Article attachment device and method

• US 20040061254A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polymerica Limited Company
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Snooks
• Inventors: Snooks, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,869,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/250
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/07 Flat, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/12 Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/155 Partial coating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0039 continuously
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/425 characterised by the composition of the molten plastics applied between pre-assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4815 Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4865 containing additives C09J11/00 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/54 between pre-assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/542 by injection
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12441 being a single wall
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12469 being asymmetric
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1248 Interpenetrating groove joints interpenetrating fingered joints B29C66/139
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/524 Joining profiled elements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/729 Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7294 Non woven mats, e.g. felt
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/964 involving trial and error
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/003 : Thermoplastic elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/00 : Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/06 : PS, i.e. polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/12 : containing fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 : Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 : Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 : Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2313/00 : Use of textile products or fabrics as reinforcement B29K2105/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/58 : Upholstery or cushions, e.g. vehicle upholstery or interior padding mattresses, cushions B29L2031/751
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/719 : Curtains; Blinds; Shades
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/727 : Fastening elements bolts B29L2001/002; nuts B29L2001/005; screws B29L2001/007; slide fasteners B29L2005/00; buttons for haberdashery B29L2019/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/771 : Seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 : by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like

Abstract

A method for attaching a substrate to a plastic profile, in which a profile is extruded from a plastic material. The profile has at least two separable legs that define a channel for receiving a substrate. A substrate is placed in the channel and a liquid material is injected, which upon hardening will join the substrate with the profile.

Claims

1. ) A method for attaching a substrate to a plastic profile, comprising the steps of:

a. extruding a profile from a plastic material that has at least two separable legs that define a channel for receiving a substrate;

b. placing the substrate in the channel; and

c. injecting a liquid material into the channel with the substrate for joining the substrate with the profile.

4. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a die adapted for maintaining the legs spread from each other, and having an inlet for receiving the substrate, and a runner for fluidly communicating a liquid to the channel.

5. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the profile is extruded to include a J-hook configuration.

6. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is a molten plastic.

7. ) The method of claim 6, wherein the molten plastic is substantially the same material as the plastic of the profile.

8. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a plastic fabric.

9. ) The method of claim 7, wherein the substrate is substantially the same material as the molten plastic and the material of the profile.

10. ) The method of claim 9, wherein the materials of the molten plastic, profile and substrate are polypropylene.

2. ) A method for attaching an upholstery material to an extruded plastic profile, comprising the steps of:

a. extruding a profile, including a hook portion, from a thermoplastic material, which profile has at least two separable legs that define a channel for receiving a substrate;

b. cooling the profile;

c. placing the upholstery material in the channel; and

d. injecting a molten plastic material into the channel with the upholstery material for joining the upholstery material with the profile.

11. ) The method of claim 2, further comprising employing a die adapted for maintaining the legs spread from each other, and having an inlet for receiving the upholstery material, and a runner for fluidly communicating a molten plastic to the channel.

12. ) The method of claim 2, wherein the profile is extruded to include a J-hook configuration.

13. ) The method of claim 2, wherein the materials of the molten plastic, profile and upholstery material are polypropylene.

14. ) The method of claim 2, wherein the profile is extruded to include a barb.

15. ) The method of claim 2, wherein the profile has an end portion that is generally rectangular.

16. ) The method of claim 2, wherein the profile includes a hook that projects from an intermediate location along the profile.

17. ) The method of claim 12, wherein the tip of the J-hook is substantially juxtaposed with the legs.

3. ) A method for attaching a substrate to a plastic profile, comprising the steps of:

a. extruding a polypropylene profile that has a J-hook portion terminating at a tip and at least two separable legs that join at an apex and define a channel for receiving a polypropylene fabric;

b. cooling the profile;

c. placing the legs of the profile in a die adapted for maintaining the legs spread from each other;

d. inserting a polypropylene fabric in the channel via an inlet in the die; and

e. injecting molten polypropylene through a runner in the die and into the channel for joining the fabric with the profile, wherein the fabric and the profile are joined in the absence of stitching.

18. ) The method of claim 3, wherein the tip is substantially juxtaposed with the legs at a location proximate the apex.

19. ) The method of claim 3, further comprising applying pressure to the legs as the injected molten polypropylene hardens.

20. ) The method of claim 3, further comprising assembling the profile with the fabric attached thereto to an automotive vehicle seat frame.