Internal perimeter molding method and related article

Abstract

A two-piece assembly with an internal attachment mechanism includes a tray providing a tray channel and a lid providing a lid channel. The lid is mateable to the tray such that their respective channels combine to form a duct. A bonding material is received in the duct such that the tray and the lid are bonded to one another.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 a tray providing a tray channel;   a lid providing a lid channel, wherein said lid is mateable to said tray such that said respective channels combine to form an assembly duct; and   a bonding material received in said assembly duct such that said tray and said lid are bonded to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said tray having a tray locator proximate to said tray channel; and   said lid having a lid locator mateable to said tray locator, wherein said locators align with one another as said tray and said lid are assembled together.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fill knob provided by at least one of said tray and said lid, said fill knob having a fill duct contiguous with said assembly duct for said bonding material to enter said ducts.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said tray locator is a rib projecting outward from said tray and said lid locator is a notch. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said assembly duct is a continuous path surrounding the perimeter of the assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said bonding material is similar to materials used in said lid and said tray. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tray has a base, side walls extending from said base, and a tray flange extending outwardly from the upper ends of said sidewalls; said lid has a generally planar top and a lid flange mateable to said tray flange and extending outwardly from said top; and said channels are positioned within said flanges. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said tray flange has a tray locator proximate to said lid channel; and said lid flange having a lid locator mateable to said tray locator and positioned to align with said tray locator when said flanges are assembled together. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lid having a generally planar top, and said tray having an open structure formed from a base and side walls extending from said base. 
     
     
         10 . An assembly comprising:
 a first component providing a first channel;   a second component providing a second channel, wherein said first component is mateable to said second component such that said respective channels combine to form an assembly duct; and   a bonding material received in said assembly duct such that said first and second components are bonded to one another.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 said first component further comprising a first locator proximate to said first channel; and   said second component having a second locator mateable to said first locator, wherein said locators align with one another as said first and second components are assembled together.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a fill knob provided by at least one of said first and second components, said fill knob having a fill duct contiguous with said assembly duct for said bonding material to enter said ducts.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said bonding material is similar to materials used in said first and second components. 
     
     
         14 . A method for forming an assembly with at least two components, the method comprising:
 assembling at least two components to one another wherein a duct is formed between said at least two components; and   injecting a bonding material into said duct, wherein said bonding material secures said at least two components to one another.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 placing said at least two components in a mold prior to said bonding material being injected into said duct.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 using said bonding material that is similar to materials used for manufacturing said at least two components.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 heating said bonding material to a temperature sufficient to melt material of said at least two components proximal said duct.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 allowing said heated bonding material and said at least two components to cool such that the assembly is integrally formed.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing said at least two components with a fill knob having a fill duct extending therethrough which is contiguous with said formed duct, said fill duct receiving said bonding material.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing said at least two components with alignment locators mateable with one another.