Patent ID: 6517650
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
Ultrasonic bonding apparatus for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip, wherein the work piece segments to be bonded are up to about 0.25 inch thick, said ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprising:(a) a frame; (b) anvil support apparatus defining an anvil loading assembly connected to said frame, and supporting an anvil roll mounted for rotation about a first generally horizontal axis, said anvil roll comprising a first relatively smaller radius portion extending about a first portion of a circumference of said anvil roll, and at least one raised bonding portion having a second relatively larger radius extending about a second portion of the circumference of said anvil roll; and (c) horn support apparatus connected to said frame, and supporting a rotary ultrasonic horn mounted for rotation about a second generally horizontal axis, aligned with the first generally horizontal axis. said ultrasonic horn and said anvil roll collectively being mounted and configured such that said ultrasonic horn and said anvil roll can be brought together to define a nip therebetween, and wherein said anvil roll and said ultrasonic horn can rotate in common with movement of work piece elements through the nip, and intermittent passage of said raised bonding portion through the nip,said frame, said anvil support apparatus, and said horn support apparatus collectively being sufficiently rigid that said horn and said anvil roll can be brought together with interference levels of from about 0.000 inch to about 0.008 inch at the raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in the work piece segments passing through the nip.