GB2443890A - End joining of a sealing strip - Google Patents

End joining of a sealing strip Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2443890A
GB2443890A GB0623107A GB0623107A GB2443890A GB 2443890 A GB2443890 A GB 2443890A GB 0623107 A GB0623107 A GB 0623107A GB 0623107 A GB0623107 A GB 0623107A GB 2443890 A GB2443890 A GB 2443890A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
end faces
foil
strip
heated
heating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0623107A
Other versions
GB0623107D0 (en
Inventor
Horst Dragon
Norbert Heller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GDX North America Inc
Original Assignee
GDX North America Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GDX North America Inc filed Critical GDX North America Inc
Priority to GB0623107A priority Critical patent/GB2443890A/en
Publication of GB0623107D0 publication Critical patent/GB0623107D0/en
Priority to PCT/IB2007/003630 priority patent/WO2008062305A2/en
Publication of GB2443890A publication Critical patent/GB2443890A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/524—Joining profiled elements
    • B29C66/5241—Joining profiled elements for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the profiled elements to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1432—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface direct heating of the surfaces to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1464—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1464—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
    • B29C65/1467—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/20—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/20—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
    • B29C65/2007—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by the type of welding mirror
    • B29C65/2015—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by the type of welding mirror being a single welding mirror comprising several separate heating surfaces in different planes, e.g. said heating surfaces having different temperatures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/20—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
    • B29C65/2007—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by the type of welding mirror
    • B29C65/203—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by the type of welding mirror being several single mirrors, e.g. not mounted on the same tool
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/20—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
    • B29C65/2053—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by special ways of bringing the welding mirrors into position
    • B29C65/2061—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by special ways of bringing the welding mirrors into position by sliding
    • B29C65/2069—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by special ways of bringing the welding mirrors into position by sliding with an angle with respect to the plane comprising the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/2076—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror" characterised by special ways of bringing the welding mirrors into position by sliding with an angle with respect to the plane comprising the parts to be joined perpendicularly to the plane comprising the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/24—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool
    • B29C65/30—Electrical means
    • B29C65/32—Induction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3604—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3644—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being a ribbon, band or strip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
    • B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
    • B29C65/4815—Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/50—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like
    • B29C65/5057—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like positioned between the surfaces to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/72—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by combined operations or combined techniques, e.g. welding and stitching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7802—Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/7879—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined said parts to be joined moving in a closed path, e.g. a rectangular path
    • B29C65/7882—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined said parts to be joined moving in a closed path, e.g. a rectangular path said parts to be joined moving in a circular path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/02—Preparation of the material, in the area to be joined, prior to joining or welding
    • B29C66/024—Thermal pre-treatments
    • B29C66/0242—Heating, or preheating, e.g. drying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/114—Single butt joints
    • B29C66/1142—Single butt to butt joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/725—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being hollow-walled or honeycombs
    • B29C66/7252—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being hollow-walled or honeycombs hollow-walled
    • B29C66/72523—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being hollow-walled or honeycombs hollow-walled multi-channelled or multi-tubular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B29C66/83221—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis cooperating reciprocating tools, each tool reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91411—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the parts to be joined, e.g. the joining process taking the temperature of the parts to be joined into account
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    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
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    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
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    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1403—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the type of electromagnetic or particle radiation
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    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3672—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3676—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being metallic
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    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/50—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like
    • B29C65/5092—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like characterised by the tape handling mechanisms, e.g. using vacuum
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    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B29L2031/3055—Cars

Abstract

In a method of joining the ends of a sealing strip together, the strip ends are pre-heated by induction heating, such as by induction heater 103, in preparation for a further joining process. The final joining process may feature contact of the strip ends with heating plates 100, and with use of an interstitial metal foil 15. Also disclosed is a method of joining sealing strip ends together in which the ends are heated by contact with first and second surfaces of a removable interstitial heating tool. Also disclosed is a method of joining sealing strip ends together, in three steps at separate workstations, of a location station, a heating / joining station, and a cooling station.

