Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, methods for making pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers. Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The chassis are connected with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material. The chassis are then folded, and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut at or adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers.

Abstract: A structure of, and a method of producing, a biocompatible structure for bone and tissue regeneration are disclosed. The method includes dissolving a polyurethane polymer in methanol, adding hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles to form a uniformly distributed mixture, applying the mixture to a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface to form a polymer film, cutting the polymer film into strips, stacking the strips with layers of bone particles disposed therebetween, coating the stacked strips and layers by the mixture and allowing it to dry, adding bone particles to the coating, and plasma treating the structure to form the biocompatible structure. A weight percentage of the HAP nanoparticles to the polymer is about 5-50% such that a resorption rate of the biocompatible structure substantially matches a rate of tissue generation in the biocompatible structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles, such as retroreflective sheeting articles that comprise a release coating. Also described are release coatings and hydrophilic components suitable for use in release coatings. The release coatings comprise a polyorganosiloxane polymer and at least 10 or 15 wt-% of hydrophilic units.

Abstract: A high bulk laminated board is produced using one or more embossed plies. A method of producing the laminated board comprises: embossing first and second plies to produce first embossed projections extending from first sides of the first and second plies; placing adhesive on the first embossed projections on the first side of each of the first and second embossed plies; bringing the first and second plies together such that the first embossed projections on the first and second embossed plies are aligned; applying pressure to the first side of each of the first and second embossed plies to cause the first and second embossed plies to adhere together to form a composite ply; and adhering first and second flat outer plies onto first and second sides of the composite ply. Corresponding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating process for electrical steel sheet using a varnish composition, comprising the steps of a) applying at least one coating layer of a varnish composition onto the surface of the electrical steel sheet wherein the varnish composition comprises (A) 1 to 95 wt % of at least one resin comprising nucleophilic groups selected from the group consisting of OH, NHR, SH, carboxylate and CH-acidic groups, and electrophilic groups which can react with the above mentioned nucleophilic groups, wherein the resin is capable of transacylation in its main chain and/or side chain(s), (B) 5 to 75 wt % of at least one organic solvent and/or water, (C) 0 to 40 wt % of at least one resin different from (A), (D) 0 to 10 wt % of at least one customary additive, (E) 0 to 40 wt % of at least one pigment, filler and/or nano-scaled particle and/or monomeric and/or polymeric element-organic compound, wherein the wt % based on the total weight of the varnish composition.

Abstract: In a material web which is printed in a digital printing station and moved in an advancement direction, a first material-web strand, which is formed by at least one printed material-web portion, is combined with a second material-web strand, which is formed by two printed material-web portions, by folding. The two material-web strands are connected to one another by an adhesive. Subproducts are then severed from the thus interconnected material-web strands by cross-cutting. These subproducts comprise a first printed sheet, severed from the first material-web strand, and a second printed sheet, connected to the first printed sheet and severed from the second material-web strand. The subproducts are then positioned one upon the other to form a stack, the subproducts being connected to one another by an adhesive in the region of the subsequent folding line. The stacked subproducts are then folded about a folding line to form an end product.

Abstract: A label sheet for cleaning is formed of a label for cleaning including a cleaning layer having a 180° peeling adhesion to a silicon wafer of 0.20 N/10 mm or less after receiving an active energy and an adhesive layer provided on one of surfaces of said cleaning layer, and a separator on which the label is removably provided through the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer film includes: obtaining a load graph representing a functional relationship between a weight percentage of tissue forming nanoparticles in a polymer film and a maximum load of that polymer film; obtaining a stress graph representing a functional relationship between the weight percentage of tissue forming nanoparticles in a polymer film and maximum stress of that polymer film; determining a first weight percentage corresponding to a peak of the load graph and determining a second weight percentage corresponding to a peak of the stress graph; determining an optimal weight percentage based on the first and second weight percentage values; and producing a polymer film having tissue forming nanoparticles at the optimal weight percentage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a pre-form comprising at least two layers of fiber tows, these layers being at least partly fixed by a resin. The method comprising steps of providing a work surface, and alternating distribution of layers of resin and layers of fiber tows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material roll that includes a roll of an optical film having defect information markings printed thereon and is resistant to the formation of a defect by the transfer of a bump/dent deformation at the marking site. The material roll includes a long sheet of an optical film with polarizer wound into roll shape; and marking(s) formed at or in a vicinity of at least one defect site. The marking has an optical density of 1.5 or more, and a thickness of a center part of the marking is 1.5 ?m or less. The marking preferably has an optical density per unit thickness of 2.5 ?m?1 or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a board from a number of substantially planar layers, including the steps of a) ensuring a layer is positioned substantially in a horizontal plane; and b) applying adhesive to the layer; and c) moving the layer to a holding station; and d) holding the layer horizontally against another layer within the holding station; and e) repeating steps a) to d) until a stack of layers is formed having a height substantially equivalent to the desired width of the board to be formed; the method characterized by the step of f) removing the stack from the holding device once the layers have had sufficient time to bond to each other.

Abstract: A packaging cushion insert is useful for cushioning a packaged object. The insert comprises a top sheet, a bottom sheet; and a plurality of interior sheets between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet, the bottom sheet, and the plurality of interior sheets are in stacked and laminated arrangement. The top sheet, bottom sheet, and plurality of interior sheets each comprise one or more materials selected from an air-cellular cushioning material, cellular foam material, and crumpled paper material.

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing having a plurality of panels forming an external exposed surface of the ball, wherein adjacent panels abut one another at seams. A substantial majority of the seams may each be formed by a first panel having a first edge and a second panel having a second edge abutting the first edge of the first panel at an interface, and a reinforcing strip affixed to a first internal surface of the first panel with a first thermal bond and to a second internal surface of the second panel with a second thermal bond, the reinforcing strip extending across the interface between the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: A halogen-free resin composition and a method for preparation of copper clad laminate with the same, wherein based on total parts by weight of solid components, the halogen-free resin composition comprises a reactive allyl phenoxy cyclotriphosphazene or vinyl phenoxy cyclotriphosphazene of 5-50 parts, a thermosetting resin of 15-85 parts, a crosslinking curing agent of 1-35 parts, a crosslinking curing accelerant of 0-5 parts and a filler of 0-100 parts. In the present invention, the reactive allyl phenoxy cyclotriphosphazene or vinyl phenoxy cyclotriphosphazene having very low water absorption is introduced into the thermosetting resin, satisfying both the halogen-free and antiflaming requirements and improving the electrical properties of the system, and making it possible to prepare the halogen-free high-frequency high-speed substrate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet from the pseudostem of the banana plant, including the steps of: cutting out a beam from a central portion of the pseudostem; cutting leaves from the beam; forming a sheet by assembling the leaves such that the latter overlap over a predetermined width; and pressing the resulting sheet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structural part including at least two wings extending in intersecting planes made of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite material including at least two plies of continuous fibers. The fibers extend from one wing to another. The method includes cutting the at least two plies in a fabric and/or a tape of fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin; assembling the plies to create a preform; and compacting the preform to a final shape of the part by subjecting the preform to a defined cycle of temperature and pressure. A toolset can implement the method described above. Such a toolset includes a rigid punch and die such that closing the tool creates a sealed chamber in a shape of the part between the punch and the die.

Abstract: A method includes moving an absorbent composite in a machine direction, severing the composite at a first cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a second cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a third cut oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the machine direction, and separating the composite along the first cut, the second cut, and the third cut into discrete absorbent articles.

Abstract: A novel method of making a crystal block array (configured for coupling with photodetectors as part of an integrated detector module useful in advanced PET scanner systems) is disclosed herein. The novel method comprises a series of cutting, polishing, and assembling steps that utilize a curable bonding agent, removable wire spacers, and a series removable protective glass end plates. The crystal block arrays disclosed herein may be of various dimensions and geometries and are amenable to mass production.

Abstract: A method of covering a roof deck includes laying a course of starter shingles in a side-by-side relationship at an eave edge of a roof deck. A starter shingle of the course of starter shingles is a laminated starter shingle comprising an underlay sheet laminated below an overlay sheet. A plurality of successive generally horizontal courses of covering shingles are laid above the course of starter shingles. The covering shingles in each of the courses of covering shingles are laid in a side-by-side relationship and horizontally offset from the covering shingles in adjacent courses. Each covering shingle of the courses of covering shingles includes a headlap portion and a butt portion. The butt portion includes a plurality of tabs separated by cutouts. The starter shingles include an exposed portion extending between the tabs of the covering shingles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing curved composite structural elements can include fabricating a web ply in a flat curve over a removable substrate and laying up the ply on a curved web surface of a manufacturing tool. The method also can include laying up a diagonal ply with fibers oriented at +/?45° from the centerline of the web surface. The method further can include cutting a unidirectional composite tape into segments and laying up the tape segments to form a cross ply with a fiber orientation normal to the centerline of the web surface. One or both edges of the diagonal and cross plies may be folded over one or two sides of the manufacturing tool to form one or two flange surfaces. Additionally, a cap ply can be laid up on one or both flange surfaces using composite tape. The structural element layup can then be inspected and any excess composite material can be trimmed away.

