Patent US3796837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal welding of plastic
Assignee: Henkel Corp
•
Filing: 1973-07-12
•
Granted: 1975-07-29
•
Expires: 1993-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of welding two plastic surfaces together comprises the steps of: juxtaposing the surfaces, heating the surfaces to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces to liquify the surfaces, removing a portion of the liquified surfaces to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter bringing the unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another. The heating of the juxtaposed surfaces is accomplished by contacting the surfaces with a heated tool which has been preheated to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces. The tool also serves to remove a portion of the liquified surfaces. Various apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the method. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a reciprocating heated tool. In another apparatus, the heated tool is a rotating disc. In yet another apparatus, the heated tool is a continuously circulating band. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a hand-held portable, heated tool. Various plastic articles are welded utilizing the method and the apparatus disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Waldrum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:03
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/80; B29C66/84; B29C66/861; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/18; B29C65/20; B29C65/2053; B29C65/2061; B29C65/2069; B29C65/2076; B29C65/24; B29C65/245; B29C65/30; B29C65/305; B29C65/48; B29C65/50; B29C65/5007; B29C65/5035; B29C66/002; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C66/116; B29C66/1162; B29C66/12; B29C66/122; B29C66/1224; B29C66/1226; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/432; B29C66/4322; B29C66/4326; B29C66/45; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5227; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/737; B29C66/7373; B29C66/81; B29C66/812; B29C66/8122; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81421; B29C66/81423; B29C66/816; B29C66/8167; B29C66/818; B29C66/8182; B29C66/81821; B29C66/82; B29C66/824; B29C66/8244; B29C66/83; B29C66/836; B29C66/8362; B29C66/87; B29C66/876; B29C66/8762; B29C65/4805; B29C65/481; B29C65/4815; B29C65/5057; B29C65/5092; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/18; B29L2031/60; B29L2031/601; B29L2031/602; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/1066; Y10T156/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A METHOD OF WELDING TWO PLASTIC BODY PORTIONS HAVING OXIDIZED SURFACES TOGETHER AT A PREDETERMINED AREA OF EACH OF SAID SURFACES, SAID OXIDIZED SURFACES BEING CAPABLE OF BEING LIQUIFIED, COMPRISING: JUXTAPOSING THE AREAS OF SAID SURFACES, HEATING THE JUXTAPOSED SURFACE AREAS TO A TEMPERATURE APPROACHING THE FLASHPOINT OF THE PLASTIC SURFACES QUICKLY TO LIQUIFY SAID SURFACE AREAS, WITHOUT APPRECIABLY SOFTENING THE PLASTIC OF THE BODY PORTIONS CONTIGUOUSLY UNDERNEATH SAID
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A METHOD OF WELDING TWO PLASTIC BODY PORTIONS HAVING OXIDIZED SURFACES TOGETHER AT A PREDETERMINED AREA OF EACH OF SAID SURFACES, SAID OXIDIZED SURFACES BEING CAPABLE OF BEING LIQUIFIED, COMPRISING: JUXTAPOSING THE AREAS OF SAID SURFACES, HEATING THE JUXTAPOSED SURFACE AREAS TO A TEMPERATURE APPROACHING THE FLASHPOINT OF THE PLASTIC SURFACES QUICKLY TO LIQUIFY SAID SURFACE AREAS, WITHOUT APPRECIABLY SOFTENING THE PLASTIC OF THE BODY PORTIONS CONTIGUOUSLY UNDERNEATH SAID
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heating of the juxtaposed surface areas is accomplished by contacting said areas with a portion of a tool which has been preheated to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of said plastic surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the removal of the liquified surface areas is accomplished by the preheated portion of the tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein there is relative movement between the preheated portion of the tool and the juxtaposed surface areas to effect the wiping away of said liquified surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the tool is vibrated at a subsonic frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the juxtaposed surfaces are stationary within a first zone and the preheated portion of the tool is moved therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6 wherein subsequent to the wiping away of the liquified surface areas, the portion of the tool is reheated to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces to burn away the plastic which had adhered thereto, thereby readying the tool for another welding operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the reheating is accomplished in a second zone spaced from the first zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the welding occurs in a continuous operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein a preheated portion of the tool is always positioned within the first zone with the juxtaposed surfaces being moved therethrough during the welding thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 10 wherein at the same time that one portion of the tool is effecting the welding of the juxtaposed surfaces, another portion of the tool is being reheated to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces to burn away the plastic which had adhered thereto, thereby enabling the welding operation to proceed continuously.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the reheating is accomplished in a second zone spaced from the first zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said juxtaposed surface areas are edge surface areas of at least one plastic sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said juxtaposed surface areas are longitudinal edge surface areas of a plastic tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said juxtaposed surface areas are end surface areas of plastic rods.