Abstract: An apparatus for heat sealing thermoplastic articles includes a heater movable reciprocably in a longitudinal direction, and two opposed transversely reciprocable and pivotable carriers, each supporting a thermoplastic workpiece to be bonded. Two opposed heating surfaces of the platen heater are inclined and diverge in the longitudinal direction, to give the heater a "V" configuration. The carriers may be pivoted to a corresponding "V" configuration to position each workpiece against an associated heating surface of the platen. Following heating of the workpieces, pneumatic or other force applying cylinders urge the carriers toward one another as the heater is withdrawn from between them. Cam surfaces on the heater cooperate with cam following rollers on the carriers to control the position of the carriers during withdrawal of the heater, and permit rapid and accurate engagement of the thermoplastic articles after withdrawal.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an attachment for a laminating machine. The attachment permits one-sided lamination by adjustably imparting a reverse curling force to an initially curled laminate. The reverse curling force is imparted by bending and/or stretching the heated and laminated product before the film sets so as to offset the initial curl. This is done by drawing the laminated product over a bar edge and adjusting the draw with an adjustable roller.

Abstract: A wafer mounting device for automatically adhering wafers individually on a polishing plate surface for polishing the surface of the wafers. The wafers are stacked in a wafer cassette and are taken out from the wafer cassette one-by-one, and transferred to an adhesive coating section of the device by a wafer carrying means. The surface of each of the wafers is coated with an adhesive wax in a coating section. Afterward the adhesive coated wafers are carried out from the coating section by the carrying means. The wafers are taken out from the carrying means and the surfaces thereof are reversed by a reverse chuck means. The polishing plate is disposed in a position automatically where the reversed wafers arrive, and the wafers are automatically adhered onto the surface of the polishing plate.

Abstract: To prevent an end of a filled container, upon heating by a hot air for subsequent welding of edges thereof, from coming into contact and sticking to a retainer, a centering gas such as, for example, air is supplied from an external source to the container end. Edges of the filling opening of the container are heated by a hot gas for a subsequent closing of the same through a nozzle introducible into the filling opening of the container end. A centering fluid is directed at the end of the container with a component of flow of the centering in an axial direction of the container to provide for a contact-free centering of the container end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming reclosable packages for food and other items. The package is formed from webs of thermoplastic material and include a separable fastener strip which is reclosable to permit reclosing of the package. Forming, filling, sealing and cutting stations are included for forming the package. A heater heats the fastener strip while it is under tension prior to application to the webs to straighten the fastener strip for improved alignment and sealing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the butt-welding of pipes of plastics materials. Equipment is alreaady known where pipe ends are first urged against a trimmer plate, and then urged against a heater plate to create beads of a required size at the ends of the pipes, following which the pipe ends are urged into abutting relationship for welding to occur. Particularly with automatic machines employing hydraulic power, the force applied between the pipe ends and the heater plate and subsequently between the pipe ends needs to include an allowance for the drag factor inherent in the pipeline and compensate for any frictional effect in the mechanical and hydraulic moving components, and which is a difficult calculation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing cracks and chips in automobile windshields provides an injector that heats repair chemical prior to inserting the repair chemical into the crack and also heats the windshield prior to inserting the repair chemical into the crack.

Abstract: An air guiding arrangement for welding materials having plastic films includes a device to supply a uniform hot-air stream at any given air velocity. The air guiding arrangement has a nozzle which contains a swirl chamber functioning as a diffuser which tapers in the shape of a funnel. The nozzle is preceded by an adjustable air divider through which the amount of air to be supplied to the welding site is varied. The hot-air welding machine serves for a seam-shaped connection of plastic containing materials providing uniform heat distribution in the welding gap.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a protective-coated steel pipe in a construction work site by spirally winding and melt-bonding a belt-like thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet around the outer peripheral surface of a steel pipe, for use as a construction member in corrosive circumstances, the method provides a winding step winding the sheet around the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe while contacting adjacent side end faces of the sheet in a face-to-face relation to each other and a bonding step of heat melt-bonding the adjacent sheet portions to each other in the contacted state of the respective side end faces while pressing both sheet portions together by a pressing means when they begin to melt. Also disclosed is an equipment used for practicing the said method. According to these method and equipment, the resin of the sheet comes into completely close contact with the steel pipe so the corrosion resistance of the pipe is improved remarkably.

Abstract: A wrapper to be wrapped around a stack of disc-like tablets includes a portion carrying a layer of heat-activatable adhesive, which is activated just prior to wrapping the wrapper around the stack to secure it in position on the stack. The heat activation is provided by a short, hot blast of air directed onto a surface of the wrapper opposite that on which the heat-activatable layer is located, whereby the applied heat must travel through a portion of the wrapper to reach the adhesive layer and activate it. The air blast is heated by heaters which include elongated heat exchangers having rectangular grooves or slots extending along the length of their outer surfaces, through which grooves the air blast is constrained to travel for efficient, rapid heating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus and method for manufacturing completed foam plastic containers. An endless mandrel chain carries cup forming mandrels along a manufacturing path. After each mandrel is preheated, a bottom blank is placed on the mandrel bottom and held there by a vacuum. A cylindrical blank formed from longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material is then placed onto the mandrel. This cylindrical blank is tightly tamped onto the mandrel and is clamped in place. Radiant heat is then used to shrink form a finished container. The bottom is then sealed to the cylindrical blank and the mandrel is transferred to a curling assembly where the top edge portion of each finished container is lubricated and then curled to form a finished rim. The apparatus of the present invention may form containers having a dual tapered configuration which allows the containers to be more tightly stacked.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealing the end of a thermoplastic tube wherein a tapered mandrel is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the tube and is inserted into the tube to force direct contact of the tube with the mandrel. After the contacted surface has fused, the mandrel is raised and a heated jet of air expands the tube, allowing the mandrel to be withdrawn. Jaws clamp the mandrel surfaces together to form the seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an automotive seat, comprising a revolvable body, plural padding securing members or plural upper molding dies provided around the revolvable body, and a horizontally movable plural lower molding dies disposed under the revolvable body, the lower molding dies being movable horizontally relative to said revolvable body.Disclosed also is a method for manufacturing an automotive seat, using such apparatus.According to those apparatus and method, the manufacturing steps are carried out smoothly, with one step being effected during another step, and by virtue of the lower molding dies being horizontally moved, the apparatus can be installed in a small place.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding tubular components of thermoplastic material. The apparatus includes a heating device for heating the ends of the tubular components to be welded together until the melting range of the thermoplastic material is reached. Two outer support rings which are slid toward each other after the thermoplastic material has melted and an expandable inner support member ensure that welding pressure is built up, so that a welded connection can be obtained which is strong and free of welding beads.

Abstract: A contact heating platen assembly includes an upright central standard, a plurality of inclined linking members pivotally mounted to the standard, and to a pair of opposed platen carriers on opposite sides of the standard, each traversing an arcuate path relative to the standard. Each of the carriers supports a heating platen and an electrical heating element for heating the platen. The carriers are spring biased into a collapsed position against the standard, but movable to an extended position relatively remote from the standard. To complete a fusion bond, a pair of workpieces are positioned on opposite sides of the platen assembly, each with a fusible surface portion positioned to be engaged by one of the platens when the assembly is extended. The assembly is extended whereby the heated platens engage the fusible surface portions. The platens are maintained against the surface portions until they are fused, then allowed to retract or collapse under the spring force.

Abstract: A device for welding plastic foil strips together with a heating device and a pair of pressure rolls between which the strips are fed, includes a pressure device supported by a spring mechanism for one of two pressure rolls. The pressure device includes a first regulating mechanism for the setting of the width of the gap between the two pressure rolls and a second regulating mechanism for the setting of the welding pressure which is arranged on the first regulating mechanism and which can be moved by it. The regulating units of the two regulating mechanisms are two interacting eccentric elements. This leads to a compact design and only little force is necessary for the setting of the welding pressure.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for curing an uncured resin impregnated in a filter element (12) having a uniform cross-section in the longitudinal direction, and for reinforcing the filter element (12). The apparatus includes a curing pot (38) formed of outer and inner tubes (40, 42) secured integrally and coaxially with each other to form an annular space (44) therebetween, having a cross-section similar to that of the filter element (12) to be treated, for accommodating the filter element (12) therein during the curing process. A hot air circulation mechanism for forcibly supplying hot air through the filter element (12) in the annular space (44) is provided so that the temperature of the filter element (12) is effectively elevated to a value at which the curing of the resin is completed.

