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CLASS 228, | METAL FUSION BONDING |
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION
This is a residual class for metal fusion bonding as defined in this definition.
For placement of a patent in this class, its claimed disclosure should meet the minimum requirements of the class definition, and should not extend beyond the boundaries indicated in Scope of the Class, below, and discussed in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class.
Terms followed by an asterisk (*) in the definitions are defined in the Glossary, below.
This class provides for an apparatus for or a method of joining the meeting faces of juxtaposed or engaged metal work parts or of the same part originally in a form-sustaining state, by the direct application of heat and/or mechanical energy to either of: (a) such work parts, to such an extent as to effect a flowing or blending together of some of the metal in neighboring regions of said work parts into a continuous metallic zone interconnecting said work parts, or (b) such work parts and a metallic filler, to such an extent as to effect a flowing or blending together of the filler and some of the metal of said work portions into a continuous metallic zone interconnecting said work portions with filler and thus with each other.
Additionally, this class provides for methods of joining a metal work part to a juxtaposed or engaged nonmetal work part wherein bonding there between is effected by intermingling of the molecules of the metal part with the nonmetal part; and for methods of joining juxtaposed or engaged nonmetal work parts when utilizing metallic cement.
SCOPE OF THE CLASS
Placement of an original patent into Class 228 may be made on the basis of a claim reciting means for or the step of applying to work portions energy in the form of: (1) heat; (2) pressure; and/or (3) vibratory energy, provided that there is a teaching that a metal fusion bonded product is produced by the applied energy.
Also see Class 420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions.
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
Class 228 includes patents disclosing and claiming certain steps or instrumentalities useful for a proper operation of fusion bonding which are partially listed as follows: (1) a metallic heat applicator (subclasses 51+); (2) seam back-up means (subclass 50 and subclass 216); (3) specialized solder pot (subclass 56); (4) solder form (subclass 56).
A patent claiming closing of a minute opening in a single workpiece (e.g., tipping) is proper subject matter for Class 228, in that the periphery of a single work opening is considered to constitute meeting faces of a single work part as required by the definition of this class. Coating of a work part which may, incidentally, cover small openings in the part is not considered to be proper subject matter for this class.
RELATIONSHIP TO CLASSES INVOLVING, PER SE, METAL FUSION BONDING
Classes Of Article Making
Generally a patent claiming making of a particular article will be found in the appropriate class directed to making of that article except that a patent claiming performing a single fusion bonding operation is placed in this class (228). Fusion bonding combined with additional operations which are considered to be ancillary to the bonding (e.g., preheating, positioning for bonding, or pretinning) will also be found in this class (228).
Examples of such classes providing for the manufacture of particular articles may be found in References to Other Classes, below.
Because of the technology in the making of semiconductor and related devices, certain art terms used to designate operations specially recognized in that discipline are listed below which, when combined with fusion bonding, will cause placement of a patent in Class 29, Metal Working, and Class 438, Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, particularly subclasses 26+, 51, 55, 64+, and 106+ for methods of packaging a semiconductor device and subclasses 455+ for laminating or bonding plural semiconductor substrates; see the search notes thereunder.
(1) Diffusion (not diffusion bonding)
(2) Assembling two semiconductors for an electrical function (Note that each semiconductor may be, for example, a player, an n layer, a chain of p or n layers or a laminated article of p and n layers).
(3) Shaping a metal layer to form a conductor.
(4) Cutting
(5) Assembling other than to bond (i.e., other than juxtapose)
(6) Bonding to create a junction
(7) Doping
Also see References to Other Classes, below, for specific search notes to the following:
The Class Of Wireworking
The Class Of Metal Casting
The Class Of Electric Fusion Bonding
RELATIONSHIP TO COMBINATION CLASSES
A patent claiming a combination of metal fusion bonding with a different operation, whether manufacturing or nonmanufacturing, is proper subject matter for Class 228, except as specifically noted in the search notes in References to Other Classes, below, relating to the following combination classes:
The Class Of Package Making
The Classes Including Post-fusion Treatment
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER CLASSES
The Heating Classes:
Placement of a patent claiming heating is in the appropriate heating class, even though the sole disclosed application of the heat is in the production of a metal fusion-bonded product of this class (228). In this connection, the term "heating" includes the usually accepted auxiliary means or step such as supporting or holding material to be heated, or causing or permitting relative movement between the material and the heating means.
But if, in addition to the above recited heating structure or step, a claim recites a means to further metal fusion bonding, placement is in this class (228). Examples of such claimed limitations are: (a) moving or guiding one work part relative to another work part, into a position for mutual fusion bonding; (b) forcing or urging one work portion against another work portion at the immediate zone of fusion; or (c) moving or guiding flux or filler.
A claim to the combination of a Class 228 application (e.g., "soldering") with supplying of heat to such applicator is considered to define heating, proper for one of the heating classes (see paragraph 4, below), even though details of the applicator are also recited, such as: (a.) its alloy composition or its shape; or (b) adjusting such applicator relative to its support.
"Means for supplying heat" may be, for example, nothing more elaborate or detailed than a claimed pair of terminals for connection of the applicator to an electrical circuit. See References to Other Classes, below, for examples of classes providing for heating.
The Work Handling Or Product Handling Classes:
The placement of patents claiming handling work for, or product of, a metal fusion bonding operation, and also claiming fusion bonding is in this class (228) except where the fusion bonding is recited by name only, i.e., in terms that name but do not describe any characteristics of a metal fusion bonding operation. The so excepted patents are placed in appropriate classes related to material handling, per se. See References to Other Classes, below, for examples of classes providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation.
See References to Other Classes, below, for specific search notes to the following classes:
The Classes Of Coating
The Class Of Adhesive Bonding
The Class Of Static Structures
SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
| 29, | Metal Working, subclasses 1.1 through 25.42,91+, 592.1 through 623.5 and 825 through 899.1 (class of article making). |
| 29, | Metal Working, particularly subclass 33 , includes the combination of metal fusion bonding apparatus with another type of manufacturing apparatus, if the other operation occurs subsequent to the metal fusion bonding, or if the disclosure is silent as to whether such other type of manufacturing operation occurs before or after the bonding operation generally. (Note that the combination of metal fusion bonding apparatus with another type of manufacturing apparatus is found in Class 228 if the bonding occurs subsequent to the other operation.) Class 29, particularly subclasses 592 through 559, includes a method of metal fusion bonding combined with another type of manufacturing operation, other than when it is clear that the metal fusion bonding occurs subsequent to the other operation. (Class Including Post-fusion Treatment). |
| 52, | Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), includes in situ construction of a static structure, even if claimed in combination with metal fusion bonding. (Class Of Static Structures). |
| 53, | Package Making, includes patents for the combination of fusion bonding to make or close a metal receptacle, with receptacle filling or contents material treating or for gas filling and/or evacuating, regardless of whether or not such additional operation occurs before, during or after the fusion bonding operation. (Class Of Package Making). |
| 59, | Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making, (class of article making). |
| 75, | Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, (class providing for heating). |
| 118, | Coating Apparatus, includes patents to apparatus for coating metal upon a single, individual, form-sustaining metallic work part, or a plurality of discrete parts, even when the sole use of the coating lies in the subsequent fusion bonding of such individual work part(s) to another work part. (Class of coating). |
| 126, | Stoves and Furnaces, (class providing for heating). |
| 140, | Wireworking, subclasses 71+ . (Class of article making). |
| 140, | Wireworking, subclasses 111+ , for placement of a patent claiming apparatus for joining metal wire by a fusion bonding operation, generally. Methods of bonding wire are to be found in this class (228) unless combined with another operation peculiar to the making of wire material. (Class Of Wireworking). |
| 148, | Metal Treatment, particularly subclass 127 , includes metal treatment comprising changing of the crystalline structure of metal combined with metal fusion bonding. (Class Including Post-fusion Treatment). |
| 156, | Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, includes fusion bonding wherein: (a) nonmetallic work parts are bonded directly together; (b) metallic and/or nonmetallic work parts are bonded together by non-metallic filler (adhesive); or (c) a metallic work part is bonded directly to nonmetallic work part by at least slightly melting the nonmetallic material (to effect a nonmetallurgical bond). This class (228) includes fusion bonding wherein: (a) metallic work parts are bonded directly together; (b) metallic and/or nonmetallic work parts are bonded together by metallic filler; or (c) a metallic work part is bonded directly to a nonmetallic work part where there is no melting of the nonmetal (and a metallurgical bond is effected). (Class of adhesive bonding). |
| 163, | Needle and Pin Making, (class of article making). |
