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US 6,485,597 B1Granted
Process for making an elastomer assembly
AssigneeMeteor Gummiwerke K. H. Badje GmbH & Co.
InventorsHans-Jürgen Warnecke, Josef Markus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Shaped elastomer portions are to be produced on an elastomer seal. For that purpose the shaped elastomer portions are provided with a thermoplastic layer, preferably by co-extrusion. The thermoplastic layer is converted into a molten state by heating. The shaped elastomer portions are then pressed against oppositely disposed regions of the elastomer seal and cooled until the thermoplastic layer has hardened again and a fixed bond has occurred on the one hand in relation to the shaped elastomer portions and on the other hand to the elastomer seal.
Claims12
A process for making an elastomer assembly having an elastomer seal and at least one shaped elastomer portion, the process comprising the steps of:
- applying a thermoplastic layer to said shaped elastomer portion;
- heating said thermoplastic layer to a molten state;
- joining said shaped elastomer portion to an associated region of said elastomer seal with said thermoplastic layer positioned between said shaped elastomer portion and said elastomer seal;
- cooling said thermoplastic layer to fixedly connect said shaped elastomer portion to said elastomer seal and thereby form said elastomer assembly;
- wherein said process further comprises the steps of:
- providing a holding apparatus;
- introducing at least a part of said elastomer seal, including said associated region, into said holding apparatus;
- introducing said shaped elastomer portion into said holding apparatus;
- providing a pick and place unit;
- lifting said shaped elastomer portion from said holding apparatus with said pick and place unit;
- positioning said shaped elastomer portion above said associated region of said elastomer seal;
- providing a heating apparatus movable to a position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion;
- moving said heating apparatus to said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion prior to said heating step;
- removing said heating apparatus from said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion after said heating step;
- pressing said shaped elastomer portion against said associated region on said elastomer seal with said pick and place unit to effect said joining step;
- moving said pick and place unit away from said holding apparatus;
- and
- removing said elastomer assembly from said holding apparatus.
15 more elements
A process for making an elastomer assembly having an elastomer seal and at least one shaped elastomer portion, the process comprising the steps of:
- applying a thermoplastic layer to said shaped elastomer portion;
- heating said thermoplastic layer to a molten state;
- joining said shaped elastomer portion to an associated region of said elastomer seal with said thermoplastic layer positioned between said shaped elastomer portion and said elastomer seal;
- cooling said thermoplastic layer to fixedly connect said shaped elastomer portion to said elastomer seal and thereby form said elastomer assembly;
- wherein said shaped elastomer portion comprises a main elastomer body, and said step of applying a thermoplastic layer comprises co-extruding said thermoplastic layer with said main elastomer body;
- wherein said process further comprises the steps of:
- providing a holding apparatus;
- introducing at least a part of said elastomer seal, including said associated region, into said holding apparatus;
- introducing said shaped elastomer portion into said holding apparatus;
- providing a pick and place unit;
- lifting said shaped elastomer portion from said holding apparatus with said pick and place unit;
- positioning said shaped elastomer portion above said associated region of said elastomer seal;
- providing a heating apparatus movable to a position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion;
- moving said heating apparatus to said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion prior to said heating step;
- removing said heating apparatus from said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion after said heating step;
- pressing said shaped elastomer portion against said associated region on said elastomer seal with said pick and place unit to effect said joining step;
- moving said pick and place unit away from said holding apparatus;
- and
- removing said elastomer assembly from said holding apparatus.
16 more elements
A process for making an elastomer assembly having an elastomer seal and at least one shaped elastomer portion, the process comprising the steps of:
- applying a thermoplastic layer to said shaped elastomer portion;
- heating said thermoplastic layer to a molten state;
- joining said shaped elastomer portion to an associated region of said elastomer seal with said thermoplastic layer positioned between said shaped elastomer portion and said elastomer seal;
- cooling said thermoplastic layer to fixedly connect said shaped elastomer portion to said elastomer seal and thereby form said elastomer assembly;
- wherein said process further comprising the steps of:
- providing a holding apparatus;
- providing a handling station for receiving said holding apparatus;
- providing a processing station operatively associated with said handling station;
- introducing at least a part of said elastomer seal, including said associated region, into said holding apparatus while said holding apparatus is positioned at said handling station;
- introducing said shaped elastomer portion into said holding apparatus while said holding apparatus is positioned at said handling station;
- moving said holding apparatus from said handling station to said processing station;
- providing a pick and place unit within said processing station;
- lifting said shaped elastomer portion from said holding apparatus with said pick and place unit;
- positioning said shaped elastomer portion above said associated region of said elastomer seal;
- providing a heating apparatus within said processing station, said heating apparatus being movable to a position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion;
- moving said heating apparatus to said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion prior to said heating step;
- removing said heating apparatus from said position between said elastomer seal and said shaped elastomer portion after said heating step;
- pressing said shaped elastomer portion against said associated region on said elastomer seal with said pick and place unit to effect said joining step;
- moving said pick and place unit away from said holding apparatus;
- moving said holding apparatus from said processing station to said handling station;
- and
- removing said elastomer assembly from said holding apparatus while said holding apparatus is at said handling station.
19 more elements
A process for making an elastomer assembly having an elastomer seal and at least one shaped elastomer portion, the process comprising the steps of:
- applying a thermoplastic layer to said shaped elastomer portion;
- heating said thermoplastic layer to a molten state;
- joining said shaped elastomer portion to an associated region of said elastomer seal with said thermoplastic layer positioned between said shaped elastomer portion and said elastomer seal;
- cooling said thermoplastic layer to fixedly connect said shaped elastomer portion to said elastomer seal and thereby form said elastomer assembly;
- wherein said shaped elastomer portion comprises a main elastomer body, and said step of applying a thermoplastic layer comprises co-extruding said
- removing said elastomer assembly from said holding apparatus while said holding apparatus is at said handling station.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.