Gasket, method for manufacturing gasket, and method for using gasket

Abstract

The present invention provides: a gasket having a longer life compared to conventional gaskets; a manufacturing method for said gasket; and a method for using said gasket. [Solution] A gasket 100 includes a sheet-shaped base material 10 (sheet-shaped base material). The thickness of the base material 10 is in the Z direction. In a front view, the contour of the base material 10 is circular, and a through-hole 10X extending in the Z direction is formed in a central part of the base material 10. The through-hole 10X is formed in a circular shape in both of the front surface 11 of the base material 10 and the rear surface 12 of the base material 10. A side surface notch 13S is formed in an outer surface 13 of the base material 10. Further, the side surface notch 13S extends toward an axis AX serving as the center of the through-hole 10X, as shown in fig. 3(C) and fig. 4, and a tip part 13ST of the side surface notch 13S is positioned in a middle part between the outer surface 13 and a wall surface 14.

Description

Gasket, gasket manufacturing method and gasket use method

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket, a method for making a gasket, and a method for using a gasket.

[0002] Gaskets are widely used in various industrial fields as sealing materials for flanged joints. Gaskets are sandwiched between the mating surfaces of multiple mechanical components and are designed to prevent leakage or intrusion from the mating surfaces. Various measures have also been taken to ensure that gaskets can withstand harsh conditions, such as load, temperature, and pressure. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a composite sealing material composed of a first member made of fluororubber and a second member made of fluororesin, which is a harder material than the first member and has good plasma resistance and corrosive gas resistance.

[0003] Patent No. 5126995

[0004] When gaskets are used for a long period of time, they can tear or crack due to pressure from multiple machine parts, which shortens their lifespan.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a gasket having a longer life than conventional gaskets, a method for manufacturing a gasket, and a method for using a gasket.

[0006] The gasket of the present invention comprises a sheet-like substrate having a sheet surface on one side and a sheet back side on the other side, with a through hole formed therein that penetrates from the sheet surface to the sheet back side, the sheet-like substrate comprising a tubular portion whose hollow portion is the through hole, and an extension portion that extends outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and is provided to surround the tubular portion, the extension portion comprising a first extension portion and a second extension portion that is located closer to the sheet surface than the first extension portion, and the first extension portion and the second extension portion are adjacent to each other.

[0007] It is preferable that the first extension portion and the second extension portion are in close contact with each other. It is preferable that the first extension portion and the second extension portion are individually deformable to an extent that, when a pressing force is applied to the sheet front surface and the sheet back surface, strain energy generated in the cylindrical portion due to the pressing force can be released.

[0008] The gasket of the present invention comprises a sheet-like substrate having a sheet surface on one side and a sheet back surface on the other side, with a through hole formed therein that penetrates from the sheet surface to the sheet back surface, and a side notch formed on the outer side of the sheet-like substrate, wherein the side notch extends in a direction from the outer side surface toward the through hole, and the tip of the side notch is located midway between the outer side surface and the through hole and is formed to surround the through hole.

[0009] When the portions of the sheet-like substrate divided by the side notch are defined as a first divided piece and a second divided piece, it is preferable that the first divided piece and the second divided piece are in close contact with each other. The side notch preferably comprises a first side notch and a second side notch, and the first side notch and the second side notch are preferably formed to be aligned from the front surface of the sheet to the back surface of the sheet. The thickness of the divided piece is preferably thinner than the length from the end of the side notch to the through hole. The sheet-like substrate preferably comprises a tubular portion whose hollow portion serves as the through hole and an extension portion extending outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and surrounding the tubular portion, the extension portion preferably comprising a first extension portion and a second extension portion located closer to the front surface of the sheet than the first extension portion, and the side notch preferably being located between the first extension portion and the second extension portion.

[0010] The sheet-like substrate has a third extension portion that extends outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and surrounds the tubular portion, and it is preferable that the third extension portion is arranged on the opposite side of the second extension portion from the first extension portion, and that the second extension portion and the third extension portion are in close contact with each other.

[0011] The cylindrical portion and the extension portion are preferably integrally formed. The sheet-like substrate is preferably annular, and the extension portion is preferably annular. The lengths of the first extension portion and the second extension portion from the front surface side of the sheet to the back surface side of the sheet are preferably thinner than the thickness of the cylindrical portion. The forming material is preferably a thermoplastic fluoropolymer.

[0012] The gasket manufacturing method of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned gasket, and is characterized in that the tubular portion comprises a first tubular portion connected to the first extension portion and a second tubular portion connected to the second extension portion, and includes a separating step for separating the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.

[0013] Preferably, the method includes a determining step, which is performed before the dividing step, of determining whether the gasket has a thickness greater than the thickness at which the first part and the second part can be joined, and when it is determined that the gasket has a thickness greater than the thickness at which the first part and the second part can be joined, the dividing step is performed so that the gasket has a thickness at which the first part and the second part can be joined. In the dividing step, it is preferable that the first cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part are divided from the gasket so as to obtain a first gasket having the first extension part and the first cylindrical part, and a second gasket having the second extension part and the second cylindrical part.

