GB2103147A - Heat sealing of thermoplastics materials - Google Patents

Heat sealing of thermoplastics materials Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2103147A
GB2103147A GB08123906A GB8123906A GB2103147A GB 2103147 A GB2103147 A GB 2103147A GB 08123906 A GB08123906 A GB 08123906A GB 8123906 A GB8123906 A GB 8123906A GB 2103147 A GB2103147 A GB 2103147A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
window
thermoplastics material
portions
thermoplastics
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08123906A
Inventor
Graham Paul Ford
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PA Management Consultants Ltd
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PA Management Consultants Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by PA Management Consultants Ltd filed Critical PA Management Consultants Ltd
Priority to GB08123906A priority Critical patent/GB2103147A/en
Publication of GB2103147A publication Critical patent/GB2103147A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1435—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. transmission welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1477—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation making use of an absorber or impact modifier
    • B29C65/1483—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation making use of an absorber or impact modifier coated on the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4324—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms for making closed loops, e.g. belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8126—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81266—Optical properties, e.g. transparency, reflectivity
    • B29C66/81267—Transparent to electromagnetic radiation, e.g. to visible light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81457—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a block or layer of deformable material, e.g. sponge, foam, rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B65B13/24—Securing ends of binding material
    • B65B13/32—Securing ends of binding material by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1403—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the type of electromagnetic or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1409—Visible light radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/733—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence
    • B29C66/7336—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence at least one of the parts to be joined being opaque, transparent or translucent to visible light
    • B29C66/73365—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence at least one of the parts to be joined being opaque, transparent or translucent to visible light at least one of the parts to be joined being transparent or translucent to visible light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8122—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8124—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the structure of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81241—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the structure of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps being porous or sintered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2009/00—Layered products
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/727—Fastening elements
    • B29L2031/7276—Straps or the like

