Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes first and second membrane electrode assemblies and a metal bipolar plate interposed between the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. The bipolar plate comprises first and second metal sheets facing the first and second membrane electrode assemblies and is securely fastened by welds. There is a gas diffusion layer interposed and compressed between the first membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plate. In the absence of compression on the gas diffusion layer, regions of the gas diffusion layer surrounding the welds have a thickness smaller by at least 5 ?m relative to the average thickness of the gas diffusion layer. This is done so that the contact pressure of the gas diffusion layer with the bipolar plate in the area of the welds is lower than its average contact pressure with the bipolar plate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane/electrode assembly, including depositing an electrocatalyst ink on one face of a support so as to form an electrode on the support and fixedly attaching the support and the electrode formed on a proton-exchange membrane by adhesion. The method also includes withdrawing a part of the support so as to uncover at least one median part of the formed electrode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a membrane-electrode assembly having a proton-exchange membrane includes supplying a proton-exchange membrane, depositing cathodic electrocatalytic ink on a first face of a first gas diffusion layer, assembling the proton-exchange membrane with the first gas diffusion layer, including securing the first face of the first gas diffusion layer with a first face of the proton-exchange membrane, depositing anodic electrocatalytic ink on a second face of the proton-exchange membrane, the second face being opposite the first face, and assembling the second gas diffusion layer with the membrane, including securing a second face thereof with a first face of the second gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fuel cell includes fixedly attaching a reinforcement to a proton-exchange membrane and to an electrode placed against a first face of the proton-exchange membrane. The reinforcement has a median aperture through which an interior portion of the electrode is exposed. Fixedly attaching the reinforcement includes superimposing an inner edge of the reinforcement over a periphery of the electrode, and causing a projecting portion of the reinforcement to project the proton-exchange membrane so as to limit gas permeation into the proton-exchange membrane, and forming filigrees by a wet process in a gas diffusion layer, thereby forming a recess therein, and placing the gas diffusion layer so that the inner edge of the reinforcement extends into the recess in the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for surface-to-surface application of a liquid media to a substrate. The apparatus comprises a housing and a device movably mounted within the housing. The housing has an external surface and an outlet. The device has an outer surface and an inner cavity for receiving the liquid media. The outer surface includes at least one recess in flow communication with the inner cavity such that liquid media can be delivered from the inner cavity to the recess. As the device moves within the housing, the at least one recess periodically passes by the outlet such as to apply to a substrate being conveyed past the outlet, in surface-to-surface contact with the external surface of the housing, a liquid media in a pattern corresponding in shape to the recess.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent sanitary napkins and in particular to a sanitary napkin including an absorbent layer having a plurality of spaced beam elements for promoting enhanced fluid wicking within the sanitary napkin.

Abstract: An apparatus for surface-to-surface application of a liquid media to a substrate. The apparatus comprises a housing and a device movably mounted within the housing. The housing has an external surface and an outlet. The device has an outer surface and an inner cavity for receiving the liquid media. The outer surface includes at least one recess in flow communication with the inner cavity such that liquid media can be delivered from the inner cavity to the recess. As the device moves within the housing, the at least one recess periodically passes by the outlet such as to apply to a substrate being conveyed past the outlet, in surface-to-surface contact with the external surface of the housing, a liquid media in a pattern corresponding in shape to the recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying a particulate material to a substrate includes applying adhesive to the substrate and passing the substrate through a chamber in which a particulate material is suspended in a fluid in order to adhere the particulate material to the substrate.

Abstract: An individually rolled disposable absorbent article that has a silhouette having two opposed end portions, a body facing surface, a garment facing surface and an adhesive. The adhesive is arranged on either one of the body facing surface or garment facing surface for securing the article in a position such as to allow to article to absorb body exudate. The disposable absorbent article is folded to form a folded structure which is wound into a rolled configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying a particulate material to a substrate includes applying adhesive to the substrate and passing the substrate through a chamber in which a particulate material is suspended in a fluid in order to adhere the particulate material to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying a particulate material to a substrate includes applying adhesive to the substrate and passing the substrate through a chamber in which a particulate material is suspended in a fluid in order to adhere the particulate material to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying a particulate material to a substrate includes applying adhesive to the substrate and passing the substrate through a chamber in which a particulate material is suspended in a fluid in order to adhere the particulate material to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water which comprises passing the water through a series of steps including sequentially passing the water through an aeration step, and then a plurality of treatment cells wherein each treatment cell comprises a trickle filter cell. The waste water is subsequently subjected to a denitrification step and to a dephosphorization step. It is then passed through a trickle filter cell and optionally may be treated by passing through a cell wherein the waste water is in contact with peat moss.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an open main frame interconnecting a cover and a base, an elongated incandescent light tube frictionally mounted at one end to the cover and at the other end to the base, and a plurality of rectangular louvers mounted at their top and bottom ends to the cover and base respectively by corresponding pivotal rods, and arranged in concentric fashion around the light tube. Each louver is lengthwisely pivotable in increments between an opened position, about a plane radial to the light tube, and a closed position, in which the two long side edge portions thereof overlap corresponding portions of the pair of opposite adjacent louvers to completely block light. An annular gear is rotatably mounted within an annular cavity of the lamp base, and meshes with pinions each fixed to the bottom pivotal rod of each louver. Hand-operated synchronous pivotal action of the louvers is thus possible by rotating the annular gear.