Abstract: A battery separator in which plural sheets of microporous plastic material are connected by a strip or strips of polyvinylchloride in a manner suitable to form a sleeve. The strips may be high frequency heat sealed to the sheets or may be bonded thereto by solvating the outer edge portions of the strips, applying pressure between the strips and the sheets, and allowing the solvent to evaporate. A method of manufacturing a battery separator of the above type.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a sheet of relatively brittle material in which an articulated frame assembly is mounted relative to a support structure in a manner so that two portions of the frame assembly can pivot relative to each other in an angular direction to fold the sheet about a fold line intermediate the ends of the sheet. Each portion of the frame assembly includes a movable portion which is adapted to fold the outer end portion of the sheet about an additional fold line intermediate the first fold lines and the outer edge portion. The sheet is heated along the fold lines prior to the folding operations.

Abstract: A casing formed by a hollow enclosure molded integral from a polycarbonate material, with at least a portion of the enclosure having a sinusoidal, cross-sectional configuration. A method of manufacturing a casing of the above type.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fabrication of battery separator sleeves in which two sheets of microporous plastic material are bonded to intermediately-disposed sealing strips by solvent welding or solvent adhesive bonding. Dispensers continuously apply solvent or solvent adhesive to the interfaces between continuous lengths of parallel, superposed sheet material and two, continuous lengths of sealing strips disposed between and along the lateral edges of the sheet materials. Bonding is achieved by subjecting the assembled materials to pressure applied by a series of pressure rollers and to heat applied to the lateral edges of the sheet materials by heating elements. The continuous length of formed battery separator sleeve is cut to the appropriate length.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-sealing two lapped end portions of a sheet of microporous plastic material in a substantially envelope or sleeve-like form in which a platen is adapted to receive the sheet material and the opposed walls of the sheet material are forced or urged towards the platen to align the end portions. A predetermined amount of dielectric heat energy is applied to the end portions to seal them together.

Abstract: A battery separator in which plural sheets of microporous plastic material are connected by a strip or strips of polyvinylchloride in a manner suitable to form a sleeve. The strips may be high frequency heat sealed to the sheets or may be bonded thereto by solvating the outer edge portions of the strips, applying pressure between the strips and the sheets, and allowing the solvent to evaporate. A method of manufacturing a battery separator of the above type.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a sheet of relatively brittle material in which an articulated frame assembly is mounted relative to a support structure in a manner so that two portions of the frame assembly can pivot relative to each other in an angular direction to fold the sheet about a fold line intermediate the ends of the sheet. Each portion of the frame assembly includes a movable portion which is adapted to fold the outer end portion of the sheet about an additional fold line intermediate the first fold lines and the outer edge portion. The sheet is heated along the fold lines prior to the folding operations.

Abstract: Hollow, multi-layered plastic structures are provided comprising a layer of thermoplastic polyester material and a layer of polyethylene, the polyethylene and polyester layers being cross-linked together at their interface. A process for producing such structures which comprises charging a mold with thermoplastic polyester material, rotating and heating the mold so as to fuse and form a layer of the polyester material on the inner surface of the mold, cooling the mold to a point below the melting point of the polyester but above the melting point of a subsequently added cross-linkable polyethylene material, stopping the rotation and charging the mold with the cross-linkable polyethylene material, resuming the rotation of the mold and heating it to a temperature sufficient to fuse and cross-link the polyethylene with the polyester layer, cooling the mold to a point below the melting point of the polyethylene and removing the finished structure from the mold.