transfer member from a position with the transfer surface adjacent the mateable surface of the workpiece and a position with the transfer surface adjacent said screen, said source of gasket-forming material comprising a cartridge holder for holding a cartridge of gasket-forming material, a plunger associated with said cartridge holder and having a plunger rod extending outwardly therefrom, a fluid-operated cylinder aligned with said plunger rod, said cylinder having a piston therein, said piston being connected to said plunger rod, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the blind end of said cylinder, and switch means associated with said cylinder for shutting off the gasket-forming apparatus when the cartridge is substantially empty.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by said switch means being mounted on said cylinder and actuated when said piston is near the end of said cylinder toward said cartridge holder.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by said plunger being of a resilient plastic material and having a metal connector imbedded therein for attachment to said plunger rod.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by said plunger being of a somewhat resilient material and having a contour of a size and shape substantially equal to that of a concave surface of a cup located in an end of a cartridge of gasket-forming material.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by additional switch means actuated by means connected to said transfer member when said transfer member is in the position adjacent said screen, said additional switch means being effective to shut off said apparatus when said switch means is operated and said additional switch means is engaged by said means connected to said transfer member.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by supporting means for rotatably supporting said transfer member, guide means for mounting said supporting means for movement in a lineal path between the workpiece and said applicator means, and means for moving said supporting means in the lineal path toward and away from the workpiece and said applicator means.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 13 characterized by independent moving means mounted on said supporting means for rotating said transfer member through an arc of at least 180°.