Patent · US Expired

Method and an apparatus using ultrasound for fixedly welding a circular material blank

US6063220A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
14References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 5, 1998
Grant dateMay 16, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 5, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/712
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In the manufacture of packaging containers, for example blown plastic bottles, a circular material blank is, in certain cases, fixedly welded to the end of a sleeve-shaped casing portion. It is advantageous from amongst other energy viewpoint if the welding can take place using ultrasound, but in this instance it has been proved that the central region to the circular blank absorbs ultrasonic energy to such an extent that it is deformed or breaks. A method of using ultrasound to fixedly weld a circular material blank without such drawbacks occurring is proposed according to the present invention in that the oscillations caused by the ultrasound are reduced by a mechanical stabilization of the central region of the circular blank, which is put into effect with the aid of a vacuum and a relief pattern provided in the central region of the circular blank. An apparatus for employing ultrasound to fixedly weld a circular material blank in place displays a counter abutment with a work surface for fixedly retaining the circular material blank, the work surface forming a part of a vacuum chamber, and support means for the central region of the circular blank during the welding cycle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.