Apparatus for solvent bonding non-porous materials to automatically create variable bond charteristics
AssigneeValue Plastics, Inc.
InventorRichard K. Sampson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus which creates a pre-engineered solvent bond is disclosed which acts to self-optimize the characteristics of the resultant solvent bond. These characteristics can thus be chosen by the part designer with confidence that inherent variations in the assembly process will not unduly impact the resultant bond. The design establishes a specific volume through integral tabs or removable shims within which solvent acts to precisely dissolve material so that the predetermined bond characteristics are automatically created without reliance upon assembler technique.
Claims7
A joint for bonding items together by a solvent comprising:
- (1) a first surface made of a nonporous material which is soluble in the solvent being used;
- (2) a second surface made of a nonporous material which is soluble in the solvent being used wherein said first and second surfaces are to be bonded together;
- (3) a means for retaining said surfaces in a desired relation to each other in three-dimensional space, said means having a fixed relationship to each of said surfaces;
- (4) a means for creating a first reservoir between said surfaces prior to bonding wherein said first reservoir is adjacent to both of said surfaces and wherein said first reservoir establishes a first volume into which said solvent is introduced to fill said first volume;
- and
- (5) a means for creating a second reservoir between said surfaces prior to bonding and after establishment of said first reservoir wherein said second reservoir is adjacent to both of said surfaces and wherein said second reservoir established a second volume that is smaller that said first volume and which is appropriate to create a bond having a predetermined bond characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.