| 164, | Metal Founding, includes fusion bonding plural metallic work portions by metal casting involving the use of a "mold". In the apparatus portion of this class (228), in order to constitute a "mold" and thereby exclude a claim from this class, a device must confine molten metallic material in all directions against the force of gravity and at least a portion of such device must be readily removable from the product of the casting operation. On the other hand, in the process portion of this class (228) in order to constitute "molding" and exclude a patent from this class, significant shaping must be set forth. (Class of Metal Casting). |
| 165, | Heat Exchange, (class providing for heating). |
| 193, | Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 198, | Conveyors: Power-Driven, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 209, | Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 219, | Electric Heating, includes patents for joining metallic work parts provided that the work parts or the filler material constitute part of an electrical circuit that supplies the energy to produce the bond. For placement of a patent therein, there must be some indication in a claim that the fusion bonding apparatus is in fact an electrical apparatus or that the process includes electrical current through the work parts or the filler. Hence, placement of a patent will be in this class (228), if such claim recites only a "welding device", "welding", or "spot welding" regardless of the disclosure. |
| 219, | Electric Heating, (class providing for heating). |
| 242, | Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 226, | Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 266, | Metallurgical Apparatus, (class providing for heating). |
| 271, | Sheet Feeding or Delivering, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 294, | Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 414, | Material or Article Handling, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
| 427, | Coating Processes, includes the step of coating metal upon a single, individual, form-sustaining metallic work part or a plurality of discrete work parts, even when the sole use of the coating lies in the subsequent fusion bonding of such individual work part(s) to another work part. (Class of coating). |
| 432, | Heating, (class providing for heating). |
| 901, | Robots, (class providing for handling the work or product of a fusion bonding operation). |
SECTION IV - GLOSSARY
APPLICATOR
A device by or through which heat, pressure, vibratory energy, flux* and/or filler* may be applied directly to the work*.
FILLER
A metallic material to be applied to the work in order to join meeting face* together and become an integral part of the product*.
FLUX
A nonmetallic material to be applied to the work in order to: (1) shield the work from atmospheric oxygen or other harmful gases, (2) chemically remove oxides or other films, or (3) otherwise augment bonding.
MEETING FACE
That portion of a work part* intended to abut and be fusion bonded to another similar portion of the same or another work part.
METAL
Material which may be subjected to an operation of the class type; an elemental metal or alloy of mixture of metals in self-shape-sustaining state (i.e., not molten, gaseous, or powdered).
PRODUCT
Solid material or article after an operation of the class type has been performed thereon.
| (1) Note. The product of one operation may constitute work* for a subsequent operation. |
ROLLER
A tangible instrumentality having a peripheral surface which is generated by a line revolving about an axis, said instrumentality being disclosed as revolving about said axis so that successive peripheral portions thereof cyclically move into and out of engagement with a generally planar surface of another member, with relative movement occurring between said axis and the planar surface along a direction parallel to the planar surface, thereby producing a relative rolling motion between the roller surface and the planar surface as contrasted with a sliding motion, (i.e., the surfaces move in the same direction at substantially the same linear speed so that there is no relative linear movement between the roller surface and the planar surface at point of engagement).
| (1) Note. The generating line of the peripheral surface of the roller may have any continuous profile (e.g., straight, curved, or irregular), and the line may have any desired inclination, other than at right angles, relative to the axis. Thus, to be considered a ROLLER, any and all cross-sections taken at right angles to the axis must show a circular material engaging periphery. |
ROLLER-LIKE MEMBER
A tangible rotating instrumentality having a peripheral surface with some, but not all, of the characteristics of a roller*.
| (1) Note. (a) In a first type of roller-like member the surface is generated by a line revolving about an axis (thus the member looks like a roller), but there is relative movement between the surface of the roller-like member and another member to produce sliding action therebetween; or; (b) In a second type of roller-like member the relative movement of the roller-like member and another member and another member produces rolling engagement between their respective surfaces (thus the roller-like member acts like a roller), but the surface is not generated by a revolving line (e.g., the roller-like member is rough, gear-like, or recessed). |
WORK
Material which is intended to be subjected to a treatment of the class type.
WORK PART
An article to be subjected to the class type operation.
SUBCLASSES
1.1 | MEANS TO APPLY VIBRATORY SOLID-STATE BONDING ENERGY (E.G., ULTRASONIC, ETC.) TO WORK: | ||||||||||||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device for subjecting work to an oscillation having a cyclic
frequency within or above that of audible sound, which oscillation
is disclosed as effecting fusion-bonding by a scrubbing type action
of two work parts in intimate contact thereby tending to disrupt
any bond inhibiting substances therebetween.
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2.1 | INCLUDING MEANS TO PROVIDE HEAT BY FRICTION BETWEEN RELATIVELY MOVING SURFACES (I.E., FRICTION WELDER): | ||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device having means for causing motion, one with respect
to the other, of either (a) two mutually engaging work portions
or (b) a work portion and a work-engaging, tangible instrumentality,
which rubbing contact generates heat sufficient to produce a flow
of the metal work portion(s) for subsequent fusion bonding.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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2.3 | Means to rotate one surface relative to the other about a fixed axis: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Device wherein the relative movement comprises rotation
of one of the surfaces about a line passing generally normally therethrough.
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2.5 | EXPLOSIVE WELDING MEANS | ||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device including means to release a high energy shock wave
and cause the energy released to directly engage the meeting face
of a work part and thereby cause that face to intimately engage
and become united with the corresponding face of another work part.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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3.1 | MEANS TO BOND BY APPLYING ONLY PRESSURE (E.G., FOR COLD WELDING, ETC.) | ||||||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device having means for applying a mechanical force to the
meeting faces* of two work parts to produce a fusion bond
at said area without the aid of any other force or energy (e.g.,
heat).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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4.1 | WITH MEANS TO JUXTAPOSE AND BOND PLURAL WORKPIECES | ||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device, having means for causing relative movement between
separate workpieces to position such workpieces in adjacency or engagement
and means for fusion bonding one of said workpieces to the other,
forming more than one distinct bonded joint.
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4.5 | Wire lead bonder | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 4.1. Device including means to metallurgically unite a first
part to an additional part(s) at first and second points on the
first part to transmit electrical energy from the additional part(s) with
respect thereto.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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5.1 | With means to treat workpieces (e.g., cutting, deforming, etc.) | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.1. Device including an instrumentality capable of altering
some property, characteristic, or condition of at least one workpiece
before it has become a part of a fusion-bonded product*.
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5.5 | Including compliant cushioning medium | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 4.1. Device including a flexible member generally adapted to
conform to the surface behind the meeting face of one of the parts
and distribute energy from a power supply to that surface and cause
the meeting faces to be united.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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5.7 | Strip leading end to trailing end bonder |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 4.1. Device particularly adapted to cut to shape and unite the rear longitudinal extent of a first web or work to the front longitudinal extent of a second web to form a product of the combined length of the webs. | |
6.1 | Plural discrete workpieces: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.1. Device which juxtaposes workpieces, all of whose dimensions
are determinable.
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6.2 | With electrical connection made at joint: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 6.1. Apparatus wherein the discrete workpieces are electrical
devices such that the bonded joint provides and electrically conductive
path therebetween.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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7 | WITH MACHINE PART RESPONSIVE TO TEMPLATE OR PATTERN OR TO INDICIA CARRIED BY AUXILIARY RECORD (E.G., TAPE, CARD, ETC.) | ||||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device provided with detection means for sensing a particular
shape, dimension of property of (e.g., holes, indentations, marks, magnetic
or optical characteristics, etc.) a tangible object temporarily
presented to the device; and with mechanism, actuated by or responsive
to the detection means, for regulating an operation of the device.
