Abstract: An improved method of protecting finished surfaces of, for example, automobiles replaces the prior art methods of spraying and hand laying large plastic sheets. In this method a slotted die extrudes a ribbon of a polymeric emulsion onto the surface to be protected under robotic control so as to maintain a constant spacing between die and surface. The die can be moved quickly and with great precision. The applied film is cured and, at a later time, is peeled from the surface.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating undivided ribbons of polymeric film and a method of using the die to apply an emulsified polymeric material in ribbons to a fully or partially finished surface of an automobile body. In one application, the ribbon is applied as a peelable film to an automobile body and in another application, a ribbon is applied to a rocker panel as an anti-chip coating. For both applications, the applicator die has an internal gallery and an outlet slot with flared edge surfaces to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material at a distance from the target surface where the opposite edges of the ribbon have become essentially parallel.

Abstract: A method of applying a polymeric anti-chip coating to an automobile body surface such as a rocker panel using a hydraulic extrusion die to form and emit a non-atomized ribbon of material onto adhering contact with said rocker panel. The ribbon can be varied in width by robotically turning the die about the flow axis and proportionally changing the ratio of material flow to speed of die movement to maintain ribbon thickness.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating undivided ribbons of polymeric film and a method of using the die to apply an emulsified polymeric material in ribbons to a fully or partially finished surface of an automobile body. In one application, the ribbon is applied as a peelable film to an automobile body and in another application, a ribbon is applied to a rocker panel as an anti-chip coating. For both applications, the applicator die has an internal gallery and an outlet slot with flared edge surfaces to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material at a distance from the target surface where the opposite edges of the ribbon have become essentially parallel.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating undivided ribbons of polymeric film and a method of using the die to apply an emulsified polymeric material in ribbons to a fully or partially finished surface of an automobile body. In one application, the ribbon is applied as a peelable film to an automobile body and in another application, a ribbon is applied to a rocker panel as an anti-chip coating. For both applications, the applicator die has an internal gallery and an outlet slot with flared edge surfaces to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material at a distance from the target surface where the opposite edges of the ribbon have become essentially parallel.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating and applying laminarized ribbons of polymeric film to a target surface, such as but not limited to a surface of an automobile body component. In one embodiment, the protective film is an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate and is used to create a continuous peelable film to protect a surface. In another embodiment, the polymeric is polyvinyl chloride and it is applied to create an anti-chip coating. The applicator die has an internal supply gallery and an outlet slot of complex shape to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material that allows the material to be applied directly to the target surface without masking. A robot is used to control movement of the die. The die includes temperature control.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating undivided ribbons of polymeric film and a method of using the die to apply an emulsified polymeric material in ribbons to a fully or partially finished surface of an automobile body. In one application, the ribbon is applied as a peelable film to an automobile body and in another application, a ribbon is applied to a rocker panel as an anti-chip coating. For both applications, the applicator die has an internal gallery and an outlet slot with flared edge surfaces to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material at a distance from the target surface where the opposite edges of the ribbon have become essentially parallel.

Abstract: An applicator die for creating and applying laminarized ribbons of polymeric film to a target surface, such as but not limited to a surface of an automobile body component. In one embodiment, the protective film is an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate and is used to create a continuous peelable film to protect a surface. In another embodiment, the polymeric is polyvinyl chloride and it is applied to create an anti-chip coating. The applicator die has an internal supply gallery and an outlet slot of complex shape to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material that allows the material to be applied directly to the target surface without masking. A robot is used to control movement of the die. The die includes temperature control.

Abstract: A mastic control system for delivering a mastic material to a surface in a precisely controlled manner. The system includes a mastic pump, a regulator receiving the mastic from the pump, a nozzle receiving the mastic from the regulator, a transducer sensing the pressure of the mastic flowing through the nozzle, a comparator comparing a signal from the transducer and a command signal corresponding to a desired mastic pressure and operative to generate a control signal which is constantly adjusted in response to a sensed difference between the transducer signal and the command signal, and an air valve receiving the control signal and operative to selectively adjust a poppet valve of the regulator in a manner to adjust the delivery of the mastic to the nozzle in compensation for the sensed departure of the mastic pressure in the nozzle from the pressure value dictated by the command signal.