Forming of consolidation regions in a web and a web comprising such regions

摘要

An apparatus and methods for thermally treating webs having thermoplastic respectively meltable compounds, thereby creating cylindrical or elliptic consolidation regions which may optionally have an aperture by employing a thermal energy source, such as ultrasonic energy, as well as to webs with elliptic consolidation regions. In a particular, the apparatus and methods create consolidation regions by using an anvil with a flexible elongated member, such as a wire, a chain or a tubular anvil with circumferential ribs.

主权项

1. An apparatus
for consolidating one or more region(s) of one or more web(s), which comprise(s) thermoplastic material and which exhibit a length (x-), width (y-) and thickness (z-) direction, by plastic deformation, said apparatus exhibiting a x- or machine direction aligned with the direction of movement of said web(s) relative to said apparatus, a y- or cross-machine direction aligned with the width direction of the web(s), said apparatus comprising:
one or more energy source(s) for increasing the temperature at least of said region(s) of said web(s);a first and a second anvil forming a gap and adapted to receive said web(s) there between such that the thickness or z-direction of said webs is aligned with the gap width; anda gap width adjustment means adapted to apply pressure to said web(s) in said gap,wherein said first anvil comprises
a flexible elongated member which is flexible at least in its y- and z-direction, anda first anvil support structure.