APPARATUS FOR, AND METHOD OF, MANUFACTURE OF A FOLDED-SUBSTRATE ARTICLE

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of an article made up of a number of elements, including a resilient element, that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The apparatus incudes a guide track which defines a path along which the elements travel during the manufacturing process and a compression frame provided along at least part of the length of the track for compressing the resilient element as the resilient member travels along the path defined by the guide track. The process includes moving a combination of article precursor elements together along the guide track rails such that the compression frame acts to press the elements together during bonding. The method and apparatus minimize misalignment of the elements and thereby improve quality of the finished article as well increasing production rates compared to conventional methods and apparatus.

主权项

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an article, comprising:
a guide track that defines a path along which elements to be bonded together to form the article travel during manufacture; and a compression frame positioned along at least a portion of a length of the guide track, the compression frame compressing a resilient element that is one of the elements, as the resilient element travels along the path defined by the guide track.