The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 1999
Filed:
May. 08, 1998
Douglas E Vincent, Manchester, NH (US);
Kevin A Durand, Lancaster, MA (US);
Deka Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH (US);
Abstract
A process and an energy director are provided for thermoplastically welding a rigid thermoplastic, such as acrylic, and a flexible thermoplastic, such a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doped with plasticizers. The rigid piece includes an energy director where the joint is to be located. The energy director includes first and second ridges running the length of the joint and a groove running between the first and second ridges. The energy director is placed against one side of the flexible piece, and an energy horn against the other side opposite the energy director. The two pieces are then welded together using standard thermoplastic welding technology. The shape of the energy director promotes the melting and flow of both pieces as they are being welded together.