Abstract: Two thermoplastic tubes are welded together in a process which includes severing the tubes by a severing wafer having a temperature of about 350.degree. F. to create two cut sections. The severing wafer is removed from the space between the tubes and a hot wafer having a temperature of 500.degree.-1200.degree. F. is inserted in the space to radiantly heat the tube ends so that they are welded when pressed-together while in an unflattened and open condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to portable machines for welding together individual thermoplastic sheets in situ. The machine heats different and opposing thermoplastic sheets using independently controlled electric, radiant heat sources and then compresses the sheets beneath an endless compression belt to complete the weld thus forming a unitary membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously welding two or more pairs of thermoplastic frame elements is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clamp or jig assembly which maintains the frame elements in alignment with respect to each other and to a heating plate. A driving assembly is provided for moving the frame elements towards the heating plate and/or towards each other for heating and fusion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying heat-sensitive adhesive tape, such as frontal diaper tape, of the type having a layer of heat sensitive adhesive material to a web moving at high speed, such as a web of water-resistant material designed for use as the outer layer of disposable diapers. The apparatus comprises a tape-feed wheel for preheating and feeding the tape to the apparatus from a supply of generally continuous tape, and a tape-applying wheel in rolling engagement with the web for applying tape fed to it from the tape-feed wheel to the web. The tape-applying wheel includes vacuum passageways for providing suction through a circumferential surface of the tape-applying wheel to hold the tape thereon, and a heating mechanism for heating the tape to an elevated temperature at which the heat-sensitive adhesive is tacky and for maintaining the tape at the elevated temperature until it is applied to the web.

Abstract: A portable system provides a high-strength joint between two portions of radiant energy transmitting thermoplastic strap having an opaque radiant energy absorbing area on one surface thereof wherein the strap portions are overlapped so that the opaque area is at the interface therebetween. The overlapped strap portions are urged together by being tensioned over an arcuate guide surface. Infrared energy is directed through a free uncontacted outer surface area of one of the strap portions and onto the opaque area for melting the adjacent strap surfaces to form a joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously fabricating lightweight structural panels and the structural panel fabricated thereby are provided, the apparatus being capable of heating a core sheet to a temperature at which the sheet will be plastically deformable such that a corrugation forming means comprising a cylindrical forming drum having a plurality of annular recesses and a plurality of forming mandrels will form a plurality of axially extending corrugations.

Abstract: Bonding apparatuses for textile sheet-like structures especially outer fabric and interlining, are conventionally equipped with a heating station consisting of heating plates for the sheet-like structures conveyed between conveyor belts and also with a linear-pressure device consisting of two pressure rollers. Now, in addition, the linear-pressure device is followed by surface-pressure device to stabilize the adhesive anchoring of the bonding agents.

