This disclosure relates generally to enclosure members that include a seal dispensed onto the enclosure surface, and methods of dispensing such seals. A dispensed seal may be formed from an elastomeric material using a dispensing apparatus. The seal may be formed as a continuously dispensed bead tha
This disclosure relates generally to enclosure members that include a seal dispensed onto the enclosure surface, and methods of dispensing such seals. A dispensed seal may be formed from an elastomeric material using a dispensing apparatus. The seal may be formed as a continuously dispensed bead that begins as a first ramped portion, continues as a second portion, and ends as a third portion positioned over the first ramped portion such that the first and second portions are have a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second portion. The seal may also be non-contiguous and formed from two or more members with multiple ramped portions. The ramped and inverted ramp portions prevent protrusions and depressions in the thickness of the seal. The seal may include one or more secondary structures dispensed on the surface of the seal and/or a surface of the enclosure surface.
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1. A protective encasement for an electronic device having a housing and a touch-sensitive display, the protective encasement comprising: a first encasement member comprising a perimeter portion;a second encasement member comprising a perimeter portion that corresponds with the perimeter portion of
1. A protective encasement for an electronic device having a housing and a touch-sensitive display, the protective encasement comprising: a first encasement member comprising a perimeter portion;a second encasement member comprising a perimeter portion that corresponds with the perimeter portion of the first encasement member;a channel disposed on the perimeter portion of the first encasement member;a wall disposed on the second encasement member;a first clasping feature disposed on a surface of the wall and a second clasping feature disposed on a surface of the channel, the first and second clasping features to interface with each other and removably clasp the first and second encasement members together and to permit a user to repeatedly insert and remove the electronic device from the protective encasement;a non-removable seal disposed on the surface of the channel, the non-removable seal to form a waterproof barrier between a portion of the wall and the channel when the first and second encasement members are removably clasped together, the non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the surface of the channel, the non-removable seal comprising:a first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the perimeter portion of the first encasement member, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the non-removable seal, the first and third portions of the non-removable seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the non-removable seal; anda secondary structure on a surface of the non-removable seal, the secondary structure having:a first portion of secondary structure having a ramped configuration from a third point to a fourth point on the surface of the non-removable seal, a thickness of the first portion of secondary structure at the fourth point being greater than a thickness of the first portion of secondary structure at the third point,a second portion of secondary structure having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion of secondary structure between the fourth point and the third point, anda third portion of secondary structure on a surface of the second portion of secondary structure, the first portion of secondary structure and the third portion of secondary structure having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of secondary structure, wherein the first portion and the third portion of the secondary structure do not overlap with the first portion and the third portion of the non-removable seal. 2. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the surface of the channel is treated with ultraviolet light to increase adhesion of the non-removable seal to the surface of the channel. 3. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the first encasement member is configured to at least partially cover the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the first encasement member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device, the first encasement member further comprising: an inside edge spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the first encasement member, the inside edge defining an aperture that exposes the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the first encasement member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device; anda second non-removable seal disposed on an inner surface of the first encasement member and proximate the inside edge, the second non-removable seal to seal against a front surface of the electronic device housing proximate the touch-sensitive display when the first and second encasement members are removably clasped together, the second non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the inner surface of the first encasement member, the second non-removable seal comprisinga first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the first encasement member, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the second non-removable seal, the first and third portions of the second non-removable seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the second non-removable seal. 4. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the second encasement member is configured to at least partially cover the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the second enclosure member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device, the second encasement member further comprising: an inside edge spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the second encasement member, the inside edge defining an aperture that exposes the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the second encasement member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device; anda second non-removable seal disposed on an inner surface of the second encasement member and proximate the inside edge, the second non-removable seal to seal against a front surface of the electronic device housing proximate the touch-sensitive display when the first and second encasement members are secured together, the second non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the inner surface of the second encasement member, the second non-removable seal comprisinga first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the second encasement member, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the second non-removable seal, the first and third portions of the second non-removable seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the second non-removable seal. 5. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the secondary structure has a thickness substantially less than a thickness of the second portion of the non-removable seal. 6. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the secondary structure is offset from an apex of the non-removable seal. 7. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein an apex of the non-removable seal and the apex of the secondary structure align at less than a 90-degree angle relative to the surface of the channel. 8. A protective enclosure for an electronic device having a housing and a touch-sensitive display, the protective enclosure comprising: a first enclosure member comprising a perimeter portion that bounds a perimeter of the housing of the electronic device, and an inner surface that faces towards the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure;a second enclosure member comprising a perimeter portion that corresponds with the perimeter portion of the first enclosure member, and an inner surface that faces towards the electronic device when the electronic is installed in the protective enclosure;a first wall disposed on the perimeter portion the first enclosure member;a second wall disposed on the perimeter portion of the second enclosure member;a first clasping feature disposed on a surface of the first wall and a second clasping feature disposed on a surface of the second wall, the first and second clasping features to interface with each other and removably clasp the first and second enclosure members together;a non-removable seal disposed on one of the inner surface of the perimeter portion of the first or the second enclosure member, the one inner surface having been treated with ultraviolet radiation to increase adhesion of the non-removable seal to the inner surface, the non-removable seal to form a waterproof barrier between a portion of the first wall and the second wall when the first and second enclosure members are coupled together, the non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the one inner surface of the first or the second enclosure member, the non-removable seal comprising:a first segment disposed on and inclined relative to the one inner surface from a first point to a second point on the perimeter portion of the one inner surface, a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the second point being greater than a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the first point,a second segment having a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along a length between the second point and the first point, anda third segment disposed on a surface of the first segment of the non-removable seal and declined relative to the surface of the first segment, the first and third segments of the non-removable seal having a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second segment of the non-removable seal; anda secondary structure on a surface of the non-removable seal, the secondary structure having:a first segment of secondary structure inclined relative to the surface of the non-removable seal from a third point to a fourth point on the one inner surface of the first or the second enclosure member, a cross-sectional area of the first portion of secondary structure at the fourth point being greater than a cross-sectional area of the first portion of secondary structure at the third point,a second segment of secondary structure having a cross-sectional area that is constant along a length of the second segment of secondary structure between the fourth point and the third point, anda third segment of secondary structure on a surface of the second segment of secondary structure, the first segment of secondary structure and the third segment of secondary structure having a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second segment of secondary structure, wherein the first segment and the third segment of the secondary structure do not overlap with the first segment and the third segment of the non-removable seal. 9. The protective enclosure of claim 8, wherein the first enclosure member is configured to at least partially cover the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the first enclosure member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device, the first enclosure member further comprising: an inside edge spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the first enclosure member, the inside edge defining an aperture that exposes the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the first enclosure member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device; anda second non-removable seal disposed on an inner surface of the first enclosure member and proximate the inside edge, the second non-removable seal to seal against a front surface of the electronic device housing proximate the touch-sensitive display when the first and second enclosure members are removably clasped together, the second non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the inner surface of the first enclosure member proximate the inside edge, the second non-removable seal comprisinga first segment disposed on and inclined relative to the inner surface of the first enclosure member from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the first enclosure member, a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the second point being greater than a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the first point,a second segment having a cross-sectional area that is constant along a length of the second segment between the second point and the first point, anda third segment disposed on a surface of the first segment of the second non-removable seal, the first and third segments of the second non-removable seal having a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second segment of the second non-removable seal. 10. The protective enclosure of claim 8, wherein the second enclosure member is configured to at least partially cover the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the second enclosure member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device, the second enclosure member further comprising: an inside edge spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the second enclosure member, the inside edge defining an aperture that exposes the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the second enclosure member is installed onto the housing of the electronic device; anda second non-removable seal disposed on an inner surface of the second enclosure member and proximate the inside edge, the second non-removable seal to seal against a front surface of the electronic device housing proximate the touch-sensitive display when the first and second enclosure members are secured together, the second non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the inner surface of the second enclosure member, the second non-removable seal comprisinga first segment disposed on and inclined relative to the inner surface of the second enclosure member from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the second enclosure member, a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the second point being greater than a cross-sectional area of the first segment at the first point,a second segment having a cross-sectional area that is constant along a length of the second segment between the second point and the first point, anda third segment disposed on a surface of the first segment of the second non-removable seal, the first and third segments of the second non-removable seal having a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second segment of the second non-removable seal. 11. The protective encasement of claim 8, wherein the second segment of the secondary structure has a cross-sectional area substantially less than a cross-sectional area of the second segment of the non-removable seal. 12. A protective encasement for an electronic device, the electronic device having a housing with front and rear surfaces and a touch-sensitive display disposed on the front surface of the electronic device housing, the protective encasement comprising: a top member comprising a perimeter portion, an inner surface that faces the front surface of the electronic device housing when the top member is installed onto the electronic device housing, and an inside edge spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the top member, the inside edge defining an aperture that exposes the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device when the top member is installed onto the electronic device housing, the inside edge disposed proximate the touch-sensitive display when the top member at least partially covers the housing of the electronic device;a bottom member comprising a perimeter portion that corresponds with the perimeter portion of the top member, and an inner surface that faces the rear surface of the electronic device housing;a channel disposed on the perimeter portion of one of the top and bottom members;a wall disposed on the perimeter portion of the other one of the top and bottom members;a first clasping feature disposed on a surface of the wall and a second clasping feature disposed on a surface of the channel, the first and second clasping features to interface with each other and removably clasp the top member and the bottom member together;a non-removable seal disposed on the inner surface of the top member and proximate the inside edge, the non-removable seal to seal against the front surface of the electronic device housing proximate the touch-sensitive display when the top and bottom members are removably clasped together, the non-removable seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material adhered to the inner surface of the top member, the non-removable seal comprising:a first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the top member proximate the inside edge, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the non-removable seal, the first portion of the non-removable seal and third portion of the non-removable seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the non-removable seal; anda secondary structure on a surface of the non-removable seal, the secondary structure having:a first portion of secondary structure inclined relative to the surface of the non-removable seal from a third point to a fourth point on the inner surface of the top member proximate the inside edge, a cross-sectional area of the first portion of secondary structure at the fourth point being greater than a cross-sectional area of the first portion of secondary structure at the third point,a second portion of secondary structure having a cross-sectional area that is constant along a length of the second portion of secondary structure between the fourth point and the third point, anda third portion of secondary structure on a surface of the second portion of secondary structure, the first portion of secondary structure and the third portion of secondary structure having a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second portion of secondary structure, wherein the first portion and the third portion of the secondary structure do not overlap with the first portion and the third portion of the non-removable seal. 13. The protective encasement of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the top member is treated with ultraviolet light to increase adhesion of the non-removable seal to the inner surface of the top member. 14. The protective encasement of claim 12, wherein a non-removable perimeter seal is disposed on and adhered to the inner surface of the top member proximate the perimeter portion, the non-removable perimeter seal to form a waterproof barrier between a portion of the wall and the channel when the top and bottom members are clasped together, the non-removable perimeter seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material, the non-removable perimeter seal comprising a first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the top member proximate the perimeter portion, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the non-removable perimeter seal, the first and third portions of the non-removable perimeter seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the non-removable perimeter seal. 15. The protective encasement of claim 12, wherein a non-removable perimeter seal is disposed on and adhered to the inner surface of the bottom member proximate the perimeter portion, the non-removable perimeter seal to form a waterproof barrier between a portion of the wall and the channel when the top and bottom members are clasped together, the non-removable perimeter seal formed from a flowable elastomeric material, the non-removable perimeter seal comprising a first portion having a ramped configuration from a first point to a second point on the inner surface of the top member proximate the perimeter portion, a thickness of the first portion at the second point being greater than a thickness of the first portion at the first point,a second portion having a thickness that is constant along a length of the second portion between the second point and the first point, anda third portion disposed on a surface of the first portion of the non-removable perimeter seal, the first and third portions of the non-removable perimeter seal having a combined thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of the non-removable perimeter seal.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Daniel, Mathew, Form-in-place gasket height variability control for a disc drive.
Gee Alan R. (Greenwich NY) Delaney William R. (Clifton Park NY) Petrosino Paul M. (Schoharie NY), Method of bonding a cured elastomer to plastic and metal surfaces.
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