Method for ultrasonically welding composite structures

Abstract

An ultrasonic welding energy concentrating chain comprising a plurality of relatively flat members integrally formed from a flat stock of energy concentrating material having a predetermined thickness and joined together adjacent their peripheries by integral portions to interconnect adjacent members into a longitudinally extending chain, said integral portions being formed as to permit each manual separation of adjacent members, said members being adapted to being interposed between sheets of thermoplastic material and upon application of ultrasonic energy to the sandwich of thermoplastic sheets, the shape of the weld of such thermoplastic sheets generally approximating the shape of said flat members. A method of ultrasonically welding together two or more thermoplastic material members comprising interposing an energy concentrating member between the two or more members to form a sandwich structure, subjecting the sandwich structure to sufficient pressure to bring said energy concentrating member and two or more members into intimate contact sufficient to permit ultrasonic welding, and applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to the sandwich structure for sufficient time to cause the two or more thermoplastic material members to be welded together.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.