Manufacture of waterproof wire connectors

Abstract

A method of manufacturing gel containing wire connectors with a silicone gel that remains in an unseparated state wherein the temperature of the gel precursors are elevated before being mixed and dispensed into the cavity of a wire connector where the mixed gel precursors are allowed to cool and cure without the necessity of additional heating of either the mixed gel precursors or the wire connector.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for manufacturing a gel containing wire connector comprising:
 a container for holding a first gel precursor;   a mixing valve;   a first heat transfer member for transferring the first gel precursor to the dispensing valve while elevating the temperature of the first gel precursor to a temperature approaching the temperature of the heat transfer member;   a second heat transfer member for transferring the second gel precursor to the dispensing valve while elevating the temperature of the second gel precursor to a temperature approaching the temperature of the second heat transfer member; and   a nozzle for receiving and mixing the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor and injecting a mixture of the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor into a wire connector.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  including a conveyor for carrying the wire connector to a position to receive the mixture of the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor and to carry the wire connector with the mixture of the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor to a storage bin for completion of the curing as the product is being prepared for shipment. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the first heat transfer member is a heated hose having a length sufficient so that the delivery of the first gel precursor through the heated hose is sufficient to bring the temperature of the first gel precursor to a temperature approaching the temperature of the heated hose as the first gel precursor discharges into the dispensing valve and the second heat transfer member is a heated hose having a length sufficient so that the delivery of the second gel precursor through the heated hose is sufficient to bring the temperature of the second gel precursor to a temperature approaching the temperature of the second heated hose as the second gel precursor discharges into the dispensing valve. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  including a plurality of twist on wire connectors held in an upright condition on a conveyor. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  including a pressure source for maintaining the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor at a pressure sufficient to force the first gel precursor and the second gel precursor into the dispensing valve. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16  including a heater for maintaining the temperature of the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member at a temperature within the range of about 45 degrees C. to 65 degrees C.