Process for the at least partial curing of sealants and adhesives using pulsed microwave energy

• US 5,064,494 A
• Filed: 03/03/1989
• Issued: 11/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teroson GMBG
• Original Assignee: Teroson G.M.B.H. (Henkel AG & Co KGaA)
• Inventors: Duck, Edward W., Scheffler, Ingolf, Hirthammer, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barry, Chester T.
• Application Number:
  US07/334,279
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 156/275.5, 156/273.3, 156/272.2, 156/275.7, 156/273.5, 264/22, 264/25, 219/6.5, 219/10.43, 219/10.55 A, 219/10.55 B, 219/10.55 F, 219/10.53, 219/10.55 M, 296/93
• US Class Current: 156/273.5
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0855 using microwave
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/08 by wave energy or particle radiation B29C64/00, B29C71/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1425 Microwave radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1435 at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1483 coated on the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1487 making use of light guides B29C65/1687 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1496 making use of masks B29C65/1696 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4835 Heat curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/484 Moisture curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/485 Multi-component adhesives, i.e. chemically curing as a result of the mixing of said multi-components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4865 containing additives C09J11/00 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0242 Heating, or preheating, e.g. drying B29C66/3464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• 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 66/534 Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2709/08 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/26 Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3052 Windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/10 Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/3268 : Salt complexes of polyamines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/80 : Apparatus for specific applications stoves or ranges F24C7/02

Abstract

For the at least partial curing of sealants and adhesives in particular in connection with the direct glazing of motor vehicles, at least part of the sealant and adhesive is heated by applying microwave energy.

Claims

1. A process for glazing motor vehicles, the steps comprising:

applying a sealant and adhesive composition to either a vehicle frame having one or more metal elements or to a window, inserting the window into the frame adjacent to the metal element, applying microwave energy from a radiational element located to one side of the window opposite the metal element to at least a portion of the composition in a pulse-like manner so that overheating of the portion of the composition to which the microwaves are applied is avoided, so as to heat and initiate curing of at least a portion of the composition, thereby securing the window to the frame wherein the pulse-like manner is that a first group of microwaves is applied during an initial period, followed by an interval period during which continuous microwave energy is applied, and subsequently at least one additional group of microwaves is applied during at least one additional period.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the first group of microwaves has an initial amplitude, and each additional group of microwaves has an amplitude less than the initial amplitude.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the period during which each additional group of microwaves is applied has the same length.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the sealant and adhesive composition is slow curing and microwave energy is applied to the composition before the window is inserted into the frame.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the metal element is preheated in the vicinity of the sealant and adhesive composition.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the metal element is heated to a temperature of about 75°

to 100°

C.

7. The process of claim 5, wherein the metal element is heated to a temperature of about 80°

to 95°

C.