Thread lock

Claim 3

The method of mass-producing articles by the method defined in claim 1, which comprises advancing a series of articles horizontally continuously in closely spaced relation through closely adjacent stations for depositing the fluid lock-forming material, applying the film-forming coating, and exposing the coating to U-V radiation, after which the completed articles are immediately suitable for random accumulation.

Claim 4

The method as defined in claim 1, which comprises depositing the fluid material on the threaded surface and applying the film-forming material over the fluid deposit with all at temperatures within normal room temperature range.

Claim 5

The method as defined in claim 1, which comprises exposing the fluid film forming material to U-V radiation of an intensity and for a duration sufficient to cure the film-forming material to a thin, solid, dry, non-tacky protective film.

Claim 6

The method of mass-producing articles by the method defined in claim 4, which comprises continuously advancing a series of articles through a deposit station and depositing the fluid lock-forming material on the threaded surfaces as the articles advance, applying the coating of film-forming material at an applicator station adjacent the deposit station as the articles continue to advance, and subjecting the coated articles to U-V radiation at a radiation station adjacent the applicator station as they continue to advance.

Claim 7

The method of mass-producing articles by the method defined in claim 5, which comprises applying the film-forming coating by spray application.

Claim 8

The method of mass-producing articles by the method defined in claim 5, which comprises collecting the finished articles at random directly after exposure to the U-V radiation.

Claim 9

The method as defined in claim 1, in which the film-forming material comprises a mixture by weight of 15-50% of an oligomeric resin, 50-80% of a monomer, and 3-12% of a photoinitiator system.

Claim 10

The method as defined in claim 7, in which the film-forming material has the composition, with components given in parts by weight: ______________________________________ Components Parts by Weight ______________________________________ Urethane Acrylate 600 Acrylated aliphatic glycidal ether 200 Tetra ethylene glycol diacrylate 700 Trimethylolpropane triacrylate 450 Vinyl pyrrolidone 600 Vinyl versatate 750 Photo blend 300 Vinyl acetate 50 ______________________________________ where the photo blend is composed of equal parts by weight of chloroalkyl aryl ketone, amyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, and vinyl versatate.

Claim 13

The method as defined in claim 10, which comprises supporting the bolt with its axis vertical during deposition of the fluid resin and curing agent, application of the fluid coating and radiation thereof; in which the fluid resin has a viscosity at ambient temperatures not exceeding 100° F. which permits flow of the resin along the thread grooves into contact with the curing agent while preventing substantial flow longitudinally of the bolt; and in which the deposition of the resin and curing agent, application of the film-forming material, and initiation of the ultra-violet radiation all take place at temperatures not exceeding 100° F.

Claim 14

The method as defined in claim 11, in which the resin is an epoxy resin, and the deposit of resin and curing agent and application of the film-forming material are accomplished at about 90° F.

Claim 15

The method as defined in claim 11, which comprises applying particulate material to the surface of the fluid resin before the application of the film-forming material thereto.

Claim 16

The method as defined in claim 12, which comprises applying particulate material to the surface of the fluid resin before the application of the film-forming material thereto.

Claim 17

The method as defined in claim 13, in which the particulate material comprises one or more selected from group consisting of nylon powder, powdered glass, metal powders, powdered graphite, crystals of table salt, and powdered color-imparting material.

Claim 18

The method as defined in claim 14, in which the particulate matter comprises one or more selected from group consisting of nylon powder, powdered glass, metal powders, powdered graphite, crystals of table salt, and powdered color-imparting material.

Claim 19

The method as defined in claim 10, in which the film-forming material comprises a mixture by weight of 15-50% of an oligomeric resin, 50-80% of a monomer, and 3-12% of a photoinitiator system.

Claim 20

The method as defined in claim 17, in which the film-forming material has the composition, with components given in parts by weight: ______________________________________ Components Parts by Weight ______________________________________ Urethane Acrylate 600 Acrylated aliphatic glycidal ether 200 Tetra ethylene glycol diacrylate 700 Trimethylolpropane triacrylate 450 Vinyl pyrrolidone 600 Vinyl versatate 750 Photo blend 300 Vinyl acetate 50 ______________________________________ where the photo blend is composed of equal parts by weight of chloroalkyl aryl ketone, amyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, and vinyl versatate.

Claim 21

The method as defined in claim 11, in which the film-forming material comprises a mixture by weight of 15-50% of an oligomeric resin, 50-80% of a monomer, and 3-12% of a photoinitiator system.

Claim 22

The method as defined in claim 19, in which the film-forming material has the composition, with components given in parts by weight: ______________________________________ Components Parts by Weight ______________________________________ Urethane Acrylate 600 Acrylated aliphatic glycidal ether 200 Tetra ethylene glycol diacrylate 700 Trimethylolpropane triacrylate 450 Vinyl pyrrolidone 600 Vinyl versatate 750 Photo blend 300 Vinyl acetate 50 ______________________________________ where the photo blend is composed of equal parts by weight of chloroalkyl aryl ketone, amyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, and vinyl versatate.

Claim 23

The method as defined in claim 11, which comprises suspending a series of separate bolts from an advancing conveyor, causing the bolts to traverse stations at which the resin and curing agent deposits are made, the film-forming material applied, and the ultra-violet radiation accomplished, and then removing the finished bolts serially from the conveyor.

Claim 24

The method as defined in claim 21, which comprises depositing the finished bolts at random in containers as they are removed from the conveyor.

Claim 27

The method as defined in claim 23, in which the fluid resin is an epoxy resin having a viscosity suitable for deposition in the threads of bolts having their axes vertically disposed only at temperatures between ambient temperature and about 100° F., and which comprises maintaining the bolts at the aforesaid range of temperatures during deposition of the fluid resin and curing agents, application of the film-forming agent, and initiation of the ultra-violet radiation.

Claim 30

The method as defined in claim 25, in which the uncured resin is in a fluid anaerobic mixture, and in which the material of the capsules, and the protective film are air-permeable to prevent polymerization of the resin until escape from ruptured capsules upon threaded engagement with mating articles and resultant exclusion of air from fluid resin between confronting thread surfaces.

Claim 31

The method as defined in claim 25, in which the fluid resin is curable by a curing agent, which comprises incorporating the curing agent in the fluid binder.

Claim 32

The method as defined in claim 25, in which the fluid resin is curable by a curing agent, and in which the curing agent is a fluid which is also micro-encapsulated and which mixes with the fluid uncured resin upon rupture of some of the micro-capsules.

Claim 33

The method as defined in claim 25, in which the fluid binder contains a volatile fluid component and is adapted to solidify upon evaporation of the fluid component.

Claim 34

The method as defined in claim 25, in which the fluid binder remains fluid and protected by the said film.

Claim 35

The method as defined in claim 1, in which the uncured fluid resin is applied in fluid condition directly to the threaded surface.

Claim 36

The method as defined in claim 1, in which the uncured fluid resin is micro-encapsulated and incorporated in a fluid binder to form a fluid mixture which is applied to the threaded surface.