CA2442889A1 - Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels - Google Patents

Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2442889A1
CA2442889A1 CA002442889A CA2442889A CA2442889A1 CA 2442889 A1 CA2442889 A1 CA 2442889A1 CA 002442889 A CA002442889 A CA 002442889A CA 2442889 A CA2442889 A CA 2442889A CA 2442889 A1 CA2442889 A1 CA 2442889A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
hole
cloth tape
sealing compound
sheet panel
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002442889A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert D. Earnest
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TWIN Corp
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/010675 external-priority patent/WO2002081204A1/en
Publication of CA2442889A1 publication Critical patent/CA2442889A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Adhesive Tapes (AREA)

Abstract

An assembly for covering and sealing a hole in a sheet panel including a she et of cotton cloth tape having a plastic coated first side and an opposing seco nd side including an adhesive surface adapted for covering the hole and adherin g to the panel adjacent the hole. A preformed piece of sealing compound is adhered to the adhesive surface of the second side of the cloth tape adapted for filing and sealing the hole in the sheet panel.

Description

METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR COVERING HOLES IN SHEET PANELS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention The subject invention relates to a method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels.
2. Description of the Related Art Automotive vehicle commonly includes sheet metal panels and substrate structures having drainage holes, assembly access holes, fastener holes, paint handling holes and the like formed in various interior and exterior components of the vehicle. These holes often need to be plugged or sealed to prevent the entry of dust, dirt, air, moisture, fumes and the like into the vehicle It is commonly known to plug, close, cover or seal these holes with preformed rubber or metal stamped plugs. The plugs are pre-cut or stamped to correspond to the size and shape of the various holes in the panels of the vehicle and then installed with various types of fasteners to cover the holes. It is also known to provide an adhesive patch, such as a hot melt adhesive, to plug and seal a hole in an automotive vehicle body, panel or structure. The adhesive patch is typically held in place over the hole by a rigid reinforced magnetic backing until the patch can be heated and bonded to the panel covering the hole.
An example of such a magnetic hot melt adhesive patch is shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,985,435, issued on November 16, 1999. These type of adhesive patches, however, must still be pre-formed or pre-cut to the corresponding size and shape of the holes in the panels and increase the weight of the vehicle, assembly time, and cost due to the magnetic particles required to retain the patch against the sheet panel.
Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a simple, cost effective, light weight, durable and heat resistant hole covering application for use in covering and sealing holes in sheet panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for covering and sealing a hole in a sheet panel comprising a sheet of cloth tape having a plastic coated first side and an opposing second side including an adhesive surface adapted for covering S the hole and adhering to the sheet panel adjacent the hole. A preformed piece of sealing compound is adhered to the adhesive surface of the second side of the cloth tape adapted for filling and sealing the hole in the sheet panel.
According to another aspect of the invention a combination hole covering assembly for covering and sealing a hole in a sheet panel is provided comprising a rigid sheet panel having a through hole therein and a surrounding surface portion surrounding the perimeter of the hole. A sheet of cloth tape is provided having a plastic coated first side and an opposing second side including an adhesive surface for covering the hole and adhering to the surrounding surface portion of the sheet panel. A preformed piece of sealing compound 1 S is adhered to the adhesive surface of the second side of the cloth tape for filling and sealing the hole in the sheet panel.
According to still another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of covering a hole in a sheet panel comprising the steps of providing a sealing compound onto an adhesive side of a cloth tape; aligning the sealing compound with the hole in the sheet panel to cover the hole; applying and adhering the cloth tape to the surrounding surface portion around the perimeter of the hole in the sheet panel; and applying heat to the sealing compound to allow the sealing compound to flow into the hole and against the perimeter of the hole providing an impervious seal between the hole and the sealing compound.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sheet panel and hole covering assembly according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hole covering assembly applied to the sheet panel and sealing the hole therein;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet panel and hole covering assembly;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hole covering assembly adhered to and covering the hole in the sheet panel; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hole covering assembly creating an impervious seal in the hole of the sheet panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Refernng to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a generally planar, rigid sheet panel or substrate is illustrated at 10 in Figure 1. The sheet panel 10 is typically a solid metal panel, however, may include plastic or other rigid substrate material. The sheet panel 10 shown in the Figures is planar, however, may form any shaped or configuration. The sheet panel 10 of the preferred embodiment may include a floor pan of an automotive vehicle, a door panel, interior or exterior side panel or the like. It should be appreciated that the sheet panel and subject invention are not limited to panels for automotive vehicle, and may includes any type of sheet panel, substrate, or structure with a gap, hole, or puncture which requires or desires covering and/or sealing. The sheet panel 10 has a through hole 12 passing therethrough which may be of any shape, size or configuration. A surrounding surface portion 14 surrounds and defines the perimeter of the hole 12 on each opposing side of the sheet panel 10.
