# US 2014/0339224 A1 · Floating Mandrel And Method Of RF Welding Using A Floating Mandrel

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- Number: US 2014/0339224 A1
- Document ID: US20140339224A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/281,160
- Filed: 2014-05-19
- Published: 2014-11-20
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-20
- Assignees: Dielectrics Industries
- Applicants: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Stephen J. Wiater
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140339224A1

## CPC

- B29C 65/04: Dielectric heating, e.g. high-frequency welding {, i.e. radio frequency welding of plastic materials having dielectric properties, e.g. PVC}
- B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)}
- B29C 66/133: {Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible (the parts to be joined being rigid B29C66/1312)}
- B29C 66/438: {Joining sheets for making hollow-walled, channelled structures or multi-tubular articles}
- B29C 66/49: {Internally supporting the, e.g. tubular, article during joining (B29C66/63 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/73921: {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics}
- B29C 66/8322: {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis}
- B29C 66/843: {Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series}
- B29C 66/8432: {Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series}
- B29C 66/92655: {by using several stops}
- B29C 66/71: {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined (welding bar compositions B29C65/125)}
- B29C 66/8122: {characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps}
- B29L 2022/02: Inflatable articles (balls B29L2031/54 {; inner tyres B29L2023/245})
- B29L 2031/751: {Mattresses, cushions (upholstery B29L2031/58)}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A mandrel for use in welding an air mattress having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the mandrel includes a central mounting block; a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block; a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block; a stop block positioned on the top surface of the central mounting block adjacent the sealing surface; and a bumper mounted to the central mounting block.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mandrel for use in welding an inflatable item having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the mandrel comprising:
a central mounting block;
a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block;
a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block;
a stop block positioned on the top surface of the central mounting block adjacent the sealing surface; and
a bumper mounted to the central mounting block.

### Claim 2

A mandrel for use in welding an inflatable item having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the mandrel comprising:
a central mounting block;
a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block; and
a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block.

### Claim 3

A method of welding an inflatable item having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the method comprising:
placing a baffle layer about a mandrel, the mandrel including:
a central mounting block;
a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block; and
a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block;
placing the top layer above the mandrel and the bottom layer below the mandrel.