Ultrasonic roll tail closure of non-woven web material method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for securing the tail end of a spirally wound roll of nonwoven, polymer-based material to the roll to preclude unintended unwinding of the roll, the apparatus comprising a winding assembly for forming about a winding axis a spirally wound roll with a tail end, a fixture for a roll tacking assembly with an ultrasonic tool oscillating on an oscillating axis, and a fixture for moving the tool into momentary tangential contact with an outermost winding layer of the roll in a manner that orients the oscillating axis orthogonally to the winding axis. The apparatus implements a method of locating the tail end of the spirally wound roll and orienting the tail end in relation to the securing tool.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.