A method that includes: arranging plastic and further workpieces (1, 3) such that an abutment surface (5) of the plastic workpiece (1) is abutted to a first surface (13) on the further workpiece (3) and a projection (7) on the plastic workpiece (1) extends through a through hole (17) in the further workpiece (3); linearly moving a friction tool (23) parallel to its rotational axis (25) such that a friction surface (31) on the tool (23) contacts a front surface (9) of the projection (7); linearly moving the tool (23) along the rotational axis (25) while rotating the tool (23) so that a pin (29) on the tool (23) penetrates and plasticizes the projection (7) as well as drives a portion of the plasticized projection (7) into an undercut (21) formed in the hole (17) of the further workpiece (3); and retracting the tool (23) from the projection (7).

An energy system for applying energy to a workpiece includes a first energy application device, mounted such that the first energy application device has a fixed position relative to the workpiece during energy application; a second energy application device, mounted such that the second energy application device has a moveable position relative to the workpiece to apply energy to the workpiece at a point moving progressively across the workpiece, wherein one of the first and second energy application devices is an anvil and the other of the first and second energy application devices is an ultrasonic bonder; and a controller for regulating the application of energy to the workpiece, wherein the controller is configured to adjust progressively across the workpiece one or more of bonder vibration amplitude versus position on the workpiece, bonder pressure versus position on the workpiece, and horn travel velocity versus position on the workpiece.

A sonotrode and anvil are adapted for ultrasonic welding of work pieces, to produce a narrower weld region that exhibits greater durability, permitting use of less material per package. The horn-to-anvil contact is through a plurality of energy directors arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to be capable of distributed vibration-transmissive contact. The energy directors include a series of plateau surfaces regularly spaced apart in a first direction, and in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, to form the grid pattern. The energy directors of the horn are configured to interlock with the energy directors of the anvil. The rectangular-shaped plateaus are spaced apart by angled side-surfaces that form valleys. A stepped transition to a corresponding region of reduced height for the energy directors of the sonotrode and anvil may form a cosmetic seal region with a lesser integrity, in addition to the main barrier seal.

A sonotrode and anvil are adapted for ultrasonic welding of work pieces, to produce a narrower weld region that exhibits greater durability, permitting use of less material per package. The horn-to-anvil contact is through a plurality of energy directors arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to be capable of distributed vibration-transmissive contact. The energy directors include a series of plateau surfaces regularly spaced apart in a first direction, and in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, to form the grid pattern. The energy directors of the horn are configured to interlock with the energy directors of the anvil. The rectangular-shaped plateaus are spaced apart by angled side-surfaces that form valleys. A stepped transition to a corresponding region of reduced height for the energy directors of the sonotrode and anvil may form a cosmetic seal region with a lesser integrity, in addition to the main barrier seal.

An ultrasonic sealing tool including an anvil with a sealing surface, a horn with a sealing surface facing the sealing surface of the anvil, the sealing surface of the anvil including a plurality of beads including a first bead having a first height and at least one second bead having a second height, the second height being less than the first height, the ultrasonic sealing tool delivering ultrasonic vibrations via at least one of the anvil and the horn to create a closure seal in a work piece positioned between the anvil and the horn, the closure seal including a first seal created by the first bead and at least one second seal created by the at least one second bead, the first seal having a weld depth greater than a weld depth of the at least one second seal.

A compound heat seal structure that, when heat-sealing a bag with a stacked area level difference, reliably seals even a section having different level and that can be easily opened. A compound heat seal structure is provided as a peelable seal in a band shape on a bag and a linear heat seal is added as a peelable seal in that band-shaped peelable heat seal in the longitudinal direction thereof.

A joint for use with a composite laminated component is disclosed herein. The joint includes a component including a partial U-shaped trapezoidal cavity and a triangular component. The partial trapezoidal component includes a base extending in a first direction, a first side extending away from the base at a first angle from the first direction, a second side extending away from the base at a second angle from the first direction and toward the first side, and an opening defined by the first side and the second side. The triangular component is coupled to the base and extending orthogonally away from the base in a second direction and toward the opening.

A method and apparatus for sealing films. In one embodiment the sealing device comprises a horn and an anvil. The film has a standard portion and an increased portion. Increased energy is applied to the film in the increased portion compared to the energy applied to the standard portion. Such a method allows for sealing of varying number of layers.

A sealing apparatus for a secondary battery is disclosed, the sealing apparatus configured to seal a battery case of the secondary battery with an electrode assembly therein. The sealing apparatus comprises: a pair of sealing blocks which press the outer circumferential surface of the battery case; and a heating unit which is provided in the pair of sealing blocks and heat the pair of sealing blocks. The pair of sealing blocks comprise: lead sealing regions configured to press the lead sealing portion of the battery case; and case sealing regions configured to press the case sealing portion of the battery case. The heating unit heats the lead sealing regions and the case sealing regions of the pair of sealing blocks at different temperatures.

A counter-pressure roller for applying pressure on a longitudinal sealing of a packaging material web comprises, a first back-panel support section having a first radius and a second back-panel support section having a second radius, for supporting first and second back-panels of the web, respectively. The first radius is greater than the second radius, and a groove is between the first and second back-panel support sections, for holding a longitudinal overlap section formed by first and second edge sections of the first and second back-panels, respectively. The first edge section is positionable outside the second edge section, with the first edge section facing a bottom of the groove. The bottom has a third radius less than or equal to the second radius. The groove has a first groove edge section having a first inclination, and a second groove edge section having a second inclination.