US 5,458,824 A · Method of manufacturing a rubber/plastic co-extrudate

Abstract

The present invention provides a non-rusting unitary co-extruded article, which may be used for a variety of purposes, including a seal. The co-extruded article includes at least two dissimilar discrete parts such as a rubber component, referred to herein as the "rubber extrudate," and a thermoplastic component, referred to herein as the "plastic extrudate." A particular advantage of the invention is that the rubber extrudate and thermoplastic extrudate are cohesively joined at their interface. By cohesively joined, it is meant that the two extrudates stick together tightly without the necessity of a separate adhesive. Where hardness is desired of the thermoplastic extrudate, ethylene vinyl acetate is generally preferred. Where a seal is desired, the rubber extrudate includes ethylene propylene diene rubber, which provides a suitable seal. The invention also relates to a method for making the same.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for manufacturing a rubber plastic co-extrudate, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first extruder;
b. providing a second extruder;
c. providing the second extruder with a die for co-extruding the plastic and the rubber;
d. connecting the first extruder to the die;
e. placing uncured rubber into the first extruder, which is set at a first temperature sufficient to permit the rubber to be extruded;
f. placing the plastic into the second extruder which is set at a second temperature sufficient to permit the plastic to be extruded, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature;
g. co-extruding the rubber and the plastic at different temperatures and forming a co-extrudate comprised of a rubber extrudate and a plastic extrudate.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of manufacturing a rubber/plastic co-extrudate

Life of this patent

Method of manufacturing a rubber/plastic co-extrudate

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19