The subject invention relates to an assembly 20 for covering and sealing the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10. The assembly 20 includes a sheet of cloth tape 22 having a plastic coated first side 24 and an opposing second side including an adhesive surface 26. The cloth tape 22 is preferably a cotton cloth tape with a plastic coated backing 24 and a tacky natural rubber cross linked adhesive surface 26 for a strong bond with a number of different substrates and with a long term resistance to high temperatures and environmental hazards, such as automotive fuel, oil and antifreeze. The preferred thickness of the cloth tape is approximately 0.29 mm and is temperature resistant up to approximately 160 degrees C for 2 hours and over 180 degrees C for'/z hour. The cloth tape 22 is referred to as product no.
4657 tape and is available from Tesa.
The assembly 20 further includes a preformed piece of sealing compound 28 which S is adhered to the adhesive surface 26 of the second side of the cloth tape 22 for filling and sealing the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10. The sealing compound 28 is preferably a high strength thermoplastic compound supplied in a dry, non-tacky form. The sealing compound 28 may be supplied in pellet form for injection molding, extruded in sheet stock for die cutting operations, or extruded in strand form into the desired shape, size, thickness and configuration for filling the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10. The sealing compound is referred to as product no. ND500-Sealer and is available from ND Industries.
The sheet of cloth tape 22 has a predetermined size and shape for covering the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10 and adhering to the surrounding surface portion 14 adjacent to the perimeter of the hole 12. The sealing compound 28 also has a predetermined size and shape less than the predetermined size of the cloth tape 22 in order to expose at least a portion of the adhesive surface 26 for adhesion of the cloth tape 22 to the surrounding surface portion 14 of the sheet panel 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sealing compound in the preferred embodiment is generally centered on the second side of the cloth tape 22 whereby the perimeter of the cloth tape 22 and side edges of the adhesive surface 26 is exposed for adhesion to the surrounding surface portion 14 around the perimeter of the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10.
In operation, the sealing compound 28 is preformed to the desired size, thickness, and dimensions in a dry, non-tacky form. The preformed sealing compound 28 is then aligned with and adhered to the adhesive surface 26 in the center portion of the predetermined size of cloth tape 22. The sealing compound 28 is sized to completely cover the hole 12 and the perimeter of the hole 12 and the cloth tape 22 is sized to extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the sealing compound 28 covering the hole 12 and adhered to the surround surface portion 14 of the sheet panel 10. With the sealing compound 28 held in place over the hole 12 by the adhesion of the cloth tape 22, the sheet panel is then subjected to heat, such as by passing it through a high temperature chamber or oven and baked, or heated, for 20-30 minutes at a temperature of between 250 and 325 degrees F. At this temperature range, the sealing compound begins to melt and flows into the hole 12 toward the opposite side of the sheet panel 10 and then expands in the hole 12 and against the peripheral edge defining the hole 12 in the panel 10. Once the panel 10 is removed from the heat and allowed to cool, the sealing compound 28 cures and hardens in the hole 12 to create an impervious seal or barrier to dust, air, moisture, fluid and fumes.\
The subject invention, therefore, also includes a method of covering the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10 comprising the steps of providing the sealing compound 28 onto the adhesive surface side 26 of the cloth tape 22; aligning the sealing compound 28 with the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10 to cover the hole 12; applying and adhering the cloth tape 22 to the surrounding surface portion 14 around the perimeter of the hole 12 in the sheet panel 10; and applying heat to the sealing compound 28 to allow the sealing compound 28 to flow into the hole 12 and against the perimeter of the hole 12 providing an impervious seal between the hole 12 and the sealing compound 28. The method further includes the step of applying heat to the sealing compound 28 at a predetermined temperature, particularly between 250-325 degrees F, for a predetermined length of time, particularly between 20-30 minutes.
Finally, as shown in Figure 2, the cloth tape 22 is resistant to the heat and retains its adhesion to the surrounding surface 26 of the sheet panel 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the sealing compound 28 flows into the opening of the hole 12, against the perimeter edge forming the hole 12 and between the opposing side surfaces of the sheet panel 10 to cure and harden in the hole 12 to provide the impervious seal or plug in the hole The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised other than as specifically described.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:
1. An assembly for covering and sealing a hole in a sheet panel comprising:
a sheet of cloth tape having a plastic coated first side and an opposing second side including an adhesive surface adapted for covering the hole and adhering to the sheet panel adjacent the hole; and a preformed piece of sealing compound adhered to said adhesive surface of said second side of said cloth tape adapted for filling and sealing the hole in the sheet panel.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sealing compound includes a thermoplastic applied to said adhesive surface of said cloth tape in a dry, non-tacky form.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said adhesive surface of said cloth tape includes a natural rubber cross linked adhesive with a resistance to high temperatures.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cloth tape is a cotton cloth tape.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sheet of cloth tape has a predetermined size adapted for covering the hole in the sheet panel and adhering to the sheet panel adjacent to the edges of the hole therein.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sealing compound has a predetermined size less than said predetermined size of said cloth tape thereby exposing at least a portion of said adhesive surface for adhesion to the sheet panel with said sealing compound covering the hole therein.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sealing compound is generally centered on said second side of said cloth tape whereby the perimeter of said cloth tape and adhesive surface is exposed for adhesion around the perimeter of the hole in the sheet panel.
8. A combination hole covering assembly for covering and sealing a hole in a sheet panel comprising:

a rigid sheet panel having a through hole therein and a surrounding surface portion surrounding the perimeter of said hole;
a sheet of cloth tape having a plastic coated first side and an opposing second side including an adhesive surface for covering said hole and adhering to said surrounding surface portion of said sheet panel; and a preformed piece of sealing compound adhered to said adhesive surface of said second side of said cloth tape for filling and sealing said hole in said sheet panel.
9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sheet panel is rigid and generally planar.
10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said sealing compound conforms to the shape of said hole to create an impervious sealed hole.
11. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said sealing compound includes a thermoplastic applied to said adhesive surface of said cloth tape in a dry, non-tacky form.
12. A combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said adhesive surface of said cloth tape includes a natural rubber cross linked adhesive with a resistance to high temperatures.
13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cloth tape is a cotton cloth tape.
14. A combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said sheet of cloth tape has a predetermined size for covering said hole in said sheet panel and adhering to the surrounding surface portion adjacent to the perimeter of said hole therein.
15. A combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said sealing compound has a predetermined size less than said predetermined size of said cloth tape thereby exposing at least a portion of said adhesive surface for adhesion to said surrounding surface portion with said sealing compound covering and filling said hole therein.
16. A combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein said sealing compound is generally centered on said second side of said cloth tape whereby the perimeter of said cloth tape and adhesive surface is exposed for adhesion to said surrounding surface portion around the perimeter of said hole in said sheet panel.
17. A method of covering a hole in a sheet panel comprising the steps of:

providing a sealing compound onto an adhesive side of a cloth tape;

aligning the sealing compound with the hole in the sheet panel to cover the hole;
applying and adhering the cloth tape to the surrounding surface portion around the perimeter of the hole in the sheet panel; and applying heat to the sealing compound to allow the sealing compound to flow into the hole and against the perimeter of the hole providing an impervious seal between the hole and the sealing compound.
18. A method as set forth in claim 17 further including applying heat to the sealing compound at a predetermined temperature for a predetermine length of time to allow the sealing compound to flow into the hole and expand against the perimeter of the hole providing an impervious seal.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 further including applying heat to the sealing compound at a temperature range of 250-325 degrees for a period of time between 20-30 minutes.
20. A method as set forth in claim 19 further including allowing the sealing compound to cure and harden in the hole of the sheet panel while maintaining the adhesion of the cloth tape against the sheet panel.
CA002442889A 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels Abandoned CA2442889A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28130201P 2001-04-04 2001-04-04
US60/281,302 2001-04-04
PCT/US2002/010675 WO2002081204A1 (en) 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2442889A1 true CA2442889A1 (en) 2002-10-17

Family

ID=30447768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002442889A Abandoned CA2442889A1 (en) 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2442889A1 (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0830530B1 (en) Sealing strip suitable for sealing a hem flange
US20040214008A1 (en) Flexible magnetic damping laminate with thermosetting adhesive layer
CA1322214C (en) Vehicle window and a method of manufacturing the window
US5475956A (en) Panel assembly
US5304273A (en) Method for manufacture of two-tone vehicle trim panel
DE69409745T2 (en) Flat-mounted disc arrangement
DE60218204T2 (en) METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COMPOSITE SEALING STRAND
JPS58502145A (en) Body panel hole sealing device
WO1988004985A1 (en) Encapsulated window assembly
DE102017205439A1 (en) Housing device and motor vehicle with a housing device
DE60114607T2 (en) METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MODULAR, ADHESIVE ELEMENT, AND ASSEMBLY METHOD
US20060091144A1 (en) Overmolded adhesive hole plug
US6786521B1 (en) Composite plug with mesh substrate for use during vehicle manufacture and method of manufacturing the same
DE102005013005B4 (en) Seal, in particular for sealing the body of a motor vehicle
US8931821B2 (en) Adhesively bonded window and hardware assembly
WO2002081204A1 (en) Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels
CA2442889A1 (en) Method and assembly for covering holes in sheet panels
EP1343651B9 (en) Double-sided adhesive tape and method for fixing a sealing element in place at an application site
US4853055A (en) Flush glass installation process
US20040007827A1 (en) Adhesive tape and process for producing and for attaching a sealing element to an application site
EP1074416B1 (en) Motor vehicle door
EP1562788A1 (en) Universal physical barrier
JPH023015Y2 (en)
JP2011043215A (en) Seal member and automobile component
DE3226661A1 (en) Gasket, especially cylinder head gasket

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued