Heat-welding of plastics by radiation
AssigneeJohn Wood Enterprises Limited
InventorJohn Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for heat-welding two members by applying radiation, such as infra-red radiation, through one of the members to enter layer(s) interposed between the two members. Method relies on inclusions through thickness of the layer(s) to be responsive to said radiation to raise temperature through thickness and promote bonds at inter-faces with surfaces of said members. The bonds are assessed using thermal imaging camera detecting a near visible radiation arising from the layer(s), which radiation is different from infra-red used for heating.
Claims10
Method of heat-welding two members, the method comprising:
- applying radiation through a first member to at least one layer interposed between the two members, said layer having inclusions through its entire thickness which inclusions are responsive to said radiation to raise temperature of said layer through thickness thereof and promote bonds at interfaces with surfaces of said members;
- and
- applying bond-aiding pressure directed through thickness of said layer rendered deformable by heat absorbed by said inclusions, said pressure being applied by means making freely rolling or sliding contact with said first member,
- wherein said layer and said first member constitute a sealing strip applied over a stitched seam of the second member.
Method of bonding two members by heat-welding, the method comprising:
- applying radiation through a first member to at least one layer interposed between the two members, said at least one layer having inclusions through its entire thickness, which inclusions are responsive to said radiation to raise temperature through the thickness of said layer and promote bonds at interfaces with surfaces of said members;
- and
- applying bond-aiding pressure directed through thickness of said layer rendered deformable by heat absorbed by said inclusions, said pressure being applied by means making freely rolling or sliding contact with a said member,
- wherein the second member reflects a sufficient part of said radiation that has passed through the thickness of said layer back into the layer to further raise said temperature and promote said bonds.
Method of bonding two members by heat-welding, comprising:
- applying radiation through first substantially transmissive member to at least one layer interposed between the two members, said layer having inclusions through its entire thickness, which inclusions are responsive to said radiation by raising temperature of said layer through thickness and promoting bonds at interfaces with surfaces of said members;
- applying bond-aiding pressure directed through the thickness of said layer rendered deformable by heat absorbed by said inclusions, and pressure being applied by means making freely rolling contact or sliding contact with said first member;
- and
- assessing said bond using a thermal imaging camera to detect through said transmissive first member an arising radiation from said layer that is different from the radiation which provides heating thereof for welding purposes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.