US4029535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for seaming fabrics comprising thermoplastic fibers using laser beams
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1976-09-01
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Granted: 1977-06-14
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Expires: 1996-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A process for the seaming of two sheets of thermoplastic polymers, especially fabrics comprising thermoplastic fibres, by passing them around and through a pair of nip rolls and directing a pulsed laser beam at their line of confluence.
Inventors
- 👤 Cyril George Cannon
- 👤 Alan Selwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:47
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/80; B29C66/83; B29C66/834; B29C66/8341; B29C66/83411; B29C66/83413; A; A41; A41D; A41D27/00; A41D27/24; A41D27/245; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/14; B29C65/16; B29C65/1629; B29C65/1632; B29C65/1654; B29C65/1658; B29C65/1664; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/20; B29C66/21; B29C66/24; B29C66/242; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/729; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/84; B29C66/843; B29C66/8432; B23; B23K; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/38; B23K2103/50; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/009; B29C65/1603; B29C65/1612; B29C65/1619; B29C66/90; B29C66/93; B29C66/934; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/48; B29L2031/4842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An improved process for seaming together two fabrics comprising fibers formed from thermoplastic polymers comprising heating the fabrics and combining the fabrics by passing them through a nip and exposing a line of contact between the fabrics to a heat source, wherein the improvement comprises directing at said line of contact a pulsed or chopped focused beam of energy from a laser traversable along said line of contact of said fabrics, said energy of said beam being sufficient to melt at least part of said contacting surfaces of said fabrics, but is insufficient to penetrate through said fabrics.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An improved process for seaming together two fabrics comprising fibers formed from thermoplastic polymers comprising heating the fabrics and combining the fabrics by passing them through a nip and exposing a line of contact between the fabrics to a heat source, wherein the improvement comprises directing at said line of contact a pulsed or chopped focused beam of energy from a laser traversable along said line of contact of said fabrics, said energy of said beam being sufficient to melt at least part of said contacting surfaces of said fabrics, but is insufficient to penetrate through said fabrics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is oscillated to form a seam comprising at least two rows of weld points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a pair of nip rolls form said nip and at least one of said fabrics passes around its associated roll before entering said nip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |