Gencorp Property, Inc.

Horst Dragon

Hubert Wittig

A method and apparatus for joining the ends of two profile sections () such as two sealing, trimming or finishing strips for use in motor vehicle body construction, is shown. The two profile sections () are clamped in respective retaining devices () and a length of heat-responsive foil-like material () is unwound from a roll () into a position between the facing ends of the profile sections. Heaters () carried by a heater unit () are then moved into position between the ends of the profile sections () and the foil (). The outermost heaters () heat the ends of the profile sections, and the innermost heaters () heat the foil. The heaters (to) are then withdrawn, and the two retaining devices () are then moved towards each other so as to move the ends of the two profile sections into contact with opposite sides of the heated foil () which thus heat-bonds the ends of the profile sections together. The retaining devices () are then opened to release the joined profile sections. The heaters (to) are non-contact type heaters to avoid contaminating the foil or the ends of the profile sections. The use of the separate heaters allows the foil () to be heated to a temperature which is different from that of the ends of the profile sections, to achieve optimum bonding.

Methods of and apparatus for joining profile sections by differentially heating the profile sections and connecting material

Two profile sections ( ), such as two sealing, trimming or finishing strips for use in motor vehicle body construction, are joined together end to end by use of a heat-sensitive foil ( ) such as made of thermoplastics material. The profile sections ( ) are clamped in respective retaining devices ( ) and the foil ( ) is unwound from a roll ( ) into position between the facing ends of the profile sections. Heaters ( ) are moved into position for heating the foil ( ) and the ends of the profile sections and are then withdrawn. The two retaining devices ( ) are then moved towards each other so as to move the ends of the two profile sections into contact with opposite sides of the heated foil ( ) which thus heat-bonds the end of the profile sections together. The foil ( ) is provided with a plurality of through slits ( A) (or is in some other way rendered air-permeable) so that air can pass from one profile section to the other, through the bonded foil ( ), in use of the joined profile sections (e.g. when they are fitted in position or when they are partially compressed to carry out a sealing function), thus preventing pressure build-up and possible bursting of the joint.

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Moenchengladbach, Germany

Horst Dragon