Abstract: A method for manufacturing tubular shaped thermoplastic members comprising conveying two thin sheets of thermoplastic material in close substantially parallel relationship through an ultrasonic welding station for forming a plurality of continuous spaced apart seams substantially parallel to the direction of conveying for joining the two sheets of thermoplastic material. The seams, thus formed, are cut substantially parallel to the direction of conveying such that the two sheets of thermoplastic material remain joined adjacent each side of the cuts. Preferably, the cutting takes place substantially simultaneously with the ultrasonic formation of the seams and the thin sheets of thermoplastic material are cooled prior to the ultrasonic welding. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly adaptable for the manufacture of ionically permeable thermoplastic separators for use in electrochemical cells and the like.

Abstract: Fabricated tubular bodies for use in a positive plate of a lead-acid battery are formed in a number of desirable ways from a mixture of fabrication components. In the invention methods the fabrication components are separated into differing sets of fabrication means, at least one of which sets consists of reinforced tapes. The mixture of fabrication components may, by braiding, cartridge-belt weaving or other processes, be arranged in predetermined relation to provide for highly effective retention and support of active material around current carrying grid portions of a positive plate when the said plate is immersed in an electrolyte of a lead-acid battery, to further provide preservation of dimensional stability and of said retention of active material over extended periods of operation of the said battery, and to still further provide for adequate communication between the active material and the electrolyte via tubular wall portions formed with a desirably controlled and predetermined porosity.

Abstract: A tubular support sleeve for tubular storage battery plates comprises a seamless helical tubular lattice structure of fusible flat reinforced thermoplastic tapes, the tapes being fused to one another at their points of intersection. The tapes may be in the form of a laminate consisting of a central strength member having a fusible material on either side thereof. The support sleeve may be used alone or it may be used to contain a braided or felted retaining sleeve. Fusible flat reinforced thermoplastic tapes and staple fiber strands may be braided or woven together to produce a sleeve having combined support and retaining capabilities.

Abstract: Inner and outer spiral-wrapped layers with adhesive between them form a sleeve. The adhesive is then activated. The outer layer covers at least the adjoining edges of the inner layer.

Abstract: Multitube sheath or bag for enclosing the active material of positive plates in electric lead batteries. The bag comprises four discrete fabrics simultaneously made on a shuttleless loom. The fabrics are interconnected along parallel lines by means of one or more weft threads. Thereby, every side of each tube comprises a double wall formed by two different fabrics, of which the inner fabric has weft threads of glass yarn and warp threads of synthetic yarn, the number of weft threads being much larger than that of warp threads at a same length of the fabric involved. The two outer fabrics are essentially made of synthetic yarn.

Abstract: Sheaths for covering battery electrodes are produced by introducing inner and outer layers of sheath material onto a plurality of adjacent mandrels. As the layers pass along connector sections of the mandrels, they are connected together to form interconnected tubes. The connector sections have an elongate cross-sectional configuration to facilitate such connection. Thereafter, the layers pass along reshaping sections of the mandrels which have a cross-sectional configuration that is different from that of the connector sections and which corresponds to the desired final shape of the tubes.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTSThe present invention concerns the manufacture of a type of sheath for tube electrodes used with electrical accumulators or batteries; it comprises two layers. One of the two layers, the actual or inner sheath wall, comprises a layer of fibrous material, preferably glass fiber. The sheaths comprise another layer outside the fibrous material.