Abstract: An apparatus for joining sheet material and cutting joined material comprises a set of drums rotating against one another. A first drum is provided along its surface with a raised pattern serving as welding surfaces when operating in conjunction with one or more ultrasonic resonators. As sheet material is fed through the nip formed between the drum and the resonator, the material is joined in accordance with the pattern. A second drum is provided along its surface with a complementary raised pattern of cutting surfaces. As the material subsequently is fed through the nip between both drums, the welded portions are severed from the surrounding material. The welding and cutting pattern surfaces are constructed to mesh for providing positive severing of the material interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasonic seal and cut method and apparatus comprises an ultrasonic sealing and cutting station which includes a horn adapted to be resonant at an ultrasonic frequency and an oppositely disposed anvil having a sealing surface and a cutting surface. As sheet material is passed through the station, the sheet material is cut and sealed in a marginal area adjacent to the cut. A substantially thermoplastic thread, either monofilament or multifilament, is fed together with the sheet material through the station in a position to cause the thread to fuse with the material in the marginal area. The provision of the thread permits the ultrasonic seal and cut method to be used for sheet material having a relatively low thermoplastic fiber content or exhibiting an open mesh weave, or being made of natural fibers.