Abstract: A plastic tube is sealed at its end by placing the tube in a pair of spaced apart tube holders having tube receiving pockets. The tube is cut by a cutting device movable into and out of the space between the pockets to form two distinct tube sections which are melted at their ends while in the clamped condition. The cut ends are then brought into contact with each other in a mis-aligned condition offset by one-half the thickness of a tube wall to seal the tube end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining overlapping sheets of thermally sealable material is disclosed. The method includes applying moving pressure to the sheets to define a moving compressed portion on the sheets, inserting heating means between the overlapping sheets and positioning and maintaining the heating means against an upstream face of the moving compressed portion so that the heating means and moving compressed portion move in unison. The sheets are heated by the heating means as such movement in unison takes place to form a liquified interfacial region between the sheets when the sheets are engulfed by the moving compressed portion. The sheets are joined to each other when the liquified interfacial region cools and solidifies. The heating means is sized and configured to cooperate and move in unison with a selected compressing means which compresses and moves the moving compressed portion along the sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing cartons by sticking together facing surfaces of a hinged flap and a wall of each carton by means of a solvent-based, preferably water-based, adhesive, in which the cartons are continuously moved along a line past an adhesive applicator which applies a deposit of adhesive to the under surface of the flap, first pressure rollers arranged to bring the flap surface temporarily into contact with the side wall to transfer some of the adhesive to it and to thin out and spread the adhesive on the flap, a hot air nozzle which enters within the acute angle formed between the two surfaces when the flap is released from the first pressure rollers and which directs hot air onto the surfaces to effect partial drying of the adhesive, and a second set of pressure rollers to press the flap against the side wall to effect final sealing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bond between a plastic fill spout and a plastic container immediately after forming a bore through the container, includes a tool with a bore forming platen at its leading edge, a trailing end platen at its opposite end, and an intermediate spacer of an insulative material for thermally isolating the bore forming and trailing end platens. A longitudinally reciprocable fixture supports the spout in a longitudinal orientation to move the spout toward and away from the container, and a second fixture supports the tool in axial alignment with the spout and for longitudinal movement toward and away from the container, with the bore forming platen nearest the container. The tool is moved against the container and the bore forming platen heated, then moved through the container wall to provide the bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic welding apparatus for welding a pair of horizontally overlapping thermoplastic materials in sheet form along the overlap thereof. The apparatus includes, in a preferred embodiment thereof, a chassis having a material guide including a pair of overlapping channels, vertically spaced from one another and said materials, to receive the overlapping portions of the materials and to maintain and to produce a separation between the materials. Located within the separation are an electrically heated prismatic member and a first and a second means to produce first and second streams of heated air to heat the materials to plasticity. A pair of pressure rollers acting against the materials and in a preferred embodiment a pair of guide rollers mounted on a guide plate attached to the aforementioned material guide are provided to urge the materials against one another so that they weld to one another.

Abstract: A waterstop splicing method and apparatus including a table having first and second coplanar aligned table top surfaces that simultaneously and equally, open and close by mechanical means driven by adjustable compression springs which provide equal forces to both tops. The table is equipped with two identical clamping arm assemblies in proximate relation to the facing edges of the two table surfaces, with one clamping arm assembly for each side, each of the clamping arm assemblies being provided with a bar having slidably and lockably assembled thereon a plurality of clamp devices, which are individually adjustable for pressure, width and cross-section of the waterstop strips for enabling securing of a waterstop to the table at any desired angle without puncturing. A removable recessed channel is provided in the middle of the table for supporting a thermoplastic welding iron having opposing heated parallel surfaces for simultaneously contacting the ends of a pair of aligned strips.

Abstract: A thin wafer for cutting plastic tubes which are to be butt welded together includes a high temperature insulated plate-like core with a resistance circuit on the core for heating the wafer to a temperature sufficiently high to melt through the tubes. A glass layer may be on the outer surface of the water, particularly in the contact area with the tube. The wafer may be used in an arrangement wherein residue is removed from the water by having the residue adhere to unused portions or stubs of the tubes which then would be stripped from the wafer.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing satisfactory, tight welding of overlapping sheet edges and also when passing over uneven surfaces, a press-on roller and two travel rollers are synchronously driven by a drive motor and toothed belt at a traveling, L-shaped machine frame. The travel rollers are laterally offset to the track of the press-on roller, whereby an oblique position of the press-on roller does not occur even in the case of relatively great sheet thicknesses. A heating nozzle running along in front of the press-on roller engages between the sheet edges and forms a pocket, for the lateral closure of which a hold-down is used. The hold-down has a press-on belt rotating in the travel direction and rolling off on the sheet edges, is mounted with vertical play on the frame, and is driven from the press-on roller.

Abstract: A packet-type laminating machine for laminating a flat object between two sheets of protective plastic film, comprising a pair of closely spaced heating platens with a flared opening at one end designed to accept the insertion of a packet-type laminable plastic pouch and a pair of manually driven outlet compression rollers at the other end of the heating platens designed to compress and withdraw the heated laminable plastic pouch wherein all components are adapted to readily insert through openings in or drop into recesses in the tope edges of sidewalls during assembly of the laminator. Such a laminator is extremely efficient to operate and is readily assembled and repaired, leading to reduced operating, maintenance and capital investment costs.

