Abstract A method for ultrasonically uniting sheets of thermoplastic material comprising the steps of: a) providing an anvil having a plurality of spaced grooves in a surface thereof; b) positioning said sheets in superposed relationship on said anvil and covering said grooves; and c) traversing an ultrasonically vibrating horn across said grooves, and in contact with the area of said superposed sheets which covers said grooves and the surface of said anvil between said grooves. This method is of particular value when an electrically conductive metal coating is to be preserved across the spliced area. Two parallel spaced splices can be performed with a single ultrasonic horn having two pads designed to traverse two rows of grooves simultaneously. The ultrasonic horn should be mounted for pivoting about an axis midway between, and parallel to the rows, to assure uniform contact. The apparatus comprises a motor propelled carriage for the horn adapted for back and forth movement so that successive splices can be made during movements in opposite directions. Tracks at opposite ends of the anvil are provided for wheels to ride on to remove the horn from the work upon completion of a splice.
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grooves are closely spaced and parallel to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said grooves are arranged in a plurality of parallel lines spaced from one another, and wherein ultrasonically vibrating horn means concurrently traverses all of said lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said sheets has an electrically conductive coating thereon, and wherein the integrity of said coating is partially preserved from one side of said path to the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said horn is traversed completely across said sheets in one direction, said sheets are replaced with the next sheets to be united, and said horn is traversed completely across said next sheets in the opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said horn is traversed from one side to a point part way across said sheets in one direction, is removed from said sheets and moved to the opposite side of said sheets, and is then replaced on said sheets and traversed in the opposite direction across said sheets to said point, to complete uniting of said sheets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive coating is in contact with another of said sheets.