Abstract: A flange cover with a trim lip is provided for finishing a vehicle flange, wherein the flange cover can include a seal. The flange cover is affixed to a single side of the flange and the trip lip projects from an opposed side of the flange to be spaced from the flange. The trim lip can be sized to contact an interior trim piece of the vehicle to occlude a gap between the flange and the interior trim piece. A seal can be operably located on an outside surface of a flange engaging leg.

Abstract: A weatherseal has a backbone, which is curvilinear in cross section to define a flange engaging channel and a window receiving channel, wherein the backbone is free of structural metal. The backbone is sufficiently curvilinear to sufficiently distribute stress loading within the cross section to allow unsupported lengths of the weatherseal to operably retain, locate and direct the glass panel. The flange engaging channel can include an arcuate closed end.

Abstract: A laboratory wear and drag force testing system in a central controller operably connected to a plurality of testing terminals. The testing terminals allow for environmental isolation of the drive mechanisms to allow a range of testing temperatures. Both vertical and horizontal loads are measured and recorded such that testing can be suspended or terminated in response to predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: A flange cover with a trim lip is provided for finishing a vehicle flange, wherein the flange cover can include a seal. The flange cover is affixed to a single side of the flange and the trip lip projects from an opposed side of the flange to be spaced from the flange. The trim lip can be sized to contact an interior trim piece of the vehicle to occlude a gap between the flange and the interior trim piece. A seal can be operably located on an outside surface of a flange engaging leg.

Abstract: A vehicle weatherseal includes a reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface can be located on a dynamic seal, a static seal or a trim portion of the weatherseal. The reflective surface can be extruded, molded, particulated, flocked or a colliquefied powder coating. The reflective surface can include a reflective matrix, reflective particles, or a reflective textile or fabric. The reflective surface can be incorporated in, or used with a friction reducing material to provide a friction reducing reflective dynamic seal.

Abstract: A weatherseal has a portion of a sealing area defined by a freeze release material. The freeze release material has a lower affinity to bonding with water or ice than an adjacent area of the sealing area. The freeze release material is incorporated into the sealing portion to reduce the overall affinity of the weatherseal to ice bonding, while maintaining the desired performance characteristics of the seal including the flexibility and recovery of the sealing surface. The area of contact by the weatherseal is defined by both the freeze release material and a different material forming an adjacent portion of the weatherseal.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor having a first and a second polymeric conductor are embedded within a non conducting body, wherein the body maintains a fixed separation distance between the first and the second polymeric conductor. The body can include a non conducting web, wherein the web substantially precludes variation in the spacing of the polymeric conductors during use in the intended operating environment.

Abstract: A contiguous surface film for a composite strip, such as a weatherseal is disclosed, wherein the surface film is formed of a colliquefied powder coating. The surface film can be located on a carrier, sealing or trim portion of the weatherseal, wherein the surface film can be colored, and selected to provide a desired surface characteristic such as reduced coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A vehicle window seal assembly includes a division bar formed without structural metal and including one of an insert or an overlay layer of a relatively soft material. The division bar can be formed in an H configuration having an elastic hinge between a leg of the H profile and a cross piece. The division bar can also be formed to receive and engage the insert to locate sealing lips for contacting a moveable glass panel.

Abstract: A roll-forming tool for deforming a flange cap from a splayed configuration to engage a vehicle flange, the tool includes a polymeric contact surface disposed about a rigid drum. The polymeric contact surface can be in the form of a sleeve and integrally formed to the metal drum, or alternatively, the sleeve can be removeably attached to the drum for allowing replacement. The drums can be metal and configured for eccentric rotation relative to a corresponding drive shaft, thereby accommodating further variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and staking a pile weatherstrip to an extrusion in an inline process is disclosed. The insertion assembly includes a removable/replaceable pile channel. The staking assembly includes a linear translating staking pin moveably mounted relative to an extrusion path such that the pin travels with the extrusion from an upstream position to a downstream position during contact with the extrusion.

Abstract: A vehicle window seal assembly includes a division bar formed without structural metal and including one of an insert or an overlay layer of a relatively soft material. The division bar can be formed in an H configuration having an elastic hinge between a leg of the H profile and a cross piece. The division bar can also be formed to receive and engage the insert to locate sealing lips for contacting a moveable glass panel.

Abstract: A decorative window surround sealing system includes a plurality of seals adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body for sealing a movable window panel in a window opening, each of the seals having an exterior surface, at least one fitting on at least one of the plurality of seals, a one piece surround cap having at least one cooperative fitting compatible with at least one fitting on the at least one of the plurality of seals for attaching the surround cap to the at least one fitting, the decorative surround cap covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each of the plurality of seals.

Abstract: A weatherstrip having a migration inhibiting layer including a butyl based elastomer, wherein the butyl based elastomer can include a blend of a halogenated butyl and EPDM. The migration inhibiting layer can be located on at least one of a dense portion and an expanded portion of the weatherstrip and is selected to substantially preclude the passage of decomposition products, thereby reducing odor emanation from the strip and discoloration from staining materials. The migration inhibiting layer may also include coloring agents thereby providing a colored weatherstrip.

Abstract: A combination door and window channel seal for sealing between a motor vehicle door frame and movable window glass panel and a method for forming the same are described. The channel seal is formed from thermoplastic elastomers of at least two different durometer values and has an elastic joint in a window run channel portion of the seal.

Abstract: A carrier for use in the manufacture of weatherseals is disclosed, the carrier having a serpentine frame and at least one elongation reducing member extending along its longitudinal dimension. The elongation reducing member may be secured to the frame in a set down relationship. The elongation reducing member can be a cable joined to the a plurality of limbs in the frame to maintain a maximum spacing between adjacent limbs along the longitudinal dimension. The resulting carrier is prevented from elongating during an extrusion process and thus a resulting product has reduced shrinkage.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite extrusion is disclosed, wherein a continuous length is formed having a leading length and a trailing length, the leading length including the primary extrudate and a first appendage extrudate and the trailing length including the primary extrudate and a second appendage extrudate, wherein the first appendage extrudate and the second appendage extrudate are formed form corresponding interchangeable first and second insert dies. The continuous length of the composite extrusion includes (i) the leading length having the primary extrudate and the first appendage extrudate; (ii) a change over length having the primary extrudate; and (iii) the trailing length having the primary extrudate and the second appendage extrudate, wherein a plurality of individual weatherseals can be cut from the leading length, and a plurality of weatherseals can be cut from the trailing length.

Abstract: A weatherseal for releasably engaging a movable panel such as a glass panel in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The weatherseal has a substrate with an elongate recess. The recess includes a floor adjacent at least one groove. An adhesive is disposed in a portion of the recess, wherein excess adhesive is captured in the groove. A contact layer is bonded to the adhesive. Thus, the contact layer is accurately located with respect to the weatherseal and variances in adhesive volume are accommodated by the groove.

Abstract: A laminate having a metal reinforcement and a bonding veneer is disclosed, wherein the bonding veneer is a peroxide cured rubber including at least one of a polybutadiene and (meth)acrylate. A feature layer is formed on the bonding veneer and can be any of a variety of cross-linkable materials such as EPDM and EPM.

Abstract: A decorative window surround sealing system includes a plurality of seals adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body for sealing a movable window panel in a window opening, each of the seals having an exterior surface, at least one fitting on at least one of the plurality of seals, a one piece surround cap having at least one cooperative fitting compatible with at least one fitting on the at least one of the plurality of seals for attaching the surround cap to the at least one fitting, the decorative surround cap covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each of the plurality of seals.