Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
In an ultrasonic apparatus for bonding nonwoven products, such as diapers, incontinent garments, sanitary items, and the like; and including an ultrasonic converter for converting electrical energy to vibrational kinetic energy, an ultrasonic horn for receiving boosted vibrational kinetic energy, and a generally elongate ultrasonic booster having a longitudinal axis and being connected between said ultrasonic converter and said ultrasonic horn for boosting the vibrational kinetic energy of said ultrasonic converter; an ultranoic support assembly for supporting said ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: a generally circular modal flange member peripherally disposed radially outwardly about said general elongate ultrasonic booster and having a radially outer surface, said nodal flange member being generally planar with an axis generally perpendicular thereto and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ultrasonic booster, an ultrasonic shock-absorbing means peripherally disposed with said generally circular nodal flange member, a grip ring means peripherally disposed about said generally circular nodal flange member and said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means for compressively connecting said nodal flange member and said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means together, an antirotational means for preventing relative rotation between said grip ring means and said generally circular nodal flange member, said antirotational means comprising a plurality of antirotational pin members radially connected between said grip ring means and said generally circular nodal flange member, and a pressure-relief means in said generally circular nodal flange member for eliminating application of longitudinally applied compressive forces against said antirotational pin members, whereby the longitudinally applied compressive forces are absorbed or supported by said grip ring means alone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an ultrasonic apparatus for bonding nonwoven products, such as diapers, incontinent garments, sanitary items, and the like; and including an ultrasonic converter for converting electrical energy to vibrational kinetic energy, an ultrasonic horn for receiving boosted vibrational kinetic energy, and a generally elongate ultrasonic booster having a longitudinal axis and being connected between said ultrasonic converter and said ultrasonic horn for boosting the vibrational kinetic energy of said ultrasonic converter; an ultranoic support assembly for supporting said ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: a generally circular modal flange member peripherally disposed radially outwardly about said general elongate ultrasonic booster and having a radially outer surface, said nodal flange member being generally planar with an axis generally perpendicular thereto and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ultrasonic booster, an ultrasonic shock-absorbing means peripherally disposed with said generally circular nodal flange member, a grip ring means peripherally disposed about said generally circular nodal flange member and said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means for compressively connecting said nodal flange member and said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means together, an antirotational means for preventing relative rotation between said grip ring means and said generally circular nodal flange member, said antirotational means comprising a plurality of antirotational pin members radially connected between said grip ring means and said generally circular nodal flange member, and a pressure-relief means in said generally circular nodal flange member for eliminating application of longitudinally applied compressive forces against said antirotational pin members, whereby the longitudinally applied compressive forces are absorbed or supported by said grip ring means alone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure-relief means comprises a plurality of grooved slots disposed lengthwise in said radially outer surface of said nodal flange member such that longitudinal axes of said grooved slots are generally parallel to the axis of said nodal flange member, and said antirotational pin members are longitudinally slidably received in respective ones of said grooved slots, whereby said antirotational pin members may slide in respective said grooved slots when compressive forces are longitudinally applied to said grip ring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 2 wherein said grooved slots radially penetrate only said nodal flange member and not any portion of said ultrasonic booster.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 3 wherein said nodal flange member is integral with said ultrasonic booster.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grip ring means comprises two grip rings, one of said grip rings being generally rectangular in cross-section, the other of said grip rings being generally L-shaped in cross-section and having one portion thereof longitudinally spanning said generally circular nodal flange member and said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 5 wherein said antirotational pin members are integral with said other grip ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ultrasonic shock-absorbing means is O-rings disposed on both sides of said nodal flange member.