Abstract: A pants type disposable undergarment is provided which is equipped with a pre-fastened pull-on pant with a side lap seam formed by the methods of the present invention, and methods for producing such disposable undergarments.

Abstract: Provided is a sandwich component with a core which comprises a foam material. A fibrous sheet-like material arranged in the foam material at least partially encloses a working region of the sandwich component in a sheet-like manner. At least one strut is incorporated in the foam material and extends from an entry surface of the foam material from outside the working region to at least the fibrous sheet-like material.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for converting on a mass scale elongated material webs into finished parts or devices. Slits form strands in a web, the strands comprising interconnected objects which correspond to parts of finished devices. Strands are combined with additional webs to form a material laminate from which finished devices are die cut. The methods are suitable for a range of converting applications including medical devices, particularly the external nasal dilator. Complex dilator devices produced from the methods are formed as a single body truss having horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages of a nose. When in use the dilator stabilizes or expands nasal outer wall tissues and prevents the outer wall tissues from drawing inward during breathing. Methods of manufacture comprise separate steps for fabricating and assembling the elements and layers of finished dilator devices and for packaging finished devices individually or in groups.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a laminated composite body including a metal foil and a plurality of fiber plies. The method includes perforating a sheet of metal foil, stacking the perforated metal foil sheet and the plurality of fiber plies in face to face relation in a predetermined order and orientation, and infusing resin into the stacked sheet and plies so that resin flows through the perforations in the metal foil sheet and intersperses between the plurality of fiber plies to form the laminated composite body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing curved composite structural elements can include fabricating a web ply in a flat curve over a removable substrate and laying up the ply on a curved web surface of a manufacturing tool. The method also can include laying up a diagonal ply with fibers oriented at +/?45° from the centerline of the web surface. The method further can include cutting a unidirectional composite tape into segments and laying up the tape segments to form a cross ply with a fiber orientation normal to the centerline of the web surface. One or both edges of the diagonal and cross plies may be folded over one or two sides of the manufacturing tool to form one or two flange surfaces. Additionally, a cap ply can be laid up on one or both flange surfaces using composite tape. The structural element layup can then be inspected and any excess composite material can be trimmed away.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated shingle is provided. The method includes coating a shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, adhering a reinforcement member to a portion of the asphalt-coated sheet, covering the asphalt-coated sheet, and optionally covering the reinforcement member, with granules to make a granule-covered sheet, dividing the granule-covered sheet into an overlay sheet and an underlay sheet, wherein the overlay sheet has a tab portion normally exposed on a roof and a headlap portion normally covered-up on a roof, the headlap portion having a lower zone adjacent the tab portion and an upper zone adjacent the lower zone, and wherein the reinforcement member is adhered to the lower zone of the headlap portion and laminating the overlay sheet and the underlay sheet to make the laminated shingle.

Abstract: Composite face panels for use with structural insulated panels (SIP) are provided to form a suitable replacement for structural insulated panels that employ oriented strand board or plywood. The structural insulated panel has a sandwich structure with a generally planar, insulating core. A composite face panel is disposed on each of the opposed surfaces of the insulating core. The insulating core composition includes an insulating material that is formed of an expanded polystyrene or a rigid polyurethane foam. Each composite face panel includes a core and face sheets on each surface of the core. The core composition includes mixture of a resin binder and a fire retardant. The resin binder can be formed of a methacrylate modified urethane, and the fire retardant can be formed of alumina trihydrate.

Abstract: A honeycomb sandwich panel of synthetic paper. The synthetic paper includes: between 20 and 75 wt. % of structural fibers and between 25 and 80 wt. % of bonding fibers. The structural fibers are poly(p-phenylene telephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers. The bonding fibers are fibrids of the PPTA. The structural fibers and the bonding fibers are shaped by a wet-forming papermaking method by a paper machine to yield the synthetic paper. The synthetic paper is coated, stacked, pressed, stretched, shaped, impregnated, cured, and sliced to form the honeycomb sandwich panel.

Abstract: A method for producing a flat prepreg material blank impregnated with at least one matrix resin in an at least partially automated production system. The method includes cutting the fibrous material in a blanking station to the geometry of the particular prepreg material blank to be produced. The resultant fibrous blank is subsequently impregnated in an impregnation station. Then, the resultant single prepreg layer is joined in an assembly station with at least one further single prepreg layer, which was previously impregnated in the impregnation station, to form a multiple-layer prepreg material blank.