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said juxtaposed surface areas are end surface areas of plastic bars.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said juxtaposed surface areas are peripheral surface areas of plastic tubes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 wherein one of said surface areas is an edge area of a first plastic member and wherein the other of said surfaces area is a first surface of a plastic filler rod.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 18 wherein an edge surface area of a second plastic member is welded to a second surface area of the filler rod in the same manner that the edge surface area of the first sheet is welded to the first surface area of the filler rod.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the tool is moved relative to the plastic sheets and the filler rod to wipe away the liquified surface areas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the welding of the edge surface areas of the sheets to the respective surface arEas of the filler rod is accomplished substantially simultaneously.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the plastic surfaces are thermoplastic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the plastic surfaces are thermoplastic.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of making a plastic tank formed of a plurality of welded plastic panels, each panel including a body portion having an oxidized surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing pretetermined areas of the surfaces of a pair of adjacent panels, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas, without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of making a plastic tank formed of a plurality of welded plastic panels, each panel including a body portion having an oxidized surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing pretetermined areas of the surfaces of a pair of adjacent panels, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas, without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of making a plastic tube comprising: bending a plastic sheet having oxidized edge surfaces capable of being liquified to juxtapose predetermined areas of said surfaces and thereby form a tube, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of making a plastic tube comprising: bending a plastic sheet having oxidized edge surfaces capable of being liquified to juxtapose predetermined areas of said surfaces and thereby form a tube, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of making a plastic drum formed of at least two welded plastic secitons, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of making a plastic drum formed of at least two welded plastic secitons, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of making a plastic bottle formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of making a plastic bottle formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of making a plastic heat exchanger formed of at least two welded plastic tubes, each tube including a body portion having an oxidized surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said tubes, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the surface areas quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of making a plastic heat exchanger formed of at least two welded plastic tubes, each tube including a body portion having an oxidized surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said tubes, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the surface areas quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a plastic box having welded plastic walls, each wall including a body portion having oxidized edge surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of a pair of adjacent walls, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a plastic box having welded plastic walls, each wall including a body portion having oxidized edge surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of a pair of adjacent walls, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of making a laminated sheet consisting of at least two welded plastic sheets, each sheet having an oxidized side surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sheets, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of making a laminated sheet consisting of at least two welded plastic sheets, each sheet having an oxidized side surface capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sheets, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a boat hull formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a boat hull formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making an automobile body formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making an automobile body formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of the plastic surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a piece of furniture formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of said surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of making a piece of furniture formed of at least two welded plastic sections, each section including a body portion having oxidized surfaces capable of being liquified comprising: juxtaposing predetermined areas of the surfaces of said sections, heating the juxtaposed surface areas to a temperature approaching the flashpoint of said surfaces quickly to liquify said surface areas without appreciably softening the plastic of the body portions contiguously underneath said areas, removing a thin layer of substantially all of the liquified surface area of each body portion to expose unoxidized surfaces therebeneath and immediately thereafter forcing said unoxidized surfaces into abutment with one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2379500A
Cited
US3282766A
Cited
US3560291A
Cited
US3458380A
Cited
US3591441A
Cited
US3810806A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |