Patent ID: 7967934
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of attaching a label with top and bottom surfaces to a thermoplastic substrate, the method comprising the steps of: A. Placing the bottom surface of the label in contact with a surface of the substrate; B. Forming a hole through the label by contacting the label with a probe comprising a body and heated tip, the tip (1) heated to a temperature sufficient to melt that portion of the label and substrate with which it makes contact, (2) having lateral sides and a cross-sectional area, and (3) joined to the body to form a shoulder with a cross-sectional area; C. Enlarging the hole to a size between the cross-sectional area of the tip and the cross-sectional area of the shoulder by first moving the tip in a lateral direction relative to the center of the hole followed by a rotational movement of the tip about the center of the hole; D. Returning the probe to the center of the hole; E. Advancing the heated tip through the hole in the label into the substrate such that the substrate in contact with the tip melts and is displaced by the advancing tip through the space defined by the periphery of the hole and the lateral sides of the tip, the melted substrate moving through the space until making contact with the shoulder of the probe at which point the melted substrate spreads beyond the periphery of the hole and onto the top surface of the label; F. Withdrawing the tip of the probe from the substrate and hole in the label; and G. Solidifying the melted substrate.