Method of forming fastenable member for sealing, baffling or reinforcing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of forming a member for providing sealing, baffling or reinforcement to one or more structures, the method comprising:
- extruding a carrier, the carrier including a longitudinal axis and at least one integrally formed clip on a first terminating end of the carrier, the clip configured to create an interference fit between the member and a wall of a structure;
co-extruding an expandable material onto only a second terminating end of the carrier that opposes the first terminating end of the carrier, which is capable of expansion to a volume of at least about 2000% of its original volume, wherein the expandable material has a substantially consistent rectangular shape and a substantially consistent thickness along an entirety of the carrier which receives the expandable material;
wherein the member includes one or more extensions, which are integrally attached to the carrier and extend into the expandable material, and wherein the integrally formed clip is free of any contact with the expandable material.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a member for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a carrier, an expandable material and at least one fastener.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a member for providing sealing, baffling or reinforcement to one or more structures, the method comprising:
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extruding a carrier, the carrier including a longitudinal axis and at least one integrally formed clip on a first terminating end of the carrier, the clip configured to create an interference fit between the member and a wall of a structure; co-extruding an expandable material onto only a second terminating end of the carrier that opposes the first terminating end of the carrier, which is capable of expansion to a volume of at least about 2000% of its original volume, wherein the expandable material has a substantially consistent rectangular shape and a substantially consistent thickness along an entirety of the carrier which receives the expandable material; wherein the member includes one or more extensions, which are integrally attached to the carrier and extend into the expandable material, and wherein the integrally formed clip is free of any contact with the expandable material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of forming a member for providing sealing or baffling to one or more structures, the method comprising:
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extruding an elongated carrier, the carrier including a base portion having one or more extensions that extend away from a base portion of the carrier and an integrally formed clip located at a first terminating end of the carrier for attaching the member to a wall of a structure; extruding an expandable material that includes a copolymer or terpolymer with at least one alpha-olefin monomer, which is capable of expansion to a volume of at least about 2000% of its original volume, onto a surface of the carrier in a continuous manner such that the expandable material has a substantially consistent profile and substantially consistent thickness along an entirety of the carrier surface which receives the expandable material; wherein the expandable material is located on a second terminating end of the carrier that opposes the first terminating end of the carrier so that the integrally formed clip is free of any contact with the expandable material; wherein the expandable material of the member includes an ethylene vinyl acetate polymeric material and is generally dry to the touch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification