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
  • B29C66/80—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
  • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
  • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
  • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
  • B29C66/83413—Roller, cylinder or drum types cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
• • 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
  • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
  • B29C65/083—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil
  • B29C65/086—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil using a rotary anvil
• • 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
  • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
  • B29C65/50—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like
  • B29C65/5042—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding using adhesive tape, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like covering both elements 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
  • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
  • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
  • B29C65/7443—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc by means of ultrasonic vibrations
• • 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
  • B29C66/03—After-treatments in the joint area
  • B29C66/032—Mechanical after-treatments
  • B29C66/0324—Reforming or reshaping the joint, e.g. folding over
  • B29C66/03241—Flattening
  • B29C66/03242—Flattening of sheets being positioned in abutment, e.g. after folding open of an overlap joint
• • 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
  • B29C66/114—Single butt joints
  • B29C66/1142—Single butt to butt 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
• • 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
  • B29C66/72—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 structure of the material of the parts to be joined
  • B29C66/729—Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• • 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
  • B29C66/816—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 mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
  • B29C66/8161—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 mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
• • 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
  • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
  • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
  • B29C66/8221—Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
• • 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
  • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
  • B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
  • B29C66/8242—Pneumatic or hydraulic drives
• • 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
  • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
  • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
  • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
  • B29C66/83415—Roller, cylinder or drum types the contact angle between said rollers, cylinders or drums and said parts to be joined being a non-zero angle
• • 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
  • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
  • B29C65/083—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil
  • B29C65/087—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil using both a rotary sonotrode and a rotary anvil
• • 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
  • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
  • B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
  • B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
  • B29C65/4815—Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• • 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
  • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
  • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
  • B29C65/7435—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc the tool being a roller
• • 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
  • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
  • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
  • B29C65/7441—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc for making welds and cuts of other than simple rectilinear form
• • 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
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
  • B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2313/00—Use of textile products or fabrics as reinforcement
• • 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
  • B29L2031/52—Sports equipment ; Games; Articles for amusement; Toys
• • 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
  • B29L2031/52—Sports equipment ; Games; Articles for amusement; Toys
  • B29L2031/5254—Swimming or diving equipment

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for welding membranes, in particular fabrics in thermoplastic materials, of the type described in the preamble of the independent claims.
• Ultrasounds have also be used to cut fabrics or membranes made of thermoplastic polymer materials.
• an important object of the invention is to obtain an apparatus and a method for welding membranes which are rapid and which allow precise welding of membranes of different shapes.
• Another important object of the invention is to obtain an apparatus and a method for welding membranes which allow the production of a join in which the membranes have minimum overlapping of fabrics.
• Last but not least object of the invention is to devise an apparatus and a method for welding membranes which allow a join to be obtained on several membranes forming a garment which does not decrease the fluid dynamics thereof.
• Fig. 1 shows the apparatus according to the invention in its entirety
• Fig. 2a shows a side view of a detail of the apparatus in idle conditions
• Fig. 2b shows a side view of a detail of the apparatus in operating conditions
• Fig. 3a shows a front view of a detail of the apparatus in idle conditions
• Fig. 3b shows a front view of a detail of the apparatus in operating conditions
• Fig. 4 shows a product produced with the apparatus and/or with the process according to the invention.
• the apparatus for welding membranes according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number 1. It is suitable to process one or more membranes 2, in particular membranes made of thermoplastic polymer material and realized by fabrics.
• the membranes 2 processed are in particular inserted overlapping along a joining line 2a and along this line 2a each membrane 2 is cut and joined, along its edge, to the adjacent membrane 2. Therefore, appropriately two membranes 2 are processed at a time.
• the apparatus 1 comprises a sonotrode 3, realized by an element suitable to vibrate with frequencies close to ultrasounds and to produce melting, localized along the joining line 2a, of the membranes 2, a movement unit 4, suitable to allow feed and mutual contact of the membranes 2 and a cutter 5 suitable to cut the membranes 2 along the joining line 2a.
• a sonotrode 3 realized by an element suitable to vibrate with frequencies close to ultrasounds and to produce melting, localized along the joining line 2a, of the membranes 2, a movement unit 4, suitable to allow feed and mutual contact of the membranes 2 and a cutter 5 suitable to cut the membranes 2 along the joining line 2a.
