Seam forming system and method

Inventor: Camon Brensinger (Stratham, NH)

Assignee: NEMO Equipment, Inc.

B29C66/004 B29C65/02 B29C65/18 B29C65/4815 B29C65/5042 B29C65/7802 B29C66/0042 B29C66/1122 B29C66/432 B29C66/439 B29C66/4322 B29C66/49 B29C66/73921 B29C66/81463 B29C66/8432 B29D22/02 B29C65/04 B29C65/08 B29C65/48 B29C66/1142 B29C66/71 B29C66/723 B29C66/73941 B29C66/8122 B29L2022/02

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,926,484
App. No.: 16/278,943
Granted: Feb 23, 2021
Kind: B2

External Links

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Abstract

A system and method for forming a seam between at least first and possibly second pieces of material used to form an inflatable product utilizes at least a first and potentially a second seam forming members that are attached to an inside wall of a piece of product material that comprises the inflatable product proximate each end. The inflatable product is comprised of one or more pieces of product material and one or more seam forming members located at any location where a seam is necessary. A first portion of the seam forming member attaches to a first edge of a first piece of product material and a second portion of the seam forming member attaches proximate a second edge of the first piece of product material. The seal forming can be accomplished by radio frequency, ultrasonic, heat or other types of welding, and adhesive or chemical based bonding.

Claims (24)

1. A seam forming method for use in joining a first edge and a second edge of a material to be joined together, said seam joining method comprising the acts of:

providing a first generally planar inflatable product member having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end;

providing a second generally planar inflatable product member having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end;

providing a first weld member having a first end and a second end;

providing a second weld member having a first end and a second end;

wherein at least a portion of said first side of said first generally planar inflatable product member proximate said first end is configured for forming a seam joint between said at least a portion of said first side proximate said first end of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member and the first end of said first weld member, and wherein at least a portion of said first side of said first generally planar inflatable product member proximate said second end is configured for forming a seam joint between said at least a portion of said first side of said first generally planar inflatable product member proximate said second end of said first generally planar inflatable product member and the first end of said second weld member, and

wherein at least a portion of said first side of said second generally planar inflatable product member proximate said first end is configured for forming a seam joint between said at least a portion of said first side proximate said first end of said second generally planar inflatable product member and the second end of said first weld member, and wherein at least a portion of said first side of said second generally planar inflatable product member proximate said second end is configured for forming a seam joint between said at least a portion of said first side of said second generally planar inflatable product member proximate said second end and said second end of said second weld member;

providing a temporary heat sealing insulation member disposed between said first and second ends of said first weld member and said first and second ends of said second weld member;

providing a heat sealing apparatus configured for providing heat and pressure against said second side of said first generally planar inflatable product member and proximate said first and second ends of said first generally planar inflatable product member;

utilizing said heat sealing apparatus, simultaneously providing heat and pressure against said second side of said first and second generally planar inflatable product members proximate said first and second ends of said first and second generally planar inflatable product members, such that said heat sealing apparatus is configured for: sealing said first end of said first generally planar inflatable product member to said first end of said first weld member; sealing said second end of said first generally planar inflatable product member to said first end of said second weld member; sealing said first end of said second generally planar inflatable product member to said second end of said first weld member; and sealing said second end of said second generally planar inflatable product member to said second end of said second weld member; and

removing said temporary heat sealing insulation member.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second generally planar inflatable product members and said first and second weld members are made from a thermoplastic material.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said first and second weld members are injection molded from a thermoplastic material.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said temporary heat sealing insulator is made of a metal coated with a nonstick layer.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said metal is brass and said nonstick layer is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. A seam forming method for use in joining a first edge and a second edge of material to be joined together, said seam joining method comprising the acts of:

providing at least a first generally planar inflatable product member having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end;

providing at least a first weld member having a first end and a second end;

wherein at least a portion of said first side of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member proximate said second end is configured for forming a seam joint between said at least a portion of said first side proximate said second end of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member and the second end of said first weld member;

providing a temporary heat sealing insulation member disposed between said first and second ends of said first weld member;

providing a heat sealing apparatus configured for providing heat and pressure against said second side of said first generally planar inflatable product member and proximate said first end of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member;

utilizing said heat sealing apparatus, simultaneously providing heat and pressure against said second side of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member proximate said first and second ends of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member, such that said heat sealing apparatus is configured for sealing said first end of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member to said first end of said first weld member and sealing said second end of said at least a first generally planar inflatable product member to said second end of said first weld member; and

removing said temporary heat sealing insulation member.

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2019

From: BRENSINGER, CAMON

To: NEMO EQUIPMENT, INC.

Reel/Frame 048841/0695 →

Continuity (2)

Continuation In Part 15463550 · Mar 20, 2017

Related Publication 20190224922A1 · Jul 25, 2019