Seal arrangement for cover in inaccessible areas of tools used in production of plastic skins and/or parts has an inflatable seal with branched connection to an inflatable corner seal

摘要

A molding tool has a cover which can be positioned to prevent plastic reaching at least one specific area during a molding operation. The cover is sealed against the tool surface by an inflatable seal(8). One or more air connections(9) branch off from the inflatable seal and connect with an inflatable, preferably V-shaped, corner seal, which reaches into more inaccessible locations. The inflatable seal(8) comprises a support, an inflatable tube(6) and a sealing edge(7) loosely attached Pressurized fluid entering or leaving the tube moves the sealing edge relative to the seal support. Each corner seal(10) comprises an inflatable tube(11) and a sealing edge(12) loosely attached to this. When pressurized fluid enters or leaves the tube the sealing edge moves relative to the inflatable seal and/or seal support. An elastically deformable shaped member of the corner seal connects with the air connection(9) and/or inflatable seal. The sealing edge of the corner seal is connected to the sealing edge of the inflatable seal and is preferably vulcanized onto it so that both form a common sealing edge. Radial expansion of the inflatable seal and/or corner seal under pressure is 3-5mm. Use of an inflatable corner seal in acute corners or other, areas which are difficult to access ensures the inflatable seal tube follows a path without kinks or very small radii. An independent claim is included for a seal arrangement used in tools for molding plastic skins and/or parts and comprising an inflatable seal with an inflatable tube having at least one additional branched air connection linked to an inflatable profile section comprising an inflatable tube and attached sealing edge.