US5288350A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic case having improved ultrasonic welds between halves thereof and method for producing same
Assignee: Fujifilm Corp
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Filing: 1993-01-25
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2013-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A plastic case and a method for producing a plastic case composed of two halves ultrasonically welded together without problems caused by the generation of excess material, namely, excess melted resin and resin particles, produced during the welding process. The welding is effected at abutting portions of a projection formed on one of the two case halves and a recess formed on the other. A gap is left between the end surface of the distalface of the projection and the bottom of the recess defining an internal space. At least one air hole is formed communicating with the internal space, and suction may be applied to the internal space through the air hole. Also, a dust-blocking rib may be provided on at least one of the recess and projection surrounding the abutting welding portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihisa Kita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:58
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08785; B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C65/74; B29C65/749; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C66/12; B29C66/122; B29C66/1224; B29C66/1226; B29C66/124; B29C66/1244; B29C66/12443; B29C66/1248; B29C66/126; B29C66/128; B29C66/1282; B29C66/12821; B29C66/1284; B29C66/12841; B29C66/1286; B29C66/12861; B29C66/32; B29C66/322; B29C66/324; B29C66/3242; B29C66/342; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/80; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/302; B29C66/3022; B29C66/542; B29C66/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for producing a plastic case comprising the steps of: providing two case halves, one of said case halves having a projection formed thereon, and the other of said case halves having a recess formed for receiving a distal face of said projection, said projection having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said recess, a gap being formed between the bottom of said recess and an end face of said distal face of said projection when said projection is inserted into said recess defining an internal space, and at least one air hole is provided in at least one of said projection and recess communicating with said internal space; assembling said two case halves with said distal face of said projection received in and abutting said recess; applying ultrasonic vibration energy to abutting portions of said projection and recess to weld said projection to said recess; and simultaneously with said step of applying ultrasonic vibration energy, applying suction to said air hole to apply suction to said internal space to thereby draw out through said air hole particulate material formed during welding of said projection and recess.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for producing a plastic case comprising the steps of: providing two case halves, one of said case halves having a projection formed thereon, and the other of said case halves having a recess formed for receiving a distal face of said projection, said projection having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said recess, a gap being formed between the bottom of said recess and an end face of said distal face of said projection when said projection is inserted into said recess defining an internal space, and at least one air hole is provided in at least one of said projection and recess communicating with said internal space; assembling said two case halves with said distal face of said projection received in and abutting said recess; applying ultrasonic vibration energy to abutting portions of said projection and recess to weld said projection to said recess; and simultaneously with said step of applying ultrasonic vibration energy, applying suction to said air hole to apply suction to said internal space to thereby draw out through said air hole particulate material formed during welding of said projection and recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein there are provided two air holes communicating with said internal space, said suction being applied to one of said two air holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the other of said air holes communicates with the interior of said case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the other of said air holes communicates with the exterior of said case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein one of said air holes is formed in said projection and the other in said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein both of said air holes are formed in one of said projection and said recess.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said recess is formed in a rib.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said recess is formed in a side of said other half of said case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8, wherein a positioning hole is formed in said rib at a side thereof opposite said projection, and said air hole is formed through said projection communicating said internal space to said positioning hole.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |