Ultrasonic seam bonding method and apparatus
AssigneeRosslyn Precision Limited
InventorRobert Clark
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for joining fabric, particularly for joining separate pieces of layered fabric, by means of waterproof seam in a single operation. The seam bonding apparatus comprises a hot-melt adhesive supply (20), a transducer (24) which supplies ultrasonic energy and a sonotrode (23) which directs the ultrasonic energy to an application point on the seam to be bonded. Adhesive, preferably molten nylon, is fed through a passage (25) in the sonotrode (23) via an exit aperture (28) at the end of the sonotrode to the application point. Local heat is applied to the other side of the seam at the application point, and the seam is then subjected to local cooling to form a permanent waterproof seam.
Claims26
Method for producing a bond between edges of members of an article, said method comprising the steps of:
- heating a hot-melt adhesive until it is molten;
- feeding said molten adhesive to an application point in which said adhesive contacts said edges of members;
- applying ultrasound energy by means of a sonotrode to said molten adhesive and said edges of members;
- and
- allowing said molten adhesive to cool and thereby form a bond between said edges of members;
- characterized in that said edges of members of an article are aligned in an end to end relationship.
Method for producing a bond between edges of a member or members of an article, said method comprising the steps of:
- aligning two edges of a member or members in an end to end relationship;
- applying both molten adhesive and ultrasonic energy to said aligned edges of a member or members;
- and
- allowing said molten adhesive to cool and thereby form a bond between said edges of a member or members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.