Abstract: A layered manufacturing method for forming a desired three-dimensional object by using a powder as a raw material. The method forms a desired solid body, which is employed in a layered manufacturing device, including a stage member having stage surface; a transparent member having an optical window to cover the stage surface to form an enclosed region together with the stage surface; and an exhaust system for exhausting gasses in the enclosed region. The optical window is positioned at a vertical upper direction when the enclosed region is formed.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced resin composite for ballistic protection comprising a plurality of first and second plies wherein the first and second plies further comprise a woven fabric and a polymeric resin. The fabric has a Russell tightness factor of from 0.2 to 0.7 and a cover factor of at least 0.45, The fabric is impregnated with the resin, the resin comprising from 5 to 30 weight percent of the total weight of fabric plus resin. The fabric of each first and second ply comprises regions wherein the fabric is distorted from an orthogonal woven state by a distortion angle of least 30 degrees. The composite may further comprising a third ply having a surface area no greater than 50% of the surface area of a first and second ply. The ratio of the number of first plus second plies to the number of third plies is from 2:1 to 12:1.

Abstract: An effective, physically protective case for small electronic devices is made from repurposed books. The case may conceal the device to make it appear as a less valuable item. The case, being made from old, repurposed books, makes use of items that may otherwise be disposed of, thereby preventing waste. By using an actual book, rather than trying to replicate the look of a book, the case can effectively conceal ebooks, tablet computers, smart phones, and the like, even under the closest inspection. The case is sturdy, has few moving parts, is durable and is produces using only recycled materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for manufacturing a perform (42) for a load path aligned fiber composite structure. The process includes cutting off relatively short fiber band pieces (40, 40?, 40?) from a spread fiber band (14), placing the fiber band pieces (40, 40?, 40?) at a predetermined position and fixing them at this position by means of a binder material (38).

Abstract: A plane-parallel optical window is the spacer of single-cavity filters in the stack used for DWDM applications. Highly reflective quarter-wave stacks are deposited on each side of the optical window and the single-cavity structure so obtained is diced to produce a plurality of filters. Each single-cavity filter so fabricated from the optical window has the same transmission wavelength and is therefore readily stackable for DWDM applications. Alternatively, an optical window with a thickness equal to one half that required for the spacer of a single-cavity filter is coated on a single side. The window is then divided in multiple identical components that can be combined in pairs by placing them in optical contact so as to form individual single-cavity filters with the same transmission-peak wavelength. The transmission peak of the filter can be fine tuned by controlling the temperature of the solid spacer material.

Abstract: Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting sheet metal parts (4) to form a laminated core (11), wherein sheet metal parts (4) are separated, in particular punched, from a sheet metal strip (2) that has, at least in some areas, a layer having curable polymer adhesive (12), and the sheet metal parts (4) are preliminarily connected to form a laminated core (11), the preliminary connection comprising plasticizing the adhesive (12) at least in some areas and joining the sheet metal parts (4) in order to connect the sheet metal parts by means of the plasticized adhesive (12) of at least one of the sheet metal parts (4), and in a subsequent step the laminated core (11) having preliminarily connected sheet metal parts (4) is subjected to a curing of the adhesive (12). In order to create an advantageous connection between the sheet metal parts, the plasticizing of the adhesive (12) comprises the introduction of a softener (16), in particular H2O.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device that prevents a liquid crystal panel from warping into a shape concave to the viewer side. The method including a bonding step including providing sheet-shaped optical members each including a polarizing plate and an adhesive layer or a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and bonding the sheet-shaped optical members to both surfaces of a rectangular liquid crystal cell with the adhesive layer or a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The bonding step includes continuously pressing the optical member from its end to bond the optical member from its end to bond the optical member to the liquid crystal cell, while applying a tension to the optical member and stacking the liquid crystal cell and the optical member.

Abstract: Multi-layer non-woven fabric material composed of non-woven fiber sheets of aramide/polyethylene fibers, impregnated with resin and/or a filler material, and oriented at various angles, which is used for manufacturing protection garments. The invention also describes a method for manufacturing said multi-layer non-woven fabric material and the protection garments thus obtained.

Abstract: This invention discloses various designs for rings and ring segments that make up functionalized layers in a functional layer insert, for incorporation into an ophthalmic lens. The layer insert which can include substrate layers that are intact full rings, segmented rings or a combination of both. Segmented rings may include Arc-Matched and Non Arc-Matched arcuate segments.

