Patent ID: 6984117
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: B30B,F16J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for manufacturing a seamless gasket, comprising: an annular die cavity having a central column that defines a groove in an exterior surface intermediate perspective distal ends of the column, a charge inlet in a perimeter wall, and a lower pusher movable from a first position to a second position in response to compressing a first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms in the die cavity, the lower pusher in the first position defining a gap between a lower surface at the lower pusher and a bottom of the die cavity, and the lower pusher movable to a third position spaced from the bottom of the die cavity; a flange extending laterally from the lower pusher at a bottom inner diameter edge thereof; an o-ring received in the groove; means for communicating expanded intercalated graphite worms from a source to the charge inlet in the annular die cavity for depositing a charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms within the die cavity; a upper pusher movable from a first position distally spaced from an open end of the die cavity and a second position within the die cavity for compressing the charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms; and whereby the die cavity receives the first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms which is compressed by the upper pusher while also moving the lower pusher to the second position so that the second charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms is received in substantially the same volume as a first charge and the flange is stopped by the o-ring when the lower pusher moves to a third position for removing the seamless gasket from the die cavity.