Abstract: [Problems] To fill a container with a material without applying a high pressure to the material that is to be filled. [Means for Solution] An ejection device 1 comprises a filling chamber 24 formed in a cylindrical member for containing a material to be filled, a discharge portion 7 having a discharge nozzle 12 for pouring out the filled material to the exterior, and a piston 4 that pushes the filled material toward the front end side of the filling chamber 24 to discharge the filled material through the discharge nozzle 12. In the ejection device 1, the discharge portion 7 is formed separately from the filling chamber 24 and in a manner to be fitted to an opening on one end side of the cylindrical member 24, the opening serving as a filling port for filling the material to be filled, and after the material to be filled is poured into the filling chamber 24 through the filling port, the discharge portion 7 is coupled to the filling chamber 24.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir, a fluid suction chamber of variable volume that defines an extraction and application space; a dip tube that connects the reservoir to the chamber at an injection orifice that defines an injection axis; and a suction mechanism for sucking, during a suction stage, fluid from the reservoir into the chamber through the injection orifice. The injection orifice is situated a little way inside or outside the extraction and application space, such that the fluid is injected in the form of an axial jet into the extraction and application space and fills it, at least in part, without the injection orifice penetrating into the space.

Abstract: Fuel vapor is prevented from leaking to the outside during refueling, and even when an air space is formed in an upper portion of a fuel filler pipe, a diagnosis of leakage of fuel vapor can be performed with good accuracy. During refueling, fuel vapor is guided from a fuel tank 1 to a canister 3, and is absorbed by the canister 3. A change in the internal pressure of a fuel vapor path including the fuel tank 1, a fuel vapor pipe 4, and the canister 3 is detected by a pressure sensor 8, thereby performing a diagnosis of leakage of fuel vapor. An upper space 16 in the fuel tank 1 and an upper space 17 in a fuel filler pipe 2 communicate with each other through an airflow resistance pipe 12, and in order to restrict flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank 1 through the airflow resistance pipe 12 into the fuel filler pipe 2 during refueling, the airflow resistance pipe 12 includes an orifice 13.

Abstract: A paint formulation and dispensing apparatus for mixing paint from a can having an open top and to a receiving can. The apparatus includes a dispensing lid attached to the paint can so that the lid overlies the open top of the paint can. The lid includes a spout and a reservoir having a plunger slidably disposed in it such that the position of the plunger determines the volume of the reservoir. A valve is disposed in a passageway in the lid and is movable between a first position in which the valve fluidly connects the passageway to the reservoir, and a second position in which the valve fluidly connects the reservoir to the spout. A weight scale is positioned below the spout and the receiving can is positioned on the weight scale. The weight scale generates an electronic signal to a programmed processor which generates output signals to control both the position of the valve as well as the position of an actuator which engages the plunger.

Abstract: A containment and delivery device for liquid laundry detergent is provided. A dispensing nozzle is attached to a flexible bladder filled with a laundry detergent. The bladder is placed within an enclosure. The enclosure includes a perforated portion which is used to form an aperture for accessing the dispensing nozzle to dispense the laundry detergent. The enclosure is structurally strong enough to allow for the stacking of multiple containers.

Abstract: A device for filling soluble containers is provided. The device includes an assembly for orienting capsules comprising a sheet component having a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a sliding sheet adapted to move between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet includes slots for accommodating capsules, and the bottom sheet includes notches adapted to orient the capsules into a filling position. In a first position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the slots in the top sheet. In a second position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the notches in the bottom sheet. The assembly also includes a base component for guiding the oriented capsules therethrough. The base component can have an antistatic sheet fastened to the bottom surface. The sheet component can be loose fitted to the base component. An assembly for filling capsules is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a medicine filling device for filling empty vials of different shapes and sizes with medicine without having to replace any members or to perform any special operations. More Specifically, the medicine filling device is provided with: a first transfer means to transfer an empty vial B stored within a stocker while the vial B is positioned on a side; a vial lifter (second transfer means) to hold the transferred vial B in an upright position and to move said vial B towards a medicine filling unit; and a vial orientation detection means to detect the orientation of the vial B which was removed from the stocker by the first transfer means. The first transfer means is provided with a reversal mechanism and the vial B is supplied to the vial lifter from the first transfer means while the bottom of the vial B faces a vial guiding means.

Abstract: A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source. The container having air space above a fluid space. The fluid having a fluid level within the container. The refilling system comprising a fluid flow control valve connected via a bleed line to a fluid level sensor.

Abstract: A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to obviate attachment control and suction control for storing and retaining the carrier in the tip form vessel, to simplify complex reaction processes, and to make processing of the biological material fixed carrier to be easily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip comprises: a tip form vessel having an installation opening part that is installable to a nozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible, that is narrower than the nozzle; a carrier in which a predetermined biological material is fixed or fixable, and has a size or a shape that is able to pass through the opening; and an enclosing section provided on the tip form vessel.

Abstract: A gas cutting method is provided which includes: mixing hydrogen gas and hydrocarbon gas to acquire fuel gas; ejecting a preheating flame, which is formed by mixing and igniting the fuel gas and preheating oxygen gas, from an end of a cutting tip to heat a workpiece; and ejecting cutting hydrogen gas to the heated workpiece to cut the workpiece. Here, the content of the hydrocarbon gas in the fuel gas is more than 0 vol % and equal to or less than 4 vol %.

Abstract: A method of processing steel includes carburizing a martensitic stainless steel work piece to produce a carburized case by utilizing in combination, (i) a composition of the martensitic stainless steel work piece, (ii) a preselected carbon concentration in the carburized case, and (iii) a preselected grain size of the martensitic stainless steel work piece such that the carburized case predominately forms carbides of composition M6C, M2C, M23C6 or combinations thereof. The martensitic stainless steel work piece is then heated to substantially solution the metal carbides. The work piece is then quenched at a cooling rate that is sufficient to avoid substantial precipitation of any carbides during cool down to the martensite start temperature, then given a low temperature temper. In so doing, the carburized case hardened martensitic stainless steel will have balanced mechanical, tribological and corrosion resistance properties for high performance bearing and gear components.

Abstract: An amorphous Nickel-Free Zirconium alloy which is readily formed through copper mold casting, comprising a composition consisting of four elements in which the first element is Zr, the second element is Ti, the third element is Cu and the fourth element is Al, wherein an atomic percent of the first to the fourth elements in the composition are represented by a, b, c and d respectively, wherein a=45˜69%, b=0.25˜8%, c=21˜35%, and d=7.5˜15%, where a sum of a, b, c and d is smaller than or equal to 100%. The composition of the amorphous alloy within the above range is melted in a copper mold to form bulk amorphous materials or parts which have characteristics of high tensile strength, high fracture toughness, low Young's modulus and high corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A galvanized steel sheet having excellent formability is provided including steel having a composition which contains, on a percent by mass basis, 0.03% to 0.15% of C, less than 0.5% of Si, 1.0% to 2.5% of Mn, 0.05% or less of P, 0.01% or less of S, 0.05% or less of Al, 0.0050% or less of N, 0.05% to 0.8% of Cr, 0.01% to 0.1% of V, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities; and a zinc plating film on a surface of a steel sheet, and wherein a microstructure of the steel contains ferrite having an average grain diameter of 15 ?m or less and 5% to 40% of martensite in an area ratio, and the ratio of martensite having an aspect ratio of less than 3.0 to all the martensite is more than 95% in area ratio.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of melting, comprising: providing a mixture of alloy elements that are at least partially crystalline; and heating the mixture in a container to a temperature above a melting temperature of the alloy elements to form an alloy, wherein the container comprises silica, and wherein the mixture comprising Zr and is free of Ti and Be.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminium alloy forging for use in automotive suspension parts and the like, and a method of manufacture for same. The aluminium alloy forging contains Si 0.4-1.5 wt %, Fe greater than 0.4 wt % and equal to or less than 1.0 wt %, Cu equal to or less than 0.40 wt %, Mg 0.8-1.3 wt % and Ti 0.01-0.1 wt %; Zn is restricted to equal to or less than 0.05 wt %; and the aluminium alloy forging contains at least one selected from among the following group comprising: Mn 0.01-1.0 wt % and Cr 0.1-0.4%; and Zr 0.05-0.2 wt %. Hydrogen content is restricted to 0.25 ml or less per 100 g of Al, and the remainder is composed of unavoidable impurities and Al. The average grain size is 50 ?m or less, the crystallised area ratio is 3% or less, and the average crystallized grain size is 8 ?m or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a ferritic-austenitic stainless steel having good formability and high elongation. The stainless steel is heat treated so that the microstructure of the stainless steel contains 45-75% austenite in the heat treated condition, the remaining microstructure being ferrite, and the measured Md30 temperature of the stainless steel is adjusted between 0 and 50° C. in order to utilize the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) for improving the formability of the stainless steel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for manufacturing complex three dimensional open structures by cold forming the component from unhardened metal stock and then selectively heating and quenching the metal to provide the desired strength profile across the component. The metal is initially formed of unheated and unhardened metal through a combination of rolling, stamping and/or milling operations to produce a component having a complex three dimensional open structure. The formed component is then hardened in strategically predetermined areas by sequentially heating and quenching the predetermined areas of the component. The heating and cooling elements are, in turn, provided on at least one robotic apparatus configured for moving the elements across the surface of the component in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired pattern of hardened and unhardened regions across the component.

