초록 ▼

Improved masking apparatus and methods for bulk charging a flowable material into selected cell ends exposed at an end face of a honeycomb structure. The masking apparatus utilize protrusions which assist in properly aligning the apparatus to the end face and reduce the possibility of improperly cha

Improved masking apparatus and methods for bulk charging a flowable material into selected cell ends exposed at an end face of a honeycomb structure. The masking apparatus utilize protrusions which assist in properly aligning the apparatus to the end face and reduce the possibility of improperly charging cells. In one apparatus embodiment, a planar body is provided having a plurality of hollow protrusions which extend into selected cell ends when the planar body is fitted against an end face of the structure. A flowable material charged against the planar body passes through the hollow protrusions into the selected cell ends. In another embodiment, a plurality of preformed protrusions or plugs are mounted along thin, flexible members at predetermined locations. The plugs are inserted into and block or cover the ends of an equal plurality of cells. A flowable material charged against the end face passes into the remaining, uncovered cells. The invention is of particular use in fabricating solid particulate filter bodies from ceramic-based honeycomb structures.

대표청구항 ▼

The combination of a honeycomb structure having a pair of opposing end faces and a matrix of thin walls defining a multiplicity of hollow, open ended cells extending through said structure between said pair of end faces, including a selected subset of said cells, and a mask apparatus for use in bulk

The combination of a honeycomb structure having a pair of opposing end faces and a matrix of thin walls defining a multiplicity of hollow, open ended cells extending through said structure between said pair of end faces, including a selected subset of said cells, and a mask apparatus for use in bulk charging a flowable material into said selected subset of cells, said apparatus comprising: at least one base member positioned across one end face, a plurality of protruding members extending from each base member in the same direction, each protruding member in register with and extending into an open end of one of said cells, and means at said one end face for providing open access to open ends of cells in said selected subset by said flowable material, and said apparatus coverably sealing the open ends of all but said subset of cells.