3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Robert J Boettcher

Michael A Johnson

Clayton Allen George

Larry R Lappi

Richard F Miller

David G Miller

Method of curing polymeric compositions using light from an electroluminescent light source. An electroluminescent wire light can be embedded into a curable polymer or adhesive composition and used for curing in circumstances in which UV or visible light from conventional lamps cannot reach the polymer or adhesive to be cured. It may also be used to cure polymer or adhesive coatings of unusual or irregular shapes. An electroluminescent wire light can be embedded in a curable adhesive or polymer compound around an irregular shape of boat hull components, and the emitted light used to cure the adhesive or polymer compound to bond the boat hull components.

Method of curing using an electroluminescent light

A multi-layer article which may be provided in the form of a tape comprises a conformable, compressible, melt flow-resistant core layer having first and second major surfaces, a sealant layer on the first major surface of the core layer, and optionally a bonding layer on the second major surface of the core layer. The sealant layer and the bonding layer each have a surface available for contacting a separate substrate. Various thermoset and foam core layers are disclosed as are thermosettable and thermoplastic sealant layers. The articles are useful for sealing two substrates together, particularly where one of the substrates is glass. Thus, the articles are especially adapted for sealing motor vehicle windshields to a frame. Various assemblies and methods for producing the same are also described.

Sealant composition, article including same, and method of using same

An induction heating apparatus and method for heating a substantially continuous first bondline defined by a length of thermally responsive bonding material positioned between a first member and a second member. The first member or second member is made of an electrically conductive material or positioned adjacent an electrically conductive material. The inductive heating apparatus includes a flexible, reshapeable cable assembly operably positionable adjacent the first member along the first bondline. The flexible, reshapeable cable assembly is capable of being manually shaped to a first shape of the first bondline, and is capable of being manually re-shaped to a second shape of a second bondline different than the first shape of the first bondline. An alternating current power supply is electrically coupled to the flexible, reshapeable cable assembly. When the alternating current power supply is activated the reshapeable cable assembly operates to inductively heat the electrically conductive material for conductive heating of the thermally responsive bonding material substantially uniformly along the first bondline.

Conformable loop induction heating apparatus and method for accelerated curing of bonded members

Quantities of two low viscosity liquid components are provided in separated portions of a flexible bag or package. Separable attachment of package walls between the liquid components is broken, and the liquids are mixed together within the package by manipulating its flexible walls. The flexible package containing the mixed components is inserted into a barrel of a dispenser, and a portion of the package adjacent the front end of the barrel is removed. A nozzle is attached to the front end of the barrel, and a driving mechanism is manually activating to drive a plunger along the barrel toward the nozzle to compress the flexible package and thereby dispense the material in the package through the nozzle. When mixed the liquid components first form a higher viscosity, non-sag, non-flowing, thixotropic composition for a period of time during which dispensing from the dispenser can occur, and thereafter form a resiliently flexible solid sealing composition.

Method and combination for dispensing two part sealing material

A curable composition especially adapted for the repair of damaged elastomeric cable jacket materials comprises reactive isocyanate and polyol components in defined concentrations which exhibits electrical and physical properties comparable to the jacket material and has excellent adhesion thereto. Initially the composition can be a liquid having sufficiently low viscosity permitting it to be poured in a mold around the damaged cable jacket, or it can be thickened to a self-supporting grease-like consistency. After curing in contact with a neoprene-based elastomer, the composition exhibits an adhesion thereto of at least about 7.0 pounds per inch.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Robert J Boettcher