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US 3,943,022 AGranted
Method of forming sharp bends in plastic faced flat panels
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Life of this patent
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AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Estimating the term…
Improved forming method permits a flat laminate panel comprising a thin, deep vacuum formed thermoplastic face surface member bonded to a rigid backing member to be bent sharply so as to form the sides and front of a cabinet, for example, in one integral piece. The bends are accommodated by removing material from the back of the panel so as to form V-grooves whose included angles are equal to the angle of bends desired. The grooves extend through the entire thickness of the backing member and a portion of the plastic layer. A small bead of hot melt adhesive placed in the groove serves to soften the plastic so it can be bent without cracking. The panel sections adjacent the V-grooves are then brought into contact and immediately and permanently bonded together by the adhesive, thus eliminating the need for additional bracing while the adhesive sets.
A method of forming a sharp bend in a laminated composite article consisting of a thin thermoplastic shell member bonded to a thick backing member comprising the steps of removing a V-shaped section of material from the backing member and from the rearmost portion of the thermoplastic shell member in the region where the bend is to be formed, applying a bead of hot melt adhesive in the bottom of the V-groove resulting from the removal of material, allowing the hot adhesive to soften the shell member to a point where it can be bent without cracking, and bending the composite to bring the sides of the V-groove toward and into contact with each other, thereby forcing the glue along the sides of the V-groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.