US3808073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of assembling plastic apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-12
•
Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1991-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of assembling an electric storage battery. A thermoplastic adhesive is utilized which adheres to the battery casing to permit a fluid-tight seal, but which can be melted by heating to permit opening of the seal after it is formed, should such opening be desired. The battery casing and cover and a precisely measured quantity of the thermoplastic adhesive are heated, placed in the assembled position and cooled. Since the adhesive is precisely measured, the proper quantity is utilized to assure a fluid-tight seal while avoiding overflow onto the battery casing or elements. Since the adhesive can be melted by heating, should a defective battery be found, it can be disassembled for reworking without destroying the casing or cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving L Navarre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:50
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/34; B29C65/3404; B29C65/344; B29C65/48; B29C65/4805; B29C65/481; B29C65/4815; B29C65/52; B29C65/527; B29C65/76; B29C65/82; B29C65/8207; B29C65/8246; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/12; B29C66/124; B29C66/1244; B29C66/12441; B29C66/12445; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B29C66/542; H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/10; H01M50/147; H01M50/166; H01M50/171; B29C65/483; B29C65/485; B29C65/486; B29C66/70; B29C66/71; B29C66/90; B29C66/91; B29C66/919; B29C66/94; B29C66/949; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/10; B29K2023/12; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7146; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of assembling an electric storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein and so having substantial weight particularly relative to the cover, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. determining the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. forming a solid thermoplastic adhesive mat to substantially conform to the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover; c. placing the solid thermoplastic adhesive mat in the recesses of the cover; d. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; e. inverting the casing; f. mating the casing and cover with the casing on top of the cover to cause the weight of the casing to aid in the mating; g. cooling the mated casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive; h. re-inverting the mated casing and cover to place the assembled battery in an upright position; and i. introducing air into the cooled, assembled battery at a pressure sufficient to check the seal for fluid-tight fit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of assembling an electric storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein and so having substantial weight particularly relative to the cover, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. determining the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. forming a solid thermoplastic adhesive mat to substantially conform to the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover; c. placing the solid thermoplastic adhesive mat in the recesses of the cover; d. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; e. inverting the casing; f. mating the casing and cover with the casing on top of the cover to cause the weight of the casing to aid in the mating; g. cooling the mated casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive; h. re-inverting the mated casing and cover to place the assembled battery in an upright position; and i. introducing air into the cooled, assembled battery at a pressure sufficient to check the seal for fluid-tight fit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the mat is formed by extruding thermoplastic adhesive material to form an extrusion and cutting the extrusion to form the mat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the mat is formed by casting thermoplastic adhesive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the mat is formed by injection molding thermoplastic adhesive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the air is introduced to a pressure of from about 1 pound per square inch to about 5 pounds per square inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the air is introduced to a pressure of about 3 pounds per square inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the thermoplastic adhesive mat is heated by passing the cover with the thermoplastic adhesive mat thereon and the casing through an oven.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the thermoplastic adhesive mat is a combination of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a glycerol ester of hydrogenated wood rosin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the thermoplastic adhesive mat is heated to a temperature of from about 170*F. to about 270*F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 in which the thermoplastic adhesive mat is heated to a temperature of about 220*F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising reheating the thermoplastic adhesive to a tempeRature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive to open the seal, and removing the cover from the casing article to permit correction of defects.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover and casing are each polypropylene components.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of assembling an electrical storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein and so having substantial weight particularly relative to the cover, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. metering granular thermoplastic adhesive material from a supply hopper into the recesses of the cover at locations at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; c. inverting the casing; d. mating the casing and cover with the casing on top of the cover to cause the weight of the casing to aid in the mating; e. cooling the mated casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive; f. re-inverting the mated casing and cover to place the assembled battery in an upright position; and g. introducing air into the cooled, assembled battery at a pressure sufficient to check the seal for fluid-tight fit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of assembling an electrical storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein and so having substantial weight particularly relative to the cover, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. metering granular thermoplastic adhesive material from a supply hopper into the recesses of the cover at locations at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; c. inverting the casing; d. mating the casing and cover with the casing on top of the cover to cause the weight of the casing to aid in the mating; e. cooling the mated casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive; f. re-inverting the mated casing and cover to place the assembled battery in an upright position; and g. introducing air into the cooled, assembled battery at a pressure sufficient to check the seal for fluid-tight fit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of assembling an electric storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. determining the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. forming a solid thermoplastic adhesive mat to substantially conform to the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover; c. placing the solid thermoplastic adhesive mat in the recesses of the cover; d. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; e. mating the casing and cover; and f. cooling the melted casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of assembling an electric storage battery from a plastic cover, having a plurality of recesses therein, and a plastic casing, having battery components therein, to provide a fluid-tight seal between the casing and the cover which seal is capable of being opened while leaving the casing and cover free from damage, said method comprising in sequence the steps of: a. determining the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover at which the cover is to mate with the casing; b. forming a solid thermoplastic adhesive mat to substantially conform to the contour of the plurality of recesses in the cover; c. placing the solid thermoplastic adhesive mat in the recesses of the cover; d. heating the casing, the cover and the thermoplastic adhesive mat to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic adhesive mat to provide melted adhesive while retaining the melted adhesive within the cover recesses; e. mating the casing and cover; and f. cooling the melted casing and cover to solidify the thermoplastic adhesive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |