Abstract: A magnetic conductive substrate is provided and is used for wireless charging or wireless communication. The magnetic conductive substrate includes a first magnetic conductive layer, a second magnetic conductive layer, and a third magnetic conductive layer. The first magnetic conductive layer has a first magnetic permeability, the second magnetic conductive layer has a second magnetic permeability, and the third magnetic conductive layer has a third magnetic permeability. The second magnetic conductive layer is disposed between the first magnetic conductive layer and the third magnetic conductive layer, the first magnetic permeability is different from the second magnetic permeability, and the second magnetic permeability is different from the third magnetic permeability.

Abstract: A method for contour forming in a fiber placement system. The method includes painting multiple sliced layers on a stationary form to create a composite component. The sliced layers include multiple hoop tows. One or more overlap splices are formed in each of the hoop tows. The method includes applying a layup heat to multiple target areas on the sliced layers during the painting. The target areas are spatially arranged to permit a slippage in the splices. The method further includes draping the composite component on a curved tool with the hoop tows oriented perpendicular to an axis of curvature of the curved tool, and applying a curing heat to the composite component after the composite component has been contoured by the curved tool. The curing heat inhibits a further slippage in the overlap splices.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: A method of forming a component includes additively manufacturing a first subcomponent, the first subcomponent including a first polymer material with a first porosity. The method further includes mating the first subcomponent with a second subcomponent and ultrasonically welding the first subcomponent to the second subcomponent at a weld frequency. The first porosity can be 5% or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbon supported crack- and tear-free graphene membranes of large area useful for selective gas separation, method of preparation and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to carbon supported crack- and tear-free graphene membranes having good gas separation performance, in particular high H2 permeance and H2/CH4 selectivities.

Abstract: A method uses a sheet shaped member to separate two spaces from each other. The sheet shaped member includes a base having a first principal surface and a second principal surface, and a moisture permeable membrane provided on or close to the first principal surface of the base. The first principal surface of the base is arranged in one of the two spaces having a lower water vapor pressure when the two spaces separated from each other by the sheet-like member have different water vapor pressures.

Abstract: A method to design the kits and layup the reinforcement layers and core using projection system, comprising a mold having a contoured surface; a layup projection generator which: defines a plurality of mold sections; identifies the dimensions and location for a plurality of layup segments. A model-based calibration method for alignment of laser projection system is provided in which mold features are drawn digitally, incorporated into the plug(s) which form the wind turbine blade mold, and transferred into the mold. The mold also includes reflective targets which are keyed to the molded geometry wherein their position is calculated from the 3D model. This method ensures the precision level required from projection system to effectively assist with fabrication of wind turbine blades. In this method, digital location of reflectors is utilized to compensate for the mold deformations.

Abstract: Systems for positioning and bonding a nutplate to a substrate having an aperture include a nutplate engagement fixture and a temperature sensor retention fixture. The nutplate engagement fixture includes a rigid tube and an elastomeric tube engaged with the rigid tube, the elastomeric tube having an elongated tube sized to provide a friction fit with the aperture and retain the elastomeric tube within the aperture. The rigid tube is operable to engage the nutplate at one end and the elastomeric tube is configured to anchor the nutplate engagement fixture at the aperture and secure the nutplate in contact with the substrate. The temperature sensor retention fixture includes a fixture body sized and configured to engage with the nutplate and at least one passageway within the fixture body sized and configured to allow a temperature sensor to be inserted or embedded therein with an end proximal a surface of the nutplate.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a rechargeable battery pack having a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, in particular prismatic rechargeable battery cells or rechargeable pouch battery cells, having an encircling, preferably injection-molded, housing wall of plastics material which laterally surrounds a receptacle space for the rechargeable battery pack and in which at least one wound package wound from a strand of continuous fibers is integrated as a reinforcement structure, and to a method for producing such a housing.

Abstract: A junction structure includes a first material that is a metallic material, a third material that is a metallic material and is weldable to the first material, and a second material which is a nonferrous metallic material or a nonmetallic material. The second material is sandwiched and fixed between the first material and the third material by lap joining. At least one of the first material or the third material has a weld zone where the first material and the third material are melted and joined together, and at least one exhaust groove or at least one exhaust hole around the weld zone. The at least one exhaust groove or the at least one exhaust hole penetrates a thickness of the at least one of the first material or the third material.

Abstract: A touchpad device includes a substrate, a touch panel, and a light-curing adhesive film. The substrate includes a top surface, the touch panel is disposed above the top surface of the substrate, and the touch panel includes a touchpad and a circuit board stacked with each other. The light-curing adhesive film is bonded between the touch board and the circuit board, and the light-curing adhesive film is in a cured state.

Abstract: A bonding device includes: a bonding head configured to move in a vertical direction; a stage disposed under the bonding head and including a first portion, the first portion having a first plane surface facing the bonding head and a first support surface opposite to the first plane surface; and a supporter disposed under the stage and including a second support surface facing the first support surface, wherein the second support surface of the supporter has a recess portion having a first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A method for bonding a first substrate with a second substrate at respective contact faces of the substrates with the following steps: holding the first substrate to a first sample holder surface of a first sample holder with a holding force FH1 and holding the second substrate to a second sample holder surface of a second sample holder with a holding force FH2; contacting the contact faces at a bond initiation point and heating at least the second sample holder surface to a heating temperature TH; bonding of the first substrate with the second substrate along a bonding wave running from the bond initiation point to the side edges of the substrates, wherein the heating temperature TH is reduced at the second sample holder surface during the bonding.

Abstract: There is provided an adhesive application apparatus capable of efficiently applying an adhesive without inhibiting curing of the adhesive. An adhesive application apparatus of the present invention includes a mounting table 10, an adhesive dosing unit 20, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 30, and it applies a delayed-ultraviolet-curable adhesive 200 to a surface of a panel 100. The panel 100 is mounted on a mounting surface S10 of the mounting table 10. The adhesive dosing unit 20 applies the adhesive 200 to the surface of the panel 100 mounted on the mounting table 10 by discharging the adhesive 200 from an adhesive dosing port H20. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 irradiates the adhesive 200 dosed from the adhesive dosing port H20 with ultraviolet light L. Here, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 irradiates the adhesive 200 with the ultraviolet light L along the mounting surface S10 before the adhesive 200 dosed from the adhesive dosing port H20 is applied to the surface of the panel 100.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multi-layer assembly, or of protecting a surface of a multi-layer substrate from damage and/or contamination and/or debris, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a composite film comprising a polymeric base layer having a first and second surface and disposed on the first surface thereof a polymeric protective layer having a first surface and a second surface such that the first surface of the said base layer is in contact with the first surface of the polymeric protective layer, wherein said polymeric protective layer comprises an ethylene-based copolymer, and preferably wherein the polymeric base layer comprises a polyester derived from one or more diol(s) and one or more dicarboxylic acid(s); (ii) removing said polymeric protective layer from the first surface of said base layer; (iii) disposing on the exposed first surface of said base layer one or more functional layers to provide a multi-layer substrate, wherein the, or at least the uppermost, functional layer compri

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a controller relatively moves a bonding tool and a stage close to each other while causing a semiconductor chip to adhere by suction to a surface via a tape using at least a first suction structure in a first period. In a second period, the controller controls the temperature of the bonding tool to a first target temperature while keeping substantially equal to a target pressure a pressure applied to the semiconductor chip by the bonding tool. In a third period, the controller controls a relative distance between the bonding tool and the stage so that the pressure applied to the semiconductor chip by the bonding tool is kept equal to the target pressure and controls the temperature of the bonding tool to a second target temperature. The second target temperature is higher than the first target temperature.

Abstract: An RFID mesh label configured to be integrally incorporated within a vulcanized tire and to further provide unique identifier(s) and/or other information about the vulcanized tire during and/or post-vulcanization, the RFID mesh label including a face layer configured to be positioned adjacent or flush to an outer surface of the vulcanized tire; an RFID layer positioned underneath the face layer, the RFID layer having an RFID device that is configured to provide unique identifier(s) and/or other information about the vulcanized tire upon being read with an RFID reader; and a mesh backing overlying the RFID layer and adapted to be integrally incorporated in a vulcanized tire after subjecting a green tire to a vulcanization process.

Abstract: A separator for a battery formed from a polymer gel electrolyte that is disposed within the pores of a polymer mesh. The polymer gel electrolyte is formed from a crosslinked ion-conducting polymer and an ionic liquid. The separator is formed from a gel loaded with an electrolyte, which prevents issue with electrolyte leakage. The polymer mesh provides stability to the polymer gel electrolyte, allowing for use of thin films of the polymer gel electrolyte and use of soft polymer gel electrolytes.

Abstract: A holding device includes: a plate-shaped member having a first surface approximately orthogonal to a first direction; heat generating resistors and temperature measuring resistors disposed in respective segments formed by virtually dividing at least part of the plate-shaped member, the segments being arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction; and an electricity supply section that forms electricity supply paths for the heat generating resistors and the temperature measuring resistors. The holding device holds an object on the first surface of the plate-shaped member. The position of the temperature measuring resistors in the first direction differs from the position of the heat generating resistors in the first direction. A specific temperature measuring resistor that is at least one of the temperature measuring resistors includes a plurality of resistor elements disposed at different positions in the first direction and connected to one another in series.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a machine vision system on the undercarriage of a rail vehicle while the rail vehicle is in the field is presented. The system enables operators to calibrate the machine vision system without having to remove the machine vision system from the undercarriage of the rail vehicle. The system can capture, by a camera of an image capturing module, a first image of a target. The image capturing module and a drum can be attached to a fixture and the target can be attached to the drum. The system can also determine a number of lateral pixels in a lateral pitch distance of the image of the target, determining a lateral object pixel size based on the number of lateral pixels, and determining a drum encoder rate based on the lateral object pixel size. The drum encoder rate can be programmed into a drum encoder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to: a curable petroleum resin, which includes a repeating unit derived from a petroleum resin monomer, a repeating unit derived from a silane monomer and a repeating unit derived from a styrene-based monomer, and is used as an additive for a reactive polyolefin-based adhesive composition so as to increase adhesiveness to a polyolefin-based substrate used for various components; a preparation method thereof; and a use thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing labels (1), in particular labels provided on a liner (2). The apparatus includes at least one label feed device (3) for providing and feeding labels, a transport device (4) including at least one transport element (9, 10) for transporting the labels, which have been fed by the label feed device, in a transport direction, a printing device (11) including a printing head (11a) for printing the labels transported by the transport device, and a capturing device (12) for capturing the position of the respective label in a section of the transport device. The capturing device has a line-scan or area-scan camera (13) with which the side of the transport element that faces the labels during correct use and/or a gap (19) formed between two transport element sections (17, 18) in the transport direction is optically capturable in a capturing region (14).

Abstract: A press felt is provided including a non-woven base fabric material formed of a first fabric structure, with the first fabric structure including an array of MD yarns connected with at least one layer of a hot melt adhesive web material and at least one layer of a non-woven backing. The non-woven backing includes a layer of a first yarn system and a layer of a second yarn system oriented transverse to the first yarn system. At least one of the first and second yarn systems includes a low melt temperature adhesive that is heat activated and binds the first and second yarn systems together. The nonwoven base fabric material has an MD length and CD width and is arranged in two superimposed layers joined by the MD oriented yarns at CD oriented fold regions at each of two opposing ends thereof.

Abstract: A cover for a DEF assembly with openings dimensioned to receive various components that are positioned in the DEF holding tank and associated seals for closing the openings and retaining the components is disclosed. The seals are fixed to the cover by a sonic weld.

Abstract: A pumpable resin system for installation of mine bolts includes a resin injection cylinder comprising a resin chamber and a resin hydraulic cylinder, a catalyst injection cylinder including a catalyst chamber and a catalyst hydraulic cylinder, with the resin hydraulic cylinder synchronized with the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic reservoir in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, and a delivery line in fluid communication with the resin injection cylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder. The delivery line is configured to deliver resin and catalyst from the resin injection cylinder and catalyst injection cylinder into a borehole.

Abstract: By means of a method and an apparatus for laminating glass sheets, the effect of the variation of the initial temperature of the glass on the success of the lamination furnace treatment and the variation of the quality of the laminated glass can be eliminated, thus reducing quality costs. In the method, a sandwich structure sheet including glass and laminating film layers is heated in a lamination furnace, after which the heated sandwich structure sheet is conveyed between a pair of press rolls, and before the lamination furnace is measured the temperature of at least one glass sheet comprised in the sandwich structure sheet, and on the basis of that data, the heating effect of the lamination furnace on the sandwich structure sheet is changed. The apparatus comprises, upstream of the lamination furnace, a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the glass sheets.

Abstract: A back contact solar cell string includes at least two cell pieces, each cell piece including P-type doped regions and N-type doped regions that are alternately arranged, the P-type doped regions including positive electrode thin grid lines, and the N-type doped regions including negative electrode thin grid lines; and a plurality of conductive wires connected to the positive electrode thin grid lines and the negative electrode thin grid lines. The conductive regions configured for electrical connection between each conductive wire and the positive electrode thin grid lines or the negative electrode thin grid lines and insulation regions configured for insulating connection between each conductive wire and the negative electrode thin grid lines or the positive electrode thin grid lines are alternately disposed at joints between each conductive wire and the positive electrode thin grid lines, and at joints between each conductive wire and the negative electrode thin grid lines.

