Process for the preparation of prefabricated vehicle windows

• US 5,620,648 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Essex Specialty Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Essex Specialty Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Volkmann, Curtis L., Griffin, Henry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ball, Michael W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRISPINO, RICHARD D
• Application Number:
  US08/565,489
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 156/108, 264/252, 264/254, 264/255, 264/260, 264/275, 264/271.1, 264/279, 264/511, 269/84.1, 269/93, 52/204.62, 52/204.67, 52/204.591, 52/204.597, 52/716.5
• US Class Current: 264/511
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/763 the edges being disposed in a substantial flat plane
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/778 Windows profiled elements for making window frames B29L2031/005, windscreens B29L2031/3052
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7782 Glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/273 for enclosing or housing devices for purposes other than sealing, e.g. cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/34 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens

Abstract

A prefabricated vehicle window having an exterior molding is prepared by (a) placing a protective film inside a glass support fixture having a cavity to line the cavity; (b) depositing a bead of a first hardenable polymeric material (first bead) on top of the protective film in an amount sufficient to fully cover the marginal edges of the outer surface of a glass sheet subsequently placed on the glass support fixture; (c) placing a glass sheet having exposed side surfaces, inner surface and outer surface on the glass support fixture, with the outer surface facing toward the glass support fixture, and at least a portion of its periphery pressing against the first bead which causes the first bead to conform to the shape and contour of the film-covered glass support fixture cavity and cover the adjacent exposed marginal edges of the outer glass surface, and squeezes out any excess first bead over to the exposed side surfaces, thereby partially or fully covering the exposed side surfaces; and (d) depositing a bead of a second hardenable polymeric material (second bead) in the glass support fixture in an amount sufficient to cover the marginal edges of the glass inner surface, and the glass side surfaces.

Claims

1. A process for preparing a prefabricated vehicle window having an exterior molding comprising the sequential steps of:

(a) placing a protective film inside a glass support fixture having a cavity, said film lining the cavity;

(b) depositing a bead of a first hardenable polymeric material on top of the protective film fin an amount sufficient to fully cover the marginal edges of the outer surface of a glass sheet subsequently placed on the glass support fixture;

(c) placing a glass sheet having exposed side surfaces, inner surface and outer surface on the glass support fixture, with the outer surface facing toward the glass support fixture, and at least a portion of its periphery pressing against the first polymeric material which causes the first polymeric material to conform to the shape and contour of the film-covered glass support fixture cavity and cover the adjacent exposed marginal edges of the outer glass surface, and squeezes out excess first polymeric material over to the exposed side surfaces, thereby partially or fully covering the exposed side surfaces; and

(d) depositing a bead of a second hardenable polymeric material in the glass support fixture to cover the marginal edges of the glass inner surface, the glass side surfaces and/or the first polymeric material covering the side surfaces;

(e) removing the glass with the protective film, the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material from the support surface;

(f) curing the first and second polymeric materials to form the prefabricated vehicle window.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the glass support fixture cavity is shaped to the desired contour and dimensions of a portion of the exterior molding.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the glass support fixture is provided with perforations connected to a vacuum and/or pressure source.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the glass support fixture is provided with a groove adapted to receive a decorative film.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the glass support fixture is provided with at least one removable insert that allows different shapes of exterior molding to be formed without using another glass support fixture.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the glass support fixture comprises at least two detachable pieces.

7. A process for preparing a prefabricated vehicle window having a decorative molding comprising the sequential steps of:

(a) placing a protective film inside a glass support fixture having a cavity, said film lining the cavity;

(b) placing a decorative film on top of the protective film;

(c) depositing a bead of a first hardenable polymeric material on top of the decorative film, in an amount sufficient to fully cover the marginal edges of the outer surface of a glass sheet subsequently placed on the glass support fixture;

(d) placing a glass sheet having exposed side surfaces, inner surface and outer surface on the glass support fixture, with the outer surface facing toward the glass support fixture, and at least a portion of its periphery pressing against the first polymeric material which causes the first polymeric material to conform to the shape and contour of the protective and decorative film-covered glass support fixture cavity and cover the adjacent exposed marginal edges of the outer glass surface, and squeezes out excess first polymeric material over to the exposed side surfaces, thereby partially or fully covering the exposed side surfaces; and

(e) depositing a bead of a second hardenable polymeric material in the glass support fixture to cover the marginal edges of the glass inner surface, and the glass side surfaces and/or the first polymeric material covering the side surfaces;

(f) removing the glass with the protective film, the decorative film, the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material from the support surface;

(g) curing the first and second polymeric materials to form the prefabricated vehicle window.

8. A process for preparing a prefabricated vehicle window having a decorative molding comprising the sequential steps of:

(a) placing a protective film inside a glass support fixture having a cavity, said film lining the cavity;

(b) placing a decorative film on top of the protective film;

(c) depositing a bead of a first hardenable polymeric material on top of the decorative film, in an amount sufficient to fully cover the marginal edges of the outer surface of a glass sheet subsequently placed on the glass support fixture;

(d) embedding a functional article in the bead of first hardenable polymeric material;

(e) placing a glass sheet having exposed side surfaces, inner surface and outer surface on the glass support fixture, with the outer surface facing toward the glass support fixture, and at least a portion of its periphery pressing against the first polymeric material which causes the first polymeric material to conform to the shape and contour of the protective and decorative film-covered glass support fixture cavity and cover the adjacent exposed marginal edges of the outer glass surfaces and squeezes out excess first polymeric material over to the exposed side surfaces, thereby partially or fully covering the exposed side surfaces; and

(f) depositing a bead of a second hardenable polymeric material in the glass support fixture to cover the marginal edges of the glass inner surface, and the glass side surfaces and/or the first polymeric material covering the side surfaces;

(g) removing the glass with the protective film, the decorative film, the functional article, the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material from the support surface;

(h) curing the first and second polymeric materials to form the prefabricated vehicle window.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the functional article is an antenna, a heating element, a computer chip or a separating wire adapted to remove a damaged window.

10. A process for preparing an article having a molding along its periphery, comprising the sequential steps of:

(a) placing a protective film inside a support fixture having a cavity, said film lining the cavity;

(b) depositing a bead of a first hardenable polymeric material on top of the protective film in an amount sufficient to fully cover the marginal edges of the outer surface of a glass sheet, plastic sheet, wood sheet or metal sheet subsequently placed on the support fixture;

(c) placing a glass sheet, plastic sheet, wood sheet or metal sheet having exposed side surfaces, inner surface and outer surface on the support fixture, with the outer surface facing toward the support fixture, and at least a portion of its periphery pressing against the first polymeric material which causes the first polymeric material to conform to the shape and contour of the film-covered support fixture cavity and cover the adjacent exposed marginal edges of the outer surface of the glass, plastic, wood or metal sheet, and squeezes out excess first polymeric material over the exposed side surfaces, thereby partially or fully covering the exposed side surfaces; and

(d) depositing a bead of a second hardenable polymeric material in the support fixture to cover the marginal edges of the inner and side surfaces of the glass, plastic, wood or metal sheets and/or the first polymeric material covering the side surfaces;

(e) removing the glass, plastic, wood or metal sheet with the protective film, the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material from the support surface;

(f) curing the first and second polymeric materials to form the article having a molding along its periphery.