Process and energy director for welding and joint produced thereby
US6001201A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/477
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process and an energy director are provided for thermoplastically welding a rigid thermoplastic, such as acrylic, and a flexible thermoplastic, such a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doped with plasticizers. The rigid piece includes an energy director where the joint is to be located. The energy director includes first and second ridges running the length of the joint and a groove running between the first and second ridges. The energy director is placed against one side of the flexible piece, and an energy horn against the other side opposite the energy director. The two pieces are then welded together using standard thermoplastic welding technology. The shape of the energy director promotes the melting and flow of both pieces as they are being welded together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.