US4032382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for splicing thermoplastic monofilament material by high frequency vibratory energy
Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corp
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Filing: 1976-11-15
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for splicing thermoplastic monofilament material by high frequency vibratory energy use a support having both forming means and an adjoining flash receiving cavity. Monofilaments to be spliced are disposed in the forming means in overlapping relationship. High frequency vibratory energy is applied to the overlap region softening the monofilaments while the excess thermoplastic material created during the splicing is extruded into the adjoining flash receiving cavity. The vibratory energy is removed and the softened material remaining in the forming means solidifies into a continuous monofilament having a predetermined cross sectional area.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward G. Obeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:33
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/69; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C65/78; B29C65/7802; B29C65/7832; B29C66/01; B29C66/03; B29C66/032; B29C66/0324; B29C66/03241; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/526; B29C66/5261; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/80; B29C66/82; B29C66/822; B29C66/8221; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/12; B29C66/128; B29C66/1282; B29C66/1288; B29C66/12881; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S228/00; Y10S228/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of splicing two thermoplastic monofilaments by high frequency vibratory energy to provide a single filament of predetermined cross sectional area comprising the steps of: disposing two thermoplastic monofilaments in overlapped relation in a support having forming means and an adjoining flash receiving cavity means; applying high frequency vibratory energy to the monofilaments in the region of overlap for softening the respective monofilaments and urging thermoplastic material in excess of the predetermined cross sectional area into the flash receiving cavity; removing the vibratory energy; urging the two monofilaments while in the forming means and softened state into intimate contact with one another and the monofilament facing wall of the forming means for causing a splice having said predetermined cross sectional area, and removing the splice from the support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of splicing two thermoplastic monofilaments by high frequency vibratory energy to provide a single filament of predetermined cross sectional area comprising the steps of: disposing two thermoplastic monofilaments in overlapped relation in a support having forming means and an adjoining flash receiving cavity means; applying high frequency vibratory energy to the monofilaments in the region of overlap for softening the respective monofilaments and urging thermoplastic material in excess of the predetermined cross sectional area into the flash receiving cavity; removing the vibratory energy; urging the two monofilaments while in the forming means and softened state into intimate contact with one another and the monofilament facing wall of the forming means for causing a splice having said predetermined cross sectional area, and removing the splice from the support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of splicing as set forth in claim 1 and supporting the monofilaments in said support while applying said energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of splicing as set forth in claim 1 and providing stop means for aligning the monofilaments in predetermined overlapped relation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of splicing as set forth in claim 1, said high frequency vibratory energy being in the frequency range between 1 kHz and 100 kHz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of splicing as set forth in claim 1, said predetermined cross sectional area being substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the respective thermoplastic monofilaments.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for splicing thermoplastic monofilament material by high frequency vibratory energy including: a support comprising two complementary grooved mould portions, each portion having forming means and adjoining flash receiving cavity means; said forming means being dimensioned for providing when said two portions are urged into intimate contact with one another a cavity of predetermined cross sectional area; said flash receiving cavity means being dimensioned for receiving excess thermoplastic material; vibratory energy means disposed for briefly contacting overlapped thermoplastic monofilament material disposed in said grooved mould portions thereby softening and displacing the excess material, and means coupled to said portions for urging them into intimate contact with one another after said vibratory energy means is removed from contact with the softened material for moulding the overlapped material into a splice.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for splicing thermoplastic monofilament material by high frequency vibratory energy including: a support comprising two complementary grooved mould portions, each portion having forming means and adjoining flash receiving cavity means; said forming means being dimensioned for providing when said two portions are urged into intimate contact with one another a cavity of predetermined cross sectional area; said flash receiving cavity means being dimensioned for receiving excess thermoplastic material; vibratory energy means disposed for briefly contacting overlapped thermoplastic monofilament material disposed in said grooved mould portions thereby softening and displacing the excess material, and means coupled to said portions for urging them into intimate contact with one another after said vibratory energy means is removed from contact with the softened material for moulding the overlapped material into a splice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for splicing as set forth in claim 5, and means disposed in said grooved mould portions for aligning and maintaining the monofilaments in an overlapped position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for splicing as set forth in claim 6, said means for aligning being spring loaded fingers protruding from said forming means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for splicing as set forth in claim 5, said vibratory energy means comprising a converter and resonator dimensioned to be resonant at a frequency in the range between 1 kHz and 100 kHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus for splicing as set forth in claim 5, and means for energizing said vibratory energy means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for splicing as set forth in claim 5, said predetermined cross sectional area being substantially equal to the diameter of the thermoplastic monofilament material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3616064A
Cited
US3783065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |