Abstract: A method of preparing a rubber tire component for use in a tire manufacturing process. The process includes providing relative motion between the tire component and a plasma treatment device so as to plasma treat a surface of the tire component. The method may be used to increase the tack and/or the adhesion of the tire component so as to eliminate or reduce the use of solvent-based tire cements in the tire manufacturing process. The method may further be used to increase the wettability of the tire component so as to allow water-based compounds, such as water-based tire cements and striping inks, to be used in the tire manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web butt-joining apparatus, comprising: a turret device that supports an old roll and a new roll on which band-shaped flexible base materials are wound to be capable of being unwound, and is rotatable at every predetermined angle; a cutting drum including a cutting member and a holding device; a cutting and joining drum which includes a cutting receiving member, and a holding device which is capable of rotating at the same speed as conveyance speed of the band-shaped flexible base material at a time of joining the band-shaped flexible base material; and a joining drum which is capable of rotating at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the band-shaped flexible base material at a time of joining the band-shaped flexible base materials, wherein while conveying the band-shaped flexible base material, the web butt-joining apparatus performs cutting and butt-joining of the tail end of the band-shaped flexible base material of the old roll and the tip end of the band-shaped fle

Abstract: The invention provides an auto-splice apparatus, and a method for using an auto-splice apparatus, for assisting an operator in splicing the tail end of a first fiber tow to the lead end of a second fiber tow, where the first fiber tow is being fed from a first reel of the first fiber tow to a fiber placement head of a fiber placement machine, and the second fiber tow is being fed from a second reel of the second fiber tow, with the auto-splice apparatus including, an operator actuated welding device for clamping together and applying heat to overlapped portions of the tail end of the first fiber tow and the lead end of the second fiber tow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for replacing a creel in a fiber placement machine, by sequentially moving replaceable creels into place on the fiber placement machine, via tracks and/or guide rails, as one or more spools in a previously operating creel are exhausted, and removing the creel having the one or more exhausted spools, to thereby allow fiber placement to continue from the replacement creel while the creel having one or more exhausted spools of material is replenished. An auto-splice apparatus and method are incorporated into the replaceable creel and fiber placement machine, for assisting in the exchange of replaceable creels.

Abstract: A method for matching and splicing webs that splices, by use of splicing tape, a rear end of a strip-shaped flexible backing that is drawn and conveyed from an old roll and a front end of a strip-shaped flexible backing that is drawn and conveyed from a new roll, in a state in which the front end and the rear end are matched, wherein the method performs matching and splicing by executing: a preparation step of performing matching and splicing preparations by retaining a front end of a strip-shaped flexible backing of the new roll with one of a pair of cutting drums, and supplying splicing tape to a pair of splicing drums, respectively; a cutting step of cutting with the pair of cutting drums a strip-shaped flexible backing of the old roll and a strip-shaped flexible backing of the new roll in an overlapping state after the preparation step; a feeding step of feeding to a splicing position a rear end of the strip-shaped flexible backing of the old roll and a front end of the strip-shaped flexible backing of th

Abstract: An apparatus and invention are provided for accelerating an added tow to match the lay-down speed of other tows exiting a compaction roller of a fiber placement head, by driving the added tow with an add roller operatively coupled to be driven at the same peripheral speed as a feed roller having a peripheral speed matching the peripheral speed of the compaction roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for handling the backing film in a fiber placement process, by winding-up the backing film, into a roll, as the backing film is separated from a fiber tow. The backing film is wound-up in such a manner that it can be fed back out to rejoin the tow, should it be necessary to rewind a portion of the tow during the fiber placement process. The backing film may be wound onto a paper or cardboard core for ease of removal and handling.

Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for hemming tridimensional textile fabric articles of manufactures and in particular bras, comprises a first machine for applying an adhesive strip on an edge of a fabric material, at a variable distance from a reference element, and a second machine for folding and sealing the fabric material portion on which the adhesive has been applied. The method to be carried out by the apparatus comprises the following steps: a first step of applying an adhesive strip at a fixed distance, but with a variable size, to the free fabric material, by flush cutting the latter; the adhesive being located with its paper support according to the fabric piece shape; a second step of detaching the paper material from the adhesive and trimming the assembly; and a third folding step for folding the textile portion with the adhesive applied thereto and seaming it on the portion to be hemmed.

