Structural hot melt material and methods
First Claim
1. A method of reinforcing structural members comprising the steps of:
- providing a structural member of an automotive vehicle, the structural member having two substrates that form a hem flange, the hem flange forming a space to be joined;
providing a material comprising of in parts by weight;
less than about twenty percent (<
20%) ethylene copolymer, less than about forty percent (<
40%) epoxy, less than about thirty percent (<
45%) epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent (<
2%) blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) curing agent;
placing said material in proximity of said space to be joined;
exposing said material to a heat source that delivers heat energy at a temperature between about 285°
F. and about 400°
F. causing said material to flow, fill, and cure in said space to be joined.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a material, method, and application for reinforcement of structural members, especially joints such as a hem flange joint of an automobile. The method and material of the present invention comprises of combining, in parts by weight: less than about twenty percent (<20%) ethylene copolymer, less than about forty percent (<40%) epoxy, less than about thirty percent (<45%) epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent (<2%) blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) curing agent (and optionally add any of the following components: less than about two percent (<2%) curing agent accelerator, from about twenty-five percent (25%) to fifty-five percent (55%) filler, and less than about one percent (<1%) of coloring agent). The application of the present invention comprises of: (1) providing a structural member having two substrates forming a space to be joined; (2) placing the material of the present invention in proximity of the space to be joined; (3) exposing the material to a heat source causing it to flow, fill, and cure in the defined area or space to be joined.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of reinforcing structural members comprising the steps of:
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providing a structural member of an automotive vehicle, the structural member having two substrates that form a hem flange, the hem flange forming a space to be joined;
providing a material comprising of in parts by weight;
less than about twenty percent (<
20%) ethylene copolymer, less than about forty percent (<
40%) epoxy, less than about thirty percent (<
45%) epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent (<
2%) blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) curing agent;
placing said material in proximity of said space to be joined;
exposing said material to a heat source that delivers heat energy at a temperature between about 285°
F. and about 400°
F. causing said material to flow, fill, and cure in said space to be joined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of reinforcing structural members comprising the steps of:
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providing a structural member having two substrates forming a space to be joined, wherein;
i) the two substrates include a first panel and a second panel of an automotive vehicle structure;
ii) the first panel having an arcuate portion forming a cavity that defines at least a portion of the space to be joined and the second panel having an edge received in the cavity;
providing a hot melt thermosettable material comprising an ethylene copolymer, an epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) curing agent;
placing said material in proximity of said space to be joined;
exposing said material to a heat source causing said material to flow, fill, and cure in said space to be joined. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of reinforcing structural members comprising the steps of:
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providing a structural member having two substrates forming a space to be joined wherein;
i) the two substrates include a first panel and a second panel of an automotive vehicle structure selected from a tailgate, a lift gate, or a rear gate;
ii) the first panel and the second panel form a particular hem flange joint having an arcuate portion forming a cavity that defines at least a portion of the space to be joined and the second panel having an edge received in the cavity;
providing a material comprising an ethylene copolymer, an epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent by weight blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) by weight curing agent;
placing said material in proximity of said space to be joined, said material contacting the arcuate portion of the first panel and the edge of the second panel;
exposing said material to a heat source causing said material to flow, fill, and cure in said space to be joined wherein;
i) the material is thermoset by exposure to the heat source; and
ii) the heat source is an oven employed in e-coat or painting operations applied to the automotive vehicle; and
iii) the heat source exposes the material to a temperature of between about 285°
F. to about 400°
F. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification