METHOD FOR MAKING MULTIPLE DUROMETER SEALS

摘要

Method for making multiple durometer bulb seals and any other types of multiple durometer seals and moldings includes cooling separately at least one structural member and at least one sealing portion, which have different durometers and shapes. At least a first extrusion is drawn through an extruder, forming a structural member profile and the extruded material is pulled along a longitudinal axis to a first calibrator device and first cooling tank to cool the structural member profile to a predetermined temperature. Cooling medium directly contacts the outer and inner surfaces of the first profile. Downstream, the sealing portion is extruded and affixed onto the cooled structural member and pulled further downstream to a second calibrator device and through a second cooling tank to cool the final profile a predetermined amount. Disparity in cooling expansion and cooling differential between the multiple durometers and shapes is avoided or overcome.

主权项

1. A method for making seals, comprising
providing an upstream/downstream system, where the upstream portion includes at least one first main extruder, at least one first calibrator device, and at least one first cooling tank; and, where the downstream portion includes at least one downstream extruder, at least one second cooling tank, and at least one pulling device; extruding a first material with said at least one first main extruder to form a structural member; pulling said structural member through said first calibrator device and said first cooling tank, forming a final profile of said structural member; extruding a second material with said at least one downstream extruder, forming at least one additional feature for bonding to said structural member, said second material having a different durometer than said first material; bonding said at least one additional feature to said structural member; pulling said structural member with said at least one additional feature using said pulling device through said second calibrator device and second cooling tank, forming a final profile of said at least one additional feature; and cutting said seals to a predetermined length.