Ultrasonic welding of metallized plastic

Abstract

A method for ultrasonically welding two plastic parts together. One part (30) has a weld joint feature (23) that is covered with a metal layer (27), and the other plastic part (25) has a complimentary weld joint feature. The two parts are joined together by ultrasonically welding the two weld joint features to each other. A force (40) is applied to the first and second plastic parts prior to the step of welding. The force is substantially in excess of that required to cause the two weld joint features to contact each other. This method creates an ultrasonic welded metallized plastic assembly. Each part of the assembly has a weld joint feature, at least one of which was covered with a metal layer prior to welding. Portions of the each of the two weld joint features are deformed to form a plastic weld joint through the metal coating.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.