Description

BONDING OF SEALING, TRIMMING OR GUIDING STRIPS The present invention
relates to a sealing, trimming or guiding strip, apparatus for forming such a strip, and a corresponding method. The strips are particularly, though not exclusively, for use on motor vehicle bodies such as the sealing around door openings, boot or trunk openings, or other closable openings of a vehicle.
It is known to provide pre-formed loop-shaped sealing strips for fitment around closable openings of a vehicle such as around a door opening or a boot or trunk opening. Such strips include a main body of flexible material, such as rubber in which often is at least partially embedded a relatively rigid member or carrier, formed of metal. The ends of the strips are joined together by a heat-bonding sheet of material. Such an arrangement is disclosed in WO-A-0l 89810 ("Butt Joint"), which is hereby hilly incorporated by reference. In this document the ends of the sealing strip to be joined and the heat-bondable sheet of material are heated by a conventional heater so that the sheet of material thermally bonds to the extruded flexible material of the sealing strips. In the document the heat-bondable material has a melting point between 120 and 130 degrees C. It is an object of the present invention to improve the strength of the coupling between the ends of the sealing strip.
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It is another object of the present invention to provide coupling between the ends of the sealing strip without using applied conventional heating (or with reduced conventional heating).
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip formed from a plastics or rubber material and including a carrier comprising heating by induction heating first and second lengths of said strip leading respectively from the first and second end faces to heat the carrier prior to joining the first and second end faces.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip comprising forming first and second spaced heated surfaces, contacting the first end face with the first heated surface and the second end face with the second heated surface, removing said first and second heated surfaces and then joining said heated first and second end faces.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip comprising locating the first and second end faces of the strip in spaced register at a first station, moving the spaced first and second end faces to a second station, joining the first and second end faces at the second station by the use of heat, moving the joined first and second end faces to a third station and cooling the joined first and second end faces at the third station.
Sealing, trimming or guiding strips embodying the invention, apparatus for forming such a strip and a method of forming such a strip will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective cut-away view of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip; Figure 2 is an overhead plan view of a sealing strip having two end faces coupled together; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a heat-bondable sheet of material used for bonding the end faces of the strip together; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a machine for coupling the end faces of the strip of Figures 1 and 2 together; Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 showing a first stage in the coupling process; Figure 6 is a similar view to Figures 4 and 5 and showing a second stage in the coupling process; Figure 7 is a similar view to Figures 4, 5 and 6 and showing a third stage in the coupling process; Figure 8 is a similar view to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 and showing a fourth stage in the coupling process; Figure 9 is a similar view to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and showing a fifth stage in the coupling process; Figure 10 is a similar view to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and showing a sixth stage in the coupling process; Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a second form of machine for coupling the end faces of the strip of Figures 1 and 2 together; and Figure 12 is a schematic view of the machine of Figures 4 to 10 operated in a multi-station mode of operation.
In the Figures like elements are generally designated with the same reference numerals.
Figure 1 shows a sealing strip 13. The sealing strip 13 comprises a body formed of extruded, flexible, resiliently deformable plastics or rubber or similar material (e.g. TPE or EPDM) defining a channel 17 that, in use, embracingly grips a flange (not shown) of a vehicle body. The extruded material preferably defines integral gripping lips 19 extending across the interior of the channel 17 from opposite facing sidewalls thereof, these lips 19 frictionally contacting the flange in use to help secure the strip 13 in position thereon. The extruded material defining the channel 17 is reinforced by a channel-shaped embedded resilient core or carrier 21, as made of metal or other suitable rigid material. The sealing strip 13 carries a relatively soft sealing part 20 having a hollow chamber 23 extending from the outside of the base and one sidewall of the channel 17 and also defining a mouth 24. When the sealing strip 13 is mounted on the flange, this sealing part 20 is positioned so as to be partially compressed by a closing door or bootltrunk lid, thus providing a weather seal around the opening closed by the door or boot trunk lid. A so-called "cosmetic lip" 25 may extend over the outside of the opposite sidewall of the channel 8 for hiding the edge of a trim panel received in space 26, although typically such a cosmetic lip 25 will not be provided for a bootltrunk seal (but will typically be provided for a door seal). The cosmetic lip maybe provided with a flocked surface 27.
Figure 2 shows in more detail the region of the sealing strip 13 where a foil joins the opposite ends l3A, 13B thereof. The opposite ends 13A, 13B have identical configurations. Seals in the form of loops are supplied to vehicle manufacturers for fitting to flanges around door and bootltrunk openings during the manufacture of vehicles. It is advantageous to join the opposite ends 13A, 13B of the seal 13 by a foil 15, in contrast to an arrangement where the ends are not joined but simply abut one another or lie adjacent to one another, because this provides a more effective weather seal and an improved appearance.
In the embodiment, the foil 15 may be of any suitable type for ensuring an effective bond between the opposite ends 13A and 13B of the seal 13, taking into account the material and characteristics of the flexible material from which the body of the sealing strip is formed and the material from which the carrier is formed. It may, for example, have a melting point of between 120 and 130 C.
Figure 3 shows a form that the foil 15 may take. The foil is generally planar (and may be stored and supplied from a reel around which it is wound). The foil 15 advantageously has one or more slits 1 5A formed therethrough. This enables, in the finished joint, air to pass from one side of the foil 15 to the other side as shown by arrows X and Yin Figure 3. Therefore, the slits ISA
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prevent a build up of pressure across the foil 15 in the event of compression of the strip 13. Such compression may take place during the fitting of the strips onto the vehicle body and/or in use when the strip is compressed by the closing door or bootltrunk lid. Any such build-up in pressure could tend to cause bursting of the foil 15 and rupture of the joint.
The slits reduce the risk of this by allowing air to pass from one side of the foil 15 to the other. However, it should be appreciated that the provision of one or more slits 1 5A is not essential to the present invention.
Advantageously, these slits 1 5A are formed (only) in the region of the hollow chamber 23.
The carriers 21 present at the ends 13A and 13B of the strip 13 are coupled at corresponding positions to opposite sides of the foil 15. The bonding of the carrier 21 to the foil 15 is in addition to the bonding between the flexible material of the ends I 3A and 1 3B of the sealing strip 13 to the foil 15 (such bonding being disclosed in WO-A-0 189810).
In order to bond the carrier 21 to the foil 15 the carrier 21 is heated to approximately 120 C or more. The temperature may be approximately 180 C or 300 C, for example. WO-A-0189810 discloses a foil that has a melting point of between 120 and 130 C. The temperature to which the carrier 21 is heated is not stated, and will be less than 120 C -typically 80 C.
Referring now to Figures 4 to 10, the machine shown in those Figures comprises a foil clamping/heating device 100, a first strip clamp 101, a second strip clamp 102, an inductive heater 103 and a feeding device 104.
The foil clamping/heating device 100 comprises first and second clamping members 105, 106. The members 105, 106 are identical and so only one member, the first member 105, will be described in detail. The first member comprises a generally rectangular heater 107 provided on an upper surface with a projecting flange 108 carrying at the outer end a clamping block 109. The heater may be of any suitable type such as an inductive heater or an infrared heater and has an outwardly facing heated surface and an inwardly facing heated surface.
The first and second members 105, 106 are in register with the respective clamping blocks 109 forming a nip through which, in use, the foil 15 passes in a manner to be described below. The first and second members 105, 106 are movable both towards and away from each other to vary the gap between the clamping blocks 109 and vertically towards and away from the strip clamps 101,102.
The first and second strip clamps 101, 102 are identical and only one of them, the first strip clamp 101, will be described. The first strip clamp 101 comprises two plates 110, 111 that have shaped mating surfaces that define a channel shaped to receive a respective sealing strip 13. The plates 110 and 111 are movable horizontally towards and away from one another to increase/decrease the clamping force on the associated sealing strip 13. The first and second strip clamps 101, 102 are in register with one another and are movable horizontally towards and away from each other. In addition, the first and second strip clamps 101, 102 are equidistantly spaced on opposite sides of the line of vertical movement of the clamping/heating device 100.
The heater 103 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube and is an induction heater of known type connected to a source of energy (not shown). The heater 103 is horizontally aligned with the strip clamps 101, 102 but is located to one side of the line of horizontal movement of the strip clamps 101, 102. The heater 103 is movable horizontally towards and away from the line of horizontal movement of the strip clamps 101, 102.
The feeding device 104 is for feeding the foil 15 in a manner to be described below and comprises a pair of spaced plates 112, 113 that form a nip for receiving and clamping the foil 15. The plates 112, 113 are movable horizontally towards and away from one another to vary the clamping force.
The feeding device is located below the clamping/feeding device 100 and the strip clamps 101, 102 and is vertically aligned with the feeding/clamping device 100.
The use of the machine described above with reference to Figure 4 to connect the end faces 116, 117 of the sealing strip 13 described above with reference.to Figures 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10 that show successive stages in the connection process. It will be appreciated, however, that the machine can with suitable adaptation be used to join sealing strips other than the sealing strip 13.
Referring first to Figure 5, the first stage is a positioning stage and includes inserting ends 13A, 13B of the sealing strip 13 through respective strip clamps 101, 102. The strip clamps 101, 102 are in a partially retracted position and the end faces 116, 117 of the ends 13A, 13B butt against respective end faces of a spacer 118 that is located mid-way between the strip clamps 101, 102 and in vertical alignment with the clamping/heating device 100 and the feeding device 104. This ensures that the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B and the end faces 116, 117 are correctly located relative to the clamping/heating device 100 and the feeding device 104. The foil 15 is mounted on a drum 119 above the clamping/heating device 100 and an end of the foil 15 is fed through the nip between the clamping blocks 119.
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Referring next to Figure 6, the next stage is a heating stage and includes removal of the spacer 118 and further retraction of the strip clamps 101, 102 to a fully retracted position. In this position (not shown in Figure 6), the spacing between the end faces 116, 117 is sufficient to allow the cylindrical heater 103 to be moved between the end faces 116, 117 with the axis of the cylinder co-axial with the lengths of the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B. The strip clamps 101, 102 are then moved back to the partially retracted position of Figure 4 to insert the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B into the inductive heater 103. This step is shown in Figure 7.
The induction heater 103 is then activated. A source of high frequency electricity is used to drive a large alternating current through a coil of the heater 103. Such a coil is known as the work coil. The passage of current through the coil generates a very intense and rapidly changing magnetic field in the space within the work coil. The alternating magnetic field induces a current flow in the conductive carrier 21 of the sealing strip 13.
The arrangement of the work coil and the carrier 21 can be thought of as an electrical transformer. The work coil is like the primary where electrical energy is fed in, and the carrier 21 is like a single turn secondary that is short-circuited. This causes large eddy currents to flow through the carrier 21.
In addition to this, the high frequency used in induction heating applications may give rise to a phenomenon called skin effect. This skin effect forces the alternating current to flow in a thin layer towards the surface of the carrier 21. The skin effect increases the effective resistance of the metal to the passage of the large current. Therefore it greatly increases the heating effect caused by the current induced in the carrier 21.
For ferrous metals like iron and some types of steel, there is an additional heating mechanism that takes place at the same time as the eddy currents mentioned above. The intense alternating magnetic field inside the work coil repeatedly magnetises and de-magnetises the iron crystals. This rapid flipping of the magnetic domains causes considerable friction and heating inside the material of the carrier 21. Heating due to this mechanism is known as Hysteresis loss. This can be a large contributing factor to the heat generated during induction heating, but only takes place inside ferrous materials. For this reason ferrous materials lend themselves more easily to heating by induction than non-ferrous materials.
The heater 103 heats the carrier 21 and the plastics or rubber material of the sealing strip 13 until they are at a suitable temperature to bond to the foil 15.
For example, the carrier 21 may be heated to about 180 C and the plastics or rubber material to about 80 C to 120 C. The heating may be for about 30 or seconds.
Referring to Figure 8, the next stage is a foil positioning stage in which the strip clamps 101, 102 are fully retracted and the heater 103 retracted away from the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B. The clamping/heating device 100 is then moved downwardly drawing the foil 15 from the reel 119. The clamping/heating device 100 is moved to a position where the heaters 107 are in register with the ends faces 116, 117 of the sealing strip 13. An end of the foil 15 extending below the strip clamps 101,102 passes through the nip in the feeding device 104 to hold the foil 15 taught between the heating/clamping device 100 and the feeding device 104.
Referring next to Figure 9 (left hand side), the strip clamps 101, 102 are then moved from the partially retracted position to an advanced position.
The sealing strip end faces 116, 117 engage respective heated outwardly facing heated surfaces of the heaters 107. The end faces 116, 117 of the sealing strip 13 are thus heated by the heaters 107. At the same time, the inwardly facing heated surfaces heat the foil 15 to a temperature of, for example, 80 C to 120 C. Referring to Figure 9 (right-hand side), the next step is a further advancing movement of the strip clamps 101, 102 relative to the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B towards the foil 15 and the heaters 107 to reduce the length of the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B while maintaining the contact between the end faces 116, 117 and the associated heaters 107. This is followed by upward retraction of the clamping/heating device 100.
When the heating/clamping device 100 is clear of the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B, the strip clamps 101, 102 are advanced to urge the sealing strip end faces 116, 117 into contact with the foil until the position shown in Figure 10 is reached where the strip clamps 101, 102 abut one another. The heated carrier 21 and the heated plastics/rubber material of the remainder of the sealing strip 13 are thus firmly bonded to the foil 15.
This next stage is a cooling stage in which the strip clamps 101, 102 hold the sealing strip end faces 116, 117 against the foil 15 while the parts cool.
Once cooling is complete, the plates 110, 111 of the two strip clamps 101, 102 are separated to release the joined ends of the sealing strip 13. The foil is then cut to release the sealing strip 13 and excess foil is trimmed from around the joint. Alternatively, the excess foil 15 can be removed by hand 1 5 fairly readily while the foil 15 is still hot.
It will be appreciated that there are many variations that might be made to the machine described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the heater 103 need not be in the form of a cylinder, it could have any convenient form. Referring to Figure 11, where parts common to Figure 11 and Figures 4 to 10 are given the same reference numerals and are not described in detail, the heater 103 could have the shape of a U-section channel 122 with the open side facing the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B. This
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heater 122 is moved, in the heating step, until the sealing strip ends 13A, 13B are within the channel.
It will be appreciated that the induction heater 103 could be used separately from the combined clamping/heating device 100 and the end faces 116, 117 joined by, for example, the method disclosed in WO-A-0189810. The heater 103 has the benefit of heating the carrier 21 to ensure secure bonding of the carrier 21 to the foil 15. In addition, the combined clamping/heating device 100 could be used separately from the heater 103. This may be possible if the strip 13 omits a carrier 21.
The stages described above with reference to the Figures could be completed in a revolving machine. Referring to Figure 12, such a machine has first, second and third stations 125, 126 and 127. At the first station 125, the positioning step described above with reference to Figure 4 is conducted using an assembly including the strip clamps 101, 102 and the spacer 118.
This assembly is then moved to the second station 126 where the heating, foil positioning and joining stages are completed as described above with reference to Figures 5 to 9. The assembly is then moved to the third station 127 where the cooling stage described above with reference to Figure 10 is completed. The joined sealing strip 13 is then removed and the assembly returned to the first station to repeat the cycle.
It will be appreciated that a sealing, trimming or guiding strip 13 may be joined using a multi-station system other than as described above with reference to the drawings. The end faces 116, 117 of the sealing strip 13 may be located at the first station 125 in any convenient way, joined at the second station 126 in any convenient way and cooled and separated at the third station 127 in any convenient way.
The use of a multi-station system allows increased production, speed and efficiency. Of course, there need not be just one set of strip clamps 101, 102; there could be three sets moving between successive stations.
There could be more than three stations or there could be as few as two stations.

