Patent ID: 6432345
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
A method for forming a silicone manifold interconnecting a plurality of silicone tubes, the method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of hollow silicone tubes; providing a silicone insert piece consisting of a body having a plurality of parts equal in number to the plurality of silicone tubes to be interconnected and at least one interior channel interconnecting all of the ports and defining a plurality of port openings communicating with the exterior of the piece at each of the ports; providing a plurality of solid non-silicone plugs; using said plugs to connect each of said tubes with a respective port opening to form an assembly; providing a mold having a cavity shaped as a desired manifold; inserting the assembly into the mold cavity with a portion of each of the tubes extending outwardly from the mold cavity; filling the mold cavity with liquid silicone; heating and curing the liquid silicone to form a manifold; removing the manifold from the mold cavity, and removing the plurality of plugs from the manifold.