SEALING PROCESS AND MACHINE

Description

DOMAINE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the sealing of a portion of an object, such as a portion of a package. The invention relates more particularly to a sealing method and machine. ART ANTERIEUR

[0002] From the application filed under number PCT / FR2017 / 052853, and published under number WO2018078242A1, a packaging comprising a lower shell and an upper shell is known. The upper shell comprises a cover and a connecting part which is in the form of a through body and which is connected to the cover by a hinge.

[0003] The free edge of the cover and the upper free edge of the through body delimit between them a peripheral slot which extends from one end of the hinge to the opposite end of the hinge. Provision is made to apply a sealing strip which connects the edges of the cover and the connecting part which face each other over the entire length of said edges so as to cover said slot.

[0004] The connecting part is provided with a stiffening element which allows the sealing strip to be applied to the slot, without risk of deformation of the slot thanks to the rigidity conferred to the upper shell by the stiffening element.

[0005] Such a design of the upper shell of the packaging thus allows the tape to be applied without risk of deformation of the slit, but it is also necessary that the process itself by which the sealing strip is applied is reliable. Indeed, there may be a risk of incorrect application of the sealing strip to the object, particularly if the strip is applied with differences in adhesion in certain places. It is therefore desirable to develop a process and a corresponding machine which allows the sealing strip to be reliably applied to obtain the desired seal.

[0006] Document US4328061 A describes an apparatus comprising a wheel for applying an adhesive tape to a material. The wheel may include an ultrasonic source for activating the tape.

[0007] Document WO2013057774 A1 describes a hot air type thermo-coated tape bonding device.

[0008] Document US6786989 B2 describes a method of sealing a surface of a body, in which a thin material is applied to the surface and fixed to the surface by fusion following mechanical excitation.

[0009] US10647063 B2 describes a method for sealing edges of carbon fiber reinforced plastic components, comprising applying a semi-finished thermoplastic product to a cut edge of a fiber composite component which is a carbon fiber reinforced plastic component, and ultrasonically welding the semi-finished thermoplastic product to the cut edge of the fiber composite component.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to propose a new method and a new machine making it possible to overcome all or part of the problems set out above. RESUME DE L'INVENTION

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a sealing method according to claim 1.

[0012] The sealing strip can thus be reliably applied to the opening area of said packaging, with uniform adhesion between the strip and the object which provides good sealing in the area to which the sealing strip is applied.

[0013] The method may also include one or more of the following features taken in any technically admissible combination.

[0014] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the movement of the object comprises a rotational movement of the object around an axis of rotation.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the movement of the object comprises a movement of the object in a direction transverse to the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0016] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the movement of the object comprises a movement of the object in a direction parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0017] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, ultrasound is transmitted by the sonotrode to the part of the sealing strip which is between the object and the sonotrode so that said part of the sealing strip subjected to the ultrasound is stuck to the object, and the movement of the object causes the sealing strip to run between the sonotrode and the object.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the bearing force of the sonotrode on the object is measured using a sensor, such as a force gauge, and the object is moved as a function of the measured bearing force.

[0019] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the direction of the line segment defined by the linear application zone of the sonotrode is parallel to the direction of rotation of the object.

[0020] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the sealing strip comprises a face provided with glue which becomes active when subjected to the ultrasound of the sonotrode.

[0021] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the object is moved at least until the sealing strip returns to itself, being stuck by the sonotrode to a part of the sealing strip already stuck to the object.

[0022] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a step of cutting the sealing strip after covering the area of the object to be sealed with the sealing strip.

[0023] The invention also relates to a machine for sealing an area according to claim 11.

[0024] According to a particular aspect, the motorized movement system is controlled so as to keep the object pressed, by means of the sealing strip, against the application area of the sonotrode.

[0025] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a force sensor arranged to measure the support force between the object and the sonotrode, and the control unit is configured to control the movement of the object as a function of the measured support force. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINS

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of an upper shell of a package having a slit area to be sealed using a sealing strip and a support intended to receive said shell to allow it to be held during the sealing operation; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of the shell and the support of the figure 1 in the state held by the hull by said support, and a sealing strip, part of which is intended to be applied to the split area of the hull; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of the shell, the support and the sealing strip of the figure 2 in the state of bringing a portion of the sealing strip under the hull for the purpose of applying said portion of sealing strip to the split area to be sealed, the sonotrode not being shown; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, showing the portion of the sealing strip positioned between the sonotrode and the shell, for starting sealing by pre-gluing the sealing strip at a position of the shell corresponding to a portion located between the ends of the slot, which forms a hinge; [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of the shell on its support, in the process of rotating on itself, while the sealing strip runs and is wound, by the movement of movement of the shell, on the shell while being stuck on the split area of the shell using the sonotrode; [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of the shell held on its support, at the end of the operation of applying the sealing strip to the shell, the sealing strip having returned to the initial sealing area; [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 is a block diagram showing different steps of a sealing method according to one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 is a schematic view of a sealing strip, the right-hand part not yet stressed by the sonotrode being represented differently from the left-hand part of the strip which has been stressed by the sonotrode and which thus adheres to the object (not shown); [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 is a perspective view of an upper shell of a package, such as the shell of the figure 1 , said upper shell having an opening slot which can be sealed by a sealing strip according to a sealing method according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper hull of the figure 9 in the applied state of the sealing strip on the opening slot; [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 is a perspective view of a lower shell intended to be welded with the upper shell shown in figure 10 to form a package; [ Fig. 12 ] there figure 12 is a schematic view of a machine according to one embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE

[0027] The inventive concept is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0028] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] Referring to the figures, a sealing machine is shown which comprises an object coupling system in order to be able to hold the object during a sealing operation. The coupling system comprises a support 1 and a holding system for holding the object on the sealing support 1.

[0030] In the example illustrated in the figures, the sealing support 1 is integral with a device 10, called a mandrel, which has an axis of rotation A1, and which is movable for example by a combination of carriages, along axes X and Z orthogonal to each other and to the axis A1. The Y axis of the XYZ reference frame illustrated in the figures 1 à 6 corresponds to axis A1. Alternatively, the sealing support can be mounted on a multi-axis robot.

[0031] The holding system may be, for example, a suction system and suction orifices 12 opening at the level of the part of the support intended to be engaged in the hollow part of the object. These suction means may comprise a device for creating a depression (or vacuum) allowing, via conduits, suction at the level of the suction orifices 12 provided in the support 1 to generate a suction effect making it possible to keep the object pressed against or resting against the support.

[0032] In the example illustrated in the figures, the sealing support 1 has a male shape which is engaged in a hollow part of the object on which the sealing strip is intended to be applied.

[0033] The sealing support 1 is mounted to be movable in rotation about a Y axis and movable in translation in an X, Z plane orthogonal to the Y axis. In particular, the support 1 is mounted to be movable in an X direction and in a Z direction orthogonal to each other.

[0034] In the example illustrated in the figures, the X axis is the running axis of the strip, preferably a horizontal axis. The Z axis is the axis orthogonal to the plane in which the strip runs, preferably the vertical axis. The Y axis corresponds to the axis around which the support 1 is rotatably mounted, preferably a horizontal axis orthogonal to the running axis of the sealing strip. The longitudinal axis of the sealing strip is denoted A3.

[0035] When referring to a direction of travel in a given direction, this may be in one direction and / or the other in that direction.

[0036] In order to obtain these movement mobilities, the machine may comprise a system for moving the mandrel to which the support is fixed, which comprises a first motorized carriage (not shown) mounted to slide along the X axis and a second motorized carriage (not shown) mounted to slide along the Z axis. A third motorized carriage may be provided mounted to slide along the Y axis. Said movement system also comprises a rotary motor around the axis A1 to rotate the mandrel 10. As recalled above, it may alternatively be provided that the movement system is produced in the form of a multi-axis robot.

[0037] In the example illustrated in the figures, the object 22 has a zone 20, such as an opening slot, intended to be covered by a sealing strip 3 to ensure the sealing of the object at the level of this slot.

[0038] The machine comprises a feed system which allows the sealing strip 3 to be fed between a sonotrode 5 (presented below) and an area of the object to be sealed. The feed system may comprise a strip support, which is in the form of a dispenser receiving the strip in a roll, and a rotating roller 4. The rotating roller is a roller driven in rotation on itself by a motor. The rotating roller allows the portion of the sealing strip which rests on said roller to be advanced and unwound.

[0039] The rotation of roller 4 (illustrated in figure 12 ) allows the sealing strip 3 to be brought between the object 22 and a sonotrode 5.

[0040] The sonotrode 5 comprises an ultrasonic generator and a body which is subjected to these ultrasounds to restore this vibrational energy to the sealing strip 3 to be applied to the object 22 in order to excite the glue of the sealing strip 3 and make it adhesive to allow the sealing strip 3 applied to the object 22 to be bonded.

[0041] The sonotrode 5 has in particular an application zone 51 intended to come into contact with the sealing strip 3. The application zone 51 can be located on a shaped tip, made of a material which conducts ultrasound, applied to the main body of the sonotrode.

[0042] As illustrated in the figure 8 for a portion of the sealing strip, the sealing strip 3 comprises a face provided with glue 320 which becomes active (i.e. adhesive), when it is subjected to the ultrasound of the sonotrode 5. The hatched area 321, located downstream of the application zone of the sonotrode which is in the form of a line segment SL51, illustrates the part of the strip whose glue has been activated following its continuous movement against the application zone of the sonotrode. The face of the strip provided with glue is thus intended to be positioned opposite the part of the object to be sealed.

[0043] Preferably, the sealing strip 3 is a peelable strip. Once the strip is applied, it can be removed by pulling on it to peel it. Peelable means that the strip does not tear when removed, while glue remains on the previously sealed area of the hull. According to one embodiment, said strip is for example made of non-woven synthetic material made from polyethylene fibers, usually sold under the registered trademark TYVEK.

[0044] In the active state of the sonotrode, the application zone 51 of the sonotrode which is in contact with a corresponding zone of the sealing strip, excites by ultrasound the glue which is present on the sealing strip 3 on the side of the object 22, so as to melt the glue (which activates it) and to make the zone of the sealing strip thus excited adhere to the object.

[0045] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said application zone 51 of the sonotrode 5 is linear. The term "linear" is used as opposed to "surface". The end portion of the sonotrode 5 has, for example, a curved profile, such as a semi-circular shape, the apex generator of which forms a line segment which corresponds to the segment SL51 of the sonotrode (see figure 8 ) applied to the sealing strip when the sealing strip passes between the sonotrode 5 and the object 22.

[0046] In the example illustrated in the figures, the direction A51 of the line segment defined by the linear application zone 51 of the sonotrode is substantially parallel to the axis A1 (direction Y) of rotation of the support 1.

[0047] The machine comprises a control unit 100 which makes it possible to control the movements of the support 1 (in particular the movements of the carriages) in particular in the X, Z plane, and possibly along the Y axis, and to control the rotation of the support 1 via the motor to which the support is coupled, and to control the sealing strip feed system, for example by controlling the rotation of the roller 4. It is also possible to provide that the control unit 100 makes it possible to control the electrical power supply of the sonotrode 5 to activate it at the start of the sealing operation and deactivate it at the end of sealing. The control unit 100 can also control the operation of a cutting system (not shown) of the sealing strip at the end of the sealing operation.

[0048] During the sealing operation, the control unit 100 is configured to control the movement of the support 1. The control unit can also control the pressure of the sonotrode 5 on the part of the sealing strip 3 to be applied to the object 22 using a jack (controlled by the control unit) allowing movement of the sonotrode along the Z axis.

[0049] A C15 sensor, shown in figure 12 , connected to the control unit 100, makes it possible to determine the support force between the support 1 (or the object 22) and the sonotrode 5 and to control the movement of the support 1 and / or the sonotrode 5, in particular along the Z axis, to maintain a set support value in order to have a homogeneous support force during the sealing operation in order to obtain good conditions for applying the sealing strip to the object. The sensor C15 can be associated with the sonotrode 5 to detect the support force exerted between the support 1 and the sonotrode. The sensor C15 can be a force gauge.

[0050] In the activated state, the sonotrode 5 excites by ultrasound the substance, or glue, present on the sealing strip, which melts it and causes the adhesion by sticking of the thus excited part of the strip to the object 22. The movement of the support, in particular the rotation of the support 1 of the object, then causes the sealing strip to run between the sonotrode 5 and the object 22. The part 32 of the sealing strip 3 which is present between the object 22 and a sonotrode 5 is thus applied continuously to the area to be sealed of the object 22.

[0051] According to a particular aspect, once bonding has been initiated on a portion of the sealing strip 3, the sealing strip 3 is released as the support 1 is moved and pulls on the sealing strip, for example due to the sealing strip being wound onto the support.

[0052] The control unit 100 makes it possible to control the rotational movement of the support 1, and therefore of the object 22 carried by the support 1, in combination with or independently of the movement of the support 1 in the X or Z direction, and possibly Y. The control unit controls the rotational movement around the Y axis and / or in translation in the X, Z plane, and possibly along Y, depending on the geometric profile of the area to be sealed. It is thus understood that during the sealing step, the movement of the support 1 may be a translational movement to apply the strip to a rectilinear portion of the area to be sealed or a rotation, possibly combined with a translational movement, to apply the strip to a curvilinear portion of the object. As recalled above, the controlled movement may also take into account the setpoint force to be applied at the contact zone between the sonotrode 5 and the sealing strip 3.

[0053] It may be provided that the control unit 100 comprises a user interface making it possible to enter or select data corresponding to the profile (i.e. the geometric shape) of the area to be sealed of the object, to enable the control unit 100 to control the system for moving the support 1 so as to apply the sealing strip continuously and uniformly along the area to be sealed. A memory makes it possible to store said profile or a list of profiles.

[0054] According to a particular aspect, the control unit 100 is configured to, at the same time as it controls the rotation of the support and therefore of the object on itself, around the Y axis, control the movement of the object in the X, Z plane, and possibly along the Y axis, in order to continuously and regularly bring the part of the object corresponding to the zone intended to receive the sealing strip, into contact with the active segment of the sonotrode by means of the sealing strip which extends between the sonotrode and the object.

[0055] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the control unit 100 is configured to move the support 1 of the object also along the Y axis. Initially to correctly position the sonotrode opposite the slot and / or during the sealing operation if the position of the area to be sealed varies along the Y axis during the rotation of the support, that is to say if the shape of the area to be sealed varies along the Y axis so that an adaptation of the position of the object (and therefore of the support 1) is necessary during the sealing operation depending on the part of the area to be sealed of the object which is presented opposite the sonotrode.

[0056] Thanks to the active segment SL51 of the sonotrode 5 and the control unit 100 which controls the movements of the support, the sealing strip 3 can be applied reliably and efficiently without risk of irregularity or variation in adhesion at the level of the different zones of the sealing strip applied to the object.

[0057] In fact, the controlled movement of the support combined with the use of an active zone of the sonotrode which is linear, allows the sealing strip to move continuously between the probe and the object.

[0058] Controlling the rotation speed of the support 1 allows the glue present on the face of the sealing strip 3 opposite that in contact with the active segment SL51 of the sonotrode 5 to be sufficiently excited to adhere to the object, and the continuity of movement (by rotation and / or translation of the support) ensures uniform adhesion of the sealing strip over the entire area to be sealed of the object. Advantageously and as explained above, the bearing pressure between the sonotrode and the support is also controlled to promote uniform adhesion of the sealing strip to the object. As recalled above, it can be provided that the machine comprises a jack making it possible to push the sonotrode, directly or indirectly, against the strip, with a bearing pressure of the desired value.The support pressure is advantageously regulated by the control unit 100 to be maintained at a stored reference value, using the sensor 51 which makes it possible to measure the current support pressure.

[0059] The active segment SL51 of the sonotrode 5 is oriented in a transverse direction, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of movement A3 of the part of the sealing strip 3 being bonded.

[0060] Conversely, the use of a surface sonotrode could cause discontinuities in adhesion quality at the junction between two zones of the strip corresponding to two zones successively subjected to an active surface of the probe. Indeed, there may be a risk of partial overlap of the two excited zones, the overlapping portion of the two zones having then been over-stressed by the sonotrode which may harm the quality of adhesion or bonding to the object, or on the contrary there may be a gap between the two excited zones, this gap corresponding to a zone not bonded to the object (i.e. non-adherent) which is detrimental to the desired sealing.

[0061] In the example illustrated in the figures, the object 22 to which the sealing strip is applied, as detailed below, is an upper shell of a package. The package thus comprises said upper shell and a lower shell 21 intended to be welded to said upper shell. According to one embodiment, the lower end portion 26 of the upper shell 22 is intended to be engaged in the lower shell 21. The package is preferably intended to contain a medical product or part 7.

[0062] The object 22 can thus be in conformity with the upper shell described in the international application published under number WO2018078242A1.

[0063] According to a particular aspect, the packaging is designed for the purpose of preserving the sterile nature of said product or part and for the purpose of unpacking said product or part under aseptic or near-aseptic conditions. Said product or part may be, for example, a solid part, such as a surgical screw, or any other type of object, in particular any other type of implant. Furthermore, said product may be a liquid or a powder. Said product or part and, preferably, the different parts of the packaging, are sterilized, for example, by radiation.

[0064] In the example illustrated in the figures, the upper shell 22 comprises a closing part 24, called a cover, and a connecting part 23, in the form of a passing body, and connected to the cover 24 by a hinge 25.

[0065] The hinge 25, which is preferably formed by a continuous area of material, for example plastic, between the cover and the connecting part, makes it possible to articulate the cover 24 relative to the connecting part 23 between a raised (open) position releasing access to the interior of the connecting part and a lowered (closed) position preventing access to the interior of said connecting part. Prior to sealing, the hinge has not been stressed so that the cover is in the "closed" position and the hinge area has surface continuity, without folds, with the neighboring areas of the cover and the connecting part. As explained below, according to one embodiment, the sonotrode and the sealing strip are positioned so as to initiate the bonding of the sealing strip outside the slot, on the part of the upper shell which forms the hinge.

[0066] In the example shown in figure 9 , said connecting part 23 is in the form of a section of the upper shell. The connecting part 23 is of generally cylindrical shape, the peripheral wall of which develops around the opening axis of said upper shell.

[0067] As mentioned above, once the sealing process is completed, the sealing strip 3 connects, on the outer side of the upper shell, the edges 231, 241 of the cover and the connecting part which face each other in the closed (or lowered) state of the cover, over the entire length of the edges and from one edge to the other so as to seal the package.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the movement of the support 1 of the object is controlled in combination with the activation of the sonotrode 5, at least until the sealing strip 3 returns to itself by being stuck by the sonotrode 5 on a part of the sealing strip 3 already stuck on the object 22. In other words, the sealing strip 3 is applied by one of its ends on the hinge 25 of the shell, and extends along the edges of the slot and returns to be applied on the hinge.

