Adjustable-gap rotary ultrasonic horn mounting apparatus and method for mounting

(54) ADJUSTABLE-GAP ROTARY ULTRASONIC HORN MOUNTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING

(75) Inventors: John R. Mlinar, Coon Rapids, MN

(US); Donald S. Oblak, North St. Paul,
MN (US)

(73) Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company,

St. Paul, MN (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/961,023

(22) Filed: Sep. 21, 2001

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2003/0057259 Al Mar. 27, 2003

(51) Int. CI.7 B23K 5/20; B23K 1/06;

B23K 20/10; B23K 31/00

(52) U.S. CI 228/110.1; 228/1.1; 156/73.1;

156/580.1; 156/580.2

(58) Field of Search 228/110.1, 1.1;

156/73.1, 73.2, 580.1, 580.2

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* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—-Tom Dunn
Assistant Examiner—L. E. Edmondson

(57) ABSTRACT

The invention is an apparatus comprising an ultrasonic horn. The horn is mounted to a support structure and includes a first mounting surface. An anvil is mounted to the support structure and spaced from the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a first bearer surface. A bearer assembly supportably links the first mounting surface to the first bearer surface.

24 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets