EP1663686A1

EP1663686A1 - A sealing device

Info

Publication number: EP1663686A1
Application number: EP04775402A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Per Arnqvist
Original assignee: Trelleborg AB
Current assignee: Trelleborg AB
Priority date: 2003-09-12
Filing date: 2004-09-10
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Also published as: WO2005025908A1; SE0302459D0

Abstract

A sealing device (400) comprises an elongate elastomeric sealing strip (320) with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element (330). A plurality of individual resilient clips (40) are mechanically held in said fixing element (330), which has a channel (350) defined by a first and a second side wall (360, 370) with an intermediate base section (380). The clip (40) has a central web portion (120) and first and second lateral flanges (130, 140). The central web portion (120) has at least one shoulder (180, 190) adjacent one of said lateral flanges (130, 140). An indention (362, 372) secures the clip (40) in the fixing element (330) by blocking said shoulder (180, 190) from moving out of the channel (350). The clip (40) is arranged within the channel (350) of the fixing clement (330) with said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) being in contiguous contact with said first and second side walls (360, 370), respectively.

Description

A SEALING DEVICE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sealing device comprising an element for fixing to the framework or bodywork of various structures, such as cabinets for electrical or electronic equipment, but in particular for motor vehicles. The present invention further relates to a method of producing a sealing device of the above mentioned type and also an apparatus for making sealing devices of this type.

Background of the invention Sealing devices of this general kind are known from, for instance, US-A-5 511 343,, DE 199 54 200, and FR-A- 2 642 809. The latter document explains the conditions that need to be satisfied by a sealing device so that when mounted on all or part of the perimeter of an opening in a motor vehicle body, it follows closely the shapes of its support while satisfying various functional requirements such as pleasing appearance, proper fitting together, etc. Another example is given by DE 100 06 717, which discloses a sealing device that has a holding section for attaching to a holding flange and an elastomeric section with reinforcement and a second sealing section. The reinforcement has holding clips of resilient steel in the longitudinal direction. The clips are all integrated into the elastomeric section during the production of the sealing device. GB 935,874 describes a further alternative in which clips are arranged to hold a sealing device in place. Upstanding limbs reach into the clips and are sandwiched between the limbs of the clip and the flange on which the sealing device is to be attached. While the latter kind of sealing devices provide for good holding properties, even at higher temperatures, when compared with similar sealing devices equipped with more conventional elastomeric holding sections, they are rather expensive to produce. Furthermore, composite products of this kind are not apt to be recycled, i.e, reprocessing of the sealing device as waste material for the purpose of material recovery is usually quite difficult .

Summary of the invention It would be desirable to be able to provide a solution to the above problem, i.e. to provide sealing device of said general kind that is inexpensive to produce and is apt to be recycled for the purpose of material recovery. This problem is solved by the present invention, as defined by appended claim 1. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sealing device comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element, which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support, the sealing device being characterised by said clips being mechanically held in said fixing element, which has a channel defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, at least one of the resilient clips having a channel-shaped cross-section, with a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, said at least one clip being arranged within the channel of the fixing element, said indention securing the clip in the fixing element by blocking said at least one shoulder from moving out of the channel of the fixing element, said at least one clip being arranged within the channel of the fixing clement with said first and second lateral flanges being in contiguous contact with said first and second side walls, respectively. The clips are arranged within the channel of the fixing element with said first and second lateral flanges being in contiguous contact with said first and second side walls, respectively. The contiguous contact provides a sealing device that can be firmly attached to a support since the side walls will provide an additional frictional force against the lateral flanges holding the clip in position. Further the contiguous contact means that the sealing device will not easily tip over when exposed to lateral forces but will remain in an upright position. In addition the side walls provide some additional stability and some clamping force against said structure also in the areas between the clips. A further advantage is that, although providing extra holding forces for the clip when the sealing device is in use it will still be easy to separate the clip from the fixing element when the sealing device is to be recycled. In a preferred embodiment at least one of said side walls ends in a lip, which protrudes over part of the mouth, the resilient clips have channel-shaped cross- sections, with central web portions and first and second lateral flanges; said first and second lateral flanges ending in first and second edges, respectively; the clips being arranged within the channel of the fixing element; and said lip further securing the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first or second flange edges from moving out of said mouth. Preferably, both of the side walls end in lips, which protrude towards each other over part of the mouth and the lips secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first and second flange edges from moving out of said mouth. In another preferred embodiment the central web portion of said at least one clip has a first shoulder adjacent said first lateral flange and a second shoulder adjacent said second lateral flange. It should be understood that clips with first as well as second shoulders as set out above can only be used in fixing elements with indentions in the first as well as the second sidewall. Preferably, both of the side walls have, adjacent said base section, indentions; the central web portions have shoulders adjacent the lateral flanges; and said indentions secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking the shoulders from moving out of the channel of the fixing element. In a preferred embodiment both of the side walls end in lips, which protrude toward each other over part of the mouth and the lips secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first and second flange edges from moving out of said mouth, and both of the side walls have, adjacent said base section, indentions; the central web portions have shoulders adjacent the lateral flanges; and said indentions secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking the shoulders from moving out of the channel of the fixing element. Preferably, each resilient clip has a channel-shaped cross-section, with a central web portion and a first and a second lateral flange; each flange having a longitudinal edge distal from said central web portion, and two lateral edges, and at least one fin extending from a position close to the transition from the longitudinal edge to one of the lateral edges, into said channel-shaped cross-section. In a preferred embodiment, such fins extend from all four transitions or corners. The purpose of the fins is primarily to secure the clips, and thus the sealing device, to the support. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate elastomeric sealing comprises a longitudinally extending hollow sealing member. The hollow sealing member may be made of cellular rubber, preferably expanded rubber. In a preferred embodiment the inventive sealing strip is made of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-diene ter- polymer) , EPM (Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer) , SBR

(Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) , NR (Natural Rubber) , PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) , EVA (Ethylene Vinyl acetate Copolymer) , EACM (Ethylene-acrylic rubber) , Q (Silicone) , or thermoplastic elastomer, preferably EPDM. The resilient clips may be made of different materials, such as, for instance PE (Polyethylene) , PP (Polypropylene) , PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) , PA (Polyamide) , steel, or aluminium, the preferred material being steel. As the clips are not embedded in the elastomer matrix of the fixing element, nor bound to it by any adhesive, it is fairly easy, when compared to prior art, to remove the clips in order to recycle the materials of the sealing device. A further object of the invention is to provide an efficient method of producing sealing devices. This object is achieved by a method of forming a sealing device comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element, which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support, characterised by the steps of providing the fixing element with a channel defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, providing at least one of the resilient clips with a channel-shaped cross-section defined by a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip, and mechanically fixing the clips to the fixing element by automatically forcing, each at a predetermined feeding position of the sealing strip, individual clips into the channel to such depth that said at least one shoulder of said at least one clip engages said at least one indention and that said first and second lateral flanges thereof get into contiguous contact with said first and second side walls, respectively. The clips may be arranged in the fixing elements at even intervals or gaps, but they may also be used more extensively at positions where the connection between the sealing device and the support is subjected to higher strains, such as, for instance, at bends and curves. The clips are preferably mounted on-line right after the rubber extrusion line. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted for the efficient production of sealing devices. This object is achieved by an apparatus for forming a sealing device, which comprises an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element and a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support, characterised by the apparatus comprising a feeder for feeding the elastomeric sealing strip in its longitudinal direction through the apparatus, a sensor for detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip, a stamp for forcing an individual resilient clip, which has a channel-shaped cross-section defined by a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, into a channel provided in the fixing element and defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, to such depth that said at least one shoulder engages said at least one indention and that said first and second lateral flanges get into contiguous contact with said first and said second side wall, respectively, and a control unit adapted for automatically ordering, based on information from the sensor, the stamp to force a clip into the channel of the fixing element each time the actual feeding position of the strip corresponds to a predetermined position at which a clip is required in the final sealing device. The resilient clips may, for instance, have an overall length of from about 1 to about 100 mm, preferably from about 5 to about 25 mm, in particular from about 10 to about 15 mm.