[0014] The gasket manufacturing method of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned gasket, and is characterized in that the tubular portion comprises a first tubular portion connected to the first extension portion and a second tubular portion connected to the second extension portion, and comprises a removal step of removing the gasket from the first part and the second part, and a removal step, which is performed after the removal step, of removing the first tubular portion and the first extension portion from the gasket.

[0015] Preferably, the tubular portion further includes a third tubular portion disposed on a position opposite the first tubular portion as viewed from the second tubular portion, and the sheet-like substrate includes a third extension portion extending outward from an outer surface of the third tubular portion and surrounding the third tubular portion, and being in close contact with the second extension portion and the first extension portion. In the removing step, it is preferable to remove the third tubular portion and the third extension portion from the gasket.

[0016] The method for manufacturing a gasket of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned gasket and includes a side notch forming step of forming the side notch by applying a blade to the side of the sheet-like substrate or to the base material that will become the side, and the side notch forming step includes a blade positioning step of setting the blade to a starting position that is a predetermined thickness away from a reference position set on the sheet-like substrate in the thickness direction of the sheet-like substrate, a blade insertion step that is performed after the blade positioning step and inserts the blade from the starting position into the side of the sheet-like substrate, and a blade retraction step that is performed after the blade insertion step and retracts the blade from the sheet-like substrate, and is characterized in that in the blade insertion step, the blade inserts halfway between the outer side surface and the through hole, and the side notch formed by the blade insertion step is formed to surround the through hole.

[0017] It is preferable that the predetermined thickness is thinner than the length from the midpoint to the through hole. In the side incision forming step, the position of the blade is controlled by a controller, and the controller preferably controls the blade so that the thickness of the dividing portion is thinner than the length from the tip of the side incision to the through hole. The blade positioning step preferably includes a first blade positioning step in which the reference position is the sheet surface of the sheet-like substrate, and a second blade positioning step in which the reference position is the start position of the first blade positioning step. The blade insertion step preferably includes a first blade insertion step performed after the first blade positioning step and a second blade insertion step performed after the second blade positioning step. The blade retraction step preferably includes a first blade retraction step performed after the first blade insertion step and a second blade retraction step performed after the second blade insertion step. It is preferable that the forming material is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gasket having a longer life than conventional gaskets, a method for manufacturing a gasket, and a method for using a gasket.

[0019] 1A is a side view showing an outline of a coupling mechanism including a first pipe, a second pipe, and a gasket connecting the first pipe and the second pipe, and FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the coupling mechanism. FIG. 1A is a front view showing an outline of the gasket, FIG. 1B is a side view showing an outline of the gasket, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view showing an outline of the gasket. FIG. 1A is a side view showing an outline of the gasket, FIG. 1B is an enlarged view showing an outline of the side of the gasket, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIc-IIIc' showing an outline of the gasket. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a side notch provided on the side of the gasket so as to surround the entire circumference of the through hole, FIG. 1B is a front view showing an outline of the gasket, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the gasket taken along line IVc-IVc' set on the side notch. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the annular divided portion and the integral portion taken along line IVd-IVd'. (A) to (C) are cross-sectional views taken along line IIIc-IIIc' showing an outline of a gasket when external forces are applied from the front and back surfaces. (A) shows the gasket before deformation, (B) shows the divided pieces deformed significantly radially outward as they move from the front surface side to the back surface side, and (C) shows the divided pieces deformed significantly radially outward in the thickness direction as they move from the front surface side and the back surface side toward the center. This is a flow diagram showing an outline of a method of using a gasket. (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIc-IIIc' showing an outline of a gasket with the outermost divided pieces remaining, and a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIc-IIIc' showing an outline of a gasket with the outermost divided pieces removed. (C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an outline of an integral portion and an annular divided portion. (D) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an outline of a cutting line CL provided on the integral portion. Hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted in (C) and (D) to avoid cluttering the drawings. This is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a gasket manufacturing apparatus. 1 is a flow diagram showing an outline of a method for manufacturing a gasket, (A) is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a blade entry path SL set in a base material in the method for manufacturing a gasket, and (B) is a side view showing an outline of a gasket in which a side notch is formed on a side surface by the method for manufacturing a gasket.1A is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a substrate on which a first side notch is formed in a gasket manufacturing method; 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a substrate on which a second side notch is formed in a gasket manufacturing method; 1C is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a substrate on which a fourth side notch is formed in a gasket manufacturing method; 1A is a front view showing an outline of a gasket (variant), 1B is a side view showing an outline of a gasket (variant), and 1C is a bottom view showing an outline of a gasket (variant). 1A is a side view showing an outline of a gasket (variant), 1B is an enlarged view showing an outline of a side of a gasket (variant), and 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIc-XIIIc' showing an outline of a gasket (variant). 1A is an explanatory view showing an outline of a side notch provided so as to surround the entire circumference of a through hole, and 1B is a front view showing an outline of a gasket (variant). 1D is a flow chart showing an outline of a method of using a gasket.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1A, the coupling mechanism H includes a first pipe 1P, a second pipe 2P, and a gasket 100 connecting the first pipe 1P and the second pipe 2P. The gasket 100 is disposed between a first flange 1F provided on the first pipe 1P and a second flange 2F provided on the second pipe 2P. As shown in FIG. 1B, the gasket 100 includes a sheet-like substrate 10. The substrate 10 includes a front surface 11 (sheet front surface) that abuts against the first flange 1F and a back surface 12 (sheet back surface) that abuts against the second flange 2F. A through hole 10X is formed in the substrate 10, penetrating from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12. The through hole 10X connects the first flow path 1R of the first pipe 1P with the second flow path 2R of the second pipe 2P.

[0021] The first flange 1F and the second flange 2F each have a bolt hole (not shown). A bolt B is inserted into the bolt hole, and a nut N is screwed onto the bolt B. In this way, by fastening the bolt B and the nut N of the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F, the first pipe 1P and the second pipe are connected via the gasket 100 ( FIG. 1(A) ). As a result, the first flow path 1R and the second flow path 2R are communicated by the through hole 10X and are sealed from the external space by the gasket 100.

[0022] The joint mechanism H is applied to the joint portion of pipes (made of metal or resin) in piping plants such as petroleum plants, food plants, pharmaceutical plants, chemical plants, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (dry etching equipment, plasma CVD equipment, etc.).

[0023] For ease of explanation, the following description will be given below with reference to an arbitrary direction in a horizontal plane as the X direction, a direction perpendicular to the X direction among the arbitrary directions in the horizontal plane as the Y direction, and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane as the Z direction.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C), the gasket 100 includes a sheet-like substrate 10 (sheet-like substrate). The substrate 10 has its own thickness in the Z direction. When viewed from the front, the substrate 10 has a circular outline, and a through-hole 10X extending in the Z direction is formed in the center of the substrate 10. The through-hole 10X opens in a circular shape on the front surface 11 and the back surface 12 of the substrate 10, respectively. The through-hole 10X is concentric with the outline of the substrate 10. The substrate 10 has an outer radius R1 and an inner radius R2. Therefore, the substrate 10 is formed in a circular ring shape when viewed from above. Furthermore, both the front surface 11 and the back surface 12 of the substrate 10 are flat.

[0025] The outer radius R1 of the base material 10 may be set so as to be radially inward of the bolt holes provided in the flanges 1F and 2F. The inner radius of the base material 10 may be set so as not to protrude beyond the wall surface 14 of the through hole 10X, and is preferably flush with the wall surface 14 of the through hole 10X.

[0026] The base material 10 may be made of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like.

[0027] Thermoplastic materials include polyketones, polyaramids, polyimides, polyetherimides, polyamideimides, polyphenylene sulfides, polyphenylene sulfones, fluoropolymers, polybenzimidazoles, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. In one particular example, thermoplastic materials include polymers such as polyketones, thermoplastic polyimides, polyetherimides, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethersulfones, polysulfones, polyamideimides, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. In a further example, thermoplastic materials include polyketones such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketones, polyetherketoneketones, polyetherketoneetherketoneketones, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. Examples of thermoplastic fluoropolymers include fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), etc., but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0028] Examples of thermosetting resins include thermosetting epoxy resins, thermosetting acrylic resins, thermosetting melamine resins, thermosetting polyester resins, thermosetting phenolic resins, thermosetting urea resins, thermosetting benzoguanamine resins, thermosetting rosin-modified maleic acid resins, and thermosetting rosin-modified fumaric acid resins, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0029] As a material for forming the substrate 10, in addition to the above-mentioned thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins, graphite, silicon carbide (SiC), glass fiber (SiO ２It is preferable to add a filler such as an inorganic filler such as a metal oxide, or an organic filler such as an engineering resin powder. Specific examples of the metal oxide include aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide, and examples of the organic filler include imide-based fillers having an imide structure such as polyimide, polyamideimide, and polyetherimide; polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polyoxybenzoate, and isoindolinone-based pigments, quinacridone-based pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole-based pigments, and anthraquinone-based pigments, which are also used as organic pigments.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 13 of the substrate 10 forms the outline of the substrate 10, and the wall surface 14 forms the outline of the through hole 10X. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a side notch 13S is formed in the outer surface 13 of the substrate 10. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4, the side notch 13S extends toward the axis AX, which is the center of the through hole 10X, and the tip 13ST of the side notch 13S is located midway between the outer surface 13 and the wall surface 14. In other words, the tip 13ST of the side notch 13S is spaced a predetermined length L1 from the wall surface 14 of the through hole 10X. As shown in FIG. 3C, the side notch 13S is preferably parallel to the front surface 11 or the back surface 12.

[0031] The side notches 13S are formed so as to be aligned at a predetermined interval L2 from the front surface 11 toward the back surface 12. It is preferable that the side notches 13S are parallel to each other.

[0032] 4A, the side notches 13S are formed to surround the entire circumference of the through hole 10X. The length L1 from the tip 13ST of each side notch 13S to the wall surface 14 of the through hole 10X is preferably equal around the axis AX, which is the center of the through hole 10X. Therefore, the tip 13ST of each side notch 13S has a circular shape with a radius R3 in a plan view of the substrate 10 (FIG. 2A).

[0033] As shown in Figures 3(C) and 4, in a plan view of the substrate 10, the portion located radially outward from the tip portion 13ST is defined as the annular divided portion 10D, and the portion located radially inward from the tip portion 13ST is defined as the integral portion 10T (tubular portion). The annular divided portion 10D is formed in an annular shape as a whole, with divided segments 10DX (extension portions) separated by side notches 13S aligned in the Z direction. Each divided segment 10DX is annular with an outer radius R1, an inner radius R3, and a thickness L2. Furthermore, adjacent divided segments 10DX in the Z direction are in close contact with each other. The range in which adjacent divided segments 10DX are in close contact with each other extends over the entire circumference of the integral portion 10T, and preferably extends over the entire divided segment 10DX. The integral portion 10T is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the hollow portion of the integral portion 10T forms a through-hole 10X. The outer radius of the integral portion 10T is R3 and the inner radius of the integral portion 10T is R1.

[0034] Here, the radial length L1 (= R3 - R2) of the integral portion 10T is shorter than the radial length (= R1 - R2) of the entire substrate 10. Furthermore, each annular divided portion 10D is composed of a segment 10DX that extends horizontally radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical integral portion 10T. Therefore, compared to when the side notches 13S are not formed, the individual segment 10DX is more easily deformed in the radial direction (FIGS. 5B-5C). Therefore, when a pressing force is applied to the substrate 10 on the front surface 11 or back surface 12, the integral portion 10T is more easily deformed in the shear direction than a substrate without side notches (FIG. 5).

[0035] Therefore, the side notches 13S function as a shape-deformation-facilitating mechanism that facilitates the shape deformation of the base material 10. Since the integral portion 10T has a predetermined thickness L1, it is possible to suppress tearing or damage to the gasket 100 due to deformation of the integral portion 10T, and suppress permeation or leakage of fluid passing through the through hole 10X.

[0036] The overall thickness of the gasket 100 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of divided pieces 10DX and adjusting the thickness of each divided piece 10DX, thereby making it possible to obtain a gasket 100 with a desired thickness.

[0037] The length L1 is not particularly limited as long as it does not violate the spirit of the present invention, such as preventing the integral portion 10T from being torn by an external pressing force, but is preferably 0.5 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and even more preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The gap L2 is not particularly limited as long as it does not violate the spirit of the present invention, such as allowing the gasket to release strain energy, but is more preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0038] Next, a method of using the gasket 100 will be described.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 , a gasket 100 is disposed between a first flange 1F and a second flange 2F so that the first flow path 1R and the second flow path 2R communicate with each other via a through hole 10X. Next, a front surface 11 of a substrate 10 is placed against the first flange 1F, and a back surface 12 of the substrate 10 is placed against the second flange 2F. Then, by tightening a bolt B and a nut N, the first pipe 1P and the second pipe are connected via the gasket 100. This seals the first flow path 1R and the second flow path 2R from the external space, thereby preventing substances flowing through the first flow path 1R and the second flow path 2R from leaking into the external space and preventing substances in the external space from mixing into the first flow path 1R and the second flow path 2R.

[0040] However, when the gasket 100 is used for a long period of time, external forces may be continuously applied to the gasket 100 due to pressure from the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F, or a large external force may be momentarily applied to the gasket 100 during use due to the occurrence of an earthquake or the like.

[0041] In the case of the gasket 100, the formation of the side cuts 13S results in the formation of a cylindrical integral portion 10T that is relatively easily deformed and separate pieces 10DX that are easily deformed radially of the integral portion 10T. Therefore, even if the integral portion 10T deforms, each separate piece 10DX can deform independently following the deformation of the integral portion 10T (FIGS. 5(A)-5(B)). As a result, even if an external force is applied to the gasket 100, the strain energy caused by the external force is released. As a result, unnecessary stress is less likely to be generated within the gasket 100, making it less likely to tear or crack. Furthermore, the outermost and innermost surfaces of the separate pieces 10DX remain in contact with the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F, respectively, even when the integral portion 10T deforms, thereby maintaining the sealing ability of the gasket 100.

[0042] Furthermore, even after long-term use of the gasket 100, the separation piece 10DX is unlikely to leave marks from the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F. Therefore, after removing the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F for maintenance or other purposes, the gasket 100 can be reused while maintaining its sealing ability when reconnecting the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F. In addition, if a mark from the separation piece 10DX that was in direct contact with the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F remains after the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F are removed for maintenance or other purposes, the gasket 100 can be replaced with a new gasket. However, the gasket 100 can be reused by removing the separation piece 10DX that was in direct contact with the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F. This reuse method will be described later.

[0043] In the gasket 100, the shape-changing mechanism of the base material 10 is formed by the side notches 13S, so no additional components are required. This allows the gasket 100 to be made from a single material. Compared to gaskets made from multiple materials, this reduces the risk of contamination in plants.

[0044] It is preferable that the separated pieces 10DX and the integral portion 10T are integral with each other, which simplifies the structure of the gasket 100, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and facilitating stable quality.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferable that the Z-direction thickness of the divided piece 10DX, i.e., the formation pitch L2 of the side notches 13S, be thinner than the radial thickness of the integral portion 10T, i.e., the length L1 from the tip portion 13ST to the wall surface 14 of the through hole 10X.

[0046] Next, a method for using the gasket will be described.

[0047] A method 500 (FIG. 6) of using the gasket comprises a detaching step 510 , a removing step 520 , and a bonding step 530 .