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8 | WITH CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SENSED CONDITION | ||||||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device including means for: (1) detecting any of the following
characteristics: a state or property, a change in a state or property,
or the occurrence of a predetermined event, in any of the following:
the work, the product of a machine, the machine itself, any part
of the machine, or the environment of the machine affecting the
operation thereof; and (2) initiating (as a direct result of such
detection) a force or energy impulse other than that generated or transmitted
by the detecting means; and (3) regulating or modifying (as a direct
result of such initiation) the operation of said machine.
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9 | Work-responsive (e.g., temperature, orientation of work, etc.) |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Device, whose detecting means is arranged to sense the presence, absence, size, temperature, or other property or condition of work associated with the device. | |
10 | Presence of work |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Device whose detecting means is arranged to sense the presence or absence of a workpiece in the device. | |
11 | To control feed of filler |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Device whose detecting means modifies or regulates the operation of means to move filler. | |
12 | Responsive to position of work carrier |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Device comprising a work-holding device which conveys the work to or past a fusion-bonding device, the detecting means being arranged to sense the presence or absence of such work-holding device at a given location. | |
13 | WITH MEANS TO CUT OR SEPARATE WORK, FILLER, FLUX, OR PRODUCT |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device including means for severing or dividing a portion of the work, filler, flux or product* from a large body thereof, thus changing at least one of the dimensions of such body. | |
14 | Plus means to apply cut filler or cut flux to work | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 13. Device including means for bringing work, and that portion
of the filler or the flux which has been cut, into mutual engagement.
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15.1 | WITH MEANS TO DEFORM WORK, FILLER, OR FLUX PORTION BEFORE FUSION | ||||||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device including means for deforming (and defined below)
the work, filler, or flux wherein the deformation occurs prior to
the fusion bonding.
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16 | By a funnel-shaped conduit (e.g., welding bell, etc.) | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1. Device having an open ended, tapered passageway, through
which the work is moved in the direction of decreasing taper.
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17 | By roller means | ||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1. Device wherein the deformation is directly caused by a roller* or
a roller-like* member.
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17.5 | Comprising means forming one-piece blank into a tubular shape | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1. Device including means to shape or distort a single generally
planar part to a cylindrical configuration and means to surface
bond the meeting faces thereof.
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17.7 | Helical tubular shape | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 17.5. Device including means to shape or distort a long attenuated
web into a tubular coil to juxtapose the faces of opposite side
edges along a line running spirally axially along the tube so formed,
and means for bonding the resulting seam.
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18 | COMBINED | ||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device to which has been added a sub-combination or assembly
which is recognized as the subject matter of some other class.
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19 | WITH MEANS TO REMOVE, COMPACT, OR SHAPE APPLIED FLUX OR FILLER | ||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device having means for exerting a force on, or transmitting
energy to flux or filler material after said material has been applied
to the work for the purpose of changing either the quantity, density
or configuration of such material.
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20.1 | By fluid blast or suction: | ||||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Device whose force applying or energy transferring means
comprises an instrumentality for directing a gas, liquid, or other
fluid in a stream under pressure, or for directing a gas, liquid,
or other fluid by subatmospheric pressure.
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20.5 | Hand tool: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 20.1. Device intended to be supported manually by an operative. | |
21 | With shield or guide for removed material |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Device comprising means (e.g., a barrier or a tube) in addition to the force-exerting or energy transmitting means, for directing the material separated from the work. | |
22 | Including wiper | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Device where force applying means engages said material,
with a relative rubbing or sliding motion, for effecting the change
of quantity, density or configuration.
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23 | Comprising endless wiper | ||||||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Device having a material engaging surface generally defining
a closed loop and means to permit every portion of said surface
to continuously travel in and along said loop during work engagement.
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24 | INCLUDING REPETITIVE IMPACT FUSION-BONDING MEANS | ||||||
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Device comprising an applicator and means to move said applicator
to deliver a series of blows against the work, which series of blows
contributes to the formation of a fusion-bonded seam.
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