Abstract: An apparatus including a shell defining a first side and a second side, wherein the shell is formed from a one-piece integral structure, wherein the one-piece integral structure is joined together to form a seam, and wherein the seam is on one of the second side or the first side, a storage compartment, and an opening configured to provide access to the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for bonding first and second substrates together with tackifier free adhesives. The tackifier free adhesive may be applied to the second substrate to define an adherence zone. The first substrate is positioned on the adherence zone of the second substrate to define a first region and a second region of the adherence zone. In the first region, the tackifier free adhesive is positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. In the second region, the tackifier free adhesive may or may not be positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, and may not bond the first substrate with the second substrate. Thus, tackifier free adhesive may be applied to the second substrate to create an adherence zone defining a relatively large area that permits the placement of the first substrate thereon without the need to completely cover the adherence zone.

Abstract: A lamination apparatus including a first stage including a first body portion and an accommodation portion disposed on a bottom surface of the first body portion, a second stage disposed to face the first stage, and a jig device disposed between the first stage and the second stage, the jig device including a second body portion and at least one jig portion, in which the at least one jig portion has one end fastened to the second body portion and the other end having a rounded shape.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for creating spin-affected electric currents passively and feeding them into electric devices. The invention can be realized as either a rectangular black box incorporating coatings on top of and on the bottom of a conducting volume of material, or by coating a round-shaped wire or thread(s) of a cable. This is obtained by using a specific coating material on the conducting piece of material. The material may be piezoelectric, such as silicon dioxide (i.e. quartz) but also silicon carbide (SiC) may be used. Also, mixtures and composite arrangements are possible in order to create a coating. The manufactured add-on unit, when supplied with the input power or input signal, will act as an electron spin feeding device to the electric device because the electrons will be moving strongly within the interface area of the coating and the conducting material with aligned spins.

Abstract: The embodiment includes: a planar graphite heater; a clamp device that moves the graphite heater, which is arranged between a first bonding surface W1a of a first composite material member and a second bonding surface of a second composite material member facing the first bonding surface, in a traveling direction with the graphite heater being in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface; and a control unit that controls the graphite heater to heat the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface while the graphite heater is in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface.

Abstract: One example provides an optical device, comprising a light source configured to output unpolarized light, a polarizing beam splitter configured to split the unpolarized light into light of a first polarization state and light of a second polarization state and a polarization volume grating configured to receive the light of the first polarization state and the light of the second polarization state, and transmit the light of the first polarization state without changing the light of the first polarization state to a different polarization state, and convert the light of the second polarization state to the first polarization state, thereby forming polarized output light.

Abstract: In the present embodiment, a sealing agent (50) sealing two substates contains a low melting-point glass material and is adhered to each of a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (20), a barrier rib (60), which is formed in such a manner as to surround the outer periphery of an electronic element (30), is disposed between the sealing agent (50) and the electronic element (30), and between the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (20), and the sealing agent (50) is spaced apart from the barrier rib (60). As a result, a deterioration of the electronic element, caused by the heat produced when sealing, may be prevented while the electronic element formed between the two substrates is protected from moisture and oxygen.

Abstract: A label application system and method for applying a label to a package travelling on a conveyor along a conveying path includes: an applicator apparatus which is operable to move a label into contact with a package, a control system, which controls operation of the applicator apparatus, and a sensor system operable to detect an edge of the package, a distance from a reference point to the package, and the speed at which the package is travelling, wherein the control system is operable to receive and process the data from the sensor system relating to the package and initiate operation of the applicator apparatus such that the label is applied to the package in a desired position as the package moves in a direction of travel.

Abstract: A system and method of simulating and optimizing industrial and other processes includes a computer that performs multivariate analysis of input variables and output variables to generate a data model of the operation of the process. For industrial applications, the input variables include process variables and the output variables include result variables from the operation of the industrial process. The data model determines contributions to changes in the output or result variables by the respective input or process variables and is provided to a predictive algorithm to identify parameter values for input or process variables expected to have a most significant impact on the output or result variables during performance of the process. The outputs of the predictive algorithm are parameter values that are provided as input or process variables to the industrial process for simulation or performance optimization or product recommendations/optimizations.

Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laminate panel in which a transparent colored layer is formed with a decorative sheet on a base substrate such as a resin plate or glass; and a display panel using the laminate panel and to provide a method of manufacturing the display panel. The laminate panel includes a base substrate formed of a resin plate or glass plate, an adhesive layer formed on the base substrate, a transparent colored layer formed on the adhesive layer, and a surface protection layer formed on the transparent colored layer. The display panel is applied, for example, as an in-vehicle display panel.

Abstract: A litho laminating machine has an accelerator table (20), the table (20) being moveable between an operating position and a raised maintenance position, the table (20) being supported on a frame (24) with a bearing (22) defining a pivot axis (P), a lifting device (30, 40) being provided which comprises a spring element (30) biasing the table (20) towards the maintenance position, and an actuator (40) for moving the table (20) from the operating position towards the maintenance position.

Abstract: A counterholder for supporting at least a first of two boundary surfaces, between which a medium is arranged, via which a first compressive force acting on the first boundary surface and a second compressive force acting on the second boundary surface and directed counter to the first compressive force are exerted, at least temporarily. The counterholder has a shell of elastically deformable design at least in one contact area for positioning at a boundary element, which provides the first boundary surface on a contact side opposite the first boundary surface, and within which, a non-Newtonian, shear-thickening fluid is arranged.

Abstract: A sensing textile includes at least one assembly of optical fiber filaments, wherein the sensing textile has a main direction and a cross direction, and wherein the at least one assembly of optical fiber filaments is oriented at any angle measured relative to the cross direction.

Abstract: A lightning strike protection (LSP) system minimizes or eliminates both the direct and indirect effects of lightning strikes on aircraft with composite fuselages without adding excessive weight to the aircraft. The LSP system comprises an external current return network and an internal current return network. The internal current return network comprises a wide plane of conductive foil material adhered to, or embedded within, an innermost surface of the fuselage and other portions of the aircraft formed primarily of composite materials. The conductive foil material is provided in wide planar sheets, and in one embodiment, is formed of expanded copper foil mesh. The internal current return network is installed in all areas or zones of the aircraft where cables and wires are routed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and an anvil. The anvil is positionable in close proximity to the horn. Either the horn or the anvil has a face with a width dimension and a circumference and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height of the raised profile has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn and the anvil.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet of an embodiment of the present disclosure is an adhesive sheet including: a rigid resin film having a thickness of 80 micrometers to 500 micrometers, and a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer being disposed on or above a surface of the rigid resin film, wherein the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer includes elastic resin microspheres having a volume average particle diameter of 110 micrometers or greater and a tacky binder, and the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer has an uneven surface due to the presence of the microspheres.

Abstract: A contact lens has a core thick enough to accommodate a payload. The lens further has outer and inner coverings that cover parts of the core. Each covering is a thin layer of gas-permeable material shaped to form a respective cavity between the covering and the core. Oxygen passes through the outer covering to the outer cavity, through an air path within the core to the inner cavity, and through the inner covering to reach the cornea of the wearer's eye. To increase oxygen flow, a patterned structure is formed at an interface between the core and at least one of the outer and inner covering, comprising supports at which the core and covering contact, and recesses forming the cavity between the core and covering for oxygen flow. Because each recess spans only a short distance between supports, portions of the covering may be made thinner to improve oxygen flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of thermal management and/or electromagnetic interference (EMI) mitigation materials including coated fillers (e.g., coated thermally-conductive, electrically-conductive, dielectric absorbing, and/or electromagnetic wave absorbing particles, sand particles coated with a binder, other coated functional fillers, combinations thereof, etc.). For example, a thermal management and/or EMI mitigation material may comprise a thermal interface material (TIM) including one or more coated fillers (e.g., coated thermally-conductive particles, sand particles coated with a binder, etc.), whereby the TIM is suitable for providing a thermal management solution for one or more batteries and/or battery packs (e.g., a battery pack for electric vehicle, etc.), or other device(s), etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prepreg including a woven fabric base and a semi-cured product of a resin composition impregnated into the woven fabric base. The resin composition contains a maleimide resin as Component (A), an acrylic resin as Component (B), and a phenol resin as Component (C). The Component (B) has a weight average molecular weight falling within the range from 200,000 to 850,000.

Abstract: An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure also prevents any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. This construction results in an insulating chamber impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for securing an edge of the material to a support surface. A guide surface is positioned adjacent the edge to be secured. A weld head engages the edge of the material in a plurality of locations. A drive mechanism advances the weld head on the guide surface. The weld head engages the edge of the material and transfers energy to secure the edge of material in the desired position on the support surface.