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AssigneeGenCorp Property Inc.
InventorsDragon Horst, Hubert Wittig
Estimating the term…
Two profile sections (5,6), 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 (24) such as made of thermoplastics material. The profile sections (5, 6) are clamped in respective retaining devices (18, 20) and the foil (24) is unwound from a roll (22) into position between the facing ends of the profile sections. Heaters (26, 28) are moved into position for heating the foil (24) and the ends of the profile sections and are then withdrawn. The two retaining devices (18, 20) 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 (24) which thus heat-bonds the end of the profile sections together. The foil (24) is provided with a plurality of through slits (24A) (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 (24), 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.
A joined profile section arrangement, comprising two strip lengths (5,6) joined end to end by sheet-shaped heat-bonding connecting material (24) between and bonded to the ends, characterised in that the connecting material (24) is adapted to permit the passage therethrough of air.
An arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the connecting material (24) is of foil configuration.
An arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the connecting material (24) is a thermoplastic material.
Foil-like material for connecting two profile sections together end to end, comprising a heat-sensitive foil (24) which bonds to the two ends when placed between them and in response to the application of heat, characterised in that the foil (24) is adapted to allow the passage of air therethrough.
Apparatus for joining two strip lengths end to end, comprising means (18.20) for clamping the two strip lengths (5,6) with their ends facing towards each other, means (22) for positioning heat-responsive connecting material (24) between the ends of the strip lengths (5,6) when the said ends are spaced apart from each other, heating means (26,28) for heating the connecting material (24) and the ends of strip lengths (5,6), and transporting means for moving the strip lengths (5,6) towards each other so that the heated ends make contact with the heated connecting material (24) whereby the connecting material (24) bonds the ends of the strip lengths (5,6) together, characterised in that the connecting material (24) allows the passage of air therethrough between the bonded ends of the strip lenghts (5,6).
A method of forming a joint between respective ends of two profile sections (5,6), comprising the steps of holding the profile sections (5,6), positioning heat-responsive connecting material (24) between the ends of the profile sections (5,6), heating the connecting material (24) and the ends of the profile sections (5,6), and moving the profile sections (5,6) towards each other so that the heated ends make contact with the heated connecting material (24) whereby the connecting material (24) bonds the ends of the profile sections (5,6) together, characterised in that the connecting material (24) allows the passage of air therethrough between the bonded ends of the profile sections (5,6).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.