Patent ID: 6066216
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B01L,B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
An energy director structure with weld depth limitation feature for use on a first weldable piece which is to be ultrasonically welded to a second weldable piece, comprising:a first contact shelf extending along a length of the first weldable piece;a second contact shelf extending along the length of said first plastic piece and substantially parallel to the first contact shelf spaced apart from the first contact shelf by a groove extending along the length of the first weldable piece,wherein the first contact shelf has a first contact shelf height dimension, perpendicular to said length, narrowing along said first contact shelf height forming a ridge with a median first contact shelf width, perpendicular to said height, functioning as an energy director for ultrasonic welding energy; andwherein the second contact shelf has a second contact shelf height dimension, perpendicular to said length, and a second contact shelf width dimension, perpendicular to said height dimension, with said second contact shelf height dimension less than the first contact shelf height dimension and with the median second contact shelf width dimension at least equal to the median first contact shelf width dimension, thereby forming a mesa lacking an energy director, the second contact shelf height dimension functioning as a stop to limit the ultrasonic weld depth to within 3 microns of the height of the second contact shelf.