[0048] In the removal step 510, the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F that were joined as shown in FIG. 1(A) are removed, and the gasket 100 that was sandwiched between the first flange 1F and the second flange 2F is removed (FIG. 1(B)).

[0049] In the removing step 520, the gasket 100 is removed from its outermost and innermost surfaces. As shown in FIG. 7C , the gasket 100 is formed with five divided segments 10DX, each of which is connected to an integral portion 10T. If the portions of the integral portion 10T connected to the individual divided segments 10DX are referred to as integral pieces 10TX, the outermost portion is the divided segment 10DX located on the outermost surface and the integral piece 10TX connected to the divided segment 10DX. The innermost portion is the divided segment 10DX located on the innermost surface and the integral piece 10TX connected to the divided segment 10DX. The cutting line CL ( FIG. 7D ) used to remove the predetermined portion in the removing step 520 extends radially inward from the tip 13ST of the side slit 13S to the wall surface 14. Therefore, to remove the portion located on the top surface, it is sufficient to set a cutting line CL that extends radially inward from the tip 13ST of the side notch 13S located on the top surface to the wall surface 14. Similarly, to remove the portion located on the bottom surface, it is sufficient to set a cutting line CL that extends radially inward from the tip 13ST of the side notch 13S located on the bottom surface to the wall surface 14.

[0050] In the joining step 530, the gasket 100 after the removing step 520 is joined so that the split piece 10DX on the top surface side abuts against the first flange 1F and the split piece 10DX on the bottom surface side abuts against the second flange 2F. In this way, it is possible to reuse a used gasket.

[0051] In the removal step 520 of the gasket usage method 500 described above, the portion of the gasket 100 located on the outermost surface and the portion located on the innermost surface are removed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of them may be removed. Also, although the range to be removed is the portion located on the outermost surface or the portion located on the innermost surface, the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple separated pieces 10DX and one-piece pieces 10TX may be removed from the outermost surface, or multiple separated pieces 10DX and one-piece pieces 10TX from the innermost surface.

[0052] In the removing step 520 of the method 500 for using a gasket, the portion removed from the gasket 100 may be used as a separate gasket.

[0053] The present invention may also be a method for manufacturing a gasket that includes the determining step 710 and the removing step 720 .

[0054] Next, a gasket manufacturing facility 200 for manufacturing the gasket 100 will be described.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the gasket manufacturing equipment 200 includes a blade 210, a blade holding device 220 that holds the blade 210, and a blade moving device 230 that moves the blade holding device 220 in a predetermined direction.

[0056] The blade 210 is held in a position with the cutting edge facing downward by the blade holding device 220. Under the control of the blade moving device 230, the blade 210 can be moved in a horizontal direction A and in a height direction B perpendicular to the horizontal direction A.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the gasket manufacturing method 600 includes an object setting step 610 for setting an object, and a side notch forming step 620 for forming the side notch 13S using the blade 210.

[0058] In the object setting step 610, the object, i.e., the substrate 10 (FIG. 8) without the side cut 13S formed therein, is set. At this time, the direction A in FIG. 8 coincides with the thickness direction of the substrate 10, and the direction B in FIG. 8 coincides with the radial direction of the substrate 10.

[0059] The side incision forming step 620 includes a blade positioning step 621 in which the blade 210 is set at a starting position that is a predetermined thickness away from a predetermined reference position in the thickness direction of the object (direction A in Figure 8), a blade entry step 622 in which the blade 210 is entered into the side of the object from the starting position, and a blade retraction step 623 in which the blade 210 is retracted from the object.

[0060] In blade positioning step 621, blade 210 is set at start position MB1, which is a predetermined thickness L2 away from surface 11 (a predetermined reference position) of substrate 10 in the thickness direction (direction A in FIG. 10) (FIG. 10(A)).

[0061] In the blade entry step 622, the blade 210 is moved along a predetermined entry path SL. Here, the entry path SL is set to extend from a start position MB1 to a midpoint MB2 in the radial direction of the substrate 10 and to surround the through hole 10X in the circumferential direction of the substrate 10. Therefore, in the blade entry step 622, the blade 210 is entered from the start position MB1 into the outer surface 13 of the substrate 10. The movement of the blade 210 in the radial direction of the substrate 10 is performed toward the radially inner side of the substrate 10 until it reaches a midpoint MB2 between the outer surface 13 and the wall surface 14 of the through hole. Furthermore, the movement of the blade 210 in the circumferential direction of the substrate 10 is performed relative to the substrate 10, circumferentially circumferentially around the through hole 10X. Therefore, the side notch 13S is formed to surround the through hole 10X. A midpoint MB2 between the outer surface 13 and the wall surface 14 of the through hole is located radially outward from the wall surface 14 by a distance L1.

[0062] In blade retraction step 623, the blade 210 is retracted from the substrate 10.

[0063] As a result, a first side notch 13S is formed on the outer surface 13 of the base material 10 so as to surround the entire periphery of the through hole (FIG. 11(A)).

[0064] When forming a plurality of side slits 13S, the side cut forming step 620 is further repeated.

[0065] In the second blade positioning step 621, the blade 210 is set at a start position MB3 on the outer surface 13 of the substrate 10, which is a predetermined thickness L2 away from the first start position MB1 (a predetermined reference position) in the thickness direction (direction A in Figures 8 and 10) (Figure 10 (A)).

[0066] In the second blade penetration step 622, the blade 210 is penetrated from a start position MB3 into the outer surface 13 of the substrate 10. The penetration of the blade 210 continues until it reaches a midpoint MB4 between the outer surface 13 and the wall surface 14 of the through hole. Because the penetration path SL of the blade 210 is set so as to surround the through hole 10X, the side notch 13S is formed so as to surround the through hole 10X. The midpoint MB4 between the outer surface 13 and the wall surface 14 of the through hole is located radially outward from the wall surface 14 by a distance L1.

[0067] In blade retraction step 623, the blade 210 is retracted from the substrate 10.

[0068] As a result, a second side notch 13S is formed on the outer surface 13 of the base material 10 (FIG. 11(B)). By repeating this process twice more, four side notches 13S are formed on the outer surface 13 of the base material 10 (FIGS. 11(C) to 11(D)). In this manner, gasket manufacturing method 600 produces a gasket 100 having side notches 13S on the outer surface 13 (FIG. 10(B)).

[0069] In the above embodiment, the gasket manufacturing method 600 is performed on a substrate 10 without side notches 13S formed therein. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the method may be performed on the base material of the substrate 10. In this case, the cutting step of cutting the gasket 100 from the base material can be performed after the side notch forming step 620. The base material is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that a hole that can be used as a through hole is formed therein. If a hole that can be used as a through hole is not formed therein, a step of forming a hole that can be used as a through hole can be performed before or after the gasket manufacturing method 600.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the through hole 10X is concentric with the contour line of the substrate 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the through hole 10X may be eccentric with respect to the contour line of the substrate 10.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the outline of the substrate 10 is circular, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the outline of the substrate 10 may be rectangular or other polygonal when viewed from the front.

[0072] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below, but detailed description will be limited to the differences from the above embodiment, and the same components will be given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C , the gasket 300 includes a sheet-like substrate 310 (sheet-like substrate). The substrate 310 has its own thickness in the Z direction. When viewed from the front, the outline of the substrate 310 is a square with one side measuring X1, and a through-hole 310X extending in the Z direction is formed in the center of the substrate 310. The through-hole 310X opens in a square shape with one side measuring X2 on both the front surface 311 and the back surface 312 of the substrate 310. Therefore, the substrate 310 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above, and includes an outer surface 313 that forms the outline of the substrate 310 and an inner surface 314 that forms the outline of the through-hole 310X.

[0074] 13(A) to 13(C), a side notch 313S is formed in the outer surface 313 of the substrate 310. The side notch 313S extends toward the axis AX that is the center of the through-hole 310X, and the tip 313ST of the side notch 313S is located midway between the outer surface 313 and the inner surface 314. In other words, the tip 313ST of the side notch 313S is spaced a predetermined length L1 from the inner surface 314.

[0075] The side cuts 313S are formed to be aligned at a predetermined interval L2 from the front surface 311 to the back surface 312. It is preferable that the side cuts 313S are parallel to each other.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 14, the side notches 313S are formed to surround the entire circumference of the through-hole 310X. As shown in Fig. 13(C) and Fig. 14, it is preferable that the length L1 from the tip 313ST of each side notch 313S to the inner surface 314 is equal around the axis AX. The shape of the tip 313ST of each side notch 313S in a front view is a square with one side measuring R3 (Fig. 12).

[0077] As shown in Figures 13(C) and 14(B), in a plan view of the base material 310, the portion located closer to the axis AX than the tip end 313ST is defined as the divided portion 310D, and the portion located closer to the axis AX than the tip end 313ST is defined as the integral portion 310T (tubular portion).The divided portion 310D is a rectangular frame body as a whole, and divided pieces 310DX (extension portions) separated by side notches 313S are aligned in the Z direction.The thickness of each divided piece 310DX is L2.Adjacent divided pieces 310DX are in contact with each other.The integral portion 310T is formed in a rectangular tubular shape.

[0078] Here, the radial length L1 (= (R3 - R2) / 2) of the integral portion 310T is shorter than the radial length (= (R1 - R2) / 2) of the entire substrate 310. Furthermore, since each divided portion 310D is made up of a segment 10DX extending from the outer surface 313S of the integral portion 310T toward the opposite side of the axis AX (radially outward), each divided segment 310DX is more easily deformed in the radial direction than when the side notch 313S is not formed. Therefore, when a pressing force is applied to the substrate 310 at the front surface 311 or the back surface 312, the integral portion 310T is more easily deformed in the shear direction than a substrate in which the side notch 213 is not formed.

[0079] Next, a method for using the gasket will be described.

[0080] A method 700 of using a gasket (FIG. 15) comprises a determining step 710, a removing step 720, and a bonding step 730.

[0081] In decision step 710, it is determined whether the thickness of the gasket 100 is greater than the thickness that allows joining of the first part 1P and the second part 2P (FIG. 1).

[0082] If it is determined in the determination step 710 that the thickness of the gasket 100 is greater than the thickness that allows joining of the first component 1P and the second component 2P (FIG. 1), the removal step 720 is performed. In the removal step 720, the integral portion 10T is cut at predetermined positions so that the thickness of the gasket 100 is thick enough to allow joining of the first component 1P and the second component 2P (FIG. 1), and a predetermined number of separated pieces 10DX and the integral pieces 10TX connected to the separated pieces 10DX are removed from the top surface side or the bottom surface side (FIGS. 7(C) to 7(D)).

