WO2013054206A1

WO2013054206A1 - System and methods of flexible and bidirectional sealing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013054206A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajesh Gupta
Original assignee: Rajesh Gupta
Priority date: 2011-10-12
Filing date: 2012-04-22
Publication date: 2013-04-18

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods of flexible and bidirectional sealing device for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe or a cable whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum. The sealing device comprises atleast a peripheral assembly and atleast a sealing collar integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly. The peripheral assembly having atleast a flexible member adapted to facilitate strong bonding of the sealing device with atleast a contact surface. The sealing collar having a sealing ring, a soft periphery and a centered hole. A diameter of the centered hole is 3% to 20% smaller than an outer diameter of the pipe or the cable. Inner diameters of the upper cover and the lower cover are adapted to be larger than an inner diameter of the flexible member.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHODS OF FLEXIBLE AND BIDIRECTIONAL SEALING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to sealing devices, and more particularly, to system and methods of flexible and bidirectional sealing device with O-shaped sealing collar for sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, in a cost effective, secure, environmentally safe, and efficient manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Generally a flexible sealing collar (also known as 'sealing cuff) is used for sealing go- through of pipes like sewerage pipes. Such flexible sealing collar comprising various drainage gutters, hot and cold water pipes, pipes for circulating water, pipes of electrical cable installations, and like to prevent water or any liquid leakage into the wall, ceiling, or floor. Such leakage may occur from water or any liquid being led into or out from the room, or from another liquid, located inside or outside of the room.

[003] The prior art discloses numerous techniques of sealing systems, for example, US patent number 5,90,322 discloses a cuff type air seal for sealing the overlap of partly telescoped parts that has an annular body of rubber or elastomer material having annular internal air sealing beads thereon which are adapted to fit on outer peripheral surfaces of the parts adjacent their overlap.

[004] US patent 6,663,111 discloses a sealing unit for sliding onto a water outlet with formation of a fluid-tight connection with a water hose or similar that is equipped with said sealing unit. US patent 3,918,726 discloses a flexible seal ring which is formed from an elastomeric ring shaped member which has embedded therein a ring shaped insert. US patent 7,234,705 discloses a sealing gasket assembly which includes one or more carriers each having an offset flexible stopper portion spaced laterally outwardly away from an offset inner sealing portion that is adjacent an opening or other area requiring sealing between mating members adapted to be clamped together. [005] US publication 20040045233 discloses a sealing system and gasket comprising an at least substantially cylindrical tube and at least two sealing collars at least partially made of an elastic material, which are arranged round the tube in spaced-apart relationship for sealing confinement by collaring of the tube in a bushing which is co-axial with said tube.

[006] Generally there is application of the adhesive for bonding of the rubber sheet and the fabric for the other sealing cuffs used in the market. The adhesive application for bonding crystallizes with the passage of time and hence looses the bonding resulting in unsatisfactory sealing. Further, the conventional sealing cuffs generally having less area of fabric for primer and adhesive application, resulting a weak bonding of the seal with low life.

[007] Furthermore, a particular size of sealing cuff is used to seal pipes or cables having diameters varying over a large spectrum, for example, the lead-through with diameters of 10 mm for water and to large floor drains with diameters of 120 mm. Therefore, the conventional sealing cuff with diameter with hole of 70 mm and an opening diameter of 25 mm is used to seal pipes or cables whose outer diameters essentially vary over a continuous spectrum between 25mm to 70mm. But the problem with such sealing cuff in this is that, the pipe with 70mm is tightly sealed but the pipe with 25mm is not tightly sealed as compared to that of pipe of 70mm. Accordingly, the conventional sealing cuffs are not suitable to seal the various types of pipes and cables whose diameters vary over a large spectrum.

[008] Furthermore, the installed sealing collar cannot be re-used, for example, during any repair, replacement of pipes or cables or interior decoration, etc., the conventional sealing collar already installed needs to be removed. However, the removed sealing collar cannot be reused after removing it for the repair of pipes or cables. This is due to the reason that with the passage of time, there is outward deformed collar over the sealing cuff inserted over the pipe, i.e., it is unidirectional in use.

[009] Although, the prior art discloses numerous techniques of sealing cuffs, however, they fail to suggest solution for Accordingly, the conventional sealing cuffs are not suitable to seal the various types of pipes and cables whose diameters vary over a large spectrum. [0010] Accordingly, in view of the disadvantages inherent in the conventional sealing collars, there exists need for an improved sealing collar capable of overcoming drawbacks of the prior art and facilitating it's bidirectional use/ movement (insertion and removal), re-use after the repair of pipes or cables, and by sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum in a cost effective, secure, environmentally safe, and efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved combination of convenience and utility, to include the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention provides a bidirectional sealing device for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe or a cable whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum. The sealing device comprises atleast a peripheral assembly and atleast a sealing collar integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly. The peripheral assembly having atleast a flexible member adapted to facilitate strong bonding of the sealing device with atleast a contact surface. An upper cover and a lower cover are adapted to cover the whole periphery of the flexible member except a coupling periphery which is left uncovered to facilitate coupling of the peripheral assembly with the sealing collar. The sealing collar having a sealing ring, a soft periphery and a cantered hole. A diameter of the cantered hole is 3% to 20% smaller than an outer diameter of the pipe or the cable. Inner diameters of the upper cover and the lower cover are adapted to be larger than an inner diameter of the flexible member.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the flexible member is impermeable to water and constitutes a liquid barrier across the whole surface of the peripheral assembly thereby making the peripheral assembly as a whole impermeable to liquids and weather conditions.

[0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sealing device capable of effectively sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum. The sealing device of the present invention is suitable for specific pipe size for tight sealing due to an invented O-shaped/sealing ring type sealing collar which capable of surrounding the pipe or cable to seal like an O-ring. The collar with it's O-shaped/sealing ring configuration, is capable of facilitating it's bidirectional movement over the pipe or cables, re-use after the repair of pipes or cables.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sealing device for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe. The sealing device comprises atleast a peripheral assembly with a flexible member; and atleast a sealing collar with O-shaped sealing ring and a soft periphery, wherein the sealing collar integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for producing the sealing device for sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, comprises the steps of: mixing an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer compound as per recipe in a mixing mill to obtain the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane in sheet form; aging the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane for 24hrs; cutting fabric of a size, fold and punch a centre hole; cutting the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane to a desired size and punching a centre hole; inserting the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane in folded fabric and atleast partially cure it in hydraulic press at requisite time and temperature; molding the sealing collar in a requisite die and partially cure it to take O-ring shape of the sealing collar; molding the sealing collar with partially cured peripheral assembly to bond through a soft periphery with the coupling periphery; and finishing the sealing device at internal diameter and outer diameter.

[0017] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularly in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements. The drawings and detailed description which follow are intended to be merely illustrative of the expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In the drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a bidirectional sealing device with sealing collar inserted over a pipe of constant outer diameter, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. IB illustrates the bi-directional sealing device with sealing collar inserted over a pipe whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 A is a perspective view of the bi-directional sealing device with an sealing collar and a peripheral assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2B is a side view of the bi-directional sealing device with an sealing collar and a peripheral assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates the peripheral assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates layers/members of the peripheral assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 3C illustrates the sealing collar, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and [0026] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings of various elements of the bi-directional sealing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations, structure and design. It should be emphasized, that the present invention is not limited to particular sealing system, device, unit or methods for sealing go-through pipes or cables as shown and described. Rather, the principles of the present invention may be used to seal a variety of go-through pipes or cables and structural arrangements. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but the present invention is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of its claims.

[0028] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0029] As used herein, the term 'plurality' refers to the presence of more than one of the referenced item and the terms 'a', 'an', and 'atleast' do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced item. The term 'device' also includes 'engine' or 'machine' or 'system' or 'apparatus' and may also be used herein interchangeably. The term 'member', layer and 'material' refers the same thing and may be used herein interchangeably.

