US3867232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic splicing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Two webs of photographic film or paper having thermoplastic resin surfaces are lap spliced ultrasonically on an anvil, using an ultrasonic horn having a pair of thin bosses projecting from the end surface thereof at positions to engage either the side edges of the webs or, if plastic extrusion at the edges must be avoided, at points spaced about 1/16 inch - 1/8 inch inwardly of the edges. Energy concentration occurs at the bosses, assuring a strong union at the edges of the webs. Energy concentration is further improved and separation of the horn from the web assured by providing a coating of polymeric releasing material such as Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene on the end surface of the horn (including the bosses). Advantageously the polymeric releasing material is carried by a fibrous material such as fiberglass tape which adheres to the face of the horn. The bosses can be on the anvil instead of the horn; or one can be on the anvil and one of the horn. The resulting spliced product has a uniformly strong joint across its width, having a shear strength of at least 12 pounds. Teflon is a trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company.
Inventors
- 👤 David L Thompson
- 👤 Everett B Wardell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:21
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C66/00; B29C66/004; B29C66/0042; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/70; B29C66/71; B29C66/72; B29C66/723; B29C66/7232; B29C66/72327; B29C66/72328; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/812; B29C66/8122; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81427; B29C66/81429; B29C66/818; B29C66/8182; B29C66/81821; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B65; B65H; B65H21/00; G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/04; G03D15/043; B29K; B29K2001/00; B29K2001/08; B29K2001/12; B29L; B29L2009/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
AN ULTRASONIC HORN FOR ULTRASONICALLY SPLICING TWO WEBS WITH THERMOPLASTIC RESIN SURFACES; SAID HORN HAVING A PLANAR END SURFACE RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE FOR INGAGING A SURFACE OF SAID WEBS, SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE HAVING TWO PARALLEL LONG EDGES AND TWO PARALLEL SHORTER EDGES HAVING THEREON A PAIR OF SPACED BOSSES POSITIONED SO AS TO EXTEND IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE SHORTER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE, SAID SPACED PARALLEL BOSSES PROJECTING A DISTANCE OF UP TO ABOUT 0.005 INCH FROM SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE, SAID DISTANCE BEING SUFFICIENTLY SMALL THAT, WHEN SAID HORN IS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH SAID WEBS, ULTRASONIC SPLICING OCCURS OVER THE ENTIRE AREA OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
AN ULTRASONIC HORN FOR ULTRASONICALLY SPLICING TWO WEBS WITH THERMOPLASTIC RESIN SURFACES; SAID HORN HAVING A PLANAR END SURFACE RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE FOR INGAGING A SURFACE OF SAID WEBS, SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE HAVING TWO PARALLEL LONG EDGES AND TWO PARALLEL SHORTER EDGES HAVING THEREON A PAIR OF SPACED BOSSES POSITIONED SO AS TO EXTEND IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE SHORTER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE, SAID SPACED PARALLEL BOSSES PROJECTING A DISTANCE OF UP TO ABOUT 0.005 INCH FROM SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE, SAID DISTANCE BEING SUFFICIENTLY SMALL THAT, WHEN SAID HORN IS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH SAID WEBS, ULTRASONIC SPLICING OCCURS OVER THE ENTIRE AREA OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
ULTRASONIC SPLICING APPARATUS FOR SPLICING TWO WEBS WITH THERMOPLASTIC RESIN SURFACES, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ANVIL HAVING A PLANAR SURFACE AND AN ULTRASONIC HORN HAVING A PLANAR END SURFACE RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE FOR ENGAGING A SURFACE OF SAID WEBS AND HAVING TWO PARALLEL LONG EDGES AND TWO PARALLEL SHORTER EDGES; SAID ANVIL AND SAID HORN BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER INTO AND OUT OF SPLICING POSITION AND SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE BEING ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID ANVIL; SAID HORN BEING ORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID ANVIL SUCH THAT THE LONGER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE LIE IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE JOINT FORMED BY SAID SPLICING APARATUS; ONE OF EITHER THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID ANVIL OR THE RECTANGULAR END SURFACE OF SAID HORN HAVING THEREON A PAIR OF SPACED BOSSES POSITIONED SO AS TO EXTEND IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE SHORTER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE OF SAID BOSSES BEING LOCATED ONE ON EACH OF SAID SURFACES; EACH OF SAID SPACED PARALLEL BOSSES PROJECTING A DISTANCE OF UP TO ABOUT 0.005 INCH FROM THE SURFACE ON WHICH IT IS LOCATED; SAID DISTANCE BEING SUFFICIENTLY SMALL THAT, WHEN SAID HORN IS BROUGH INTO CONTACT WITH SAID WEBS, ULTRASOIC SPLICING OCCURS OVER THE ENTIRE AREA OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
ULTRASONIC SPLICING APPARATUS FOR SPLICING TWO WEBS WITH THERMOPLASTIC RESIN SURFACES, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ANVIL HAVING A PLANAR SURFACE AND AN ULTRASONIC HORN HAVING A PLANAR END SURFACE RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE FOR ENGAGING A SURFACE OF SAID WEBS AND HAVING TWO PARALLEL LONG EDGES AND TWO PARALLEL SHORTER EDGES; SAID ANVIL AND SAID HORN BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER INTO AND OUT OF SPLICING POSITION AND SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE BEING ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID ANVIL; SAID HORN BEING ORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID ANVIL SUCH THAT THE LONGER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE LIE IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE JOINT FORMED BY SAID SPLICING APARATUS; ONE OF EITHER THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID ANVIL OR THE RECTANGULAR END SURFACE OF SAID HORN HAVING THEREON A PAIR OF SPACED BOSSES POSITIONED SO AS TO EXTEND IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE SHORTER EDGES OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE OF SAID BOSSES BEING LOCATED ONE ON EACH OF SAID SURFACES; EACH OF SAID SPACED PARALLEL BOSSES PROJECTING A DISTANCE OF UP TO ABOUT 0.005 INCH FROM THE SURFACE ON WHICH IT IS LOCATED; SAID DISTANCE BEING SUFFICIENTLY SMALL THAT, WHEN SAID HORN IS BROUGH INTO CONTACT WITH SAID WEBS, ULTRASOIC SPLICING OCCURS OVER THE ENTIRE AREA OF SAID RECTANGULAR END SURFACE.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ultrasonic horn in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bosses are spaced 1/16 to 1/8 inch inwardly of the shorter edges of said rectangular end surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ultrasonic splicing apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said bosses is spaced inwardly between 1/16 and 1/8 inch with respect to the shorter edges of said rectangular end surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic horn in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rectangular end surface is entirely covered with a layer comprising a fluorocarbon resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasonic horn in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fluorocarbon resin is carried by fiberglass tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic splicing apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said rectangular end surface is entirely covered with a layer comprising a fluorocarbon resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic splicing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said fluorocarbon resin is carried by fiberglass tape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |