Apparatus for embossing a plastic workpiece using vibratory energy
AssigneeBranson Ultrasonics Corporation
InventorRonald K. Bryant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention concerns an apparatus for embossing a plastic workpiece using vibratory energy. A workpiece to be embossed is brought into forced engagement with indicia carried by an embossing ring which is disposed at or in proximity to the antinodal region of longitudinal motion of a resonator. The resonator is caused to vibrate at its natural frequency of oscillation in a direction substantially parallel to the workpiece surface. After embossing the workpiece is removed from contact with the resonator.
Claims10
An embossing horn for use in a vibratory embossing apparatus comprising:
- an elongated resonator dimensioned to be resonant along it longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency of vibration;
- a removable embossing ring having a plurality of circumferentially disposed ridges, said ridges forming a unitary part of said ring and being provided with peripherally disposed and radially extending embossing indicia, and
- means for clamping said ring concentrically upon said resonator at or in proximity to an antinodal region of longitudinal motion of said resonator.
A vibratory embossing apparatus comprising:
- an elongated resonator dimensioned to be resonant along its longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency of vibration;
- an electroacoustic converter coupled to said resonator for rendering said resonator resonant;
- a removable embossing ring having a plurality of circumferentially disposed ridges, said ridges forming a unitary part of said ring and being provided with peripherally disposed and radially extending embossing indicia;
- means for clamping said ring concentrically upon said resonator at or in proximity to an antinodal region of longitudinal motion of said resonator;
- anvil means disposed opposite said embossing ring for supporting a workpiece, and
- means for urging a workpiece disposed on said anvil means into forced contact with an embossing indicium of said ring to cause said embossing indicium, responsive to said resonator being rendered resonant, to undergo vibratory motion along an axis parallel to the workpiece surface portion contacted by said indicium while in contact with said workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.