[0030] The terms 'bi-directional sealing device', 'sealing device', 'sealing cuff , 'sealing gasket with sealing collar' and 'sealing gasket' may be used herein interchangeably to refer to the same thing. [0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a bi-directional sealing device capable of effectively sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum. The bi-directional sealing device of the present invention is suitable for specific pipe size for tight sealing due to an invented O-shaped/sealing ring type sealing collar which is capable of surrounding the pipe or cable to seal like an O-ring. The sealing collar with it's O-shaped/sealing ring configuration, is capable of facilitating it's bidirectional movement over the pipe or cables, re-use after the repair of pipes or cables. The bi-directional sealing device of the present invention may be mass produced inexpensively and provides user an easy, robust, efficient, secure, cost effective, environment friendly sealing of go-through pipes, cables or the like.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1A and IB, which illustrate an exemplary sealing collar 10 installed on exemplary pipe 20a having constant or fixed outer diameter (FIG. 1A) and pipe 20b whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum (FIG. IB) to seal a lead-through of the pipes 20a and 20b , according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 A and 2B which illustrate a perspective view and a side view of the bi-directional sealing device 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The bi-directional sealing device 10 comprises atleast a peripheral assembly 30 and atleast a sealing collar 50 (also referred to as 'through collar'). The sealing collar 50 integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly 30. The bi-directional sealing device 10 is capable of being installed between a surface of atleast one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor. The pipes 20a and 20b includes a water pipe, a gas pipe, a cable or the like.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3A which illustrates an upper cover 30a, a flexible member 60 and a lower cover 30b adapted to configure the peripheral assembly 30, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3B which illustrate the peripheral assembly 30 adapted to facilitate strong bonding of the bi-directional sealing device 10 with atleast a contact surface (not shown), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The contact surface includes atleast one of surface of a wall, surface of a ceiling, surface of a floor, a surface layer in a room, surface of a support, surface of tiles in a tiled wall or any combination thereof.

[0036] The peripheral assembly 30 comprises atleast one of the upper cover 30a, the lower cover 30b, the flexible member 60 or any combination thereof. The flexible member 60 is preferably assembled between the upper cover 30a (also referred to as 'upper layer) and the lower cover 30b (also referred to as 'lower layer'). The flexible member 60 having a coupling periphery 60a which is adapted to couple the sealing collar 50 with the peripheral assembly 30.

[0037] The pipe 20a or 20b runs through the centered hole 50c of the sealing collar 50. Since a diameter of the centered hole 50c is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 20a or 20b, and because of the elastic action of the soft periphery 50a, the centered hole 50c seal around the envelope surface of the pipe 20a or 20b. Thus, the sealing collar 50 facilitate a liquid proof connection between the pipe 20a or 20b and the sealing collar 10. The flexible member 60 also guarantees a liquid proof connection between the pipe 20a or 20b and the peripheral assembly 30.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flexible member 60 is adapted to cover the whole peripheral area of the peripheral assembly 30. As the flexible member 60 is impermeable to water hence constitutes a liquid barrier across the whole surface of the peripheral assembly 30, hence also making the peripheral assembly 30 impermeable to liquids and weather conditions.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an inner diameter of the flexible member 60 is smaller than inner diameters of the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b such that the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b may cover the whole flexible member 60 or the whole peripheral area of the peripheral assembly 30, except a coupling periphery 60a (as shown in FIG. 3B) adapted between inner diameters of the flexible member 60 and atleast one of the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b to facilitate coupling of the sealing collar 50 with the peripheral assembly 30. The said coupling may be done through a thermo pressurized hydraulic molding process or any other suitable process or mechanism. [0040] The coupling periphery 60a of the flexible member 60 is adapted uncovered from the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b for facilitating coupling/joining of the sealing collar 50 with the peripheral assembly 30 through the soft periphery 50a and the coupling periphery 60a.

[0041] Preferably, the peripheral assembly 30 is configured of circular shape thus having circular periphery, however, the peripheral assembly 30 of other suitable shapes, for example, square, triangle, and rectangle, may also be adapted or configured, according to the requirements.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3C which illustrates the sealing collar 50, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The sealing collar 50 having a soft periphery 50a, a sealing ring 50b, and a centered hole 50c. The centered hole 50c is adapted to provide way or passage for inserting the bi-directional sealing device 10 over the pipe 20a or 20b to be led through. An inner diameter of the sealing collar 50 (diameter of the centered hole 50c) may preferably be adapted to 3% to 20% smaller than an outer diameter of atleast one of the pipes 20a and 20b to facilitate strong sealing of the bi-directional sealing device 10 with the pipes 20a or 20b. The sealing collar 50 is preferably centered in the peripheral assembly 30. The sealing collar 50 may has various sizes and dimensions to accommodate of the pipe 20a or 20b.

[0043] The upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b may be made from a fabric. The fabric preferably a non-woven polypropylene fabric or elastic fabric having a plurality of matrix of fibers of the fabric. Further any material complying with the demands on rigidity, durability, chemical stability, endurance, heat resistance, cost efficiency, etc., that may occur in various applications in various types of rooms may be used, including materials not being non-woven fabric, such as various plastic fabrics.

[0044] The fibers of the fabric, i.e., fibers of the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b, ingresses into matrix of flexible member 60 (as shown in FIG. 3B) and improved significantly the bonding of the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b with the flexible member 60.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the soft periphery 50a may also be extended between the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b across essentially the whole surface of the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b, whereby the peripheral assembly 30 as a whole is impermeable to liquids and weather and also comparatively harder than the soft periphery 50a.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two types of flexible membranes or rubbers which possesses characteristics of good creep deformation resistance, for example, preferably a softer Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane and a harder Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane, are adapted to configure the sealing collar 50 and the peripheral assembly 30.

[0047] The softer Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane (hereinafter referred to as 'softer EPDM membrane') is preferably adapted to configure the sealing collar 50 with. The softer EPDM membrane is capable of facilitating proper gripping of the sealing collar 50 over the pipe 20a or 20b and for creating the soft periphery 50a for absorbing stress developed and/or transferred during installation or insertion or removal of the sealing collar 50 over/from the pipe 20a or 20b.

[0048] The harder Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane (hereinafter referred to as 'harder EPDM membrane') is adapted to configure the peripheral assembly 30. The harder EPDM membrane may be adapted for the peripheral assembly 30 or the peripheral area around the soft periphery 50a between the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b to avoid formation of waviness or wrinkle in the peripheral assembly 30 which may create hindrance during application of a member or adhesive on the bi-directional sealing device 10 during installation or fixing of tiles.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, both, the sealing collar 50 which is configured from the softer EPDM membrane and the peripheral assembly 30 which is configured from the harder EPDM membrane are joined/ coupled together during thermo- pressurised molding process. [0050] Atleast one of the sealing collar 50 and the flexible member 60 may also be configured from any suitable elastic polymer complying to the current demands on durability, chemical stability, endurance, heat resistance, cost efficiency, etc., and which at the same time is impermeable to liquids.

[0051] The peripheral assembly 30 is intended for installed between the surfaces of a wall, a ceiling or a floor and a surface layer in a room, alternatively between two surface layers on a wall, a ceiling or a floor in a room. In the present embodiment, it is installed between the support and the tiles in a tiled wall in a sanitary room.

[0052] A commonly occurring problem during any repair, replacement or interior decoration, etc., is that the bi-directional sealing device 10 already being installed over the pipe 20a or 20b cannot be reused after removing it for the repair of pipes 20a or 20b. This is due to the reason that with the passage of time, there is outward deformed collar over the sealing cuff inserted over the pipe 20a or 20b i.e. it is unidirectional in use. This problem is solved with the help of the invented bi-directional sealing device 10 of the present invention by inserting sealing collar 50 over the pipe 20a or 20b of the wall, ceiling, or floor in such a manner that the bi-directional sealing device 10 is placed against the wall surface i.e. it is bi-directional in use due to O-ring shaped 50b of the sealing collar 50.

[0053] Generally there is application of the adhesive for bonding of the rubber sheet and the fabric for the other sealing cuffs used in the market. But in new invented bi-directional sealing device 10 there is no such application of adhesive for bonding of fabric with the rubber compound. Rather thermo pressurized hydraulic molding process at requisite time and temperature is being used. During this process, fibers of fabric ingress into the rubber compound sheet, i.e., the flexible member 60 and improved the bonding significantly, whereas conventional adhesive application for bonding crystallizes with the passage of time and hence looses the bonding resulting in unsatisfactory sealing.

[0054] It is also advantageous to apply lubricant, for example, silicon spray, on the bidirectional sealing device 10 of the present invention for easy installation of the bi-directional sealing device 10 below the tiles.

[0055] The bi-directional sealing device 10 of the present invention has more area of fabric (the upper cover 30a and the lower cover 30b) on both sides as compared to the existing sealing cuff resulting in more area for primer and adhesive application, consequently improves the life/bonding of the seal.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bi-directional sealing device 10 of the present invention, is used to seal a particular size of pipe 20a or 20b in such a manner that the centered hole 50c or inner diameter of the sealing collar 50 is made 3% to 20% smaller than the size of pipe 20a or 20b for which it is used. For example, the bidirectional sealing device 10 with diameter 46mm is used to seal the pipe 20a or 20b of 50mm and the like. Any size of bi-directional sealing device 10 may be made as per the diameter of pipe 20a or 20b having sealing range of 3% to 20% depending upon the compound composition/polymer hardness. Thus, there would be a particular collar diameter for a certain pipe, a certain cable, etc. These circumstances allow required tight sealing of the pipe 20a or 20b.

[0057] Further, in case of any repair, replacement or interior decoration, there may be no need to replace the bi-directional sealing device 10 of the present invention as O-shaped sealing ring 50b of the sealing collar 50 facilitates bidirectional use of the bi-directional sealing device 10 and thus saving of cost of changing the conventional bi-directional sealing device.

[0058] The bi-directional sealing device 10 whose centered hole 50c has a diameter which is smaller than the smallest diameter of the pipe 20a or 20b by 3% to 20% is preferred to secure a tight sealing of pipe 20a or 20b because the bi-directional sealing device 10 of the present invention fits relatively snugly over the pipe 20a or 20b for which it is used.

[0059] During installation, it is also possible to cover the hole with some type of surface layer, such as by way of tile, clinker, paint, wallpaper, etc., for aesthetical reasons, preferable the same surface layer as is arranged around the lead-through, so that the lead-through becomes as discrete as possible. [0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a sealing device 10 for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe 20a. The sealing device comprises atleast a peripheral assembly 30 with a flexible member 60; and atleast a sealing collar 50 with O-shaped sealing ring 50b and a soft periphery 50a, wherein the sealing collar 50 integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly 30.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a process for producing the bi-directional sealing device 10 for sealing go-through pipes 20a or 20b or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The process comprises the steps of: mixing a EPDM compound as per recipe in a mixing mill and taking out the EPDM compound in sheet form; aging the EPDM compound for 24 hours; cutting fabric of a size, fold and punch a centre hole; cutting the EPDM sheet to a desired size and punching a centre hole; inserting the EPDM sheet in folded fabric and atleast partially cure it in hydraulic press at requisite time and temperature; moulding the through collar 20 in a requisite die and partially cure it to take O-shape of the sealing collar 50; molding the sealing collar 50 with partially cured peripheral assembly 30 to bond through the soft periphery 50a (elastic zone) with coupling periphery 60a of the flexible member 60 of the peripheral assembly 30; finishing the bi-directional sealing device 10 at internal diameter and outer diameter.

[0062] In the above described exemplary embodiments, a sealing of a go-through of a water pipe 20a or 20b through a wall has been described. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is useful for the sealing of any lead-through of any pipe, any cable, etc., through any wall, any ceiling or any floor. Thus, this is particular true also regarding go-through of sewer pipes through floors, comprising for example drainage gutters and outlets for toilets and washbasins, go-through of ventilation and electrical cable installations, and so on.

