Flexible hinge gasket
AssigneeSpringSeal, Inc.
InventorMark Knapp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and an annular integral gasket are provided for forming a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The integral gasket comprises at least one flexible sealing portion adapted to form a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The integral gasket further comprises a bonding layer adapted to be fixedly attached to a tubular member by a joining process. The integral gasket also comprises a body region adapted for supporting the flexible sealing portion and the bonding layer.
Claims24
An annular integral gasket for forming a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the integral gasket comprising:
- at least one flexible sealing portion adapted to form a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member;
- a bonding layer adapted to be fixedly attached to a tubular member by a joining process;
- and
- a body region adapted for supporting said flexible sealing portion and said bonding layer, the body region including a lower plane and the flexible sealing portion including a lower plane coplanar with the lower plane of the body region, wherein the body region includes a shoulder portion extending from the lower plane of the body region to the lower plane of the flexible sealing portion and extending radially inward of the flexible sealing portion.
An annular integral gasket assembly comprising:
- at least one flexible sealing portion adapted to form a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member;
- and
- a body region adapted for supporting said flexible sealing portion, the body region being integrally connected by one of molding and extruding said body region to said sealing portion;
- and
- the body region having a composition comprising approximately 70% w/v rigid plastic and the remaining approximately 30% w/v flexing agent and a rigid plastic, the body region further having a first durometer and said sealing portion having a second durometer, wherein said first durometer is higher than said second durometer, the body region further comprising a lower plane substantially parallel to an upper plane, with at least one first bonding region extending from the lower plane and adapted to form a direct bond with at least one of the first tubular member and the second tubular member, and the lower plane further comprising a shoulder portion having a wedge surface extending to a radial apex returning along a curvilinear path extending from the radial apex to an intersection between said body region and said sealing portion, the shoulder portion and the body region being formed as a unitary structure.
An annular integral gasket assembly comprising:
- at least one flexible sealing portion adapted to form a sealing connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member;
- a body region adapted for supporting said flexible sealing portion, the body region being integrally connected by one of molding and extruding said body region to said sealing portion;
- the body region further comprising a lower plane substantially parallel to an upper plane, the body region spacing a leading side from a tailing side of said gasket, the leading side having an apex extending from said lower plane to an inclined surface that extends to said upper plane, said trailing side having a sealing region that extends from a region substantially parallel with said lower plane radially outward from said upper plane;
- and
- a shoulder portion of the body region extending radially inward from said lower plane, the shoulder comprising a radial apex dividing a wedge surface from a curvilinear path that extends from the radial apex to an intersection between said sealing member and said body region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.