Abstract: A method for making absorbent articles includes forming discrete absorbent cores on a first nonwoven core wrap web; providing a second nonwoven core wrap web in facing relation with the first nonwoven core wrap web to create a composite web wherein the discrete absorbent cores are located between the first and the second nonwoven core wrap webs; at least partially bonding the composite web between the discrete absorbent cores; cutting the composite web between the discrete absorbent cores to form absorbent assemblies which include a first nonwoven core wrap web, a second nonwoven core wrap web and an absorbent core positioned between the first and second nonwoven core wrap webs, the absorbent assemblies include a rear extension region length of at least 30 mm; and joining the absorbent assemblies between a bodyside liner and an outercover to form absorbent articles.

Abstract: Methods of forming shaped adhesive fillets are disclosed. The adhesive fillets may be made by stacking multiple layers of adhesive sheets, consolidating the stacked layers, cutting strips from the consolidated layers, and forming the strips into adhesive fillets having desired cross sectional shapes. The fillets may be formed by feeding the strips through an apparatus comprising opposing rollers and a catcher, which facilitates release of the adhesive fillets from the rollers. The formed adhesive fillets are useful for applications such as stiffened panels for aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an elastic laminate including a crosslinked elastic layer formed of an elastic copolymer includes a die for extruding a layer of crosslinkable elastic copolymer, at least one roll for conveying the elastic layer, a supply source for providing at least one nonwoven web, a lamination nip for laminating at least one nonwoven web to the elastic layer, a processing unit for crosslinking the elastic layer and a winder for collecting the elastic laminate. The crosslinkable elastic copolymer may be a crosslinkable elastic styrenic block copolymer, a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin plastomer, or a crosslinkable propylene-ethylene copolymer. The crosslinkable elastic layer may be extruded in the form of a plurality of parallel filaments such as by a filament die. The processing unit may be positioned between the at least one roll and the lamination nip or may be positioned between the lamination nip and the winder.

Abstract: A multilayer polymeric composite having a fluoropolymeric layer of a multiphase composition of a continuous phase of thermoplastic polymer material with a dispersed fluoroelastomeric amorphous phase provides a basis for improved gaskets, o-rings, seals, and flexible component members in assemblies. In one form, the multilayer polymeric composite is treated with radiation. The fluoropolymeric layer is remarkably thin while demonstrating excellent permeability resistance to fuels and amine bases.

Abstract: A laser ray transmitting colored resin composition is formed of polyphenylene sulfide resin and a colorant having an endothermic peak between 200° C. and 300° C. as determined by TG/DTA thermal analysis. The difference TC-TN between the crystallization point TC of the laser ray transmitting colored resin composition and the crystallization point TN of the same composition as the composition except for not containing the aforementioned colorant, is not less than 0° C. as determined by DSC thermal analysis. The laser ray transmitting material is made of the laser ray transmitting colored resin composition, and has one exothermic energy peak and one endothermic energy peak as determined by DSC thermal analysis.

Abstract: A method of forming spacers on a display substrate is described. First, a mould having a plurality of trenches is provided. Spacer are dropped onto the mould. When the mould is vibrated, the spacers fall into the trenches. Then, a display substrate having viscous substance on a surface thereof is pressed onto the spacers in the trenches of the mould, so that the spacers are bonded to the display substrate due to the viscous substance. Finally, the spacers bonded with the display substrate are removed from the trenches of the mould.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a smart card body is provided. A first polyurethane layer and an ink layer are sequentially formed on a first polyester substrate. A second polyurethane layer is formed on a transparent second polyester substrate. The transparent second polyester substrate is placed on the first polyester substrate, and the second polyurethane layer is positioned on the ink layer. A thermo-compression process is performed to form cross-links between the polyurethane layers and layers contacting therewith, at a temperature between 90° C. and 200° C. and pressure between 100 kg/cm2 and 220 kg/cm2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyimide based flexible copper clad laminate for manufacturing a flexible printed circuit board. The polyimide based flexible copper clad laminate comprises, in order, a copper foil, a thermoset polyimide layer, a thermoplastic polyimide layer, a thermoset polyimide layer, and a copper foil. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the polyimide copper foil laminate. First, a structure of copper foil coated with thermoset polyimide is formed. Then, the thermoset polyimide layers of two of the structures are adhered to each other by thermoplastic polyimide. Finally, after compressing and curing, the polyimide based flexible copper clad laminate according to the present invention is produced.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a composite product, as well as the composite product. The composite product comprises at least two layers. At least one of the layers is of wood or another cellulose-containing material. The process comprises differentially treating the layers prior to, during, or after the lamination of the layers into a composite product.