[0063] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the operations discussed herein, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3C, may be implemented through computing devices such as hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof, which may be provided as a computer program product, e.g., including a machine-readable or computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions or software procedures used to program a computer to perform a process discussed herein. The machine-readable medium may include a storage device. For example, the operation of components of the bi-directional sealing device 10 and/or the process 200 may be controlled by such machine-readable medium.

[0064] In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described herein so as not to obscure the particular embodiments of the present invention. Further, various aspects of embodiments of the present invention may be performed using various sealing means.

[0065] Although a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configurations of the parts, changes in sizes and dimensions, variances in terms of shape may be possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0066] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is

1. A bi-directional sealing device for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe or a cable whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, comprising:

atleast a peripheral assembly having atleast a flexible member adapted to facilitate strong bonding of the bi-directional sealing device with atleast a contact surface; and

atleast a sealing collar integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly,

wherein the sealing collar having a sealing ring, a soft periphery and a centered hole, wherein an upper cover and a lower cover are adapted to cover the whole periphery of the flexible member except a coupling periphery which is left uncovered to facilitate coupling of the peripheral assembly with the sealing collar.

2. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the centred hole is 3% to 20% smaller than an outer diameter of the pipe or the cable.

3. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein inner diameters of the upper cover and the lower cover are adapted to be larger than an inner diameter of the flexible member.

4. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the sealing ring is configured to surround the pipe or cable to secure a watertight seal with the pipe or the cable and to facilitate bidirectional movement of the bi-directional sealing device over the pipe or the cable.

5. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the soft periphery is adapted to absorb stress during the installation or movement of the bi-directional sealing device over the pipe or the cable.

6. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is impermeable to water and constitutes a liquid barrier across the whole surface of the peripheral assembly thereby making the peripheral assembly as a whole impermeable to liquids and weather conditions.

7. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface includes atleast one of surface of a wall, surface of a ceiling, surface of a floor, a surface layer in a room, surface of a support, surface of tiles in a tiled wall or any combination thereof.

8. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral assembly is adapted for installed between the surfaces of a wall, a ceiling, a floor and a surface layer in a room, alternatively between two surface layers on a wall, a ceiling or a floor in a room, between the support and the tiles in a tiled wall in a sanitary room.

9. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are configured from a non-woven polypropylene fabric or elastic fabric having a plurality of fibres matrix, wherein said plurality of fibres matrix ingresses into a plurality of matrix of flexible member for securing strong bonding of the upper cover and the lower cover with the flexible member.

10. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the sealing collar is configured from a softer Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane such that the soft periphery is capable of absorbing stress during the installation or movement of the bi-directional sealing device over the pipe or the cable.

11. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is configured from a harder Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane thereby making the peripheral assembly harder in comparison with the sealing collar to avoid waviness, wrinkle in the circular periphery of the peripheral assembly.

12. The bi-directional sealing device of claim 1, wherein the pipe or cable runs through the centred hole of the sealing collar.

13. A sealing device for sealing atleast a go-through of a pipe, comprising: atleast a peripheral assembly with a flexible member; and atleast a sealing collar with O-shaped sealing ring and a soft periphery, wherein the sealing collar integrated centrally with the peripheral assembly.

14. A process for producing the bi-directional sealing device for sealing go-through pipes or cables whose outer diameters vary over a continuous spectrum, comprises the steps of:

mixing an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer compound as per recipe in a mixing mill to obtain the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane in sheet form;

aging the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane for 24hrs;

cutting fabric of a size, fold and punch a centre hole;

cutting the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane to a desired size and punching a centre hole;

inserting the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer membrane in folded fabric and atleast partially cure it in hydraulic press at requisite time and temperature;

moulding the sealing collar in a requisite die and partially cure it to take O-ring shape of the sealing collar;

moulding the sealing collar with partially cured peripheral assembly to bond through a soft periphery with the coupling periphery; and

finishing the bi-directional sealing device at internal diameter and outer diameter.