Abstract: There is disclosed a closure panel. The panel finds particular utility as a liftgate or endgate for automotive vehicles. Typically, the assembly includes a first panel portion opposite a second panel portion and an intermediate material therebetween. Preferably, one or more of the panel portions is formed of a polymeric material and the intermediate material is preferably a structural foam that can bond to both the first and the second panel portions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a closure panel. The panel finds particular utility as a liftgate or endgate for automotive vehicles. Typically, the assembly includes a first panel portion opposite a second panel portion and an intermediate material therebetween. Preferably, one or more of the panel portions is formed of a polymeric material and the intermediate material is preferably a structural foam that can bond to both the first and the second panel portions.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mold useful for the preparation of a polyurethane based article comprising a metal coated on the surfaces to come in contact with the polyurethane materials wherein the coating is a continuous matrix of cobalt or nickel having dispersed in such discontinuous matrix a fluorinated polyolefin polymer. In another aspect the invention is a process for injection molding a part from polyurethane materials which process comprises injecting polyurethane based materials into a mold as described above, exposing the injected materials to conditions such that a solidified article is formed and removing the formed article from the mold. In another aspect the invention is an article comprising polyurethane material prepared by injection molding which contains about 0.5 percent by weight or less of an internal mold release and which can be coated in an industrial coating process without the need for a sealer coated on the article.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 175° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mold useful for the preparation of a polyurethane based article comprising a metal coated on the surfaces to come in contact with the polyurethane materials wherein the coating is a continuous matrix of cobalt or nickel having dispersed in such discontinuous matrix a fluorinated polyolefin polymer.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 180° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 180° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: A method of assembling a door and a door assembly comprising an outer door shell and inner door supporting member therefor. The supporting member is hinged at one end to a door frame. The other end of the supporting member is slidably accommodated in and occupies the outer door shell through an aperture in a lateral edge of the door shell. The supporting member can carry a window glass holder, such as a channel strip screwed to the supporting member, and this combination is called a cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle door and reinforcement assembly therefor comprising a reinforcing beam hinged at one edge to the vehicle and slideably accommodated in a cavity provided within the door. The door and beam are assembled by first hinging the beam to the vehicle and thereafter sliding the door onto the beam. Suitable fasteners secure the door to the beam.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for spraying foam comprises (a) a manually-operated dispensing pump capable of receiving a foamable liquid from a suitable container and ejecting it into the atmosphere through an atomizing nozzle, thereby forming a spray from such liquid and projecting it outwardly from the nozzle in a predetermined spray pattern, and (b) foam-forming device including an air inlet and a screen retained in the path of the spray. The screen can be retained in a foam-forming position by suitable means such as a housing operatively associated with the dispensing pump. Substantially all the spray passes through the foam-forming device without contact except by the screen, thereby generating foam with little modification of the predetermined spray pattern.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for spraying foam comprises (a) a manually-operated dispensing pump capable of receiving a foamable liquid from a suitable container and ejecting it into the atmosphere through an atomizing nozzle, thereby forming a spray from such liquid and projecting it outwardly from the nozzle in a predetermined spray pattern, and (b) foam-forming device including an air inlet and a screen retained in the path of the spray. The screen can be retained in a foam-forming position by suitable means such as a housing operatively associated with the dispensing pump. Substantially all the spray passes through the foam-forming device without contact except by the screen, thereby generating foam with little modification of the predetermined spray pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fork lift pallet characterized by a raised platform construction, and having suitability of purpose to support and permit unitized handling of at least 300 times its own weight. The features of the pallet that lend to its extended utility over the prior art include the use of densely packed column means, arranged in a strategic pattern, and supporting the raised platform critically between about 3/4" to 2". Essentially, the entire platform surface is columnized as above-described, except for parallel non-column supported spans (two or four in number) for fork lift access and retrieval. The pallet further features a stepped sidewall with a rolled extreme edge for maximum stiffness and multiple elongated ribs in the platform, set out of phase to provide optimum utility traits. Unitized product loads may be moved on such pallets in a manner closely simulating the functionality of prior heavy rigid pallets of wood or plastic.

Abstract: A protective shield is disclosed for preventing materials which spray through the gap in an opened flange connection from striking the person who opens the connection. The shield is made up of an inner ring and outer ring, joined only at their ends. When the shield is placed over a flange connection, the ends of the rings are spaced apart slightly so that the flange gap is not completely covered. The shield is positioned so that the space between the rings is on the opposite side of the flanges from the person who is opening the connection. As the connection is opened, any material which might spray through the flange gap is confined by the inner ring, such that it will flow around the flange and discharge through the space between the rings.

Abstract: A readily adjustable tubing extrusion die has a laterally movable die ring which is clamped to the die body and slideable by means of positive positioning devices.

Abstract: An injection mold cavity is sealed at the mold parting line using a highly exact, narrow annular gap or clearance which restricts flash through of the molten plastic. The seal is designed for molds having a rotatable pin and comprises a fixed seating ring which seats with the mold cavity element, and a journable seal ring having a precisely machined seal face which is narrowly spaced from the lip of the mold cavity and defines the gap dimension with the assistance of the seating ring. The rings float at a unit against a resilient component which controls the seating pressure of the assembly independently of the clamping force of the mold. The foregoing components are unitized within a clamp ring under a preload compressive force with the critical gap dimension precisely built into the unit.