The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 02, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 15, 1995
Roger L Veldman, Zeeland, MI (US);
Raj K Agrawal, Holland, MI (US);
Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI (US);
Abstract
A window panel assembly to be bonded to a vehicle body opening using a conventional, window fixing urethane adhesive disposed between the vehicle pinch-weld flange and a polymeric gasket attached to the window panel. The joint produced between the window fixing adhesive and the polymeric gasket has a bond strength and performance greater than that achieved in conventional metal-to-glass bonds using the same fixing adhesive. The panel assembly of this invention may be sent to the automobile manufacturer so that all the installer needs to do is apply the window fixing adhesive between the gasket and the vehicle in a conventional manner. The strong bond can be achieved even after the panel assembly has been in storage for days, weeks, or even several months prior to installation. The panel assembly includes a gasket bonded to a sheet-like panel and having a surface adapted to receive a window fixing adhesive for bonding the sheet-like panel in the vehicle opening. An adhesion-promoting compound is applied to the gasket surface and heated to a transition temperature of at least about 60.degree. C. When raised to at least this temperature, the adhesion-promoting compound and gasket bond with the fixing adhesive when the window panel assembly is installed. A load exerted on the joint sufficient to cause a failure results in a cohesive failure of the gasket, the fixing adhesive, or both, but not of the adhesion between the gasket and fixing adhesive. A method is also provided for making the panel assembly of this invention.