[0083] In the joining step 730, the gasket 100 after the removing step 720 is joined so that the split piece 10DX on the top surface side abuts against the first flange 1F and the split piece 10DX on the bottom surface side abuts against the second flange 2F. The thickness of the gasket can be adjusted on-site depending on the actual flange spacing.

[0084] The portion removed from gasket 100 in removing step 620 of gasket use method 600 described above may be used as a separate gasket. That is, gasket use method 600 can be used to adjust the thickness, and it is also possible to divide one gasket 100 into multiple gaskets. The separate gasket may or may not have side notches 13S.

[0085] Alternatively, the method for manufacturing a gasket may include the detaching step 510 and the removing step 520 .

[0086] In the above embodiment, the outline of the base material 310 is a square with one side X1 when viewed from the front, and the through hole 310X opens in a square shape when viewed from the front, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the outline of the base material 310 may be a rectangle or other polygon when viewed from the front, and the through hole 310X may open in a rectangle or other polygonal shape when viewed from the front.

[0087] In the above embodiment, a gasket 100 having four side notches 13S on the outer surface 13 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the gasket 100 may have one side notch 13S, or the number of side notches 13S may be two, three, five or more.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the separated piece 10DX and the integral part 10T are integrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the separated piece 10DX and the integral part 10T may be separate pieces. In such a case, the separated piece 10DX and the integral part 10T may be fixed to each other by fusion or welding, etc.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the substrate is made of resin, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be made of metal. In the case of a metal substrate, stainless steel, cold-rolled steel sheet, galvanized steel sheet, aluminum plywood, etc. can be used as the material for forming the substrate.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0091] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Base material 10D Annular divided portion 10DX Divided piece 10T Integrated portion 10X Through hole 11 Surface 12 Back surface 13 Side surface 13S Side notch 13ST Tip portion 14 Wall surface 200 Gasket manufacturing equipment 300 Gasket 310 Base material 310D Divided portion 310DX Divided piece 310T Integrated portion 310X Through hole 311 Cylinder 311 Surface 312 Back surface 313 Outer surface 313S Outer surface notch 313ST Tip portion 314 Inner surface 500 Method of using gasket 600 Method of manufacturing gasket 700 Method of using gasket

Claims

1. A gasket comprising a sheet-like substrate having a sheet surface on one side and a sheet back surface on the other side, with through holes formed therein that penetrate from the sheet surface to the sheet back surface, wherein the sheet-like substrate comprises: a tubular portion whose hollow portion is the through hole; and an extension portion that extends outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and is provided to surround the tubular portion, wherein the extension portion comprises a first extension portion and a second extension portion that is located closer to the sheet surface than the first extension portion, and wherein the first extension portion and the second extension portion are adjacent to each other.

2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the first extension portion and the second extension portion are in close contact with each other.

3. A gasket as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when a pressing force is applied to the front surface and the back surface of the sheet, the first extension portion and the second extension portion are capable of being deformed individually to an extent that the strain energy generated in the tubular portion due to the pressing force can be released.

4. A gasket comprising: a sheet-like substrate having a sheet surface on one side and a sheet back surface on the other side, with a through hole formed therein that penetrates from the sheet surface to the sheet back surface; and a side notch formed on the outer side of the sheet-like substrate, wherein the side notch extends in a direction from the outer side toward the through hole, and the tip of the side notch is located midway between the outer side and the through hole and is formed to surround the through hole.

5. A gasket as described in claim 4, characterized in that when the portions of the sheet-like substrate divided by the side notches are defined as a first divided piece and a second divided piece, the first divided piece and the second divided piece are in close contact with each other.

6. A gasket as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the side notches comprise a first side notch and a second side notch, and the first side notch and the second side notch are formed in a line from the front surface of the sheet toward the back surface of the sheet.

7. A gasket according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the thickness of the divided piece is thinner than the length from the end of the side notch to the through hole.

8. A gasket as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the sheet-like substrate comprises a tubular portion whose hollow portion serves as the through hole, and an extension portion extending outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and surrounding the tubular portion, the extension portion comprising a first extension portion and a second extension portion located closer to the sheet surface than the first extension portion, and the side notch is located between the first extension portion and the second extension portion.

9. A gasket as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8, characterized in that the sheet-like substrate has a third extension portion that extends outward from the outer surface of the tubular portion and surrounds the tubular portion, the third extension portion being positioned on the opposite side of the second extension portion from the first extension portion, and the second extension portion and the third extension portion being in close contact with each other.

10. A gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 8 and 9, characterized in that the cylindrical portion and the extension portion are integrally formed.

11. A gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9 and 10, characterized in that the sheet-like base material is annular, and the extension portion is also annular.

12. A gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the length of the first extension portion and the second extension portion from the front surface side of the sheet to the back surface side of the sheet is thinner than the thickness of the tubular portion.

13. A gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the material of construction is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer.

14. A method for manufacturing a gasket that is disposed between a first part having a first flow path formed therein and a second part having a second flow path formed therein, and that is used when joining the first part and the second part so that the first flow path and the second flow path are connected, wherein the gasket is a gasket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and the tubular portion comprises a first tubular portion that is continuous with the first extension portion, and a second tubular portion that is continuous with the second extension portion, and the method for manufacturing a gasket comprises a separating step that separates the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.

15. A method for manufacturing a gasket as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a determination step, which is carried out before the dividing step, of determining whether or not the thickness of the gasket is greater than the thickness at which the first part and the second part can be joined, and when it is determined that the thickness of the gasket is greater than the thickness at which the first part and the second part can be joined, the dividing step is carried out so that the thickness of the gasket becomes such that the first part and the second part can be joined.

16. A method for manufacturing a gasket as described in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that in the dividing step, the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion are divided from the gasket so as to obtain a first gasket having the first extension portion and the first tubular portion, and a second gasket having the second extension portion and the second tubular portion.

17. A method for manufacturing a gasket that is disposed between a first part having a first flow path formed therein and a second part having a second flow path formed therein, and that is used when joining the first part and the second part so that the first flow path and the second flow path are connected, wherein the gasket is a gasket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and the tubular portion comprises: a first tubular portion that is continuous with the first extension portion; and a second tubular portion that is continuous with the second extension portion, the method comprising: a removal step of removing the gasket from the first part and the second part; and a removal step, performed after the removal step, of removing the first tubular portion and the first extension portion from the gasket.

18. A method for manufacturing a gasket as described in claim 17, characterized in that the tubular portion further comprises a third tubular portion arranged on the opposite side of the first tubular portion from the second tubular portion, and the sheet-like substrate comprises a third extension portion that extends outward from the outer surface of the third tubular portion and is arranged to surround the third tubular portion, and is in close contact with the second extension portion and the first extension portion.

19. The method for manufacturing a gasket according to claim 18, wherein the removing step removes the third cylindrical portion and the third extension portion from the gasket.

20. A method for manufacturing a gasket disposed between a first part and a second part, the gasket being defined as a first part and a second part joined together so that a first flow path formed in the first part and a second flow path formed in the second part communicate with each other, the gasket being a gasket according to claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, comprising a side notch forming step of forming the side notch by applying a blade to a side surface of the sheet-like substrate or a base material that will become the side surface, the side notch forming step comprising: a blade positioning step of setting the blade to a start position a predetermined thickness away from a reference position set on the sheet-like substrate in the thickness direction of the sheet-like substrate; a blade insertion step, which is performed after the blade positioning step, of inserting the blade from the start position into the side surface of the sheet-like substrate; and a blade retraction step, which is performed after the blade insertion step, of retracting the blade from the sheet-like substrate, the blade inserting step being performed so that the blade is inserted halfway between the outer side surface and the through hole, A method for manufacturing a gasket, wherein the side cut formed by the blade insertion step is formed so as to surround the through hole.

21. The method for manufacturing a gasket according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined thickness is smaller than the length from the midpoint to the through hole.

22. A method for manufacturing a gasket as described in claim 20, characterized in that in the side notch forming step, the position of the blade is controlled by a controller, and the controller controls the blade so that the thickness of the dividing portion is thinner than the length from the tip of the side notch to the through hole.

23. A method for manufacturing a gasket as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the blade positioning step comprises: a first blade positioning step in which the reference position is the sheet surface of the sheet-like substrate; and a second blade positioning step in which the reference position is the start position of the first blade positioning step; the blade insertion step comprises: a first blade insertion step performed after the first blade positioning step, and a second blade insertion step performed after the second blade positioning step; and the blade retraction step comprises: a first blade retraction step performed after the first blade insertion step, and a second blade retraction step performed after the second blade insertion step.

24. A method for manufacturing a gasket according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the forming material is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer.

25. A method for using a gasket disposed between a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being defined as parts joined together so that a first flow path formed in the first part and a second flow path formed in the second part communicate with each other, wherein the gasket is a gasket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and the tubular portion comprises: a first tubular portion connected to the first extension portion; and a second tubular portion connected to the second extension portion, the method comprising: a detaching step of removing the gasket from the first part and the second part; a removing step, which is carried out after the detaching step, of removing the first tubular portion and the first extension portion from the gasket; and a joining step of joining the first part and the second part using the gasket that has undergone the removing step.

26. A method for reusing a gasket disposed between a first part and a second part, the method comprising: defining a first part and a second part as being joined together so that a first flow path formed in the first part and a second flow path formed in the second part are connected to each other; the gasket being a gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12; the tubular portion comprising: a first tubular portion connected to the first extension portion; a second tubular portion connected to the second extension portion; and a third tubular portion disposed on the opposite side of the second tubular portion from the first tubular portion; the sheet-like substrate comprising a third extension portion extending outward from an outer surface of the third tubular portion and surrounding the third tubular portion, the third extension portion being in close contact with the second extension portion and the first extension portion; and a removal step of removing the gasket from the first part and the second part. a removing step, performed after the removing step, of removing the first cylindrical portion and the first extension portion from the gasket; and a joining step of joining the first component and the second component using the gasket that has been subjected to the removing step.

27. A method for reusing a gasket according to claim 27, characterized in that in the removing step, the third cylindrical portion and the third extension portion are removed from the gasket.

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