Abstract: An automatic seam welder for thermoplastic material includes a single piece frame riding on two drive wheels and a caster, the drive wheels being driven by a drive motor through a helical spring clutch. A heat gun is gimbal mounted to the frame and includes a blower, heating element, and shaped foot to direct hot air between overlapped thermoplastic sheets. A thermocouple in the foot directly senses the air temperature and, through a control circuit in a control instrument enclosure, is used to control power to the heater element. A guide wheel, foot rest and air dam are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.

Abstract: A knitted, woven or non woven article such as a glove for example, having a wrist cuff includes an edge binding which is activatable by the application of heat thereto to prevent unraveling of the cuff edge. The bound edge is defined by first and second yarn ends which are knitted or woven together, wherein the first yarn includes a heat activatable, thermoplastic outer covering and the second yarn is defined by a nonthermoplastic, elastic material. The first and second yarns are knitted or woven in a manner to form crossover points therebetween. The edge binding is subjected to heat in order to melt the thermoplastic outer covering of the first yarn, thereby joining the first and second yarns at the crossover points. The articles may be formed on conventional, automatic knitting machines. The knitted articles are ejected from the machine and are gravity fed into a device which melts the thermoplastic outer covering of the first yarn, and thereby bind the edge of the article.

Abstract: A method for unwinding an elastic strip material from a package that has a propensity to stick to itself. The method includes heating the surface of the package to reduce the sticking propensity of the material. Allows unwinding at controlled elongation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of introducing and joining diaphragms in slotted walls. The slotted inner connecting pipe of one diaphragm is introduced into the slotted outer connecting pipe of another diaphragm. An apparatus for fusing together the two connecting pipes is placed within the interior of the inner pipe and can move through the latter. The apparatus has a heating device for heating and fusing the two connecting pipes together.

Abstract: An automatic binding apparatus produces a loop of tape and tightens the tape around an object that is inserted through the loop of tape. The apparatus has a bed-plate and a guide member which is swivelable into position on and off the bed-plate. Initially, the tape is guided through the guide member to form a small loop of tape. Thereafter the guide member is retracted and the loop of tape is enlarged by feeding more tape to the loop to accommodate large objects. Insertion of the object through the loop actuates a work detection switch and detection of the object produces an output signal which triggers a process whereby the tape is tightly bound around the object, is cut from the tape supply, and the ends of the tape are overlapped and pressure welded to one another. Removal of the bound object changes the state of the work detection switch and results in the repositioning of the guide member over the bed-plate and in the formation of a fresh loop of tape for a next object to be bound.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for cutting labels of heat-shrinkable tube covering bottles in intimate contact with the outer periphery of the bottle by melting the label with hot air applied thereto. The hot air is applied by a jet nozzle comprising a plurality of blocks which are adjustingly movable toward or away the label on the bottle. For use with bottles having a trunk of curved configuration, the blocks are individually adjusted to position each block at a specified distance from the curved bottle surface.

Abstract: A device for welding portions of two overlapping roof membranes wherein a fastening means has been fastened to the lower of the two membranes and wherein there are portions of both overlapping membranes on both sides of the fastening means. The device includes a welding means which can apply welds to the membranes on both sides of the fastening means simultaneously. The welding means includes a nozzle having two outlets, with each outlet applying a heat sealing weld on one side of the fastening means. The device also includes a pair of weighted stitcher wheel assemblies which help to eliminate air pockets for underneath the roof membranes and to maintain the proper alignment of the overlapping membranes. The invention also includes a welding process using the above-mentioned device.

Abstract: The open end of a flexible material container surrouding the sucker stick on a sucker is sealed therewith in a wrap-around action by manual angular rotation of the sucker and its stick when the latter is temporarily maintained in contact with the heated surface of the walls forming a U-shaped recess in a candy wrapper heat sealing head.

Abstract: Glass edge sealant curing system including a method and apparatus for curing edge sealant around a stack of Thermopane windows. Infrared heating units abut three sides of the edges of a stack of Thermopanes on a conveyor. One of the infrared heating units moves in a path perpendicular to the conveyor travel, traveling in and out towards one of the edges of the glass. Once the three edges have been cured, the infrared heating unit across the conveyor raises up to allow the stack of panes to pass underneath and subsequently moves back into position for heating of the trailing edge of the stack of Thermopanes. The heaters are controlled according to one or more algorithms providing for appropriate energy consumption. Optical sensors are provided for determining the height of a stack of Thermopanes, as well as the length and width for appropriate heater energization, and thermopiles are provided for sensing the appropriate curing.

Abstract: A sealer/conveyor aligns and conveys groups of form sheets, and seals them into form sets.

Abstract: An in-line sealer apparatus for applying and sealing foils to the mouth of sequentially presented containers. The apparatus includes a rotatable turret having a pocket wheel containing angularly spaced pockets for accommodating containers. Each pocket has a foil transfer and sealing mechanism which is associated therewith and mounted on the turret arrangement for rotation therewith. Each mechanism includes a stacker unit which removably attaches to the turret and stores therein a stack of foils. Each mechanism also includes a foil transfer and applying unit which is disposed below the stacker and includes a movable foil-engaging head for removing the lowermost foil in the stack, and thereafter transferring the foil and applying it to the mouth of the container positioned within the respective pocket.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for cutting multiple plies of thermoplastic material having thickened sections, such as defined by cross-sections of matable parts of a zipper closure formed in the material, and for concurrently sealing the severed margins of the material which includes sealing the severed zipper closure portions thereof. The process and apparatus perform the operative steps of: first, preblocking the thickened material adjacent to the zipper closure portions of the material in areas thereof to be severed and sealed; then, applying heat and pressure to the thickened material and remaining sections of the material in those areas to render the material tacky and temporarily stick the multiple plies together in those areas; and, thereafter, contacting those areas of the material with a heated cutting and sealing element in order to sever all of the multiple plies and seal the severed margins thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for applying roofing paper to a roof by first heating and roofing paper before the paper is applied to the roof, and then applying the heated roofing paper to the roof for final assembly. The applicator consists of a flat table bed and a cradle at one end for holding a roll of roofing paper and a handle at the other end for pulling the applicator. Located on the flat table is a plurality of infrared heaters that form an oven over the flat table and which are pivotally attached to the handle for allowing the roofing paper to pass over the table and through the oven. The paper is drawn from the roll through the oven and under a pair of rollers that support the applicator.

Abstract: The purpose of the process and the apparatus of the invention is to face weld extruded thermoplastic moldings the end faces of which lie in a plane and the end face edges of which are juxtaposed in a coplanar fashion. The end faces are pressed against a heatable and coolable plate in which grooves are formed corresponding to the cross-section of the end face. The floor of the grooves is heated up to or above the melting temperature of the plastic. The entry of the grooves is thermally insulated from the floor region and, if necessary, can be cooled. When the end faces are sunk into the grooves, the plastic is melted. The plastic melt, rising in the groove, is cooled until solid in the thermally insulated entry region. Following the welding in the floor region, the floor region is cooled below the melting temperature, and the welded bundle is separated from the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a cap (8) coated with a hot-melt adhesive on an end surface of a filter element (6), comprising a pair of vertical heating units (18, 19) installed in position (A) and an adjacent pair of vertical cooling units (20, 21) installed in position (B). The heating units (18, 19) comprises a pair of heaters (25, 29), each displaceable close to and away from the other so as to nip and release a pot assembly (9) accommodating the filter element (6) to be treated therebetween. The cooling units (20, 21) comprises a pair of coolers (30, 31) subjected to a similar movement. First, the pot assembly (9) occupies position (A) and is subjected to a heat treatment by the nip of the heaters (25, 29), causing melting of the hot-melt adhesive of the cap (8), and then transported to position (B) and subjected to a cooling treatment by the nip of the coolers (30, 31), causing solidification of the molten adhesive.

Abstract: A linear welding process and apparatus connects fluid-filled tubes in a sterile manner. The linear welder includes a base on which a carriage is slidably mounted. A pair of side by side arms are secured to the carriage as are a pair of tube holders. A pair of clamping jaws are mounted on the arms to clamp a pair of tubes in the holders. The arms are movable for passing the clamped tubes into contact with a heated wafer which cuts the tubes into tube sections. The tube sections are realigned and a pair of sections are butt welded together.