Patent ID: 7964056
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: B31B,B31F,C09J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for curing a water-based adhesive comprising: (a) providing two surfaces, each comprising a fibrous material, wherein the first surface is an application surface having one or more application area(s), and the second surface is a cooperating surface having one or more cooperating area(s), and wherein the fibrous material comprises multiple fibers and multiple porous interstices; (b) a primary rapid heat pre-treatment, using a non-contact heat source to apply heat rapidly to the application area(s), and not to the entire application surface, so as to heat the application area(s) to a pre-treatment temperature in the range of between 150° and 200° F., while the remainder of the application surface remains at or near ambient temperature, and wherein the primary rapid heat pre-treatment causes an expansion of the porous interstices of the fibrous material comprising the application area(s), thereby rendering the application area(s) more penetrable by the water-based adhesive; (c) applying the water-based adhesive exclusively to the heated application area(s); (d) bringing the application surface into contact with the cooperating surface, such that the application area(s) engage the cooperating area(s); (e) applying pressure to the application area(s) during a curing period, such that during the curing period the water-based adhesive cures and one or more adhesive bond(s) are formed between the application area(s) and the cooperating area(s), thereby bonding the application surface to the cooperating surface.