Method and device for application of structural materials
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- a. obtaining an article of manufacture that includes a surface and one or more through holes;
b. obtaining a material in a pre-activation state that is viscous, flowable and uncured;
c. applying the material to the article of manufacture in a continuous bead along a length of the article of manufacture so that the material is forced through the one or more through holes forming a mechanical interlock between the article of manufacture and the material; and
d. raising and lowering pressure applied to the material throughout the step of applying the material to the article of manufacture,wherein as the continuous bead is applied along the length of the article of manufacture;
i. a normal pressure is employed when the material is applied along the surface of the article on one side of a region surrounding at least one of the one or more through holes,ii. a raised pressure greater than the normal pressure is employed when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes to force the material through the at least one of the one or more through holes, andiii. the pressure is decreased back to the normal pressure as the material is applied to the surface of the article on an opposing side of the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes;
wherein the material in the pre-activation state has a viscosity that is sufficient so that the raised pressure when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes is enough to move the material through the one or more through holes in the article of manufacture, and the material conforms to the one or more through holes to self-anchor the material to the article of manufacture to resist pull-through.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a method of applying activatable material to a member of an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle. According to the method, the activatable material is provided to an applicator followed by applying the activatable material to the member wherein the activatable material is attached by way of a mechanical interlock via one or more through-holes.
49 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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a. obtaining an article of manufacture that includes a surface and one or more through holes; b. obtaining a material in a pre-activation state that is viscous, flowable and uncured; c. applying the material to the article of manufacture in a continuous bead along a length of the article of manufacture so that the material is forced through the one or more through holes forming a mechanical interlock between the article of manufacture and the material; and d. raising and lowering pressure applied to the material throughout the step of applying the material to the article of manufacture, wherein as the continuous bead is applied along the length of the article of manufacture; i. a normal pressure is employed when the material is applied along the surface of the article on one side of a region surrounding at least one of the one or more through holes, ii. a raised pressure greater than the normal pressure is employed when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes to force the material through the at least one of the one or more through holes, and iii. the pressure is decreased back to the normal pressure as the material is applied to the surface of the article on an opposing side of the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes; wherein the material in the pre-activation state has a viscosity that is sufficient so that the raised pressure when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the one or more through holes is enough to move the material through the one or more through holes in the article of manufacture, and the material conforms to the one or more through holes to self-anchor the material to the article of manufacture to resist pull-through. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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a. obtaining an article of manufacture that includes a surface and two or more through holes; b. obtaining a material in a pre-activation state that is viscous, flowable and uncured; c. applying the material to the article of manufacture using a mini applicator in a continuous bead that spans between the two or more through holes so that the material is forced through the two or more through holes forming a mechanical interlock between the article of manufacture and the material; and d. raising and lowering a pressure applied to the material throughout the step of applying the material to the article of manufacture, wherein as the continuous bead is applied to the article of manufacture; i. a normal pressure is employed when the material is applied along the surface of the article on one side of a region surrounding at least one of the two or more through holes, ii. a raised pressure greater than the normal pressure is employed when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the two or more through holes to force the material through the at least one of the two or more through holes, and e. exposing the material to a first cure to secure the mechanical interlock between the article of manufacture and the material, wherein the material is still capable of a final curing and expansion step; wherein the material in the pre-activation state has a viscosity that is sufficient so that the raised pressure when applying the material in the region surrounding the at least one of the two or more through holes is enough to move the material through the at least one of the two or more through holes in the article of manufacture, and the material conforms to the two or more through holes to self-anchor the material to the article of manufacture to resist pull-through. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification