Vacuum enhanced method and apparatus for sealing one or more sewn seams
AssigneeKey Safety Systems, Inc.
InventorBruce A Kalandek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is an improved method of sealing a sewn seam (22) on an airbag (10, 60) or other inflatable device and apparatus to accomplish this method. The method has the steps of a) creating a sewn seam, b) applying a seam sealant (90) to an exposed portion of the seam on an exposed surface; and c) locally applying a pressure differential to an opposite exposed surface proximate a portion of the seam on this surface to urge the seam sealant to migrate along the thread from the first exposed surface to regions between the panels to the opposite exposed surface.
Claims18
An improved method of sealing a sewn seam comprising the steps of:
- a) creating a sewn seam with the use of thread in multiple panels of material, the seam extending from a first exposed surface of one of the panels of material to an opposite exposed surface in a remote panel of material;
- b) applying a seam sealant to an exposed portion of the seam on the first exposed surface;
- c) locally applying a pressure differential to the opposite exposed surface proximate the seam on this surface to urge the seam sealant to migrate along the thread from the first exposed surface to regions between the panels to the second exposed surface and
- d) removing the pressure differential.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.