Rigid plastic glass run channel

Abstract

A process for the production of a glass run channel ( 68 ) is provided wherein the glass run channel has a S-shaped core ( 12 ) of a polymeric material, onto which glass and/or frame sealing components are co-extruded. Preferably, a slip agent coating ( 25 ) is applied shortly after the sealing components ( 18, 24, 26 ) are added so that a completely polymeric glass run channel ( 68 ) is produced in a single operation. The polymeric glass run channel ( 68 ) is lighter, less expensive and more easily recycled than the prior art glass run channels.

1 . A glass run channel comprising a polymeric support structure, a polymeric frame sealing portion, and a polymeric glass sealing portion, said polymeric support structure is manufactured from a material which is a rigid thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and said polymeric frame sealing portion and said polymeric glass sealing portion are manufactured from a semi-rigid TPE.  
   
   
       2 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rigid TPE is a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), a rubber-polyolefin blends, a styrenic block copolymer, an elastomeric alloy, a thermoplastic alloy, a thermoplastic elastomeric alloy, a thermoplastic ionomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, or a blend thereof.  
   
   
       3 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said semi-rigid TPE is a natural rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), an ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), a thermoplastic elastomeric alloy, an elastomeric alloy, or ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) rubber, or combinations thereof and therebtween.  
   
   
       4 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said TPE is a thermoplastic polyolefin.  
   
   
       5 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said thermoplastic elastomeric alloy is a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).  
   
   
       6 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said TPV is a mixture of a polyolefin and the rubber phase is often an ethylene-propylene elastomer.  
   
   
       7 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said TPV is a mixture of polypropylene and EPDM rubber.  
   
   
       8 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said polymeric support structure is an S-shaped polymeric support structure.  
   
   
       9 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said frame sealing portion and said glass sealing portion are the same material.  
   
   
       10 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said polymeric support structure is a TWO, and said frame and glass sealing portions are the same TPV material.  
   
   
       11 . A glass run channel as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a slip agent.  
   
   
       12 . A process for the production of a polymeric glass run channel comprising extruding a polymeric support structure, and immediately thereafter, over-extruding a polymeric frame sealing portion and a polymeric glass sealing portion.  
   
   
       13 . A process as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said polymeric frame sealing portion or said polymeric glass sealing portion are over-extruded over said polymeric support structure within 30 seconds of the formation of said polymeric support structure.  
   
   
       14 . A process as claimed in  claim 13  additionally comprising the step of applying a slip agent to the glass run channel immediately after production thereof.  
   
   
       15 . A process as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said slip agent is applied to said glass run channel within 30 seconds of the formation of said glass run channel.  
   
   
       16 . A process as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said process includes a step of coextruding a wire with polymeric glass run channel and pulling the wire to pull the glass run channel although at least one cooling die.  
   
   
       17 . A process as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said process further comprises a step of separating said wire from said polymeric glass run channel.  
   
   
       18 . A process as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said process further comprises a step of cutting said polymeric glass run channel to a desired length.  
   
   
       19 . A process as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said process further comprises a step of shaping said polymeric glass run channel.  
   
   
       20 . A process as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said process is continuous.