Patent US5136101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0251546B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0251546B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Making automobile body panels having applied painted carrier films
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1987-06-16
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Granted: 1992-03-11
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Expires: 2007-06-16
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard W. Cox
- 👤 Charles C. Mentzer
- 👤 William T. Short
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:32
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/16; B29C37/00; B29C37/0025; B29C37/0028; B29C2037/0042; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/18; B29C2043/185; B29C2043/186; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/001; B29C43/183; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of making a plurality of automobile body panels each comprising an external sheet layer (20) and an underlying substrate (22), the sheet layer (20) having a top surface that is painted to a predetermined colour and a bottom surface that is bonded to the underlying substrate (22), such that the panels have the same colour appearance when mounted on a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: a) applying a durable coat of paint of a predetermined colour to the top surface of the sheet layer (20) and baking for a sufficient length of time to adequately cure the paint; b) coating the bottom surface of the sheet layer (20) with a layer of an adhesive that is activated when heated; c) heating the sheet layer (20) to a temperature at which the sheet layer (20) becomes sufficiently pliable for vacuum-forming and the adhesive layer has become activated; and d) positioning the heated sheet layer (20) over the substrate (22) and withdrawing air, or other fluid medium, to establish a vacuum under the substrate (22) such that the sheet layer (20) vacuum-forms over and adheres to the substrate (22).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method according to claim l, characterised in that in step a), subsequent to the application of the coat of paint to the top surface of the sheet layer (20), a layer of flexible clear coat is applied to the top surface of the painted sheet layer (20), and thereupon the baking of the sheet layer (20) is effected for a sufficient length of time to adequately cure the coat of paint and the layer of clear coat.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim l or 2, characterised in that the substrate (22) has a front surface contoured to define a portion of the exterior surface of an automobile.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
45 words
A method according to any one of claims l to 3, characterised in that the substrate (22) is formed from a reaction precursor of urethane, a reaction precursor of polyamide (nylon), a glass fibre-reinforced sheet moulding compound, an injection-mouldable thermoplastic material or a metallic material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
49 words
A method according to any one of claims l to 4, characterised in that the sheet layer (20) forms a facing sheet disposed over the entire front surface of the substrate (22) and contoured in detail in conformance with the contour of the front surface of the substrate (22).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
59 words
A method according to any one of claims l to 5, characterised in that the sheet layer (20) and the applied coat of paint together form a laminate comprising a thermoplastic inner sheet having a thickness of at least 0.05 mm and at least one layer of a pigmented paint on the outer surface of the thermoplastic inner sheet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
44 words
A method according to any one of claims l to 6, characterised in that the layer of adhesive is evenly distributed between the substrate (22) and the sheet layer (20) and forms a permanent bond sufficiently strong to withstand automobile operating conditions and environments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
An automobile body which contains body panels each having substantially the same colour appearance, the automobile body comprising: a substrate (22) having front and back surfaces, with the front surface of the substrate (22) being contoured to define a portion of the exterior surface of an automobile, and the substrate (22) being formed from a reaction precursor of urethane, a reaction precursor of polyamide (nylon), a glass fibre-reinforced sheet moulding compound, an injection-mouldable thermoplastic material or a metallic material; a facing sheet layer (20) disposed over the entire front surface of the substrate (22) and contoured in detail in conformance with the contour of the front surface of the substrate (22), the facing sheet layer (20) being a laminate comprising a thermoplastic inner sheet having a thickness of at least 0.05 mm and at least one layer of a pigmented paint on the outer surface of the thermoplastic inner sheet; and an adhesive layer evenly distributed between the substrate (22) and the facing sheet layer (20) and forming a permanent bond sufficiently strong to withstand automobile operating conditions and environments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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