Additional objects, features and advantages will he apparent in the written description that follows.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the appended drawings. Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the sealing device of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a resilient clip shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the resilient clip shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows schematically an apparatus for forming a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows a sealing strip along the section V-V of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip along the section VI-VI of Fig. 4. Fig. 7a is a cross section and shows the sealing strip along the section VII-VII of Fig. 4. Fig. 7b illustrates the section VII-VII of Fig. 4 when the a stamp has just begun to force a clip into a channel. Fig. 8 is a cross section and shows the final sealing device along the section VIII-VIII of Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a cross section through the sealing device after it has been positioned onto a support. Fig. 10 is a cross section and shows a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Description of preferred embodiments Referring to Fig. 1, a sealing device 10 comprises an elastomeric sealing strip 20 consisting of a hollow sealing member 250 and an elastomeric fixing element 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow sealing member 250 is made of cellular EPDM rubber, and is integrally associated with the elastomeric fixing element 30, which is made of solid EPDM rubber. A channel 50 is formed in the fixing element 30, which channel 50 in this case is adapted for fixation of the sealing device 10 to the framework or bodywork of a motor vehicle. Channel 50 is defined by two sidewalls 60 and 70 and an intermediate base section 80, and has an opening or mouth 90. Both sidewalls 60 and 70 end in longitudinal lips, one of which is denominated 100. The lips protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 90. Both of the sidewalls 60 and 70 have, adjacent base section 80, indentions, one of which is denominated 170. A resilient clip 40 is arranged in channel 50. The clip 40 comprises a central web portion 120 and two lateral flanges 130 and 140. The central web portion 120 has shoulders 180 and 190 adjacent the lateral flanges. Shoulder 180 rests in indention 170 and shoulder 190 rests in the other indention on the opposite side of the channel 50. Accordingly, the indentions secure the clip 40 in the fixing element 30, by blocking the shoulders 180, 190 from moving out of the channel 50 of the fixing element 30. In addition, the lateral flanges 130 and 140 of the clip end in edges 150 and 160, respectively, which edges rest on the lips that protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 90, thus securing the clip 40 in the fixing element 30 by blocking flange edges 150 and 160 from moving out of the mouth 90. In Figs 2 and 3, the clip 40 appearing in Fig 1 is shown in isolation. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip 40 is made of 0.4 mm spring steel sheet. The clip 40 has a channel-shaped cross-section 110 which is embraced by the central web portion 120 and the lateral flanges 130 and 140. Each flange has a longitudinal edge, which is distal from the central web portion, and two lateral edges. The longitudinal edge of flange 140 is denominated 200, and the lateral edges of flange 140 are denominated 210 and 220. A fin 230 extends from a position close to the transition or corner 240 from the longitudinal edge 200 to the lateral edge 210. The fins act as resilient barbs that serve to secure the clip 40, and thus the entire sealing device 10, to the framework or bodywork of the motor vehicle. Fig. 4 shows schematically an apparatus 300 for forming a sealing device 400 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 300 comprises a belt feeder 302 for feeding an elongate elastomeric sealing strip 320 through the apparatus 300, a magazine 304 for feeding clips 40 to a clip conveyer 306, a stamping device 308, which has a stamp 310, and a control unit 312. The belt feeder 302 has a very accurate feeding velocity and does thus function as a sensor detecting the feeding position of the strip 320 in the apparatus 300. The belt feeder 302 provides a signal for the control unit 312. The control unit 312 receives signals from the belt feeder 302 indicating at which speed the strip 320 travels. Based on this information the control unit 312 calculates which actual feeding position of the strip 320 that at any given moment is located adjacent the stamping device 308. Whenever this actual feeding position on the strip 320 corresponds to a predetermined position at which a clip 40 is needed in the final sealing device 400 the control unit 312 orders the belt feeder 302 to make a short pause and orders the stamping device 308 to urge the stamp 310 to force a clip 40 into a channel 350, which is best shown in Fig. 5, of the sealing strip 320. Thus the apparatus 300 automatically provides clips 40 in those positions along the length of the strip 320 where clips 40 are needed in the final sealing device 400 in order to make the sealing device 400 fit tightly in position without having to provide a number of clips also in positions where they are not needed. The control unit 312 also orders, at predetermined intervals, a cutter 314 to cut off the strip 320 and thereby provide sealing devices 400 each