US 4,555,293 AGranted

Method and apparatus for thermo-bonding seams in thermoplastic material

OwnerRobert C. Frenchinventor

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Abstract

Method for thermobonding thermoplastic material. A support plate supports sheets of the thermoplastic material, and heat element means is provided adjacent thereto. Pressure plate means mates with the support plate and may include recess means for receiving the heat element means. Melt zone means are formed between the heat element means and the pressure plate means (or the recess means) when they are in mating relationship. The melt zone means serves to confine the melted thermoplastic means to form a good seal by relieving stress between the seal and the seal-material interface. The heat element means and recess means are manufactured as interchangeable dies in different sizes and shapes for different materials. The heat element means may be formed into different shapes, such as a glove for manufacturing gloves.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of sealing thermoplastic material which comprises the steps of:

providing a support for the thermoplastic material to be sealed;
providing a pressure means for applying pressure on the thermoplastic material to be sealed;
providing a heat element in the configuration of a desired seam to be formed;
at least one of said pressure means and said heat element having a recessed wall configured to define a confined melt zone volume between said pressure means and said heat element;
providing said confined melt zone volume between the pressure means and the heat element when the pressure means and heat element are in mating relationship and are operating with the thermoplastic material;
introducing the thermoplastic material to be sealed between the pressure means and the heat element;
applying pressure on one side of the thermoplastic material by the pressure means while the heat element on the opposite side of the thermoplastic material is operating to provide heat to the thermoplastic material to melt the thermoplastic material in the configuration of the desired seam and force the melted thermoplastic to flow into and be confined within the melt zone volume;
and
maintaining said confined melt zone volume between the pressure means and the heat element throughout the time that the heat element is operating to provide heat to the thermoplastic material.

6 more elements

A method of forming a garment or glove from thermoplastic material which comprises the steps of:

providing a support for the thermoplastic material;
providing a pressure means for applying pressure on the thermoplastic material;
providing a heat element in the configuration of a desired garment or glove to be formed;
at least one of said pressure means and said heat element having a recessed wall configured to define a melt zone volume between said pressure means and said heat element;
providing said confined melt zone volume between the pressure means and the heat element when the pressure means and heat element are in mating relationship and are operating with the thermoplastic material;
introducing the thermoplastic material between the pressure means and the heat element;
applying pressure on one side of the thermoplastic material by the pressure means while the heat element on the opposite side of the thermoplastic material is operating to provide heat to the thermoplastic material to melt the thermoplastic material in the configuration of the desired garment or glove and force the melted thermoplastic to flow into and be confined within the melt zone volume;
and
maintaining said confined melt zone volume between the pressure means and the heat element throughout the time that the heat element is operating to provide heat to the thermoplastic material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/517,824Filed 26 Jul 1983
Granted: 26 Nov 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification29 codes

B29C 66/21
Particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines: said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes,…
B29C 65/02
Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor: by heating, with or without pressure
B29C 65/222
Characterised by the type of heated wire, resistive ribbon, band or strip: comprising at least a single heated wire
B29C 65/223
Comprising at least a single heated wire: comprising several heated wires