Process for manufacturing a molded plastic window for an automotive vehicle and window produced thereby

• US 20040217620A1
• Filed: 06/02/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Exatec, LLC (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Exatec, LLC (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Kusuma, David, Sykes, Michael E., Matsco, Mark M.
• Application Number:
  US10/858,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20040217620A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/90
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/00 Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor injection blow-moulding B29C49/06
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/16 Making multilayered or multicoloured articles B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1704 the fluid being introduced into the interior of the injected material which is still in a molten state, e.g. for producing hollow articles B29C45/1732 and B29C45/1734 take precedence; injection blow-moulding B29C49/06
• 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 69/02 of moulding techniques only
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3052 Windscreens

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a plastic window for an automotive vehicle in which a hollow frame portion is separately molded from a main optical panel the frame portion bonded to the perimeter of the main panel as by melt bonding.

Claims

1-6. -6. (Cancelled)

7. A window made by the method comprising the steps of:

molding a main panel from a transparent synthetic resin, substantially free from optical distortion;

separately molding a frame portion from a synthetic resin, including the step of inducing gas assist expansion of the frame portion to form a hollow cavity extending along said frame portion, said frame portion configured to be fit to an outer perimeter of said main panel; and

joining said frame portion to said main panel perimeter.

8-12. -12. (Cancelled)

13. A window for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a main panel having portions defining an outer perimeter, said main panel being constructed of a first synthetic resin, transparent and substantially free of optical distortions;

a frame having portions defining an interior opening and having portions defining a hollow cavity extending along said frame, said frame having a shape substantially corresponding to said outer perimeter of said main panel; and

wherein said frame is mounted to said main panel at said outer perimeter.

14. The window of claim 13 wherein said frame is mounted to said outer perimeter of said main panel by a melt bond.

15. The window of claim 13 wherein said frame includes a wall extending therefrom, said wall being contiguous with a surface of said main panel.

16. The window of claim 13 wherein said frame includes a tab extending therefrom, said tab being offset from said main panel.

17. The window of claim 13 wherein said frame includes an integral attaching portion formed therein adapted to mount said window to the vehicle.

18. The window of claim 13 wherein said frame includes a profiled edge engaging a correspondingly profiled edge of said outer perimeter.

19. The window of claim 13 wherein said first synthetic resin is polycarbonate.

20. The window of claim 13 wherein said second synthetic resin is polycarbonate.

21. The window of claim 13 wherein said second synthetic resin has a stiffer modulus than said first synthetic resin.

22. The window of claim 13 wherein said second synthetic resin is filled polycarbonate.

23. The window of claim 13 wherein said second synthetic resin is opaque.

24. The window of claim 13 wherein said second synthetic resin is blackened in color.