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for heat sealing together two lengths of a thermoplastics strap looped and tensioned around a package and having relatively thick translucent and relatively thin opaque composite layers, wherein the two strap lengths 10, 12 are pressed against the window 14 of a tungsten-halogen lamp assembly 16 with the opaque layer of the lamp-side strap length 10 in pressure contact with the other strap length 12, and the contacting strap lengths are irradiated through the window with a high intensity transmission concentrated by reflectors so that the opaque layer of the lamp-side length melts and fuses to the other strap length to form a heat sealed joint therewith on cooling after the lamp has been switched off. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in heat sealing of thermoplastics materials This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for heat sealing together two portions of a thermoplastics (heat-sealable) material, such as thermoplastics sheets or films or tapes to be spliced together. More especially, however, the method and apparatus is applicable to the sealing together of two lengths of a thermoplastics strap which has been looped and tensioned around a package in order to secure it.
In the packaging industry, it is a common requirement to tension and secure a thermoplastics strap around the periphery of a package. In ofer to secure the tensioned loop, two layers of strap must be fixed together where they overlap at the common beginning and end of the loop.
Mechanical fastenings such as metal clips crimped around the two strap layers or deformable wire buckles locking to the two strap layers produce a structurally inefficient joint and are expensive to produce and handle.
Friction welding, wherein a flat or cylindrical pad is oscillated parallel to the plane of contact of the two strap layers in pressure contact therewith can also result in a structurally inefficient joint for some types of strap, especially a strap of polyester and, in addition, an uncomfortable amount of noise is generated. Furthermore, the high power required necessitates use of a compressed air or mains electric drive.
Ultra-sonic welding is equally disadvantageous, being less successful for some types of strap than others, and requiring relatively complex circuitry for providing the necessary operating power.
A known heat sealing process also demands use of a high power source external to the sealing equipment. In this process, a continuously or intermittently heated, relatively massive, heating element is caused to enter between the two layers of strap by moving said element across the strap from one longitudinal edge to the other. The two strap layers are first pressed against the heating element and then, after a short delay, the element is rapidly retracted and the two strap layers are pressed together at the heated regions thereof.
This process, in addition to disadvantageously requiring an external power source, produces considerable unpleasant fumes, since the operating temperature is necessarily higher than the decomposition temperature of the strap material.
More generally, the known methods require a relatively complex heat sealing tool which generally includes a moving element for effecting heating, rendering said element liable to accidental damage if improperly used.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for heat sealing thermoplastics materials, more especially wherein the use of a moving element for heating is avoided.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for heat sealing together two portions of a thermoplastics material at least one of which has a light-absorbing layer, comprising a casing having a light-transmitting window on one side and reflective internal surfaces except on said one side, means for mounting and for supplying power to a tungstenhalogen light source within the casing, means for relatively positioning the lamp and the portions of thermoplastics material so that radiation will penetrate the light-transmitting layer of one portion to fuse the light-absorbing layer thereof to the other portion of thermoplastics material, and means for pressing the two portions of thermoplastics material together during irradiation.
According to. a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of heat sealing together two portions of a thermoplastics material at least one of which has a light-absorbing layer, according to which the two portions of thermoplastics material are pressed together, and irradiated through the light-transmitting layer of one portion by a tungsten-halogen light source transmitting reflectively gathered light, e.g. light transmitted through the window of an internally reflective surround for the light source.
In its application to packaging, the present invention in a preferred aspect requires the use of a composite thermoplastics material, i.e.
thermoplastics packaging strap, which is formed of two layers, in general a relatively thick lighttransmitting layer and a relatively thin lightabsorbing layer. However, such a composite strap material need not be appreciably more expensive than a homogeneous strap material, and any such additional costs are offset by the heat sealing apparatus and method of this invention when applied to such a composite thermoplastics material.
Preferably, the casing or surround is a rightrectangular box internally reflective, e.g. by means of polished aluminium, on five internal faces, with a window, conveniently formed by transparent glass of high transmissivity forming the sixth face.
The pressing means, such as a resilient pad formed by a rigidly backed foam rubber layer, can act to press the two portions of thermoplastics material together against the window. A hinged mounting will permit the pressure to be relieved.
If desired, the internally reflective casing or surround, the window and a tungsten-halogen source may be formed as an integral lamp structure.
A practical arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which.~ the single figure shows the practical arrangement diagrammatically in perspective.
In the drawing, the references 10, 12 denote two lengths of a thermoplastics strap which is formed with two integral layers (not shown), namely a relatively thick light-transmitting or translucent layer and a relatively thin lightabsorbing or opaque (dark or black) layer.
The two strap lengths 10, 1 2 are pressed together up against the window 14 of a tungstenhalogen lamp assembly generally referenced 16, the opaque, light-absorbing layer of the upper strap length 10 being lowermost and in contact under pressure with the lower strap length 12. The necessary pressure is obtained by a foam rubber pad 18 carried by a rigid support 20. By means not shown the rigidly backed pad can be hinged away from the window to relieve the pressure.
The lamp assembly 16 comprises a rightrectangular casing 22 internally reflectively faced, except for the window 14, with polished aluminium. A tungsten-halogen bulb 24 is located internally of the casing 22 by a mounting in one internally reflecting face 26, the base connector for supply of power being referenced 28.
In use, with the two thermoplastics strap layers 10, 1 2 pressed together against the window 14 by the pad 18, the lamp 16 is switched on. The radiant energy, primarily in the visible wavelength range, is concentrated through the window 14 in a high intensity transmission, and passes through the translucent layer of the strap length 10 into the opaque layer thereof. This being a thin layer, it melts due to absorption of the high intensity radiation, and fuses to the other strap length 12 immediately below it and by virtue of the pressurised contact maintained by the resilient pad 1 8. When the lamp is switched off, the melted thermoplastics material cools and a fused joint is formed between the two strap lengths 10, 1 2.
Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, especially in fields other than packaging. For example, in the sealing together of thermoplastics sheet, it may be practicable to use two opposed tungsten-halogen lamps which are urged together to squeeze the two sheets between them. Although not shown, the lamp assembly, with its internal reflectors, window and tungsten filament, can be formed as an integrated structure.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for heat sealing together two portions of a thermoplastics material at least one of which has a light-absorbing layer, comprising a casing having a light-transmitting window on one side and reflective internal surfaces except on said one side, means for mounting and for supplying power to a tungsten-halogen light source within the casing, means for relatively positioning the lamp and the portions of thermoplastics material so that radiation will penetrate the lighttransmitting layer of one portion to fuse the lightabsorbing layer thereof to the other portion of thermoplastics material, and means for pressing the two portions of thermoplastics material together during irradiation.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the window is formed by a transparent glass of high light-transmissivity to radiation from a tungstenhalogen lamp.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the casing is a right-rectangular box internally reflective on five faces.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the reflective internal surfaces are formed by polished aluminium.
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressing means acts to press the thermopastics portions together against the lighttransmitting window.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing means comprises a resilient pad.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pad is of foam rubber backed by a rigid support.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the resilient pad is hingedly mounted to apply and to relieve the pressure.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the internally reflective casing, the window and tungsten-halogen source are formed as an integral lamp structure.
10. A method of heat sealing together two portions of a thermoplastics material at least one of which has a light-absorbing layer, according to which the two portions of thermoplastics material are pressed together, and irradiated through the light-transmitting layer of one portion by a tungsten-halogen light source transmitting reflectively gathered light.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the light is transmitted through the window of an internally reflective surround for the light source.
12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, according to which the thermoplastics material has a relatively thick light-transmitting layer and a relatively thin light-absorbing layer.
13. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the two thermoplastics portions are lengths of thermoplastics strap wrapped around a package.
14. Apparatus for heat sealing thermoplastics material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 5. A method of heat sealing thermoplastics material substantially as hereinbefore described.
GB08123906A 1981-08-05 1981-08-05 Heat sealing of thermoplastics materials Withdrawn GB2103147A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08123906A GB2103147A (en) 1981-08-05 1981-08-05 Heat sealing of thermoplastics materials

