Vehicular panel assembly and method for making same

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly;
• said forcing of said panel into contact with said gasket including pulling said panel by a vacuum.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket by pushing said panel against said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel, said supporting of said gasket including locating said preformed gasket in a fixture;
• preparing at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket by drawing said panel toward said gasket under a vacuum;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary ;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket by attaching at least one suction cup to said panel and pulling said panel against said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket by mechanically pressing said panel against said gasket from a side of said panel opposite to said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by irradiating said panel with infrared radiation.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by directing infrared energy onto said contact boundary.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by using convection heating.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said pane land said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by using conduction heating.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by using induction heating.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by using resistive heating.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly by directing microwave energy into said boundary.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel, including molding said gasket into said predetermined pattern, said molding including injection molding said gasket;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said prepared panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel, including molding said gasket into said predetermined pattern, said molding including pour molding said gasket;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said prepared panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel, including molding said gasket into said predetermined pattern, said molding including blow molding said gasket;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said prepared panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel, including molding said gasket into said predetermined pattern, said molding including casting said gasket;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said prepared panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel forming a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• locating a preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said panel assembly;
• and
• heating said frit layer to a temperature of at least 100.degree. F.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• molding a gasket into a predetermined pattern to form a preformed gasket, said molding including injection molding said gasket;
• locating said preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• and
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• molding a gasket into a predetermined pattern to form a preformed gasket, said molding including pour molding said gasket;
• locating said preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• and
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• molding a gasket into a predetermined pattern to form a preformed gasket, said molding including blow molding said gasket;
• locating said preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• and
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• molding a gasket into a predetermined pattern to form a preformed gasket, said molding including casting said gasket;
• locating said preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• and
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said panel assembly.

A method for manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of:

• molding a gasket into a predetermined pattern to form a preformed gasket, said molding includes reaction injection molding said gasket;
• locating said preformed gasket in a retaining fixture having an upper surface, at least a portion of said gasket having a positive relief with respect to said upper surface of said fixture;
• preparing at least one surface of a panel having a frit layer adapted to engage said gasket including priming said surface with an adhesion promoting primer composition;
• and
• bonding said gasket to said prepared surface of said panel by pressing said panel and gasket into intimate contact with each other to form said assembly.

A product formed according to the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• heating a portion of said panel after said priming to promote adhesion;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel defining a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly;
• said forcing of said panel into contact with said gasket including pulling said panel by a vacuum.

A product formed according to the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel defining a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly, said heating including generating infrared energy and directing said infrared energy through said panel by focusing a controlled, infrared beam of radiation into said panel from a side opposite that receiving said gasket.

A product formed according to the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket by locating said gasket in a fixture in a predetermined pattern with a bonding a surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel defining a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket;
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said to form said panel assembly.

A product formed according to the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-like panel having at least one surface;
• supporting a preformed gasket in a predetermined pattern with a bonding surface arranged to face a portion of said panel;
• priming at least one of said panel surface and said bonding surface of said gasket by applying an adhesion promoting priming composition thereto;
• locating said panel on said preformed gasket following arrangement of said gasket in said predetermined pattern, said gasket and panel defining a contact boundary;
• forcing said panel into contact with said gasket by drawing said panel toward said gasket under a vacuum;
• and
• heating said contact boundary between said panel and said gasket to bond said gasket to said panel to form said panel assembly.