Patent ID: 6537401
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
Ultrasonic bonding apparatus for creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing absorbent article workplace segments, in a bonding nip, 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 having an operating width and a circumference, and mounted for rotation about a first axis; (c) horn support apparatus connected to said frame, and supporting a rotary ultrasonic horn mounted for rotation about a second axis, substantially aligned with the first 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 the nip therebetween, and wherein said anvil roll and said ultrasonic horn rotate in common with each other and with movement of workplece segments through the nip,(d) closure apparatus adapted to bring said anvil roll and said ultrasonic horn together to form the bonding nip; and (e) a load cell support member connected to said frame, and a load cell mounted to said load cell support member such that force representative of force exerted on the anvil roll at the nip can be detected by said load cell.