Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for determining the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising: (a) a rigid base; (b) a specimen of a first material fixed to said base and provided with a test surface; (c) first means for providing a layer of a second material bonded to said test surface; (d) means for selectively providing a fluid-tight seal between said test surface and said first means; (e) second means for mounting said first means for movement relative to said test surface; (f) third means for applying a force to cause relative movement between said base and said first means whereby the joint between said layer and said specimen is stressed; and (g) fourth means for determining the magnitude of said force at which the adhesive bond fails between said first and second materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for determining the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising: (a) a rigid base; (b) a specimen of a first material fixed to said base and provided with a test surface; (c) first means for providing a layer of a second material bonded to said test surface; (d) means for selectively providing a fluid-tight seal between said test surface and said first means; (e) second means for mounting said first means for movement relative to said test surface; (f) third means for applying a force to cause relative movement between said base and said first means whereby the joint between said layer and said specimen is stressed; and (g) fourth means for determining the magnitude of said force at which the adhesive bond fails between said first and second materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said test surface has a first perimeter; and said first means comprises a rigid block having a second perimeter and a further surface facing said test surface, said sealing means sealing the gap defined between said surfaces at said perimeters, and means for introducing said second material in a liquid state into the volume defined between said surfaces, for solidification to form said layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said perimiters are substantially identical and said sealing means comprises an elastic ring which closes said gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said specimen has a first exterior wall extending away from said test surface at said first perimeter and said rigid block has a second exterior wall extending away from said further surface at said second perimeter, said sealing means comprising an elastic ring which seals against said exterior walls on either side of said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said elastic ring is adapted to be moved along said first exterior wall surface away from said gap following solidification of said second material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for selectively locking said rigid block to prevent its movement relative to said test surface until said layer has solidified.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further surface is at least partially concave within said further perimeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said introducing means comprises an upwardly opening bore in said rigid block through which said second material flows into said volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises at least one track in said base parallel to said test surface, a support for said first means and roller means positioned between said support and said track for facilitating said movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said applying means directs its force along an axis passing through the center of said gap.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for determining the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising the steps of: providing a specimen of a first material, said specimen having a test surface; providing a block having a further surface; positioning said block opposite said specimen to define a gap between said surfaces, said gap having a perimeter; applying a seal across said gap at said perimeter to define a volume between said specimen, block and seal; introducing a second liquid material into said volume; causing said second material to solidify; removing said seal; moving said block and specimen relative to each other in a direction transverse to said test surface; and measuring the force at which the adhesive bond fails between said first and second materials.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for determining the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising the steps of: providing a specimen of a first material, said specimen having a test surface; providing a block having a further surface; positioning said block opposite said specimen to define a gap between said surfaces, said gap having a perimeter; applying a seal across said gap at said perimeter to define a volume between said specimen, block and seal; introducing a second liquid material into said volume; causing said second material to solidify; removing said seal; moving said block and specimen relative to each other in a direction transverse to said test surface; and measuring the force at which the adhesive bond fails between said first and second materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for preparing a test sample for measuring the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising: (a) a rigid base; (b) a specimen of a first material fixed to said base and provided with a test surface; (c) first means for providing a layer of a second material bonded to said test surface; (d) means for selectively providing a fluid-tight seal between said test surface and said first means; and (e) second means for mounting said first means for movement relative to said test surface, whereby the adhesive bond between said first and second materials is stressed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for preparing a test sample for measuring the adhesive bond strength of one material to another, comprising: (a) a rigid base; (b) a specimen of a first material fixed to said base and provided with a test surface; (c) first means for providing a layer of a second material bonded to said test surface; (d) means for selectively providing a fluid-tight seal between said test surface and said first means; and (e) second means for mounting said first means for movement relative to said test surface, whereby the adhesive bond between said first and second materials is stressed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said test surface has a first perimeter; and said first means comprises a rigid block having a second perimeter and a further surface facing said test surface, said sealing means sealing the gap defined between said surfaces at said perimeters, and means for introducing said second material in a liquid state into the volume defined between said surfaces, for solidification to form said layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said perimeters are substantially identical and said sealing means comprises an elastic ring which closes said gap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said specimen has a first exterior wall extending away from said test surface at said first perimeter and said rigid block has a second exterior wall extending away from said further surface at said second perimeter, said sealing means comprising an elastic ring which seals against said exterior walls on either side of said gap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said elastic ring is adapted to be moved along said first exterior wall surface away from said gap following solidification of said second material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for selectively locking said rigid block to prevent its movement relative to said test surface until said layer has solidified.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said further surface is at least partially concave within said further perimeter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said introducing means comprises an upwardly opening bore in said rigid block through which said second material flows into said volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said second means comprises at least one track in said base parallel to said test surface, a support for said first means and roller means positioned between said support and said track for facilitating said movement.