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United States Patent 6,417,483
Sator July 9, 2002

Method and device for soldering the ends of tubular containers, specially tubes

Abstract

Method for welding the ends of tubular containers filled with a pourable medium, in particular tubes, made from a thin-walled flat material which can be softened or melted through heat, wherein the tubular container is held in such a fashion that the end which is to be welded is accessible and the tubular container is heated at the accessible end in a peripheral region to a temperature which allows welding thereof, and the heated end is pressed together along an elongated welding seam transverse to the longitudinal extension of the container, wherein the tubular container is stationary and a laser beam is directed, via a deflection element positioned outside of the tubular container, onto the inner wall of the tubular container, and the deflection element is set into rotation for heating the peripheral region.


Inventors: Sator; Alexander P (Uwestr. 12, D-22528 Hamburg, DE)
Appl. No.: 446599
Filed: March 20, 2000
PCT Filed: July 10, 1998
PCT NO: PCT/EP98/04317
371 Date: March 20, 2000
102(e) Date: March 20, 2000
PCT PUB.NO.: WO99/02330
PCT PUB. Date: January 21, 1999
Foreign Application Priority Data

Jul 11, 1997[DE]297 12 264 U

Current U.S. Class: 219/121.64; 219/121.63
Intern'l Class: B23K 026/00
Field of Search: 219/121.64,121.63,121.78,121.85,121.65,121.66


References Cited

U.S. Patent Documents
4550238Oct., 1985Van Herle.
4699684Oct., 1987Osborne156/379.
5066846Nov., 1991Pirl219/121.
5501759Mar., 1996Forman156/272.
Foreign Patent Documents
22 61 388Jul., 1973DE.
26 58 682Jun., 1978DE.
35 05 272Mar., 1986DE.
37 44 402Jul., 1989DE.
0 061 352Sep., 1982EP.
0 087 403Aug., 1983EP.
839634May., 1998EP.
2095615Oct., 1982GB.
206 291Oct., 1992HU.
60 060 497Apr., 1985JP.


Other References

Potente H et al: "Laserstumpfschweissen" Kunststoffe. vol. 87. Nr. 5, May 1997, pp. 590/591, 594 XP 000656827, No Translation.

Primary Examiner: Elve; M. Alexandra

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