A framed stencil for surface mount technology (SMT) is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame member and a binding insert. The frame member includes an inner perimeter portion and an outer perimeter portion that cooperates with the inner perimeter portion to define an elongated channel. The outer perimeter portion includes a first cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the inner perimeter portion. The binding insert is configured for releasable insertion into the elongated channel. The binding insert includes a base and a tongue. The base configured to interface with a mesh substrate to facilitate coupling therebetween. The tongue is coupled to the base and extends substantially horizontally from the base. When the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the tongue extending beneath the first cantilever portion to facilitate retention of the binding insert to the frame member. Methods are also provided.

A mechanical connection connects panels edge sides to one another. Adjacent first and second panels can be locked in the horizontal and vertical direction by a substantially perpendicular joining movement. For vertical locking, a locking edge is arranged on the first panel and a locking element that can be displaced relative to the panels is arranged on the second panel. The locking element can be displaced behind the locking edge by a pivoting movement. A locking projection for displacing behind the locking edge and an arcuate guide arm guided in a guide groove of the second panel are designed to be partially withdrawn from the guide groove with a rotary or pivoting movement of the locking element by a leg. The leg projects from the guide groove of the locking element coming into contact with the first panel when being set down in a region below the locking edge.

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 container may include an envelope made of flexible material, wherein the envelope includes lower and upper ends, and wherein the envelope is closed at least at the lower end. The envelope may include: opposite first walls, each having an edge at the lower end; a base at the lower end, configured to rest upon a support surface; and a pair of additional walls between the first walls, wherein each additional wall is joined to the first walls via a pair of additional edges, and wherein each additional wall has a lower folding zone at the base. Each edge may be defined by a heat seal formed between a first wall and the base. The base may be formed with a shape that defines a concavity designed to face the support surface. The base may include a pair of half-parts separated by a central fold to define the concavity.

A feedback control system for use with ultrasonic welding. A weld energy set point and/or a reference power curve are used by a controller to provide a power supply voltage set point and a power supply frequency set point for the power that is to be drawn by an ultrasonic weld generator. Information regarding the actual voltage and/or frequency of the drawn electrical power, and/or the frequency and magnitude of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the generator to an applicator tool used to weld an object can be utilized by an estimator to estimate the weld energy dissipated at the weld site and/or generate a power curve for the welding operation. Using information from the estimator, the controller can determine adjustments for variables for the current and/or future welding operations. Further, welding may not commence until a clamping force exerted on the object satisfies a clamping force set point.

The present invention relates to a counter-tool for an ultrasonic welding machine, wherein the counter-tool comprises two separate sealing surfaces which are intended to come into contact with a material to be processed, characterized in that the counter-tool is formed in two parts, wherein the two parts of the counter-tool are movable relative to one another, and each of the two parts comprises one of the two sealing surfaces.

Systems and methods of using ultrasonic welding to form labels with RFID tags are disclosed. The methods can be useful for the production of a large volume of labels such as production with roll-to-roll processing. The labels can be useful for consumer products such as garments. The present invention discloses in one embodiment, a label having a first and second printed fabric label layer such that a radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay is disposed between the two printed fabric layers.

A feedback control system for use with ultrasonic welding. A weld energy set point and/or a reference power curve are used by a controller to provide a power supply voltage set point and a power supply frequency set point for the power that is to be drawn by an ultrasonic weld generator. Information regarding the actual voltage and/or frequency of the drawn electrical power, and/or the frequency and magnitude of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the generator to an applicator tool used to weld an object can be utilized by an estimator to estimate the weld energy dissipated at the weld site and/or generate a power curve for the welding operation. Using information from the estimator, the controller can determine adjustments for variables for the current and/or future welding operations. Further, welding may not commence until a clamping force exerted on the object satisfies a clamping force set point.

A machine for manufacturing a mask includes a plurality of carriers mounted to a belt so as and having a plurality of molding cavity inserts. A feed station supplies material from a roll so as to form a sheet of material on to the carriers. A shell forming station is configured to press a molding core inserts into the molding cavity inserts so as to form a shape of the mask. A welding station generates a predetermined ultrasonic vibration at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude so as to weld the sheet of material. A cutting station cuts out the mask from the sheet of material. A mask grabbing apparatus is configured to grab the mask and position the mask for retrieval.

A packaging device, particularly for packaging trays containing food products or technical materials in a controlled atmosphere and by means of a film of plastic material, comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which can be fastened by mutually superimposing them and are each provided internally with a plurality of heat-sealing and/or cutting and/or die-cutting elements arranged concentrically, the lower chamber being provided centrally with a plurality of supporting elements for a tray.