Apparatus for making connection insulators

摘要

Connection insulators having a plurality of insulating compartments for electrically isolating electrical connections formed from strips of insulating material of indeterminate length. In one embodiment, a first strip of insulating material is supplied to a securing station at a predetermined average rate of supply and a second strip of insulating material is supplied to a forming station at a predetermined average rate of supply greater than the predetermined average rate of supply of the first strip with the pliability of the second strip being enhanced by heating the strip for aiding the deformability characteristics of the second strip. The second strip of insulating material is deformed into predetermined patterns at the forming station and then moved into position adjacent to the first strip of insulating material at the securing station. The two strips are secured together by ultrasonically welding the strips at the securing station and then advanced and positioned at a cutting station, for severing the two insulating strips for establishing a connection insulation having a plurality of insulating compartments or pockets. In another embodiment, a plurality of insulating compartments are established by securing together a first strip or sheet of insulating material and a second strip or sheet of insulating material, and then the compartments are substantially closed at one end thereof by reconfiguring one of the strips of insulating material.