Patent ID: 9085101
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: B29C,B29L,F16J,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a reinforced gasket for use in sealing pipe joints, the method comprising the steps of: providing a slightly conical hoop-shaped metal band having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a plurality of discrete spaced-apart dimples formed therein and the outer surface having a plurality of discrete raised projections, each of the projections corresponding to one of its dimples; providing a mold having complementary upper and lower mold plates, the mold plates, when assembled, defining a mold cavity for molding the reinforced gasket, the mold plates having inner walls; setting the metal band against the inner wall of the lower mold plate, the metal band spaced apart therefrom by the raised projections on the outer surface of the metal band; assembling and closing the upper and lower mold plates; injecting elastomeric material into the mold cavity, encapsulating both the inner surface and the outer surface of the metal band including the dimples and the raised projections prior to curing the reinforced gasket; curing the reinforced gasket; and removing the reinforced gasket from the mold.