Donnelly Corporation

The Sherwin Williams Company

Douglas Crank

Daniel J Fisher

John W Carter

Raj K Agrawal

Clinton L Allen

William F Meyers

James L Brodie

Marc A Lovell

Sabina J Houle

Arthur H Johnson, Jr

A method of conforming upper and lower detached edge portions of a label to upper and lower contoured sections of a container, includes moving the container along a travel path, and heating at least the upper and lower detached edge portions of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path. The method also includes moving the container between a compression plate and a vertically oriented belt disposed about at least two rotatable drums, thereby applying pressure to at least a portion of the label. The method further includes applying pressure to the upper detached edge portion of the label with a first linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure, and applying pressure to the lower detached edge portion of the label with a second linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure.

Method of conforming a label to the contour of a container

An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

Apparatus for conforming a label

An apparatus, formulation and method for cleaning soils, such as paint drips or splashes, from the outside surface of filled aerosol paint cans and other articles is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of reservoirs containing liquids for cleaning and rinsing articles. Articles to be cleaned travel on a conveyor system comprised of one or more mechanical conveyors. During the cleaning operation, one or more brushes apply cleaning solution to the articles, an air knife blows excess cleaning solution and/or solid soils off of the articles, and a jet spray rinses the articles. Another air knife may be used to dry the cleaned articles. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recirculation devices for removing solids from the cleaning and rinsing liquids so that these liquids may be reused in the cleaning operations. A cleaning formulation comprised of a glycol ether and hydrocarbon solvent is also provided.

Apparatus and method for the automated cleaning of articles

A panel assembly and method for manufacturing the panel assembly, especially adapted for use in vehicles, includes a panel of predetermined size and geometry wherein a surface of the panel to receive a gasket is primed using a material especially adapted to prepare the panel surface to bond with the gasket. The desired gasket profile is molded separately from the panel from a polymeric material. Following formation of the gasket, the panel is located thereon and pressed into intimate contact with the gasket for a prescribed period of time. The panel and attached panel are removed as an assembly. Additional or optional steps may be followed including preheating the panel and primed surface prior to bonding to shorten the cycle time and improve adhesion. Moreover, heat may be applied to the contact boundary between the panel and gasket substantially simultaneously with the application of pressure. The steps of heating and applying pressure may be repeated to insure proper adhesion. The panel assembly and the method of manufacturing the panel assembly are especially adapted for use in flush mounted panel assemblies wherein the gasket is fixed only to a single surface of the pane and allows for gradationally varying cross-sectional profiles to specifically suit a needed application.

Method for making vehicular panel assembly

Vehicular panel assembly and method for making same

A single-sided gasketed panel assembly for use as a flush-mounted panel or window in vehicles, buildings, or other structures, as well as a method and apparatus for making such panel assemblies, wherein the panel assembly comprises a sheet-like panel having; a primer layer and at least one polymeric gasket molded to the panel on the primer layer. The primer applied to the panel has a predetermined transition temperature above which improved adhesion properties are exhibited for polymeric gaskets molded thereon when the primer is at or above such temperature. In a preferred embodiment, a gasket is molded from a thermoplastic polymeric material such as PVC onto the primed portion of the panel while the panel is at or above the transition temperature. The resulting bond between the gasket and panel can withstand a shear force greater than 300 pounds per square inch at a rate of 25 millimeters per minute and a 180.degree. peel test force greater than 30 pounds per linear inch at a rate of 25 millimeters per minute after soaking for at least 250 hours in water having a temperature greater than 175.degree. F. The method for manufacturing the panel assembly includes applying a primer having a predetermined transition temperature as a coating to a surface of a panel, heating the panel and primer coating to a temperature at least equal to the transition temperature of the primer, and molding a gasket, preferably of a thermoplastic polymeric material, onto the surface of the heated panel and the primer coating while the temperature of the primer coating is at least equal to the primer transition temperature. The preferred mold assembly includes a mold cavity defined in a facing surface of one mold section and a heat insulative pad in the second mold section, the pad being urged against the surface of a sheet-like panel at a position opposite the mold cavity when the mold sections are closed.

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Holland, MI, United States of America

Douglas Crank