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GB08123906A GB2103147A (en) 1981-08-05 1981-08-05 Heat sealing of thermoplastics materials

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0337776A2 (en) * 1988-04-15 1989-10-18 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus and method for infrared sealing of plastic strap
WO1989010832A1 (en) * 1988-05-13 1989-11-16 Mekrapid Method and device for joining together of thermoplastic materials
US4969969A (en) * 1988-04-15 1990-11-13 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus and method for infrared sealing of plastic strap
NL1003313C2 (en) * 1996-06-11 1997-12-17 Akzo Nobel Nv Method for joining polymeric stretched strips and a grid and packaging obtained by this method.
WO1998002294A2 (en) * 1996-07-12 1998-01-22 John Wood Heat-welding of plastics by radiation
EP0831997A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-01 Edison Welding Institute Joining method
EP1024085A2 (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-02 SIG Pack Systems AG Apparatus for sealing sheets, especially for sealing packaging sheets in a packaging machine
FR2836652A1 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-05 Solvay METHOD FOR WELDING PLASTIC MULTILAYER BANDS USING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND RESULTING COMPOSITE TUBE

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0337776A2 (en) * 1988-04-15 1989-10-18 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus and method for infrared sealing of plastic strap
US4906320A (en) * 1988-04-15 1990-03-06 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus for infrared sealing of plastic strap
US4969969A (en) * 1988-04-15 1990-11-13 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus and method for infrared sealing of plastic strap
EP0337776A3 (en) * 1988-04-15 1991-12-11 The Interlake Companies, Inc. Apparatus and method for infrared sealing of plastic strap
WO1989010832A1 (en) * 1988-05-13 1989-11-16 Mekrapid Method and device for joining together of thermoplastic materials
EP0831997A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-01 Edison Welding Institute Joining method
EP0831997A4 (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-09-30 Edison Welding Inst Joining method
WO1997047796A1 (en) * 1996-06-11 1997-12-18 Akzo Nobel N.V. Grid comprising polymeric drawn strips and a process for making same
NL1003313C2 (en) * 1996-06-11 1997-12-17 Akzo Nobel Nv Method for joining polymeric stretched strips and a grid and packaging obtained by this method.
WO1998002294A2 (en) * 1996-07-12 1998-01-22 John Wood Heat-welding of plastics by radiation
WO1998002294A3 (en) * 1996-07-12 1998-07-23 John Wood Heat-welding of plastics by radiation
EP1024085A2 (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-02 SIG Pack Systems AG Apparatus for sealing sheets, especially for sealing packaging sheets in a packaging machine
EP1024085A3 (en) * 1999-01-29 2002-01-23 SIG Pack Systems AG Apparatus for sealing sheets, especially for sealing packaging sheets in a packaging machine
FR2836652A1 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-05 Solvay METHOD FOR WELDING PLASTIC MULTILAYER BANDS USING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND RESULTING COMPOSITE TUBE
WO2003074258A1 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Solvay (Societe Anonyme) Assembly method and a plastic composite tube
US8088240B2 (en) 2002-03-04 2012-01-03 Egeplast Werner Strumann Gmbh & Co. Kg Assembly process and plastic composite tube

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