Stuffer plug for automotive extrudate

• US 7,594,806 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Inventors: Murray, Matthew, Soltanzadeh, A. Shahab, Santin, Yvan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tucker; Philip C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Grun; Robert J
• Application Number:
  US10/558,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 264/46.6, 425/130
• US Class Current: 425/130
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/128 Internally reinforcing constructional elements, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/18 Filling preformed cavities B29C44/1204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/181 Filling unsupported soft shells having a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/3496 The foam being compressed and later released to expand B29C44/3465 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/386 using a movable, elongate nozzle, e.g. to reach deep into the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/636 using a support which remains in the joined object
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2007/00 Use of natural rubber as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2009/06 SB polymers, i.e. butadiene-styrene polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/16 EPM, i.e. ethylene-propylene copolymers; EPDM, i.e. ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers; EPT, i.e. ethylene-propylene terpolymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2083/00 Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/245 Inner tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/305 Wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/16 consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties B60J10/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/244 inflatable or deflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/50 characterised by means for prevention or reduction of noise, e.g. of rattling or vibration of windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/80 specially adapted for opening panels, e.g. doors for non-fixed roofs B60J10/90

Abstract

A process and apparatus for insertion of a stuffer plug (18) within a hollow section of a automotive weatherseal extrudate (10) is provided which operates by insertion of a needlelike section (20) of a dispenser unit through a wall of the extrudate into the hollow section. A stuffer plug precursor is then injected or inserted into the hollow section and the needle-like section of the dispenser is removed. The stuffer plug precursor (22) then forms a stuffer plug (18) within the hollow section. Preferably, the stuffer plug is a two part polyurethane which reacts chemically to form a polyurethane foam stuffer plug (18) within the hollow section. An easier method for establishing a stuffer plug (18) within an extrudate (10) is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the on-line process of introducing a stuffer plug within the hollow section of an elongated, hollow extrudate, said apparatus comprising:

a stand having a support bracket for positioning said apparatus relative to the extrudate;

a pair of elongated, spaced apart and parallel guide rails supported by said support bracket;

a dispenser assembly operatively coupled to said guide rails for movement along said guide rails to position said dispenser assembly along the length of the extrudate, said dispenser assembly including needle section operable between a retracted position spaced from the extrudate and an extended position piercing a portion of the extrudate to introduce the stuffer plug therein; and

a pair of spaced apart alignment rails supported by said support bracket and parallel to said guide rails for positioning and aligning the extrudate with said dispenser assembly for engagement by said needle section in said extended position to selectively introduce the stuffer plug into the extrudate.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dispenser assembly further includes dispenser unit for supporting and selectively positioning said needle section between said extended and retracted positions.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said dispenser assembly further includes a supply device for supplying stuffer plug material to said dispenser unit and needle section for introduction into the extrudate.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said dispenser unit includes an upstroke cylinder for moving said needle section to said extended position and a downstroke cylinder for moving said needle section to said retracted position.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further including a conveyor assembly for supporting and supplying a length of the extrudate into an operative position within said alignment rails for introduction of the stuffer plug by said dispenser assembly.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said dispenser assembly includes a plurality of dispenser units.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said dispenser assembly includes a plurality of needle sections for piercing multiple portions of the extrudate to introduce a stuffer plug therein.