Patent ID: 6517651
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A41D,B29C,B29K,B29L,D05B,D06H

Abstract:
An apparatus for attaching a strip of ultrasonically bondable trim along an edge of a fabric component by folding the trim over the edge of the component and bonding the trim thereto, the apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic horn operable to emit ultrasonic energy through a fabric-engaging end face thereof; a movable anvil support having an outer peripheral surface on which one or more anvil structures are formed, the anvil support and the horn being arranged so as to define a nip between the fabric-engaging surface of the horn and the one or more anvil structures for receiving the trim and fabric component to be joined, the anvil support rotating about an axis thereof as the trim and fabric component pass through the nip such that the one or more anvil structures are stationary relative to the trim and fabric component in the nip, the horn emitting ultrasonic energy and the one or more anvil structures focusing the ultrasonic energy on one or more regions of the ultrasonically bondable trim contacted by the one or more anvil structures so as to locally heat and bond the one or more regions; and a feed assembly for folding the trim and feeding the folded trim into the nip between the horn and the one or more anvil structures.