• the sonotrode 3 vibrates with frequencies of between 20 and 40 kHz and with vibration amplitudes variable according to the membrane 2.
• the sonotrode 3 is moved by specific movement means 6 supplied by alternating current.
• Said movement means 6 are known per se and mainly comprise at least one piezoelectric element which transforms alternating current at a given frequency into mechanical vibrations having the same frequency.
• the membranes 2, preferably made of thermoplastic polymers, are melted in the area of mutual contact, due to the heat caused by friction and rubbing of these portions and of the sonotrode 3.
• the sonotrode 3 is preferably realized by a rod suitable to produce translational vibrations in a direction of translation 7a in particular coincident with the vertical direction. Alternatively, circular and rotating sonotrodes 3 can be used.
• the sonotrode 3 is connected to a moving portion 6a translatable, for distances greater than the distances defined by the excursions of the vibrations, in the direction of translation 7a by means of a specific fluid dynamic piston 6b.
• This piston is part of the movement means 6 and is suitable to place the sonotrode 3 substantially in contact with the cutter 5 or at a distance therefrom.
• a direction of feed 7b and a longitudinal direction 7c mutually perpendicular and perpendicular to the direction of translation 7a are also defined.
• the sonotrode 3 therefore acts along an area of action by means of a rounded surface 3a, having a width in the longitudinal direction 7c preferably between 15 and 5 mm and a length in the direction of feed 7a preferably between 30 and 18 mm.
• This surface 3a is substantially in contact with the membranes 2 and produces melting, at least partial and localized, thereof, in particular along the joining line 2a.
• the cutter 5 is realized by an element having a cutting line 5a suitable to cut the membranes along the joining line 2a and aligned in the direction of translation 7a with the sonotrode 3 in proximity of an edge 3b of the sonotrode
• the cutter 5 does not require to be particularly sharp, as it acts in the area of action of the sonotrode 3.
• the cutter comprises two converging surfaces 5b having an inclination of between 30° and 60° and more preferably between 40° and 50°.
• the cutter 5 also define a total width of between 1 and 5 mm.
• the cutter is preferably formed of a metal disc rotating about a first rotation axis 5c, parallel to the longitudinal direction 7c, and has a diameter of between 50 and 70 mm.
• the movement unit 4 is instead formed of a plurality of wheels in contact with the membranes 2.
• the movement unit 4 comprises at least a pair of wheels 8 in mutual contrast in the area of action, contact of which is interrupted by the membranes 2 during operation of the apparatus 1.
• a first pair of wheels 9 and a second pair of wheels 10 are present, disposed on opposite sides of the cutter 6.
• the first pair of wheels 9 is realized by two knurled metal wheels: a first lower wheel 9a and a first upper wheel 9b having rotation axes substantially aligned in the direction of translation 7a.
• the first lower wheel 9b preferably rotates about the rotation axis 5c and appropriately has a diameter close to the diameter of the cutter 5. Moreover, it is placed in contact with, on close to, this cutter 5 and has a width, in the longitudinal direction 7c, of between 4 and 9 mm.
• the first upper wheel 9b is instead placed close to the sonotrode 3, but appropriately not in contact therewith. Moreover, it has an external lateral edge, disposed on the opposite side with respect to the edge placed in proximity of the sonotrode 3, substantially aligned, in a direction parallel to the direction of translation 7a, with the external lateral edge of the first lower wheel 9a and a width, in the longitudinal direction, of less than the width of the first upper wheel
• the first upper wheel 9b is preferably movable in a direction parallel to the direction of translation 7a. In fact, it is constrained to the moving portion 6a by means of a lever 11 connected to an elastic element 12, suitable to maintain this first upper wheel 9b in contact with the membranes in opposition to the first lower wheel 9a.
• the second pair of wheels 10 instead comprises two smooth wheels made of polymer material such as natural rubber or the like, and in particular a second lower wheel 10a and a second upper wheel 10b, aligned in a direction parallel to the plane formed by the directions of translation 7a and of feed 7b but skew with respect thereto.
• the second lower wheel 10a also preferably rotates about the rotation axis 5c and appropriately has a diameter close to the diameter of the cutter 5.
• this cutter 5 It is also placed in contact with, or in the vicinity of, this cutter 5, on the opposite side with respect to the first upper wheel and has a width, in the longitudinal direction, of between 2 and 7 mm.
• the second upper wheel 10b is instead, in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 7c, partly overlapped with the cutter 5 and with the second lower wheel 10a.
• the sonotrode 3 is disposed, in the direction of feed 7b, behind the sonotrode 3, as shown in the appended figures, and has a diameter preferably of between 45 and 30 mm and a width appropriately of between 8 and 18 mm.
• the second upper wheel 10b also moves in the direction away from and towards the second lower wheel 10a.
• a second lever 13 connected to a second fluid dynamic piston 14 and rotatable about a pin 15, defining a direction of rotation 15a parallel to the longitudinal direction 7c.
• movement of the second lever is also appropriately constrained by a cam 15b.
• control means preferably comprising an electronic processor or the like and suitable to regulate and monitor the movement of the various members described. Operation of an apparatus for welding membranes, described above in structural terms, is the following.
• the pairs of wheels 8 are mutually separated and the sonotrode 3 is not in contact with the cutter 5. It is therefore possible to insert two overlapped membranes 2, over the cutter 5, so that the portions thereof which must be mutually connected and subsequently used, for a garment or the like, are placed over the first pair of wheels 9. Differently, small portions of membrane 2 will be placed over the second pair of wheels and these portions will be separated from the previous portions and subsequently discarded, in order to obtain perfect mating of the edges of the two membranes 2 along the joining line 2a. Subsequently, the pairs of wheels 8 and the sonotrode 3 are moved towards each other by means of movement of the moving portion 6a and of the second lever 13.
• the first pair of wheels 9 therefore transports the membranes which, following connection will be joined and will realize the garment or element to be produced.
• the second pair of wheels 10 transports two portions of membrane 2 which will subsequently be discarded.
• the second pair of wheels is made of materials which produce, in contact with the membranes 2, greater friction, in order to allow the membranes 2 always to move in a rectilinear direction along the joining line 2a and prevent uncontrolled curves.
• the membranes are made to curve appropriately, either manually or using specific mechanical means, so as to produce joins that are not rectilinear. Due to the presence of the sonotrode, to the shape of the cutter 5 and to the presence and characteristics of the second pair of wheels 10, the two membranes 2 are cut along the cutting line 5a and mutually connected along the edge 2c thereof, produced by cutting these membranes 2, so as to substantially realize a single membrane.
• the invention comprises a new process for welding membranes. This provides for cutting of two membranes 2 along a joining line 2a, simultaneously joining along the same joining line 2a by means of vibrations and in particular ultrasonic vibrations.
• Joining also takes place along the edge 2c of the membranes 2.
• the process also preferably provides for initial overlapping of the two membranes being processed.
• the process comprises a step to add a reinforcing band 17, along the joining line 2a, as shown in Fig. 4.
• the reinforcing band is preferably connected by means of glues or by further heat-sealing. If the band is constrained to a garment for sporting activities, it is preferably disposed inside this garment so that it does not alter the appearance or the fluid dynamics thereof.
• the reinforcing band 17 realizes an effective mechanical improvement of the weld and also allows ideal and improved waterproofing thereof. The process is appropriately performed by means of the apparatus 1 previously described.
• a new product 18 is obtained, realized by at least two membranes 2 mutually connected along the edge 2c thereof by means of the described process for welding membranes.
• the product also preferably comprises a reinforcing band 17, placed on the back of the joining line 2a of the membranes (Fig. 4), as previously described.
• the product 18 is preferably realized by a garment, more preferably by a garment for sporting activities and more preferably by a costume for swimming or water sports or by a cycling suit or bodysuit for field athletics.
• the invention achieves important advantages.
• the apparatus and the method for welding membranes allow precise and rapid joining of the membranes 2 along joining lines 2a of preferred shapes.
• the join produced is obtained along the edges of the membrane 2, and therefore does not require overlapping thereof.
• the garments thus produced, in particular if realized by garments for practising sporting activities are fluid dynamic.
• the invention is susceptible to modifications and variants falling within the inventive concept.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

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Citations (9)

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• 2008
  • 2008-04-01 IT IT000555A patent/ITMI20080555A1/it unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-03-25 WO PCT/IB2009/005064 patent/WO2009122251A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-03-25 CN CN2009801190091A patent/CN102083614A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-03-25 JP JP2011502447A patent/JP2011518054A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (9)

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