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  Method and device for bonding sheetsUSPTO Application #: 20070064938Title: Method and device for bonding sheets Abstract: A method and a device for bonding at least two sheets, is disclosed. The sheets may be joined by a groove and are connected to each other at least in one contact area in the sheet surface of the first sheet. The sheets may first be shaped whereby the first sheet may be shaped with at least one hook which forms an angle with the sheet surface and the second sheet may be shaped with at least one groove and one leg. The hook may be accommodated by the groove and the leg may be substantially parallel to the contact area of the first sheet. The shaped sheets are then bonded to each other, whereby the hook is inserted in the groove and the leg is bonded to the contact area. (end of abstract) Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, PC - Boston, MA, US Inventors: Henry Muller, Robert Magunia, Christian Schlemmer, Mand Khosrow Afzalian, Christoph Riester USPTO Applicaton #: 20070064938 - Class: 380201000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Cryptography, Video Cryptography, Copy Protection Or Prevention The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070064938. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] Foreign priority benefits are claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)-(d) or 35 U.S.C. .sctn.365(b) of German Application No. 10 2005 042 995.5, filed Sep. 9, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field [0003] The present invention relates to a method and a device for bonding sheets of material. It should be appreciated that, the term "sheets" should is restricted to plastic sheets, the term "sheets" also includes all other suitable materials for producing a surface skin, such as, for example, leather, synthetic leather, non-wovens, textiles, etc. [0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art [0005] Components, such as, for example, interior trim panels for motor vehicles are designed with more than one surface to achieve specific aesthetic effects. For example, two-colored components can be produced by using different colored sheets. It is also conceivable to use different sheets to provide better protection for certain areas of a component that are exposed to a greater degree of wear. [0006] In this regard, it is known, for example, to bring the sheets to be bonded into flat contact and to weld them to each other. However, one drawback with this technology is that a weld mark results in the visible region of the components. To satisfy aesthetic demands it is therefore generally necessary to cover the weld mark with decorative coverings or fittings. [0007] DE 298 23 765 U 1 describes bonding sheets for an interior trim panel for vehicles to each other in a groove perpendicular to the sheet surface. To achieve a reliable bond in this regard, a deep groove is created perpendicular to the sheet surface. The sheets are then back-foamed. In this regard, the deep groove acts as a barrier to the foam flow, making back-foaming without the formation of voids difficult. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,273 describes bonding the sheets via a groove, whereby the sheets are also held together by a clip. In this regard, the sheets can be shaped to provide a sheet with a U-shaped end area into which a leg on the end area of the second sheet engages. The drawback of employing the clip, however, is the additional assembly stage required. [0009] JP 04143136 A describes bonding sheets to each other via a groove and gluing the sheets to each other in an overlapping region next to the groove. To accomplish this, the groove is formed in a first sheet and the second sheet is introduced into the groove in an unshaped fashion and glued to the first sheet on the overlapping region. Then the groove with the end area of the second sheet inserted therein is shaped so that the second sheet is provided with a hook. Then the sheets are turned and placed in a mold. The bond between the first sheet and the second sheet is reinforced in the mold by a glass fiber layer. One drawback of the method is the necessity of turning the sheets before reinforcing the bond by the glass fiber layer. SUMMARY [0010] In one illustrative embodiment, a method for bonding two sheets is provided. The sheets are joined together by a groove and at least in one contact area in the sheet surface of the first sheet is bonded to each other. The method includes shaping the first and the second sheet. [0011] The first sheet is shaped with one hook which forms an angle with the sheet surface. The second sheet is shaped with at least one groove and one leg. The hook may accommodate the groove and the leg is substantially parallel to the contact area of the first sheet. This method also includes bonding the shaped sheets. The hook is inserted in the groove and the leg is bonded to the contact area. [0012] In another illustrative embodiment, a device for bonding two sheets is provided. The device includes a holder that is constructed and arranged to join the sheets. The sheets are joinable by a groove and bondable to each other at least in one contact area in the sheet surface of the first sheet. The holder is adapted to hold the first sheet. The first sheet is provided with at least one hook which forms an angle with the sheet surface. The first sheet is held in the holder in a manner whereby the first sheet can be bonded to a second sheet. The second sheet is provided with at least one groove and one leg. The hook is adapted to be accommodated by the groove and the leg is substantially parallel to the contact area of the first sheet so that the hook is insertable in the groove and the leg is adapted to be bonded to the contact area on the sheet surface of the first sheet. [0013] Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances. [0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first sheet having a hook; [0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second sheet having a groove and a leg; [0018] FIG. 3 is a holder in which the first sheet is held; [0019] FIG. 4 shows bonding of the first sheet to the second sheet by way of a stamp; [0020] FIG. 5 shows bonding of the first sheet to the second sheet by way of a roller; and Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and device for bonding sheets Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and device for bonding sheets patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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