Abstract: An ultrasonic method for intermittently changing a condition of a workpiece is disclosed. The ultrasonic system includes an ultrasonic horn and a rotating anvil roll positioned to form a close relationship with each other comprising a nip. One of the ultrasonic horn and the rotating anvil roll includes an outer radial surface having a first length having a first amount of surface area per unit length of the respective outer radial surface, and a second length having a lesser amount of surface area per unit length of the respective outer radial surface. When ultrasonic energy is applied to the ultrasonic horn, the second length changes a condition of the workpiece when applied in the nip, but the first length does not change that condition. The change in condition occurs because the decrease in surface area along the second length increases the ultrasonic energy per unit area, as applied in the nip, to at least the threshold amount necessary to change the condition.

Abstract: A filter and method and apparatus for manufacturing the filter. The filter includes a first filter layer and a second filter layer. The first and second filter layers are joined by a ribbon. The ribbon is attached to the first filter layer and the second filter layer through ultrasonic welding. The apparatus includes first and second ultrasonic welders for attaching the first filter layer to one end of the ribbon and the second filter layer to the other end of the ribbon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing a shrinkage amount of a rubber member (51) which is comprised of a rubber (3) extruded from an extruder (1). At least one vibrator unit (10a, 10b) applies vibration to the extruded rubber (3) so as to increase the shrinkage speed of the extruded rubber (3) and cause a sufficient advance shrinkage of the extruded rubber within the extrusion train (1), thereby reducing a posterior shrinkage amount of the rubber member (51). An adjustable thermoregulator (30) maintains the extruded rubber (3) at a controlled temperature during application of vibration.

Abstract: An improved method for bonding webs. The method includes overlapping two webs, slitting the two webs, reoverlapping the two webs and bonding the two webs together. The steps of reoverlapping the two webs may be accomplished with a number of different types of devices including but not limited to: a bumpered roll, a notched roll, a crowned roll, a bowed roll, an out of plane roll, and variable speed rolls.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for fabricating a web or consolidating web precursor material in fabricating a web. The invention comprises ultrasonic bonding apparatus including an anvil roll receiving web materials thereon and receiving first and second rotary ultrasonic horns. The rotary ultrasonic horns, in combination with the anvil roll, ultrasonically bond segments of e.g. first and second webs to each other. Third and fourth rotary ultrasonic horns spaced about the circumference of the anvil roll, in combination with the anvil roll, ultrasonically bond other segments of the webs to each other. The full widths of the webs can be ultrasonically bonded using the rotary ultrasonic horns. An outer surface of the anvil roll preferably carries a bonding pattern defining the locations where bonding of the webs occurs. Additional e.g. third and fourth webs can be bonded by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for devulcanizing vulcanized rubber or crosslinked polymeric material has an ultrasonic exposure portion including a body forming an exposure channel through which particles of the material flow and an ultrasonic generator including a horn extending generally transverse to the direction of the material flow. The apparatus also has a preconditioning portion for feeding the particles to the ultrasonic exposure channel. The method for devulcanizing vulcanized rubber or crosslinked polymeric material comprises the steps of preconditioning and feeding particles of the material, including heating the particles; feeding the particles through a pressurized exposure channel; and exposing the particles to ultrasonic energy within the exposure channel with an ultrasonic wave propagated in a direction transverse to the direction of the channel to effect devulcanization by breaking chemical bonds in the material.

Abstract: A melt-blowing system and corresponding method are provided for making a nonwoven polymer filament blanket. Subsequent to formation and blowing of the polymer filaments toward a receiving conveyor, a pivoting oscillating member is provided through which the filaments are blown. Vertical oscillation of the oscillating member causes the flow direction of the filament stream to vertically oscillate thereby increasing the tensile strength of the nonwoven blanket in the in-line direction as a substantial number of the filaments become oriented in the in-line direction on the conveyor.

Abstract: A method of forming apertures generally greater than about 0.05 square millimeters in a thin sheet material. The thin sheet material includes a first side and a second side at least one side of the thin sheet material is substantially coated with an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the adhesive-coated thin sheet material on a patterned anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is equal to or less than the thickness of the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and (b) subjecting the thin sheet material to a sufficient amount of sonic vibrations to aperture the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and whereby the thin sheet material and the adhesive is apertured in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the patterned anvil.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for intermittently changing a condition of a workpiece is disclosed. The ultrasonic system includes an ultrasonic horn and a rotating anvil roll positioned to form a close relationship with each other comprising a nip. One of the ultrasonic horn and the rotating anvil roll includes an outer radial surface having a first length having a first amount of surface area per unit length of the respective outer radial surface, and a second length having a lesser amount of surface area per unit length of the respective outer radial surface. When ultrasonic energy is applied to the ultrasonic horn, the second length changes a condition of the workpiece when applied in the nip, but the first length does not change that condition. The change in condition occurs because the decrease in surface area along the second length increases the ultrasonic energy per unit area, as applied in the nip, to at least the threshold amount necessary to change the condition.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods for processing workpieces, including effecting changes in the workpieces by applying ultrasonic energy to the workpieces using novel apparatus and steps for applying the ultrasonic energy to the workpieces. Specifically, an ultrasonic horn and anvil are used to apply ultrasonic energy in a limited amount, to effect change such as cutting in one layer of a workpiece without effecting a corresponding change in the other layers of the workpiece, although some change in the other layers may be tolerated and/or desired. A rotary horn and anvil are taught, with a protuberance on either the horn or the anvil. In use, the horn and anvil preferably rotate cooperatively in close proximity to each other at a nip, and apply pressure and corresponding ultrasonic energy to the workpiece only when the protuberance rotates into the nip, even though ultrasonic energy may be applied uniformly to the ultrasonic horn throughout the rotation of the protuberance.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for processing workpieces on a moving continuous web using ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic system includes one or more sets, each set containing first and second ultrasonic application devices, corresponding to an ultrasonic horn and a corresponding anvil. A first element of the set is mounted on a rotating work drum which carries the web of workpieces while the workpieces are being processed with ultrasonic energy. The second element of the set is mounted for rotation with the work drum. As the work drum rotates, the second element rotates with the drum. With each rotation of the work drum, the second element extends over the work drum and the first element, ultrasonic energy is applied to the workpiece, and the second element withdraws from over the work drum and the first element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding thermoplastic tubing of reduced eccentricity, in which tubing is extruded into a vacuum calibration box containing a cooling fluid and a sizing collar. An ultrasonic device for measuring wall thicknesses around the periphery of the tubing is located downstream of the sizing collar. The wall measurements are used to determine a critical parameter, and if this critical parameter is outside of a predetermined range, the vacuum calibration box is moved in the direction of greater wall thickness. After a delay which allows the product of the correction to reach the ultrasonic device, the box is again moved if necessary, until the critical parameter is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Process for controlling the anisotropy of the mechanical properties of spunbonded webs through variation of the frequency of vibration of impingement panels at web laydown.