US4904434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming an improved wiper blade
Assignee: JMK International Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-28
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2008-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A method is shown for forming a wiper blade in which a continuous length of elastomer is extruded through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined in edge-to-edge relation. The elastomer is scored in the mid-section thereof to produce a score line and then cured. The scored and cured elastomer is then separated into two separate lengths of wiper blade by dividing the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Hyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:30
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/06; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C48/03; B29C48/12; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/32; B60S1/38; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0054; B29C2793/0063; B29C48/06; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0082; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/305; B60S2001/3898
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation; scoring the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer prior to curing to produce a score line to facilitate the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; then curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling apart the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation; scoring the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer prior to curing to produce a score line to facilitate the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; then curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling apart the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of curable elastomer having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; scoring the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer as it leaves the extruded die and prior to curing by passing the continuous length of elastomer through a pair of transversely oriented blades to produce a score line to facilitate the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; thereafter, curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the separate lengths apart along the score line.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of curable elastomer having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; scoring the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer as it leaves the extruded die and prior to curing by passing the continuous length of elastomer through a pair of transversely oriented blades to produce a score line to facilitate the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; thereafter, curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the separate lengths apart along the score line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said blades are spaced apart a preselected distance to score the continuous length of elastomer along the top and bottom surfaces thereof to a depth less than the thickness of the continuous length of elastomer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of uncured silicone rubber through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of uncured silicone rubber having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; scoring the mid-section of the continuous length of uncured silicone rubber as it leaves the extruder die and prior to curing to produce a score line; then curing the continuous length of silicone rubber by heating to an elevated temperature above ambient; then separating the continuous length of silicone rubber into two separate lengths of wiper blade while it is at a temperature above ambient by pulling the separate lengths apart along the score line; and cutting the separate lengths of wiper blade into individual wiper-sized segments
Claim 7
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of uncured silicone rubber through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of uncured silicone rubber having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; scoring the mid-section of the continuous length of uncured silicone rubber as it leaves the extruder die and prior to curing to produce a score line; then curing the continuous length of silicone rubber by heating to an elevated temperature above ambient; then separating the continuous length of silicone rubber into two separate lengths of wiper blade while it is at a temperature above ambient by pulling the separate lengths apart along the score line; and cutting the separate lengths of wiper blade into individual wiper-sized segments
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said transversely oriented blades are mounted on said extrusion die adjacent the extrusion opening therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said extrusion die is provided as a plate having an inner face and an outer face and wherein said blades are adjustably mounted on the outer face of said die by means of adjustment screws which allow said blades to move in and out in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said continuous length of silicone rubber being extruded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said uncured silicone rubber contains a vulcanizing catalyst and wherein said curing step in performed by passing said continuous length of uncured silicone rubber through a salt bath which actuates said vulcanizing catalyst.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |