Patent ID: 7951316

Claim:
A process comprising: (a) extruding a strip of molten thermoplastic elastomer through an extrusion die to form a molten extrudate that has a generally continuous cross-sectional profile and a length defined by a leading end and a trailing end, where said step of extruding deposits the molten extrudate onto a receiving surface that supports the molten extrudate along the entirety of the length of the extrudate; and, (b) subsequent to (a) and without substantially cooling the molten extrudate and while continuing to support the molten extrudate along the entirety of the length of the extrudate, joining the leading end and the trailing end to form a joint there between by compression molding of the leading and trailing ends at a temperature sufficiently high to allow plastic flow in the area of the joint, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the strip is substantially maintained in the joint.