Abstract: The present invention is a floor vinyl repair technique and tool. According to the present invention, the prior art repair technique is practiced, except a special domed-disc spacer is placed between the patch and the damaged piece to be removed before the cut through both layers with the knife. This way, the replacement patch is elevated slightly above the damaged piece. This slight elevation allows for a slight increase in the perimeter of the patch, and offsets the slight stretching of the patch during the cut, thereby resulting in a more exact fit between the patch and the surrounding, original undamaged vinyl when the patch is installed.

Abstract: A partly damaged aluminum heat exchanger such as an aluminum radiator is repaired by closing a hole in the damaged portion with an acrylic resin adhesive material. A certain area around the damaged portion is pressed down to form a cup-shaped depressed portion. The adhesive material is supplied to the depressed portion so that it is retained therein. Then, the adhesive material is hardened by curing it under the room temperature. The hardened adhesive material completely closes the hole with a sufficient thickness and strength because it is retained in the depressed portion. The adhesive material is cured in a relatively short time because the acrylic resin is used as the adhesive material.

Abstract: A filter forming and joining apparatus of the present invention automatically forms a succession of metal-free cylindrical filter elements from a pleat block of pleated filter material, each pleat block having a first end pleat at a first end of the pleat block and a second end pleat at a second end of the pleat block. The apparatus including a pleat block isolator for isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks in preparation for filter formation, a filter former that manipulates each isolated pleat block along a forming path into a hollow cylinder shape, the hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block having a first end pleat and a second end pleat positioned adjacent each other, and a filter joiner that bonds together the adjacent first and second end pleats of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block producing a metal-free cylindrical filter element.

Abstract: A filter forming and joining method of the present invention automatically forms a succession of metal-free cylindrical filter elements from a pleat block of pleated filter material, each pleat block having a first end pleat at a first end of the pleat block and a second end pleat at a second end of the pleat block. The method includes using a pleat block isolator for isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks in preparation for filter formation, a filter former for manipulating each isolated pleat block along a forming path into a hollow cylinder shape, the hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block having a first end pleat and a second end pleat positioned adjacent each other, and a filter joiner for bonding together the adjacent first and second end pleats of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block producing a metal-free cylindrical filter element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a laminated sheet comprising an alumina fiber precursor, which process comprises spinning out an alumina fiber precursor from a solution mainly comprising an aluminum compound, falling and stacking said alumina fiber precursor on the surface of an accumulator to form a thin lamina sheet of alumina fiber precursor, continuously pulling out said lamina sheet from the accumulator, transferring the resultant lamina sheet to a folding device, and folding the sheet by a predetermined width while stacking the folded sheet and continuously moving the stacking sheet in the direction orthogonal to the folding direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive process and apparatus (20) for forming an article. The technique of the invention includes a providing of a first panel layer (22), and a positioning of a second panel layer (28) onto the first panel layer (22). An inboard portion (24) of the first panel layer (22) is attached to an inboard portion (30) of the second panel layer (28), and a side region (36) of a tab web (34) is attached to the inboard portion (24, 30) of at least one of the first and second panel layers (22, 28) to provide a first assembly web (48). A fastening mechanism (40) is attached to the tab web (34), and an outboard portion (26, 32) of at least one of the first and second panel layers (22, 28) is folded to provide a folded layer (44) and a protruding layer (46). A protruding layer portion (56) of a panel assembly (50) is attached to a first waistband portion (62) of an article segment (60), and the article segment (60) is transversely folded to provide a folded article segment.

Abstract: A method for preparing a toner cartridge for reconditioning and resealing with a replacement seal includes providing a used toner cartridge whose seal has been removed and the toner essentially consumed with the cartridge substantially otherwise intact. The interior of the cartridge is partially separated or penetrated so as to remove, modify or by-pass any impediments present which would or could interfere with the resealing of the cartridge. A new seal is secured to the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A solventless urethane adhesive layer which proves excellent oxygen and moisture barrier properties is formed from the reaction of A) a low molecular weight polyester formed from a single species of linear aliphatic diol and a single species of dicarboxylic acid with B) a single species of diisocyanate.

