Maskless Touch-Up Tool with Sealing Faceplate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for touching up surface coatings, such as chromate conversion coatings on rocket bodies, require extensive masking and chemical preparation, which can damage the surface and result in hazardous waste, especially when applied to vertical surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A maskless touch up tool with a faceplate and handle that forms a sealing interface around the target region, allowing for the application of coatings without masking, and includes a reservoir to collect excess coating, preventing drippage and reducing the need for absorbent materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional masking methods are used for touch up coating, then coating application precision is improved, but surface damage and hazardous waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating application precisionVSAvoidsurface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gel mask as an intermediary substance applied between the coating and the surface. This gel mask serves as a temporary barrier that prevents coating from adhering to areas that should not be coated, while being easily removable without damaging the underlying surface or existing coating. The gel mask acts as a mediator that enables precise coating application without the harmful effects of traditional adhesive masking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable gel mask that is applied, used for the duration of the coating process, and then discarded. This short-living masking material eliminates the need for complex removal processes and avoids surface damage associated with removing traditional masking materials. The gel mask is designed to be single-use, minimizing waste and eliminating hazardous waste disposal requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If masking is used to prevent coating drippage on vertical surfaces, then coating containment is improved, but hazardous waste disposal requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating containmentVSAvoidhazardous waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gel mask serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents coating from dripping down vertical surfaces during application. By applying the gel mask to areas that should not be coated, the system contains the coating within the intended region, preventing it from running off and creating hazardous waste. The gel mask is removed after the coating cures, leaving no residue and no hazardous waste requiring disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable gel mask provides a simple, effective solution for preventing coating drippage on vertical surfaces. Instead of using traditional masking materials that create hazardous waste, the gel mask is applied, performs its containment function during the coating process, and is then discarded without creating additional hazardous waste. This eliminates the need for complex waste disposal procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If absorbent materials are used to catch excess coating on vertical surfaces, then drippage prevention is improved, but hazardous waste generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrippage preventionVSAvoidhazardous waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gel mask acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents excess coating from dripping down vertical surfaces. By positioning the gel mask strategically, it intercepts the coating before it can run off the surface, eliminating the need for absorbent materials like rags or towels. This approach prevents drippage without generating hazardous waste, as the gel mask is removed intact after the coating process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable gel mask provides a superior alternative to absorbent materials for catching excess coating. Instead of using absorbent materials that become hazardous waste and require disposal, the gel mask is applied, performs its drippage prevention function, and is then discarded without creating hazardous waste. This eliminates the need for absorbent materials and their associated disposal requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If chemical preparation methods are used for touch up coating, then coating adhesion is improved, but surface damage and masking requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidmasking requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gel mask serves as an intermediary that enables precise coating application without requiring extensive masking. By applying the gel mask to the areas that should not be coated, the system simplifies the preparation process while maintaining coating adhesion. The gel mask protects the surface during chemical preparation and coating application, eliminating the need for complex masking procedures and reducing surface damage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable gel mask provides a simple, effective solution for protecting surfaces during chemical preparation and coating application. Instead of using extensive masking materials that increase device complexity, the gel mask is applied to the necessary areas, performs its protective function during the entire process, and is then discarded. This simplifies the overall procedure and reduces the risk of surface damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS20250320597A1Maskless touch up tool for surface coatings
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 BLUE ORIGIN MANUFACTURING LLC
  • US20250320597A1 patent drawing
  • US20250320597A1 patent drawing
  • US20250320597A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.