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US 5,855,720 AGranted
Clamping head for use in joining plastic extrusions and method thereof
OwnerOrin S. Johnson, Gary A. Jonesinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for creating a flash-free weld between the ends of thermoplastic members, wherein the members are held in position by holders, the ends of the members are softened by a heater, the members and holders are brought together until the ends of the members are joined to result in a flash-free weld.
Claims19
A method for creating a flash-free weld when welding ends of thermoplastic members, comprising:
- (a) placing a first thermoplastic member in a first holder, the first holder having a first face with a first opening shaped in a profile of the first member, the first face having a first extension protruding from the first face along at least a portion of the first opening, the first extension having a first cutting edge;
- (b) placing a second thermoplastic member in a second holder, the second holder having a second face with a second opening shaped in a profile of the second member;
- (c) positioning the first and second holders in an open position with the first face and the second face spaced apart;
- (d) positioning a heater between the first and second holders and spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members, the heater having one or more heating zones, each zone having a heating element;
- (e) radiantly heating a surface of the first member and a surface of the second member with the heater spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members;
- and
- (f) moving the first and second holders together, in the absence of the heater, into a closed position to weld together the heated surfaces of the first and second members and to engage the first cutting edge aid the second face to remove a flash arising from welding the first and second members.
4 more elements
A method for use in creating a flash-free weld when welding ends of thermoplastic members, comprising:
- (a) placing a first thermoplastic member in a first holder, the first holder having a first face with a first opening shaped in a profile of the first member;
- the first holder including a first cutting edge protruding beyond the first face;
- (b) placing a second thermoplastic member in a second holder, the second holder having a second face with a second opening shaped in a profile of the second member;
- (c) positioning the first and second holders in an open position with the first face and the second face spaced apart;
- (d) positioning a heater in a heating position;
- the heating position being between and spaced from the first and second holders;
- (e) radiantly heating a surface of the first member and a surface of the second member with the heater while the heater is maintained in the heating position;
- the heating being accomplished without touching the first member and the second member with the heater;
- and
- (f) moving the first holder and the second holder together, in the absence of the heater, into a closed position so that the heated surface of the first member engages the heated surface of the second member, and engaging the first cutting edge against the second face to completely remove any weld flash.
7 more elements
A method for creating a flash-free weld when welding ends of thermoplastic members, comprising:
- (a) placing a first thermoplastic member in a first holder, the first holder having a first face with a first opening shaped in a profile of the first member, the first face having a first extension protruding from the first face along at least a portion of the first opening, the first extension having a first cutting edge;
- (b) placing a second thermoplastic member in a second holder, the second holder having a second face with a second opening shaped in a profile of the second member, the second face having a second extension protruding from the second face along at least a portion of the second opening, the second extension having a second cutting edge;
- (c) positioning the first and second holders in an open position with the first face and the second face spaced apart;
- (d) positioning a heater between the first and second holders and spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members, the heater having one or more heating zones, each zone having a heating element;
- (e) radiantly heating a surface of the first member and a surface of the second member with the heater spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members;
- and
- (f) moving the first and second holders together, in the absence of the heater, into a closed position to weld together the heated surfaces of the first and second members and to engage the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge to remove a flash arising from welding the first and second members.
4 more elements
A method for creating a flash-free weld when welding ends of thermoplastic members, comprising:
- (a) placing a first thermoplastic member in a first holder, the first holder having a first face with a first opening shaped in a profile of the first member, the first face having a first extension protruding from the first face along at least a portion of the first opening, the first extension having a first cutting edge;
- (b) placing a second thermoplastic member in a second holder, the second holder having a second face with a second opening shaped in a profile of the second member, the second face having a second extension protruding from the second face along at least a portion of the second opening, the second extension having a second cutting edge, the second cutting edge being offset from the first cutting edge;
- (c) positioning the first and second holders in an open position with the first face and the second face spaced apart;
- (d) positioning a heater between the first and second holders and spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members, the heater having one or more heating zones, each zone having a heating element;
- (e) radiantly heating a surface of the first member and a surface of the second member with the heater spaced apart from the first and second thermoplastic members;
- and
- (f) moving the first and second holders together, in the absence of the heater, into a closed position to weld together the heated surfaces of the first and second members and to engage (i) the first cutting edge and the second face and (ii) the second cutting edge and the first face to remove a flash arising from welding the first and second members.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.