Patent ID: 6409873
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of encapsulating at least a portion of an article comprising a surface and a plurality of structures projecting from the surface, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a first encapsulating component comprising a plurality of through ducts, said through ducts corresponding to at least a portion of said projecting structures such that said portion of the projecting structures fit through the through ducts when the first encapsulating component is positioned over the surface of the article; (b) providing a second encapsulating component comprising a duct corresponding to a through duct of the first encapsulating component, said duct of the second encapsulating component defining at least a portion of an encapsulating chamber for receiving a projecting structure when the duct of the second encapsulating component is bonded to the corresponding duct of the first encapsulating component; (c) rotatably supporting the first encapsulating component with a jig; inserting an alignment member through an aperture in the jig; (d) bonding the duct of the second encapsulating component to the corresponding through duct of the first encapsulating component to form a pre-assembled encapsulating structure, said bonding occurring while the ducts are supported in alignment with each other on the alignment member; (e) after bonding the ducts together, removing the alignment member from the pre-assembled encapsulating structure and the jig; (f) optionally bonding one or more additional encapsulating components to the first encapsulating component; and (g) fitting the pre-assembled encapsulating structure over the article in a manner such that a projecting structure is received in the encapsulating chamber.