Abstract: Method for the production of a metallized carrier substrate, characterized in that a) in a first step in a digital printing method a printing ink with melt-on capability is partially applied onto a carrier substrate, b) in a second step metallization of the carrier substrate over the entire surface takes place, c) in a third step the carrier substrate is heated, wherein the printing ink with melt-on capability applied in the first step is melted, whereupon d) in a fourth step the printing ink, which is now liquid, together with the superjacent metal layer is removed through mechanical action or by means of ultrasonic treatment.

Abstract: A retaining ring for chemical mechanical polishing is described. The ring has a bottom surface with non-intersecting grooves. Alternating grooves are at opposing angles to one another.

Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus for plasma processing a sample, by controlling the temperature distribution, the RF bias and the electrostatic adsorption bias of the sample table, wherein the sample table comprises a plurality of sample table blocks (first, second, third, and nth sample table blocks) divided from the sample table circumferentially, that is, coaxially or radially into a plurality of portions each in a structure independent electrically and heat conductively, and each of the sample table blocks has a unit for conducting independent control for each of the temperature, the RF bias, or the pressure at the wafer rear face of the wafer.

Abstract: A vacuum plasma processor includes a roof structure including a dielectric window carrying (1) a semiconductor plate having a high electric conductivity so it functions as an electrode, (2) a hollow coil and (3) at least one electric shield. The shield, coil and semiconductor plate are positioned to prevent substantial coil generated electric field components from being incident on the semiconductor plate. During a first interval the coil produces an RF electromagnetic field that results in a plasma that strips photoresist from a semiconductor wafer. During a second interval the semiconductor plate and another electrode produce an RF electromagnetic field that results in a plasma that etches electric layers, underlayers and photoresist layers from the wafer.

Abstract: A ceramic film is formed by a spray method on a base material of an electrostatic attraction device. Electrode films for electrostatic attraction are formed by a spray method on a surface of the ceramic film. A ringular heater film is formed in a spray method between the electrode films in a radial direction of the electrode films. In addition, a ceramic film is formed by a spray method on upper surfaces of the electrode films and the heater film.

Abstract: A plastic container with in-mold label has an ultra-thin plastic container body and an in-mold label configured corresponding to an outline of the ultra-thin plastic container body. The label has two opposite jagged edges. The label is fusion welded on a periphery of the ultra-thin plastic container body with the jagged edges joggling with each other. A method for manufacturing the plastic container includes: (1) forming an ultra-thin plastic container body by plastic injection molding; (2) providing an in-mold label and spreading the label; (3) cutting two opposite edges to be jointed of the label into jagged edges; (4) fusion welding the label on a periphery of the ultra-thin plastic container body with the jagged edges joggling with each other. The jagged joint is capable of dispersing stress, thereby preventing the plastic container from cracking.

Abstract: A fiber lay-up apparatus and method includes one or more fiber sources from at least one fiber supply wherein a fiber may be fed under tension to provide a pre-stress to the fiber. The fiber lay-up apparatus may include a resin impregnator for impregnating a fiber with a resin. The fiber may be impregnated under pressure to reduce friction, to provide a motive force to move the fiber through the impregnator, or to enhance control over impregnation. The fiber may be shaped by a fiber shaping unit including one or more active or passive shaping members that provide enhanced control over the shape and placement of the fiber as the fiber leaves the fiber lay-up apparatus. A cutting element for cutting a fiber as it is being layed-up may be positioned proximal to the one or more shaping members, and may enable the fiber lay-up apparatus to end the lay-up of one fiber (or set of fibers) and begin the lay-up of a new fiber (or set of fibers) without delay.

Abstract: A compact fiber placement apparatus includes a fiber placement head, an articulated wrist apparatus, and a wrist mounting adapter for connecting the compact fiber placement apparatus to a fiber placement machine. The components of the compact fiber placement apparatus are operatively connected to one another by a wrist rotation torque motor, a head rotation torque motor, and a wrist pivot torque motor, to provide pivoting and rotating motion. A redirect arrangement includes a pivot redirect element driven by the wrist rotation torque motor at one half of the rotational speed at which a first and second wrist element of the articulated wrist apparatus pivot with respect to one another.

Abstract: A machine for making collapsible cellular structures folds two fabric webs into a V-shape or C-shape, connects the webs together with strands of adhesive, applies glue lines and collects the webs on a wheel. A variable speed motor, a fabric drive system which enables glue to be applied when the fabric is not stretched and a lay-on wheel assembly with movable arm that directs the fabric onto the collector can be provided in the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically applying heat-activated adhesive warning labels to the downward-facing (finished) side of an automotive headliner. The headliner is supported on a rack in a reverse-side up position, thereby permitting additional assembly operations to be performed on the upward-facing (reverse) side while the apparatus automatically applies warning labels to the downward-facing (finished) side. After the assembly operations have been completed and the labels applied, the completed headliner is removed from the rack and is ready for assembly into a vehicle, rather than having to be inverted in a second operation for application of the warning labels as had been required in previous practice.

Abstract: Tools for compacting composite parts are disclosed. These tools are used while layers of composite material, such as tows or laminae, are being deposited onto a fabricating surface, such as a mold or other forming tool. The compacting tool is typically divided into a series of narrow segments, each segment able to advance or retreat individually so as to conform to the surface of a composite part being formed. Pressurized fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid, or non-pressurized internal bladders with incompressible fluid, are used to evenly apply pressure to the segments in order to compact the material with which the tool and the segments are in contact. The compacting tool thus helps eliminate voids and helps the material conform to the desired shape on the forming tool.

Abstract: A taper tool for applying tape to a wall surface is provided. The taper tool may simultaneously advance tape and apply mastic to the advancing tape. The taper tool may include a jam clearing assembly for clearing tape jams occurring along the tape path. The taper tool may include a body for holding mastic and a taper head coupled to an end of the body. The taper head includes a housing defining an opening and a mastic ejection nozzle, both of which are in fluid communication with the body. The opening facilitates introduction of mastic into the body and the nozzle facilitates ejection of the mastic from the body onto the tape. The taper head also includes a valve positioned within the opening to control introduction of mastic into the body, and a cover plate removeably connected to the housing to cover both the opening and the nozzle.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a stacker to stack plural sheets thereon, and an adhesive-applying device that applies adheasive to a portion of a side of the plural sheets stacked on the stacker to bind the plural sheets in such a way that the adhesive-applied portion of the side is smaller than the adhesive-non-applied portion of the side.

Abstract: A lockable cord pulling device includes a mounting member having a vertically extending abutment wall, and a pulley roller rotatably mounted on the mounting member, a pull cord trained on the pulley roller to form an underlying region that cooperates with the abutment wall to define a moving route oriented in a vertical direction, and a lock roller movable along the moving route. When the pull cord is pulled to bring the underlying region into frictional engagement with the lock roller, subsequent downward pulling of the pull cord in an upright direction to tense the underlying region will cause the lock roller to roll to a locked position, where the lock roller is stuck between the pulley roller and the abutment wall. The lock roller is allowed to fall into an unlocked position by virtue of gravity once the pull cord is pulled leftwards.

Abstract: A shutter system includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of connectors for connecting each blade to another blade. The shutter system also includes bottom and top tracks along which each blade runs. Each connector comprises a plurality of female hinge components and each blade comprises one or more male hinge components, and the male and female hinge components are adapted to connect each blade to another blade.

Abstract: A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly.

Abstract: A rolled tissue product that can help a child's progress in the toilet training process is generally disclosed. The rolled tissue product can have a pattern, located on the tissue web, such that the pattern helps the child determine the appropriate amount of bath tissue that should be used. Also, some perforations in the tissue web can be weaker than other perforations to help the child cleanly tear the appropriate amount of bath tissue from the roll. Some of the perforations in the tissue web can have visual cues to indicate where the perforation is located.

Abstract: This invention relates to composition containing expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound and having a zeta potential that is greater than or equal to zero mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less at an ionic strength of from 10?6 M to 0.1 M., as well as methods of making and using the composition.

Abstract: Bulk softened fibrous structures, especially bulk softened, polar agent-free fibrous structures, and methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A process belt having a woven base fabric, a barrier on an upper surface of the base fabric, a fibrous batt layer on the barrier and needled through the barrier and into the base fabric forms a composite structure. When an additional material is applied, the barrier protects a predetermined seam loop area from significant contamination by the additional material, resulting in a seam loop area that is substantially clear of obstruction so that a pintle can be installed faster and easier with less damage to the loop yams.

Abstract: A method for producing a casting mold from a composite mold material for foundry purposes that is composed of different kinds of mold materials that are heat-resistant for the casting of metals and that differ in substantive composition or have different contents of organic or inorganic binders. A solid mold body is prepared from a foundry mold material A that is completely or partially encased during its preparation with a free-flowing chemically bonded foundry mold material B. A composite mold material block is formed after the hardening of the foundry mold material B, which is then machined by a cutting method such as milling, boring, turning, or grinding. The mold cavity is introduced into the mold body consisting of the foundry mold material A, and the inflow system and the feed system are introduced into the mold material block consisting of the foundry mold material B, using CAD data.

Abstract: At least one feed core and at least one wall cooling core are assembled with a number of elements of a die for forming a cooled turbine engine element investment casting pattern. A sacrificial material is molded in the die. The sacrificial material is removed from the die. The removing includes extracting a first of the die elements from a compartment in a second of the die elements before disengaging the second die element from the sacrificial material. The first element includes a compartment receiving an outlet end portion of a first of the wall cooling cores in the assembly and disengages therefrom in the extraction.

Abstract: At least one feed core and at least one wall cooling core are assembled with a number of elements of a die for forming a cooled turbine engine element investment casting pattern. A sacrificial material is molded in the die. The sacrificial material is removed from the die. The removing includes extracting a first of the die elements from a compartment in a second of the die elements before disengaging the second die element from the sacrificial material. The first element includes a compartment receiving an outlet end portion of a first of the wall cooling cores in the assembly and disengages therefrom in the extraction.

Abstract: A method for casting a cooled component includes molding a sacrificial pattern. A plurality of holes are formed through the pattern. A shell is formed over the pattern including filling the holes. The pattern is destructively removed from the shell. A metallic material is cast in the shell. The shell is destructively removed.

Abstract: An investment casting pattern is formed by installing a first core to a first element of a molding die to leave a first portion of the first core protruding from the first element. After the installing, the first element is assembled with a feed core and a second element of the molding die so that the first portion contacts the feed core. A material is molded at least partially over the first core and the feed core. The first portion has one or more surface area enhancements.

Abstract: An embodiment of the presently claimed invention includes an in-situ slurry formation apparatus mounted to die casting machines to convert liquid metal to semi-solid metal (SSM). Thus, there is no need to modify existing machines or change the cell layout to accommodate more space than would otherwise be necessary. These machines also need not be replaced with machines specially designed for SSM. Further, a method for converting molten metal to semi-solid metal includes coupling a conduit to a die casting machine, wherein the conduit comprises an inlet, an outlet and a body disposed between the inlet and the outlet, regulating the conduit's temperature, surrounding the conduit with a housing, inserting molten metal at the inlet, cooling the molten metal to semi-solid metal in the body, and expelling semi-solid metal from the outlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dual surge tank for use in a cooling system of a vehicle. The dual surge tank includes a housing having an outer wall defining a container, and a divider, located within the housing, dividing the container into a first chamber adapted to contain a first liquid and a second chamber adapted to contain a second liquid, with the divider sealing the first chamber from the second chamber. The divider may provide heat insulation between the two chambers. The first chamber may contain engine coolant and the second chamber may contain electronics coolant.

Abstract: An air-to-air aftercooler may include a tube configured to direct a flow of charged air. The tube may include at least one first protrusion located on a first interior surface of the tube, and a first longitudinal plane may extend through the at least one first protrusion. The tube may also include at least one second protrusion located on a second interior surface of the tube, and a second longitudinal plane may extend through the at least one second protrusion. Furthermore, the first longitudinal plane and the second longitudinal plane may intersect.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid leak sensing structure is provided with a casing including a lower wall, a circulation unit received in the casing and providing circulation of a liquid, a liquid leak sensor interposed between the lower wall of the casing and the circulation unit, and a liquid absorbing member interposed between the liquid leak sensor and the circulation unit. The liquid absorbing member permits part of a liquid from the circulation unit to flow therethrough toward the liquid leak sensor.

Abstract: A heatsink for electronic component is provided. The heatsink has its fins made from metallic plates having multiple cavities of irregular shapes and dimensions dispersed within the metallic plates. For fins made from these porous metallic plates, the cavities or pores significantly increase the surface areas of the fins exposed to the air and these fins, therefore, have a superior heat dissipation capability than those fins made of the same material but with no pores. When operated with an auxiliary fan, the pores of the fins provide additional passages to the air flow and the fins are able to achieve a better wind-chill effect.

Abstract: A bottom plate of a radiator for a CPU in a computer includes a lower surface contacting with the CPU and an upper surface provides elongated protrusion parts and elongated grooves corresponding to a heat pipe. The radiator further includes a cooling core composed of a plurality of cooling fins, a fan support at upper side of the cooling core, a fan fixed to the fan support and a retainer. The cooling core provides a recess corresponding to the elongated protrusion parts.

Abstract: A liquid cooling device (10) includes a heat sink (12), a reservoir (14) distant from the heat sink, a duct (16) connecting with the reservoir, a flexible tube (18) connected to the duct and the heat sink, and a heat-transfer member (19) in the liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device is filled with liquid therein. The heat-transfer member is a heat pipe including an evaporating segment (192) fixed to the heat sink and a condensing segment (194) extending freely in the reservoir.