Patent ID: 11925538
Assignee: CURT G. JOA, INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 0:
1. An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic composite structure, the apparatus comprising:
at least one means for transporting a first web layer and a second web layer in a machine direction;
at least one means for transporting an elastic thread in the machine direction in a tensioned state; and
a bonding unit configured to:
bond the first web layer to the second web layer absent adhesive via a bond pattern comprising at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds; and
anchor the elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds, the passage having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state;

wherein the bonding unit comprises an ultrasonic bonding unit having a face with at least one welding line defined thereon, each welding line of the at least one welding line arranged to form the bond pattern;
wherein the at least one welding line comprises a notch positioned between a pair of projections;
wherein the notch has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in the non-tensioned state, and
wherein the notch has a stepped geometry.