Method for bonding webs employing ultrasonic energy

摘要

A method for bonding thermoplastic webs includes the steps of interdigitating the ends of the warps at opposing web edges, with the length of the interdigitation insuring that the end of an interdigitated filament overlies the first shute of the opposing web, and with the interdigitated fibers being subsequently ultrasonically bonded in a continuous manner across the width of the web so that the ends are crushed down and flattened over the corresponding shute. The warp ends may overlie a number of opposing shutes as long as the overlap is no more than 11/2 times the thickness of the web. The web bonding method for producing a continuous belt produces a web joint which is substantially coplanar with the remainder of the web such that the web is uniquely adapted to papermaking processes which avoids bumps or ripples in the sluice that solidifies on the web. In a further embodiment, ultrasonic energy is utilized to bind the web edges.