having the predetermined length and having clips 40 in the predetermined positions along this length. It will be appreciated that, although in Fig. 4 the belt feeder 302 works as a sensor, it is, as alternative, possible to have a sensor that detects a mark, such as a painted dot or another mark, that indicates the starting point of a new sealing strip. It is also possible to use a sensor that measures along the length of a continuous sealing strip and based on this have the control unit calculate when the intended length of a sealing device has passed and a new one starts. It is also possible to feed into the apparatus 300 sealing strips that already have been pre-cut to the desired length. It is, however, preferable to have the apparatus 300 located directly after a strip production unit, such as an extruder, and have the apparatus 300 receive a continuous sealing strip 320 directly after the strip has been formed by the extruder. To secure a safe operation the apparatus 300 is provided with further sensors, not shown in Fig. 4 for detecting the proper feeding of clips into the clip conveyer 306, for detecting that clips 40 have been correctly secured at the desired positions, and for detecting the proper operation of the stamp 310. Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section V-V of Fig. 4. The sealing strip 320 has a hollow sealing member 250, similar to the sealing member 250 that is shown in Fig. 1, and an elastomeric fixing element 330, which is made of solid EPDM rubber. A channel 350 is formed in the fixing element 330. The channel 350 is defined by a first sidewall 360 and a second sidewall 370 and an intermediate base section 380, and has an opening or mouth 390. In contrast to the mouth 90 shown in Fig. 1 this mouth 390 is lip-free, i.e. there are no lips extending over part of the mouth 390. The inner distance ID between the first and the second sidewall 360, 370 is smaller than the outer width OW between the lateral flanges 130, 140 as shown in in Fig. 2. It can also be seen that the channel 350 has its narrowest width just at the mouth 390. The first sidewall 360 has, adjacent the intermediate base section 380, a first indention 362, and the second sidewall 370 has, adjacent the intermediate base section 380, a second indention 372. Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section VI-VI of Fig. 4. The apparatus 300 is provided with a channel-opener 326 which bends the first sidewall 360 away from the second sidewall 370. The purpose of the channel-opener 326 is to decrease the force that is required to press the clips into the channel 350. The channel-opener 326 ends just before the stamping device 308 which means that the channel 350 will be open at the exact moment the clip 40 is forced into the channel 350. Fig. 7a is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section VII-VII of Fig. 4. In the occasion shown in Fig. 7a the stamp 310 of the stamping device 308 has just entered between the lateral flanges 130, 140 of the clip 40 and engaged the central web portion 120. As is clear from Fig. 7a the first sidewall 360 and the second sidewall 370 are still bent away from each other thanks to the effect of the channel-opener 326, as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7b illustrates the section VII-VII when the stamp 310 has just begun to force the clip 40 into the channel 350. As is evident the stamp 310 makes the shoulders 180, 190 bend the first sidewall 360 and the second sidewall 370 away from each other to allow the clip 40 to enter the channel 350. Fig. 8 is a cross section and shows the final sealing device 400 along the section VIII-VIII of Fig. 4. In the cross section shown in Fig. 8 the clip 40 is properly embedded in the fixing element 330. The first side wall 360 is in contiguous contact with the lateral flange 130 and the second side wall 370 is in contiguous contact with the lateral flange 140. The shoulder 180 rests in indention 372 and the shoulder 190 rests in indention 362. The clip 40 is thus firmly held in the channel 350 by the fact that the shoulders 180, 190 rests in the respective indentions 372, 362 and also by the fact that the first side wall 360 exerts a certain frictional force against outer surface of the lateral flange 130, with which it is in contiguous contact, and that the second side wall 370 exerts a certain frictional force against outer surface of the lateral flange 140, with which it is in contiguous contact. Fig. 9 is a cross section through the sealing device 400 after it has been positioned onto a support, such as a ledge 410, to which the sealing device 400 is to be attached. It is evident from Fig. 9 that the sealing device 400 has been forced onto the ledge 410 in such a way that the ledge 410 has entered between the lateral flanges 130, 140 of the clip 40 and engaged the central web portion 120 of the clip 40. The attachment of the sealing device 400 to the ledge 410 has caused the ledge 410 to bend the lateral flanges 130 and 140 away from each other. The lateral flanges 130, 140 being fixed to the central web portion 120 will thus exert a force against the ledge 410. This force will be further enhanced by the side walls 360, 370 being in contiguous contact with the lateral flanges 130, 140 respectively. The fins 230 will provide additional gripping force. Fig. 10 is a cross section and shows a sealing device 500 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The sealing device 500 comprises an elastomeric sealing strip 