Seal for a joint or juncture – Process of dynamic sealing – Close proximity seal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-08-14
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Process of dynamic sealing
Close proximity seal
C277S312000, C277S644000, C277S928000, C174S0170CT
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273426
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to seals and sealing methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hydrodynamic seal and a method for providing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to protect an interior of a container or enclosure, e.g., circuit enclosures designed to be placed on telephone poles, electrical poles, or homes, the container or enclosure is typically provided with a rubber gasket, gaskets, or the like, positioned along a lip or flange where a top-half and a bottom-half of the container or enclosure meet when the container or enclosure is in a closed position. The rubber gasket is designed to prevent rain, sand, dust, and other particles and debris from entering through the discontinuity formed by the top-half and bottom-half of such an enclosure. However, such an enclosure containment prevention design has specific operational disadvantages and manufacturing disadvantages associated therewith.
In particular, enclosures and containers to protect circuits, wires, and other electrical components, are typically made out of hardened plastic, metal, or the like. The use of such materials is advantageous since these materials can withstand harsh weather conditions for many years without failing. However, it has been found, due the rubber gasket material, or the like, used to protect the enclosures or containers from the exterior elements, preventive maintenance is required to ensure the rubber gasket is free of cracks, dry-rot, deterioration, or the like. Such a maintenance procedure requires a skilled technician to ensure that a rubber gasket installed on such a container or enclosure is free of defect. If the gasket is found to be damaged, then the technician must either replace the gasket in the container or enclosure, and/or the container or enclosure itself. This is a significant disadvantage since the container or enclosure must be inspected at regular intervals, and/or replaced before the exterior portion of the box would normally need replacing.
Another disadvantage in the design of the conventional container or enclosure, occurs at a manufacturing stage of the container or enclosure. Typically, if the container or enclosure is made of a hardened plastic material, then the manufacturing of such is normally done by a mold die. A mold die is manufactured in the desired shape of the enclosure or container. A plurality of these will be made, depending on the manufacturing quantity, and subsequently used during a manufacturing cycle. A molten plastic material is injected into the die, thereby forming the container or enclosure. Subsequent to this process, in order to weatherproof the enclosures or containers, a rubber gasket, or the like, must be adhesively applied to a flange or lip portion of the molded enclosure or container. This process of adhering a rubber gasket is an additional manufacturing step which must be accomplished by either a manual or automated process. Nonetheless, the process of adhering the rubber gasket requires a manufacturing stage which is in addition to the molding of the enclosure or container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hydrodynamic seal of the present invention overcomes one or more of the disadvantages associated with the sealing process of the conventional art. The hydrodynamic seal of the present invention is capable of protecting a cavity, such as an enclosure cavity for sensitive circuits or electronics from external elements without the use of a rubber gasket, or the like. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic seal of the present invention is capable of reducing manufacturing requirements for, but not limited to, enclosures and containers implementing rubber gaskets and seals.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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patent: 5890873 (1999-04-01), Willey
Daoud Bassel H.
Kay Jason Abraham
Kerr David Steven
Marchtsin Ronald
Paul Lawrence M.
Avaya Technology Corp.
Mah Chuck Y.
Patel Vishal
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