Patent ID: 7842146
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,C09J,F16B

Abstract:
1. A method of bonding an adhesive to a surface of an article of manufacture during formation of the article, the method comprising: contacting, during the formation of the article of manufacture, an adhesive with a surface of a first substrate, wherein: i. the adhesive is a latent adhesive and includes a plurality of encapsulations which are dispersed throughout the adhesive, wherein the plurality of encapsulations encapsulate a curing agent or other reactive compound; ii. the adhesive includes at least one of an epoxy, a polyurethane, a polyurea, a polyester, a vinyl ester, or a silyl terminated polymer type adhesive, or a phenolic; and iii. the article of manufacture is furniture, a transportation vehicle, a household appliance, a toy or an electronic device; and applying ultrasonic energy at a frequency of about 10 to about 50 KHz to the first substrate to assist in rupturing the plurality of the encapsulations, thus releasing the curing agent or other reactive compound and bonding the adhesive to the surface of the first substrate without the use of added heat to an environment surrounding the adhesive, wherein the ultrasonic energy is used to provide a first degree of bonding and the adhesive undergoes a second degree of bonding at a later time.