Bonding capsules
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorDale Ensminger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap (7,7') and inner body (6, 6') of a closed cylindrical capsule (5). A flexible tubular coupling (13,14,20) positioned around the circumference of the capsule (5) is compressed to exert an inward radial force (23) on the capsule (5) while ultrasonic vibratory motion is applied in a direction (12,12') parallel to the axis of the capsule (5) by an ultrasonic transducer (10,10') with a rigid tip (11,11') attached to the coupling (13,14,20). For bonding of gelatinous capsules (5), the unitary coupling (20) or split coupling (13,14) can comprise a polymeric elastomer material such as latex rubber with approximately the same acoustical impedance as the capsule (5).
Claims16
Apparatus for bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising
- flexible coupling means positioned around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap,
- means for compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and
- means for applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
A method of bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising
- placing flexible coupling means around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap,
- compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and
- applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.