Gerald E Fitzgerald

US Patent:

6368438, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/498802

Inventors:

Gerald Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation - Madison Heights MI

International Classification:

B29C 4412

US Classification:

156 79, 264 466, 264 51, 264DIG 6, 521135, 521178

Abstract:

Expandable sealant and baffle compositions and methods of forming and using such compositions are provided wherein the compositions comprise a first thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin, preferably a second thermoplastic resin different from the first thermoplastic resin, and optionally a compound selected from the group consisting of pigments, blowing agents, catalysts, curing agents, reinforcers, and mixtures thereof. The resulting compositions are formed as self-sustaining bodies which can be heat-expanded into a lightweight, high strength product for sealing hollow structural members of vehicles, substantially decreasing the noise which travels along the length of those members as well as strengthening those members with minimal increases in their weights. In a preferred embodiment, the first thermoplastic resin is an SBS block co-polymer, the epoxy resin is a bisphenol A-based liquid epoxy resin, the second thermoplastic resin is a polystyrene, and the reinforcer is hydrated amorphous silica. The compositions can be formed into free-standing, self-sustaining parts or into U-shaped members supported on lattice-type nylon supports.

US Patent:

6382635, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Mar 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/527923

Inventors:

Gerald E. Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation - Lyndhurst NJ

International Classification:

F16J 1502

US Classification:

277630, 277645, 277646, 428 63

Abstract:

An expandable baffle for sealing a cavity of an automobile is provided. The baffle includes a thermally expandable sealing material which has an expansion temperature similar to the temperatures achieved in specific stages of the automotive manufacturing processes (e. g. , the paint bake stage). The inventive baffle further includes a support for the sealing material which maintains the material at the desired location within the cavity until thermal expansion. The support is formed of a material having a melting point higher than the thermal expansion temperature of the sealing material. In one embodiment, the support comprises a pair of solid, spaced-apart sidewalls that âbowâ upon expansion of the sealing material. In an alternate embodiment, the sidewalls include a plurality of openings formed therein through which the sealing material flows during thermal expansion. The inventive baffles are useful for providing noise attenuation and for sealing the cavity from moisture and contaminants while providing a limited degree of structural reinforcement.

US Patent:

D457120, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/135248

Inventors:

Natalino Broccardo - Northville MI
Dennis Lee Edwards - Livonia MI
Randy Stratman - Waterford MI
Gerald Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation - Madison Heights MI
Daimler Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

1206

US Classification:

D12223, D12400

US Patent:

6387470, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Nov 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/186537

Inventors:

Gerald Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation - Madison Heights MI

International Classification:

B32B 304

US Classification:

428121, 428 83, 428122, 428158, 4283044, 521135

Abstract:

Expandable sealant and baffle compositions and methods of forming and using such compositions are provided wherein the compositions comprise a first thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin, preferably a second thermoplastic resin different from the first thermoplastic resin, and optionally a compound selected from the group consisting of pigments, blowing agents, catalysts, curing agents, reinforcers, and mixtures thereof. The resulting compositions are formed as self-sustaining bodies which can be heat-expanded into a lightweight, high strength product for sealing hollow structural members of vehicles, substantially decreasing the noise which travels along the length of those members as well as strengthening those members with minimal increases in their weights. In a preferred embodiment, the first thermoplastic resin is an SBS block co-polymer, the epoxy resin is a bisphenol A-based liquid epoxy resin, the second thermoplastic resin is a polystyrene, and the reinforcer is hydrated amorphous silica. The compositions can be formed into free-standing, self-sustaining parts or into U-shaped members supported on lattice-type nylon supports.

US Patent:

6455146, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703216

Inventors:

Gerald E. Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation - Madison Heights MI

International Classification:

B32B 900

US Classification:

4283184, 428137, 428158, 428167, 428172, 428174, 428192, 428212, 428901, 428913, 264 41, 264 451, 156 83

Abstract:

A baffle may conform to and be magnetically coupled to a body having a ferromagnetic component in proximity to the baffle. The baffle includes a first layer of a flexible thermally expansible baffle material which expands when subjected to an elevated temperature, and a second layer of a flexible magnetic material. The baffle may thereby be flexed to conform to an irregular or curved surface. In addition, the baffle may be preformed to provide an irregular or arcuate portion to conform to the body on which it is placed. The magnetic attachment facilitates attachment and removal without the need to provide holes in the body, and upon heating and expansion of the baffle, the baffle material expands to fill cavities and adhere to the inside wall surface of the body on which it is received.

US Patent:

6475577, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/499188

Inventors:

Gregory W. Hopton - Novi MI
Norman E. Blank - Wayne NJ
Gerald Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI
Randy Stratman - Waterford MI

Assignee:

Sika Corporation

International Classification:

B60R 2700

US Classification:

428 347, 296204, 296205, 527351, 527291

Abstract:

A reinforced structural member is provided which includes a reinforcing member received in the cavity of a structural member. The reinforcing member includes a carrier having divergent, intersecting legs which preferably engage and rest upon the structural member, a thermally expandable reinforcing material, and a fastener for coupling the reinforcing material to the carrier. The thermally expandable reinforcing material is preferably provided as separate elements positioned on the carrier, whereby upon activation by heat, the expandable material melts, foams and expands so that after curing, the structural member is bonded to the carrier. The shape of the carrier in combination with the expanded reinforcing material serves to stiffen and reinforce the structural member. The thermally expandable material is preferably initially dry and non-tacky, and the fasteners serves to maintain the relative position of the reinforcing material elements on the carrier prior to activation of the reinforcing material.

US Patent:

7632559, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/759449

Inventors:

Gerald Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI, US

Assignee:

Sika Technology AG - Baar

International Classification:

B32B 3/04
C08L 63/00
C08J 9/04

US Classification:

428122, 428 341, 428 357, 521 54, 521 55, 521 56, 521 57, 523466, 525 92 H

Abstract:

Expandable sealant and baffle compositions and methods of forming and using such compositions are provided wherein the compositions comprise a first thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin, preferably a second thermoplastic resin different from the first thermoplastic resin, and optionally a compound selected from the group consisting of pigments, blowing agents, catalysts, curing agents, reinforcers, and mixtures thereof. The resulting compositions are formed as self-sustaining bodies which can be heat-expanded into a lightweight, high strength product for sealing hollow structural members of vehicles, substantially decreasing the noise which travels along the length of those members as well as strengthening those members with minimal increases in their weights. In a preferred embodiment, the first thermoplastic resin is an SBS block co-polymer, the epoxy resin is a bisphenol A-based liquid epoxy resin, the second thermoplastic resin is a polystyrene, and the reinforcer is hydrated amorphous silica. The compositions can be formed into free-standing, self-sustaining parts or into U-shaped members supported on lattice-type nylon supports.

US Patent:

8647454, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Nov 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/285458

Inventors:

Robert D. Myers - Commerce Township MI, US
Gerald E. Fitzgerald - Clinton Township MI, US
Cheong Kow - Troy MI, US
Randy Stratman - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Sika Technology AG - Baar

International Classification:

B32B 5/18

US Classification:

156 79, 156292, 156293

Abstract:

A physical barrier having a carrier device and a sealer material applied to the carrier device. The sealer material is configured to expand when it is activated. In its pre-activation state, the sealer material is flowable. The sealer material is applied directly to the carrier in its pre-activation state through a dispensing orifice without being previously molded.