A method for manufacturing articles having fibrous surfaces and a spongy padding

摘要

1,120,103. Laminating. G. GABELLA. 21 July, 1965, No. 31114/65. Heading B5N. A method of manufacturing articles comprising two outer layers 21, 211 of fibrous material, e.g. woven fabric or felt, and a padding 1 made of thermomeltable spongy material, e.g. a polyvinyl chloride sponge, comprises the steps of placing the padding between the outer layers to form an assembly, disposing the assembly between two electrodes 31, 311 having a prominent contour corresponding to the contour of the article to be manufactured, bringing the electrodes into contact with the assembly by means of pressure applied to the electrodes, and connecting the electrodes to a high frequency electric source, so that the thermomeltable spongy material is melted along the prominent contour of the electrodes, and the melted material sticks together the two outer layers and finally pressing together the electrodes so that the layers of fibrous material are destroyed along the contour of the electrodes to separate the manufactured article from the surrounding material. In the embodiment shown the electrodes 31, 311 are supported on insulating plates 41, 411 and after the assembly has been placed between them the electrode 311 is lowered under the action of pressure fluid via a piston 51. The melting of the spongy material then takes place and subsequently the electrode 311 is lowered further under the action of pressure fluid on an annular piston 511, having a larger crosssectional area than the piston 51, so that the electrodes cut the article from the surrounding material. In other embodiments the piston 511 is replaced by a number of pistons or there is a single piston 51 advanced first under low and then under high pressure. In a second embodiment (Fig. 5, not shown) the electrodes 31, 311 are formed on the surfaces of insulating cylindrical rollers which are mounted in an articulate linkage incorporating a piston and cylinder unit, so that the distance between the rollers can be adjusted. The piston and cylinder unit may be replaced by a hand wheel operated screw.