Abstract: Building a carcass structure in the manufacturing of a tire for vehicle wheels includes associating, at each end edge of a carcass ply laying on a forming support, at least one respective annular reinforcing structure obtained by depositing at least one respective reinforcing element. The deposition of the at least one respective reinforcing element includes feeding a continuous reinforced band-like element at a cutting unit, cutting to size at least one first reinforcing element from the continuous reinforced band-like element, moving the first reinforcing element from the cutting unit toward a first end edge of the carcass ply, positioning the first reinforcing element on the first end edge, cutting to size at least one second reinforcing element from the continuous reinforced band-like element, moving the second reinforcing element from the cutting unit toward a second end edge of the carcass ply opposite said first end edge, and positioning the second reinforcing element on the other end edge.

Abstract: A ceramic green sheet laminate is produced by stacking ceramic green sheets, each including conductive films for forming first or second internal electrodes on a surface thereof. A first cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second end surfaces at which the first or second internal electrodes are exposed. A second cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second side surfaces at which the first and second internal electrodes are exposed. In the second cutting step, the ceramic green sheet laminate is pressed and cut by moving a cutting blade in a length direction or a width direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a structural part comprising a tubular portion from which there projects a structural element made of composite material, the method comprising the steps of: shaping a plane preform comprising a stack of a plurality of superposed fiber plies such that over at least a fraction of the preform that is to form a structural portion, the plies are secured to one another, and over at least another fraction of the preform that is to form a portion for connecting to the tube, the plies are separable so as to form two facing sheets; inserting a tube between the sheets of the connection portion so that the sheets surround the tube at least in part; and bonding the tube to the preform such that the tube forms the tubular portion and the preform forms the structural element of the structural part.

Abstract: Articles comprising an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane having serpentine fibrils and having a discontinuous coating of a fluoropolymer thereon are provided. The fluoropolymer may be located at least partially in the pores of the expanded fluoropolymer membrane. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is fluorinated ethylene propylene. The application of a tensile force at least partially straightens the serpentine fibrils, thereby elongating the article. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane may include a microstructure of substantially only fibrils. The articles can be elongated to a predetermined point at which further elongation is inhibited by a dramatic increase in stiffness. In one embodiment, the articles are used to form a covered stent device that requires little force to distend in the radial direction to a first diameter but is highly resistant to further distension to a second diameter (stop point).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of resurfacing a substrate with an engineered quartz material comprised of 93% ground up quartz and recycled post-industrial or post-consumer materials mixed with 7% pigments and binders with a thickness ranged from 5-19 mm. The method includes cutting a first piece with an overhang and an edge piece of the engineered quartz from the slab material, attaching the edge piece to the overhang to form a seam at 90-degrees and attaching 1.5? wide fiberglass cloth strips to the inside edge to reinforce the seam to form a resurfacing assembly and adhesively attaching the resurfacing assembly to the substrate.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and manufacturing method for an optical display device, which adheres upper and lower optical films to the optical display device using two rolls having optical anisotropies in the same direction, so that the optical anisotropies are orthogonal to each other. The manufacturing system includes a first feeding device for feeding a first optical film after cutting to a predetermined length, and a second feeding device for feeding a second optical film after cutting to a predetermined length. The first feeding device and the second feeding device correspond to the longer side and the shorter side of the optical display unit, so that the optical film having a width corresponding to the shorter side may be cut to a length corresponding to the longer side, whereas the optical film having a width corresponding to the longer side may be cut to a length corresponding to the shorter side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a disposable diaper by supplying a continuous web of flat material in a longitudinal direction for the forming of the side portions, forming first material clearances along a first cutting line at a side edge) of the web of flat material to produce contoured cutouts in the web of flat material, an imaginary parallel line PL, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction and placed at the point P of maximum extent of the cutout transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction, defining an outer sub-region and an inner sub-region of the web of flat material, folding the web of flat material about at least one first folding line running in the longitudinal direction, the folding line running within the outer sub-region, severing longitudinal portions of the folded web of flat material, undetachably fixing the portions of material to a respective longitudinal edge of a web for the main part of the diaper for the forming of side portions, forming sec

Abstract: A print and apply system configured to facilitate the application of a flow of activatable labels with variable length to a flow of items, including a roll of activatable label stock with a facestock and an activatable adhesive layer; a software program configured to create a layout for each of the flow of activatable labels with variable length; a printer configured to print on the facestock; a cutter configured to cut off a specific length from the roll of activatable label stock to form the flow of activatable labels according to the layout; an activation unit to activate the adhesive layer to turn it tacky; and, an applicator unit configured to receive and place the labels with activated adhesive onto a flow of items to be labeled. Related methods and uses are described.

Abstract: A method of fabricating shell purfling strips having sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The shell purfling strips may be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components allowing installation as a unit.