초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for joining together two or more fabric components without thread, the components including at least one ultrasonically bondable component. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn operable to emit ultrasonic energy through a fabric-engaging end face thereof, and a rotatabl

An apparatus and method for joining together two or more fabric components without thread, the components including at least one ultrasonically bondable component. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn operable to emit ultrasonic energy through a fabric-engaging end face thereof, and a rotatable anvil support having an outer peripheral surface on which one or a plurality of anvil supports are formed. The anvil support and the horn are arranged so as to define a nip between the respective fabric-engaging surfaces thereof for receiving the components to be joined. The anvil support rotates about an axis thereof as the components pass through the nip such that the outer peripheral surface of the anvil support defining the anvil structures is stationary relative to the components passing through the nip. The horn emits ultrasonic energy and the anvil structures focus the ultrasonic energy on one or more regions of the at least one ultrasonically bondable component contacted by the anvil structure(s) so as to locally heat and bond the one or more regions.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus and method for joining together two or more fabric components without thread, the components including at least one ultrasonically bondable component. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn operable to emit ultrasonic energy through a fabric-engaging end face thereof, and a rotatabl

An apparatus and method for joining together two or more fabric components without thread, the components including at least one ultrasonically bondable component. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn operable to emit ultrasonic energy through a fabric-engaging end face thereof, and a rotatable anvil support having an outer peripheral surface on which one or a plurality of anvil supports are formed. The anvil support and the horn are arranged so as to define a nip between the respective fabric-engaging surfaces thereof for receiving the components to be joined. The anvil support rotates about an axis thereof as the components pass through the nip such that the outer peripheral surface of the anvil support defining the anvil structures is stationary relative to the components passing through the nip. The horn emits ultrasonic energy and the anvil structures focus the ultrasonic energy on one or more regions of the at least one ultrasonically bondable component contacted by the anvil structure(s) so as to locally heat and bond the one or more regions. a Camera et al.; US-5443572, 19950800, Wilkison et al.; US-5480473, 19960100, Hardie et al.; US-5489325, 19960200, Keogh et al.; US-5498277, 19960300, Floyd et al.; US-5518523, 19960500, Brotzmann; US-5529599, 19960600, Calderon; US-5613997, 19970300, Satchell, Jr.; US-5630862, 19970500, Greenwalt; US-5640708, 19970600, Conochie et al.; US-5647888, 19970700, Keogh et al.; US-5683489, 19971100, Hayashi et al.; US-5741349, 19980400, Hubble et al.; US-5800592, 19980900, den Hartog et al.; US-5802097, 19980900, Genishi et al.; US-5869018, 19990200, Stephens, Jr.; US-5871560, 19990200, Fluch et al.; US-5938815, 19990800, Satchell, Jr.