US3897296A — Thermal welding of plastic

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.

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

Thermal welding of plastic

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