Apparatus for heat-attaching articles in a production line

An apparatus for attaching a first article having a relatively thin heat-bondable portion to each of second articles traveling in a production line, comprising:

• holder means for holding the first article;
• means for moving said holder means along a closed loop including a bonding section extending along a continuous portion of the production line in parallel thereto, said moving means driving said holder means in synchronization with movement of the production line, enabling said holder means to provide one first article on each of the second articles;
• heater means connected to and movable with said holder means for applying heat to the first article to raise the relatively thin heat-bonding portion of the first article held by said holder means to its bonding temperature;
• means for providing a contact pressure between said heater means, the heat-bonding portion and the second article while the first article held by said holder means moves within said bonding section;
• means for energizing said heater means only while said heater means is within said bonding section;
• and
• means disposed downstream of the bonding section of said loop in the direction of line movement for actuating said holder means to release the first article therefrom.