Parker-Hannifin Corporation

David P Boland

George R Watchko

Todd E Sousa

Rakesh N Shah

Dean R Gagne

A method of forming a low closure force gasket having alternating high and low contact points. The gasket is formed-in-place (FIP) on a surface of a substrate as a bead of a curable elastomeric composition which is issued under an applied pressure from the orifice of a nozzle. The is nozzle is movable relative to the surface of the substrate along at least a first axis disposed generally parallel to the substrate surface, and, optionally, along a second axis disposed generally perpendicular to the substrate surface. The nozzle is moved at a predetermined speed along the first axis, and, optionally, along the second axis to apply the bead along a given path on the substrate. One or more of the applied pressure, the speed of movement of the nozzle along the first axis of step, and the movement of the nozzle along the second axis are controlled to apply the bead in a periodic series of alternating high and low intervals relative to the substrate surface. The elastomeric composition then is cured under substantially atmospheric pressure to form the gasket on the substrate surface, with the high intervals of the bead defining the high contact points of the gasket, and with the low intervals of the bead defining the low contact portions of the gasket.

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Saugus, MA, United States of America

David P Boland