[0069] Thus, in the example illustrated in the figures, the sealing strip 3 is applied by one of its ends to the hinge 25, extends along the edges respectively of the cover 24 and of the connecting part 23, which extend opposite one another, and returns to be applied to the hinge 25. Each edge stops at the hinge.

[0070] This provides a very good seal against bacteria and liquid, without discontinuity along the opening area of the upper shell. Conversely, an overlap of one end of the strip by itself at part of the opening area of the packaging could cause a poor seal.

[0071] Advantageously, the connecting portion 23 of the upper shell is provided with a stiffening element 290 spaced from the hinge. In particular, the peripheral wall of the connecting portion 23 is provided with a collar 290, preferably located close to the lower periphery of the upper shell which delimits the opening of the upper shell. Said connecting portion 23 of the upper shell 22 is intended to be fixed to the lower shell 21, preferably by welding.

[0072] The collar 290 is spaced from the opening area of the upper shell delimited between the upper periphery 231 of the connecting part and the corresponding periphery 241 of the cover to allow the sealing strip 3 to cover the opening area defined between said peripheries.

[0073] According to an embodiment illustrated in the figure 11 , the lower shell 21 is in the form of a hollow body having a closed end forming a bottom and an opposite end which is open. Thus each shell is considered to be an open shell in the sense that it forms a blind cavity and allows, in the assembled state with the other, to define a closed chamber in the applied state of the sealing strip as detailed below. The open end portion can be flared so as to receive a part of the upper shell.

[0074] In the example illustrated in the figures, the perimeter of the hood is of the same shape and the same size as the upper perimeter of the connecting body. Thus, in the closed position of the hood, said perimeters are located opposite one another and together form said upper shell by having a closed end and an opposite open end which, in the assembled state of the upper shell with the lower shell, communicates with the lower shell.

[0075] The control unit is presented, for example, in the form of a processor and a data memory in which computer instructions executable by said processor are stored, or in the form of a microcontroller.

[0076] In other words, the described functions and steps can be implemented in the form of a computer program or via hardware components (e.g. programmable gate arrays). In particular, the functions and steps performed by the control unit, in particular for controlling the motors of the movement system, can be implemented by instruction sets or computer modules implemented in a processor or controller or be implemented by dedicated electronic components or FPGA or ASIC type components. It is also possible to combine computer parts and electronic parts.

[0077] The control unit is thus an electronic and / or computer unit. When it is specified that said unit is configured to carry out a given operation, this means that the unit comprises computer instructions and the corresponding execution means which make it possible to carry out said operation and / or that the unit comprises corresponding electronic components.

[0078] The control unit thus makes it possible to control process steps, an example of which is shown diagrammatically in the form of blocks in figure 7 .

[0079] According to this method, in step S10, the object 22 is coupled to the support 1. For this purpose, the control unit can activate the holding system, for example a suction system to keep the object 22 coupled to the support 1.

[0080] In step S20, the control unit 100 controls the feeding, for example by rotating the rotary roller 4, and possibly a reel, of the sealing strip 3 between the object 22 and the sonotrode 5.

[0081] The control unit 100 then controls the positioning of a part of the object 22, for example the hinge 25, resting on the line segment SL51 of the sonotrode 5 by means of the sealing strip 3.

[0082] The activation of the sonotrode 5 allows, at its linear segment SL51, the initialization of the bonding of the sealing strip on the object. While maintaining the object 22 in support against the sonotrode 5, by means of the sealing strip 3 which extends between the object 22 and the sonotrode 5, at a given setpoint value, thanks to the force sensor C15, the control unit 100 controls the movement of the support and therefore of the object 22 according to the profile of the area to be sealed, which allows the sealing strip 3 to be continuously passed in front of the sonotrode 5 and the sealing strip 5 to be continuously applied to the area to be sealed which is gradually presented in front of the sonotrode 5 thanks to the controlled movement of the support 1 (and therefore of the maintained object 22).The controlled movement may comprise a rotational movement S30 of the support 1 on itself (around the Y axis), a translational movement S40 of the support 1 along the X axis and / or a translational movement S50 of the support 1 along the Z axis. Once the application of the sealing strip to the area of the object to be sealed has been completed, the control unit 100 may command the activation of a strip cutting system (not shown). The object 22 may then be removed from the support, for example after deactivation of the holding system.