Claims (21)

1. A method ofjoining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip formed from a plastics or rubber material and including a carrier comprising heating by induction heating first and second lengths of said strip leading respectively from the first and second end faces to heat the carrier prior to joining the first and second end faces.
2. A method according to claim I and comprising, after the induction heating step, heating said first and second end faces to heat the plastics or rubber material prior to joining the first and second end faces.
3. A method according to claim 2 and in which the first and second end faces are joined by a foil, the first and second end faces bonding to respective opposite sides of the foil, the foil being heated before the heated first and second end faces and the heated carrier are bonded to the foil.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the foil is heated simultaneously with the heating of the first and second end faces.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the carrier is heated before the first and second end faces and the foil.
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6. A method according to any one of claims I to 5 and comprising clamping said strip so that said first and second lengths project from respective first and second clamps in alignment with the first and second end faces in spaced register during said induction heating.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said induction heating is by a heater in the form of a tube, the first and second clamps being moved to increase the spacing of the first and second end faces, the tube then being located between the spaced first and second end faces with the tube axis aligned with the first and second lengths and the first and second clamps then being moved to insert the first and second lengths into the tube for heating.
8. A method according to claim 7 and comprising retracting the first and second clamps to withdraw the first and second lengths from the tube after heating.
9. A method according to anyone of claims 6 to 8 when dependent on claim 3 and comprising, after the heating of the first and second end faces the first and second lengths and the foil, moving the first and second clamps to move the first and second end faces into contact with the foil.
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10. A method according to claim 9 and comprising, after the first and second end faces have contacted the foil, moving the first and second clamps relative to the strip to reduce the length of the first and second lengths until the clamps abut the foil.
11. A method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip comprising forming first and second spaced heated surfaces, contacting the first end face with the first heated surface and the second end face with the second heated surface, removing said first and second heated surfaces and then joining said heated first and second end faces.
12. A method according to claim 11 and comprising aligning said first and second end faces in spaced register, inserting a heater including the first and second heated surfaces between the spaced first and second end faces and then contacting said first and second end faces with said first and second heated surfaces.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the first and second end surfaces are provided on respective first and second lengths of said strip the first and second lengths are held by respective first and second movable clamps for moving the first and second end faces into contact with the heated surfaces.
14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the first and second end faces are joined through a foil, the first and second end faces being moved into contact with the foil after removal of the first and second heated surfaces to bond the each end face to a respective side surface of the foil.
15. A method according to claim 14 and comprising heating the foil before the foil contacts the first and second end faces.
16. A method according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 12 and comprising heating the foil with the heater after the heater has been inserted between the first and second end faces.
17. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16 combined with the method of any one of claims I to 10.
18. A method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip comprising locating the first and second end faces of the strip in spaced register at a first station, moving the spaced first and second end faces to a second station, joining the first and second end faces at the second station by the use of heat, moving the joined first and second end faces to a third station and cooling the joined first and second end faces at the third station.
19. A method according to claim 18 where the strip is located by clamping means at the first station, the clamping means being moved with the strip to the second and third stations and the joined strip being released from the clamping means at the third station, the clamping means then returning to the first station for locating a subsequent strip.
20. A method according to claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the joining performed at the first, second and third stations is the method of any one of claims ito 10 and for the method of any one of claims 11 to 17.
21. A method of joining first and second end faces of a sealing, trimming or guiding strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0623107A 2006-11-20 2006-11-20 End joining of a sealing strip Withdrawn GB2443890A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0623107A GB2443890A (en) 2006-11-20 2006-11-20 End joining of a sealing strip
PCT/IB2007/003630 WO2008062305A2 (en) 2006-11-20 2007-11-19 Bonding method for sealing, trimming or guiding strips and apparatus for manufacturing thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0623107A GB2443890A (en) 2006-11-20 2006-11-20 End joining of a sealing strip

