Overmolded gasket, heat exchanger tank incorporating the same and method for making the same
AssigneeCadillac Rubber & Plastics, Inc.
InventorJames W. Huff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for attaching an elastomeric gasket (12, 70) to a thermoplastic substrate (10) comprises the steps of forming the substrate (10) with a slot (20) and an upstanding projection (22) adjacent the slot (20), deforming the projection (22) into an upper portion of the slot (20) to provide a stake thereby, and molding the elastomeric gasket (12, 70) onto the substrate (10) and into the slot (20). The elastomeric gasket (12, 70) is thereby retained on the substrate (10) by the projection (22) in cooperation with the slot (20). The substrate (10) is preferably made of a nylon material, and the elastomeric gasket (12, 70) is preferably made of an EPDM polymer.
Claims17
A method for forming a heat exchanger tank having a gasket on a sealing rim of the tank, the method comprising the steps of:
- molding a heat exchanger tank with a channel in the sealing rim and a retaining projection on the sealing rim, wherein the retaining projection has a side substantially in common with the channel;
- deforming the retaining projection into an upper portion of the channel to thereby provide a stake;
- and
- overmolding a gasket to the tank and into the channel to mechanically interlock the gasket and the tank through the stake.
A method of attaching an elastomeric shape to a thermoplastic substrate comprising the steps of:
- forming a substrate with at least one slot and an upstanding projection with a side substantially in common with the slot;
- deforming the projection into an upper portion of the slot to thereby provide a stake;
- and
- molding the elastomeric shape onto the substrate and into the slot, whereby the elastomeric shape is mechanically retained on the substrate through the stake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.