520 comprising a hollow sealing member 525 and an elastomeric fixing element 530. The hollow sealing member 525 is made of cellular EPDM rubber, and is integrally associated with the fixing element 530, which is made of solid EPDM rubber. A channel 550 is formed in the fixing element 530. The channel 550 is defined by a first sidewall 560, a second sidewall 570 and an intermediate base section 580, and has an opening or mouth 590. Both of the sidewalls 560 and 570 have, adjacent the base section 580, indentions 562, 572 respectively. The sidewalls 560 and 570 end in longitudinal lips 564 and 574, respectively. The lips protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 590. A resilient clip 600 is arranged in the channel 550. The clip 600 comprises a central web portion 620 and a first lateral flange 630 and a second lateral flange 640. The central web portion 620 has shoulders 680 and 690 adjacent the lateral flanges 630, 640. The shoulder 680 rests in the indention 562 and the shoulder 690 rests in the indention 572 on the opposite side of channel 550. Accordingly, the indentions 562, 572 secure the clip 600 in the fixing element 530 by blocking the shoulders 680, 690 from moving out of the channel 550 of the fixing element 530. In addition, the lateral flanges 630 and 640 of the clip end in edges 632 and 642, respectively, which edges 632, 642 rest on the lips 564, 574 that protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 590, thus securing the clip 600 in the fixing element 530 by blocking flange edges 632 and 642 from moving out of the mouth 590. The first lateral flange 630 is in contiguous contact with said first side wall 560 and the second lateral flange 640 is in contiguous contact with the second side wall 570. This contiguous contact provides a frictional force and clamping force which, in addition to the holding forces provided by the shoulders 680, 690 resting in their respective indention 562, 572 and the edges 632, 642 resting on the respective lips 564, 574, provides a very safe holding of the clip 600 in the fixing element 530. The flange edges 632 and 642, respectively, are bent outwards. This is to provide a wider opening such that the mounting of the sealing device 500 onto a structure, such as a ledge, that is to enter into the channel 550 is made easier. It will be appreciated that all embodiments described above have in common that clips easily and automatically can be mounted in the exact positions where they are needed in the final sealing device. Further, due to the shoulders of the clips in combination with the contiguous contact between the respective lateral flanges of the clips and the side walls of the fixing element, a safe mechanical holding of the clip inside the fixing element is obtained. Still the sealing device is easily recycled since the clips are easy to remove when so is desired. The removal of the clips 40, 600 from the sealing device 10, 400, 500 in a recycle operation could be made in several different ways. One alternative is to design the clips 40 with fins 230 of such size and shape that when the sealing device 400 is lifted away from the ledge 410, to which it has been attached, the clips 40 remain fixed to the ledge 410. The clips 40 may then be easily removed from the ledge 410, or recycled together with the ledge 410 if they are of the same material, while the rest of the sealing device, i.e. the sealing strip 320, is free of clips and may recycled as a pure rubber material. Another alternative is to remove the clips by using a bar or a screwdriver-like object which is used to grip under the fins 230 of the clip 40 and drag the clip 40 out of fixing element 30, 330. In either way the separation of the clips 40 from the sealing device 10, 400 is very easy compared to the sealing devices of the prior art, such as described in GB 935,874. It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment are to be regarded as examples and that many variants are possible within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. A sealing device (10) comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip (20) with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element (30) , which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips (40) arranged to connect and fix the sealing device (10) to a support, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by said clips (40) being mechanically held in said fixing element (30), which has a channel (50) defined by a first and a second side wall (60, 70) with an intermediate base section (80) , at least one of said first and second side walls (60, 70) having, adjacent said base section (80), an indention (170) , at least one of the resilient clips (40) having a channel-shaped cross-section (110), with a central web portion (120) and first and second lateral flanges (130, 140), said central web portion (120) having at least one shoulder (180, 190) adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) , said at least one clip (40) being arranged within the channel (50) of the fixing element (30) , said indention (170) securing the clip (40) in the fixing element (30) by blocking said at least one shoulder (180, 190) from moving out of the channel (50) of the fixing element (30) , said at least one clip (40) being arranged within the channel (50) of the fixing clement (30) with said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) being in contiguous contact with said first and second side walls (60, 70), respectively.

2. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the channel (50) of the fixing element (30) has a mouth (90), at least one of said side walls ending in a lip (100) , which protrudes over part of the mouth (90) , said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) ending in first and second edges (150, 160) , and said lip (100) further securing said at least one clip (40) in the fixing element (30) by blocking said first or second flange edge (150, 160) from moving out of said mouth (90) .

3. A sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central web portion (120) of said at least one clip (40) has a first shoulder (190) adjacent said first lateral flange (130) and a second shoulder (180) adjacent said second lateral flange (140).

4. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each flange (140) comprises a longitudinal edge (200) distal from said central web portion (120), and two lateral edges (210, 220), and at least one fin (230) extending from a position close to the transition (240) from the longitudinal edge (200) to one of the lateral edges (210), into said channel-shaped cross-section (110) .

5. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate elastomeric sealing strip (20) is made of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene- diene terpolymer) , EPM (Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer) ,

SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber), NR (Natural Rubber), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) , EVA (Ethylene Vinyl acetate Copolymer) , EACM (Ethylene-acrylic rubber) , Q (Silicone) , or thermoplastic elastomer.

6. A method of forming a sealing device (10) comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip (20) with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element (30) , which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips (40) arranged to connect and fix the sealing device (10) to a support, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the steps of providing the fixing element (30) with a channel (50) defined by a first and a second side wall (60, 70) with an intermediate base section (80) , at least one of said first and second side walls (60, 70) having, adjacent said base section (80) , an indention (170) , providing at least one of the resilient clips (40) with a channel-shaped cross-section (110) defined by a central web portion (120) and first and second lateral flanges (130,140), said central web portion (120) having at least one shoulder (180, 190) adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) , detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip (20) , and mechanically fixing the clips (40) to the fixing element (30) by automatically forcing, each at a predetermined feeding position of the sealing strip (20), individual clips (40) into the channel (50) to such depth that said at least one shoulder (180, 190) of said at least one clip (40) engages said at least one indention (170) and that said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) thereof get into contiguous contact with said first and second side walls (60, 70), respectively.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the internal distance (ID) between the first and second side walls (360, 370) of the fixing element (330) prior to forcing said at least one clip (40) into the channel (350) is smaller than the outer distance (OW) , at the corresponding location, between the first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) such that the first and second side walls (360, 370) will press against the first and second lateral flanges (130, 140), respectively.

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein said at least one clip (40) is forced into the channel (350) of the fixing element (330) by means of a stamp (310) entering between the lateral flanges (130, 140), engaging the central web portion (120) and forcing the central web portion (120) into the channel (350) .

9. A method according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the first and second side walls (360, 370) are mechanically bent away from each other prior to forcing said at least one clip (40) into the channel (350) of the fixing element (330) .

10. An apparatus for forming a sealing device (400), which comprises an elongate elastomeric sealing strip (320) with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element (330) and a plurality of individual resilient clips (40) arranged to connect and fix the sealing device (400) to a support (410) , c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the apparatus (300) comprising a feeder (302) for feeding the elastomeric sealing strip (320) in its longitudinal direction through the apparatus (300) , a sensor (302) for detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip (320), a stamp (310) for forcing an individual resilient clip (40), which has a channel-shaped cross-section (110) defined by a central web portion (120) and first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) , said central web portion (120) having at least one shoulder (180, 190) adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) , into a channel (350) provided in the fixing element (330) and defined by a first and a second side wall (360, 370) with an intermediate base section (380), at least one of said first and second side walls (360, 370) having, adjacent said base section (380) , an indention (362, 372) , to such depth that said at least one shoulder (180, 190) engages said at least one indention (362, 372) and that said first and second lateral flanges (130, 140) get into contiguous contact with said first and said second side wall (360, 370), respectively, and a control unit (312) adapted for automatically ordering, based on information from the sensor (302), the stamp (310) to force a clip (40) into the channel (350) of the fixing element (330) each time the actual feeding position of the strip (320) corresponds to a predetermined position at which a clip (40) is required in the final sealing device (400) .