Publications (2)

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GB0623107D0 GB0623107D0 (en) 2006-12-27
GB2443890A true GB2443890A (en) 2008-05-21

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021103176A1 (en) * 2019-11-28 2021-06-03 陈正林 Process for heating and bonding flocking tape and automobile sealing strip

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011070598A1 (en) * 2009-12-09 2011-06-16 Graf S.P.A. A welding method for plastic elements, in particular for door and window frames, and frames obtained using the method

Citations (1)

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IT1078629B (en) * 1975-11-19 1985-05-08 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co GASKET FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS, REFRIGERATOR EQUIPPED WITH SUCH GASKET AND PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE GASKET ITSELF

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US3558390A (en) * 1967-02-07 1971-01-26 Habasit Ltd Process for manufacturing power transmission belts of synthetic material
JPS5262761A (en) * 1975-11-19 1977-05-24 Toshiba Corp Manufacturing of gasket
GB0514297D0 (en) * 2005-07-12 2005-08-17 Gdx North America Inc Bonding of sealing, trimming or guiding strips

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1078629B (en) * 1975-11-19 1985-05-08 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co GASKET FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS, REFRIGERATOR EQUIPPED WITH SUCH GASKET AND PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE GASKET ITSELF

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021103176A1 (en) * 2019-11-28 2021-06-03 陈正林 Process for heating and bonding flocking tape and automobile sealing strip

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GB0623107D0 (en) 2006-12-27
WO2008062305A2 (en) 2008-05-29
WO2008062305A3 (en) 2008-11-20

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