Patent ID: 6185807
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for reversibly sealing a housing joint, the housing comprising a first housing element and a second housing element assembled in a first axis and defining therebetween a joint, said method comprising the steps of:(a) forming an alignment element on an inner surface of an elastic sealing band, the alignment element disposed substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the sealing band and having a first end disposed on the inner surface and a second end opposite the first end, the second end defining an elastically deformable retaining element;(b) stretching the elastic sealing band to surround the housing;(c) aligning the alignment element with the joint and allowing the sealing band to contract to apply a sealing pressure along a second axis substantially normal to the first axis to reversibly seal the joint;(d) applying a mating pressure to the sealing band along the second axis, the mating pressure being sufficient to insert the second end of the alignment element into the joint and elastically deform the retaining element; and(e) allowing at least a portion of the retaining element to elastically expand within the housing to elastically retain the sealing band within the joint.