Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of forming a package whereby a blank of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material is secured to the top of a container made of thermoplastic material and having opposed outwardly projecting flanges at the top thereof and said blank comprises a top panel and securing strips foldably joined to the side edges of said top panel, which method comprises the steps of (a) continuously advancing said blank and container in a longitudinal direction and in a single horizontal plane, (b) applying said blank to the top of said container so that the top panel covers the top of said container and said securing strips extend beyond the flanges thereof, (c) folding said securing strips of said blank into contact with the undersides of said flanges so that at least portions of said flanges are interposed between portions of said top panel and said securing strips to form overlapped side edge portions, (d) applying pressure to said overlapped side edge portions and simultaneously subjecting said overlapped side edge portions to ultrasonic energy whereby said securing strips are welded to the undersides of said container flanges, characterised in that said ultrasonic energy is provided by a stationary ultrasonic horn having a longitudinally extending tip and in that an anvil means is provided between said tip and arranged in spaced relationship thereto so that a predetermined gap is formed between said tip and said anvil means within which said overlapped side edge portions are received.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of forming a package whereby a blank of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material is secured to the top of a container made of thermoplastic material and having opposed outwardly projecting flanges at the top thereof and said blank comprises a top panel and securing strips foldably joined to the side edges of said top panel, which method comprises the steps of (a) continuously advancing said blank and container in a longitudinal direction and in a single horizontal plane, (b) applying said blank to the top of said container so that the top panel covers the top of said container and said securing strips extend beyond the flanges thereof, (c) folding said securing strips of said blank into contact with the undersides of said flanges so that at least portions of said flanges are interposed between portions of said top panel and said securing strips to form overlapped side edge portions, (d) applying pressure to said overlapped side edge portions and simultaneously subjecting said overlapped side edge portions to ultrasonic energy whereby said securing strips are welded to the undersides of said container flanges, characterised in that said ultrasonic energy is provided by a stationary ultrasonic horn having a longitudinally extending tip and in that an anvil means is provided between said tip and arranged in spaced relationship thereto so that a predetermined gap is formed between said tip and said anvil means within which said overlapped side edge portions are received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further characterised in that said anvil means is mounted on continuously moving endless chains.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further characterised in that pressure is exerted on said side edge portions by said horn which is adjustably and resiliently mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further characterised in that said gap is set to correspond to about 50% to 60% of the thickness of the overlapped side edge portions as measured prior to exposure to the ultrasonic energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4, further characterised in that the upstream end of said horn tip is flared to facilitate said overlapped side edge portions to move into said gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5, further characterised in that said tip of the horn has a longitudinal dimension of about 80 mm and the linear speed at which the overlapped side edge portions move underneath said tip is approximately 52 m/min.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the frequency of vibrations at said tip is 20,000 HZ.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further characterised in that said anvil means has a serrated upper surface.