Sealing element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12485592-B2
Application number	US-202217980991-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2022
Priority date	Dec 20, 2021
Publication date	Dec 2, 2025
Grant date	Dec 2, 2025

Abstract

A sealing element for a molding machine comprises a base body with an inner receptacle wherein the base body is provided with a venting duct to connect an inner receptacle of the sealing element with an outer surface thereof.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A sealing element for a molding machine for providing a product with an overmold by means of injection molding, the sealing element comprising:
an elastic and resilient base body formed of a polymeric material and having an inner receptacle for receiving the product and having an outer surface, wherein the sealing element is configured to be received within a mold having a cavity, wherein the sealing element is configured to provide a seal between surrounding walls of the mold and the product, and wherein the base body is provided with a venting duct that connects the inner receptacle with the outer surface of the sealing element.

2 . The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the venting duct comprises a radially extending section.

3 . The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the inner receptacle extends along a longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

4 . The sealing element according to claim 3 , wherein the venting duct comprises an axially extending section.

5 . The sealing element according to claim 4 , wherein the venting duct comprises a plurality of parallel and axially extending sections.

6 . The sealing element according to claim 5 , wherein the axially extending sections merge into an annular section of the venting duct.

7 . The sealing element according to claim 6 , wherein the annular section merges into a radially extending section.

8 . The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is in contact with the surrounding walls of the mold.

9 . The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material forming the base body comprises a foam material.

10 . The sealing element according to claim 9 , wherein the foam material is a closed cell foam material.

11 . A molding machine for providing a product with an overmold by means of injection molding, said molding machine comprising:
a mold with a cavity for receiving the product, wherein a sealing element is provided in the mold to seal the cavity, the sealing element having an elastic and resilient base body formed of a polymeric material and further having an inner receptacle for receiving the product and an outer surface, wherein the sealing element is configured to provide a seal between surrounding walls of the mold and the product, and wherein the base body is provided with a venting duct that that connects the inner receptacle with the outer surface of the sealing element.

12 . The molding machine according to claim 11 , being configured in an operational configuration such that the cavity is oriented in a vertical direction.

13 . The molding machine according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing element is received in a pocket of the mold.

14 . The molding machine according to claim 13 , wherein the mold is provided with a venting duct that communicates with the pocket.

15 . The molding machine according to claim 13 , wherein the mold is provided with a venting chamber that communicates with the pocket.

16 . A method of providing a product with an overmold by means of injection molding in a molding machine having a mold with a cavity for receiving the product, wherein a sealing element is provided in the mold to seal the cavity, the sealing element having an elastic and resilient base body formed of a polymeric material and having an inner receptacle for receiving the product and an outer surface and wherein the base body is provided with a venting duct that that connects the inner receptacle with the outer surface of the sealing element, the method comprising:
inserting the sealing element in a pocket of the mold; placing the product in the cavity such that the sealing element provides a seal between surrounding walls of the mold and the product; and injecting overmold material in the inner receptacle and venting the inner receptacle through the venting duct of the sealing element.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the product comprises a cable.

18 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising placing the sealing element in contact with the surrounding walls of the mold.

19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the polymeric material forming the base body comprises a foam material.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the foam material is a closed cell foam material.

Assignees

• Aptiv Technologies AG

Inventors

• Bak Szymon
• Kliszka Artur

Classifications

• B29L2031/3462

  Cables · CPC title

• B29K2075/00

  Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material · CPC title

• B29C44/588

  with means for venting, e.g. releasing foaming gas · CPC title

• B29C44/12

  Incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or reinforcements · CPC title

• B29C2045/14934

  Preventing penetration of injected material between insert and adjacent mould wall · CPC title