[0083] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0084] Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Furthermore, features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the embodiments set forth above may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments set forth above.

Claims

1. Method for sealing a zone (20) of an object (22), known as the sealing zone, such as an opening slot, said sealing zone being intended to be covered by a sealing strip (3), the sealing strip comprising a material that is adhesive in the ultrasonically excited state, said method comprising the following steps: - feeding, for example by means of a rotating roller (4), the sealing strip (3) between the object (22) and a sonotrode (5) which has a linear application zone (51) which is a line segment (SL51), - pressing the linear application zone (51) of the sonotrode (5) against the sealing strip (3) to cause that zone of the sealing strip (3) that is in contact with the linear application zone (51) of the sonotrode (5) to adhere to a corresponding zone of the object (22), - moving the object (22) relative to the sonotrode (5) according to the profile of the sealing zone so as to apply the sealing strip (3) to the sealing zone (20) of the object (22).

2. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the moving of the object (22) comprises a rotation (S30) of the object (22) about an axis (Y) of rotation.

3. Method according to Claim 2, wherein the moving of the object (22) comprises a movement (S40, S50) of the object (22) in a direction (X, Z) transverse to the direction of the axis of rotation (Y).

4. Method according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the moving of the object (22) comprises a movement of the object (22) in a direction parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation (Y).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein ultrasound is transmitted by the sonotrode (5) to that part (32) of the sealing strip (3) that is present between the object (22) and the sonotrode (5) so that said part (32) of the sealing strip (3) that is subjected to the ultrasound is bonded to the object (22), and wherein the movement of the object (22) causes the sealing strip (3) to travel between the sonotrode (5) and the object (22).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force with which the sonotrode (5) presses against the object is measured using a sensor (C15), such as a load cell, and wherein the object (22) is moved as a function of the measured pressing force.

7. Method according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the direction of the line segment (SL51) defined by the sonotrode linear application zone (51) is parallel to the direction (Y) of rotation of the object (22).

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing strip (3) includes a face coated with an adhesive (320) that becomes active (321) when subjected to the ultrasound from the sonotrode (5).

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object (22) is moved at least until the sealing strip (3) comes back on itself having been bonded by the sonotrode (5) to a part of the sealing strip (3) already bonded to the object (22).

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises a step of cutting the sealing strip after the sealing strip (3) has covered the sealing zone (20) of the object (22).

11. Machine for sealing a zone (20), called the sealing zone, of an object (22), said sealing zone, such as an opening slot, intended to be covered by a sealing strip (3) provided with a material that is adhesive in the ultrasonically excited state, said machine comprising: - a coupling system for holding the object (22); - a sonotrode (5) which has a linear application zone (51), which is a line segment (SL51), capable of coming into contact with the sealing strip (3) so that, when the sonotrode (5) is in the active state, that zone of the sealing strip (3) that is in contact with the linear application zone (51) of the sonotrode (5) is caused to adhere to the sealing zone (20) of the object (22), - a feed device, for example using a rotating roller (4), for feeding the sealing strip (3) between the object (22) and a sonotrode (5); - a motorized movement system for moving the object (22) relative to the sonotrode (5), - a control unit (100) configured to control the motorized movement system so as to move the object (22) according to the profile of the sealing zone so as to apply the sealing strip (3) to the sealing zone (20).

12. Machine according to Claim 11, wherein the machine comprises a load cell (C15) arranged to measure the pressing force between the object (22) and the sonotrode (5), and wherein the control unit (100) is configured to control the movement of the object (22) as a function of the measured pressing force.