Herrmann ultraschalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG has patented a device for welding at least two plastic webs together that includes a sonotrode for preheating at least one of the webs.
According to the patent awarded to the Karlsbad, Germany, welding device maker, the new system offers better throughputs than older versions and reduces the risks inherent with high-temperature heating — a process that can create dust when used for sealing packages. It states, "at least one of the two material webs is also preheated with an ultrasonic processing means. In the preheating operation, temperatures which are below the melting temperature of the material to be welded are produced in the region of the material webs to be welded." As an example, it cites PE, which can be welded at 176 degrees Fahrenheit.The system has a device for rotating the preheating and processing sonotrode. In some variations of the invention, the preheating sonotrode's welding surface is at least 50 percent larger than the welding surface of the processing sonotrode.Patent 9,821,511; issued Nov. 21
Blow molding process monitoring. Graham Packaging Co. LP proposes a quality-control test using an infrared camera and microprocessor to compare the temperature profile images of a model blow molded bottle with the thermal profile of one that's freshly made. In its patent application, the Lancaster, Pa., blow molder manufacturer says its process and system are targeted to extrusion blow molding, but they have applicability for injection and stretch blow molding, as well. The application calls for using an infrared camera to capture the infrared-light emittance from the sidewall and base of containers as they're made. This information is then converted into electrical signals that can be used in graphical comparison against a reference model."It has been found that the average wall-thickness values obtained by the method of the present invention agree very closely with manual measurements made by carefully sectioning and physical gauging of plastic blow-molded containers," the patent application states.According to the application, the proposed invention is especially suited for small-capacity containers.Patent application 20170343342; published Nov. 30
Carbon-fiber finishing. Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme GmbH, Bobingen, Germany, which makes milling and cutting tools, has been awarded a patent for a tool for machining fiber-reinforced materials, including carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics. Designed to prevent the tearing of fibers, the end milling cutter has teeth for both pre- and post-machining.Patent 9,849,522; issued Dec. 26
Extrusion. Battenfeld-Cincinnati Austria GmbH, Vienna, has patented a twin-screw configuration for extruders that increases the surface area of the screws' flights to reduce wear. The configuration takes advantage of a stepped course of flights and lands to create gaps that improve material plasticization; gap widths can vary between 0.5mm and 3mm. The screws can be used in profile extrusion.Patent 9,827,692; issued Nov. 28
Preform conveying. Sidel Participations, Octeville-sur-Mer, France, has applied for a patent for a conveying unit that uses wear-resistant brushes to push preforms forward along a belt. According to the patent application, the brushes would be made of material, such as nylon, that would not rub off or create contamination. This is in contrast with other conveying designs, which employ leather straps to push preforms forward; such straps are prone to degradation, causing dust. In some versions of the proposed invention, a ring-shaped collar can be used to guide the preforms.Patent application 20170320670; published Nov. 9