Abstract: A method of applying leg elastics to absorbent garments involves optimizing the spacing between multiple elastic members. The elastic members are bonded to a substrate with variable spacing along the length of the leg opening. More particularly, narrower spacing is provided in the crotch area, thereby providing higher gasketing pressure, while wider spacing is provided in areas outside the crotch area for lower gasketing pressure and greater comfort. Alternatively, narrower spacing can be applied to the back portion of the leg, with medium spacing in the crotch area and wider spacing in the front portion or the leg, or conversely, wider spacing in the back portion with medium spacing in the crotch area and narrower spacing in the front portion, depending on the wearer's needs. The resulting garments have optimized comfort, fit and containment about the leg openings.

Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.

Abstract: A chamois for use within the seat area of a cycling garment includes a non-woven polyester interfacing or batting layer with a bottom surface that engages the cycling garment. The polyester layer provides a pad area for association with the buttocks of a cycling individual, two side pad areas for association with the upper inside thighs of the individual, and a pad area for association with the lower abdominal area of the individual. A thin and low hardness synthetic foam layer has a shape that complements the polyester layer, and a bottom surface thereof engages a top surface of the polyester layer. A thick, high hardness, synthetic foam layer is associated with the thin foam layer and occupies the pad area association with the buttocks. A synthetic leather layer has a shape that complements the shape of the polyester layer and a bottom surface thereof engages the top surface of the thin foam layer and the top surface of the thick foam layer.

Abstract: A method for repairing a discrete damaged portion of an article surface, for example of a laminated composite material, includes applying an uncured repair material at the damaged portion and then subjecting the repair material and the discrete damaged portion to a vacuum to remove air entrapped in the repair material and the discrete damaged portion. One form of the invention uses a vacuum tool comprising an outer wall including an opening there through having a peripheral edge shaped to conform generally with a portion of the article surface about the damaged portion, and gas evacuation means. The tool is combined with a releasable gas seal generally shaped to interface between the peripheral edge and the article surface and release from the article surface.

Abstract: An improved repair bridge for windshield repair which is easier to drag along in proper position, a repair bridge which inherently applies a balanced force on opposite sides of the chip/crack, a bridge which requires substantially less adjustment bolt force, and which is provided with an adjustment bolt force gauge so that even a novice will be able to apply optimum crack spreading force without enlarging the crack. The generally U shaped bridge comprises: a left arm portion, a right arm portion, and a middle portion extending between and connecting the arm portions. Two upright finger bolts are each matingly threaded through an unconnected end portion of one of the arms; and, two plastic suction cups are each carried by a central portion of one of the arms. An upright resin injection head is adjustably screwed through the middle portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method and system for extrusion embossing. In particular, the present invention provides a method and system for embossing a multi-layer flexible packaging material whereby one layer is embossed simultaneously with the extrusion of an adjacent layer and the lamination of an additional layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermoplastic resin and a glass fabric that can be used in the form of a linear extrudate as a structural member or as a repair unit. The resin glass fiber composite structural member can be manufactured in an extrusion process. The linear extrudate can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape or can be a regular geometric shape. The profile is made by first preforming the glass fabric into a useful shape, combining the preform fabric with melt resin and extruding the resin and glass fiber in a useful shape. When contacted with melt resin, the glass fiber becomes intimately contacted with and substantially coated with the melt resin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding an adhesive face of tape upon itself and dispensing the folded tape is disclosed. Tape is dispensed from a roll, through a guiding collar having a curved space extending around and defined by a core mounted within a central opening of the guiding collar. As the tape exits the curved space, the tape is correspondingly curved in cross-section, with a portion of the sticky, adhesive face of the tape confronting another portion of the adhesive face. The correspondingly curved tape passes under an element for compressing or pinching the tape, which folds the tape upon itself and compresses the confronting portions of the sticky, adhesive face of the tape together. Rotation of the guiding collar varies the position of the curved space to permit adjustment of the fold width of the tape.