Abstract: A handbag with an interchangeable accessory. In one embodiment, the handbag includes a side having a double pleat, each fold of the double fold having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of each fold defining an opening. The handbag further includes a removable accessory, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion of the removable accessory is positionable through the opening of each fold so as to locate the first portion of the removable accessory adjacent the outer surface of each fold.

Abstract: Provided is a protective cover kit for a marine propeller having a protective cover and a shift control warning attachment. The protective cover components have a slit and a central opening with a plurality of reliefs radiating from its circumference capable of accommodating various sized propeller hubs or shafts. Attaching elements are coupled to a slit and the first layer and second layer of the protective cover. The first and second layers are of a shape capable of substantially encasing a marine propeller. Once a force is applied by a user to the release apparatus, the attaching element is released and the protective cover is removed remotely from a distance above the surrounding water of the marine propeller. A shift control warning attachment is installed by a user onto a shift control lever to prevent inadvertent shifting prior to the removal of the propeller cover.

Abstract: A kit for covering a load (18) comprising: a cargo cover (10); a deployment means comprising a base sheet (2) for containing the cargo cover (10) prior to covering the load (18), the base sheet (2) comprising releasable securement means (4) for securing it around the cargo cover (10); and a plurality of cargo cover deployment straps (12, 14).

Abstract: An object of the present technology is to provide a pneumatic tire whereby both performance on ice and dry performance can be achieved. A plurality of blocks is provided in a tread portion, a sipe being provided in at least one of the blocks. The sipe is, as a whole, a primary waveform sipe having, in a tread road contact surface, at least one peak portion and one trough portion. The primary waveform sipe is also an aggregation of secondary waveform sipes having a shorter wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a pneumatic tire having a foam noise damper, the pneumatic tire comprising two spaced inextensible beads; a ground contacting tread portion; a pair of individual sidewalls extending radially inward from the axial outer edges of said tread portion to join the respective beads, the axial outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; an innerliner disposed radially inward of the carcass, the innerliner having a innerliner surface facing an interior cavity of the tire; the method comprising the steps of: applying a silicone adhesive to the innerliner surface to form an adhesive prepared surface; applying a solid foam noise reducer to the adhesive prepared surface; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump for use in a self-inflating tire assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a tire mounted to a rim tire mounting surface. The tire has an internal cavity. The invention further includes a pump device mounted to the rim, and the pump device has a first end and a second end, the first end being mounted within the tire cavity and the second end located outside the rim and in fluid communication with the outside air. The first end of the pump device has a flexible member having an outer rim and an inner rim, wherein the outer rim is connected to a backing plate and an inner rim is connected to a piston, wherein the piston is slidably mounted within a chamber of the backing plate. The piston has an inner passageway for fluid communication with the tire cavity and the chamber, and the second end of the pump device has an internal bore in fluid communication with the outside air and the chamber.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) for reinforcing rubber product comprises at least one core strand (12) and outer strands (14), the outer strands (14) are helically twisted around at least one core strand (12). Each of the strands (12, 14) comprises core steel filaments (16, 20) with the number of m and outer steel filaments with the number of n. The diameter of the core steel filaments in the core strand is Dcc, the diameter of the outer steel filaments in the core strand is Doc, the diameter of the core steel filament in the outer strand is Dco, and the diameter of the outer steel filament in the outer strand is Doo. The ratio of Dcc/Doc is not less than 1.04, the ratio of Dco/Doo is not less than 1.03, and the ratio of Doc/Dco is not less than 1. The core steel filaments and outer steel filaments are polygonally preformed before being twisted into strands. The steel cord is used for reinforcing off-the-road tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a side wall portion includes a decorative region including two or more decorative portions that are continuously disposed so as to be contiguous in a tire circumferential direction and the tire radial direction, the decorative portions including multiple convex ridges that are disposed on an outer surface so as to be adjacent in the tire circumferential direction. A ridge arrangement angle is the same in the same decorative portion, and a ridge arrangement angle of the contiguous decorative portion differs therefrom. A distance between a first imaginary boundary line joining end portions of the ridges of the decorative portion that are on a side adjacent to the contiguous decorative portion and a second imaginary boundary line joining end portions of the ridges of the contiguous decorative portion on a side adjacent to the first imaginary boundary line is less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer comprises monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer and a plurality of voids. The voids are in an amount of between about 3 and 15 percent by volume of the first layer. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer, a plurality of void-initiating particles, and a plurality of voids. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire.

Abstract: A method for making fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided. In the method, a porous template having a number of holes and a proton exchange membrane is provided. A number of tube carriers having electron conductibility are formed. Each tube carrier is formed in one hole of the porous template. A number of catalyst particles are uniformly adsorbed on inner walls of the tube carriers. Proton conductor is filled in the tube carriers having catalyst particles adsorbing thereon. The proton exchange membrane is sandwiched between the two porous templates to form a laminated structure. The laminated structure is hot pressed. The porous templates are removed from the hot pressed laminated structure.

Abstract: A method of thermocompression (TC) bonding includes heating a semiconductor die and a substrate with at least one TC bondable material at an interface between the semiconductor die and the substrate with a bond head apparatus including a first portion and a second portion. The semiconductor die and TC bondable material or product therefrom are then cooled by removing the first portion from contacting the semiconductor die while maintaining the second portion of the bond head apparatus on the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A friction plate (2) with a friction lining carrier (18) and a paper friction lining (24) arranged on one side of the friction lining carrier (18) to form a friction surface, which comprises at least one first friction lining portion (32) and at least one second friction lining portion (34), the friction surface (36) in the first friction lining portion (32) being raised relative to the friction surface (38) in the second friction lining portion (34). The first friction lining portion (32) exhibits a lower resin absorption than the second friction lining portion (34). The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a friction plate (2) and to a wet-running multiplate clutch or brake comprising such a friction plate (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices wherein the apparatus includes a bonding module that has a vacuum chamber to provide bonding of wafers under pressure below atmospheric pressure; and a loadlock module connected to the bonding module and configured for wafer transfer to the bonding module. The loadlock module is also connected to a first vacuum pumping device configured to reduce the pressure in the loadlock module to below atmospheric pressure. The bonding and loadlock modules remain at a pressure below atmospheric pressure while the wafer is transferred from the loadlock module into the bonding module.

Abstract: A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and means for setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.

Abstract: A method is provided for wrapping a mat (24) around a core in an exhaust gas aftertreatment or acoustic device. The method includes the steps of applying a longitudinally extending strip of adhesive media to the surface of the core; securing a first end of the mat (24) to at least a part of the strip of adhesive media; wrapping the mat (24) around the core for at least a complete wrap around the core; securing a second end of the mat (24) to at least a part of the strip of adhesive media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a mold made of a composite material by using a prepreg material. First, a material 200 of a mold having a long two-dimensional shape and in a semi-cured state is produced from a prepreg sheet by continuous pultrusion molding. Subsequently, the semi-cured material 200 is mounted on a plurality of templates 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135 vertically provided on a base plate 120 of a molding apparatus 100, and thereby plastically deformed into a three-dimensional shape. The entire molding apparatus 100 is heated and pressurized to produce a completely-cured mold.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes, feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, decreasing a thickness of the permeable material, and wrapping the permeable material around a mandrel in a helical fashion.

Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing method for a transparent substrate excellent in bending property, flexibility, impact resistance, and external appearance. A manufacturing method for a transparent substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a step A of applying a thermoplastic resin (A) composition solution onto a support backing having solvent permeability to form an applied layer; a step B of attaching at least one surface of an inorganic glass and the applied layer to each other via an adhesive composition to form a laminate; a step C of subjecting the laminate to a first heat treatment to reduce an amount of a solvent remaining in the applied layer to a predetermined amount; and a step D including peeling the support backing from the laminate and subjecting the resultant to a second heat treatment to dry the applied layer, thereby forming a thermoplastic resin layer.

Abstract: A graphite-containing molded body is obtained by a method in which graphite particles are mixed with at least one solid additive to form a mixture which contains at least one inorganic additive, a mixture consisting of an inorganic additive and an organic additive, or more than 10 wt. % of an organic additive and the thus obtained mixture is subsequently compressed. The at least one additive which is used contains particles having an average diameter of between 1 and 500 ?m, determined in accordance with the ISO 13320 standard.

Abstract: A mandrel suitable for forming a hollow part from a heat curable material includes an (a) an elongate central member having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material, (b) at least one lateral member disposed at a first location and projecting away from the outer surface of the central member, the lateral member being slidably attached to the central member, and (c) a rigid elongate strut member having a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material. The first end of the strut member is affixed to the lateral member, and the second end of the strut member is affixed spaced apart from the lateral member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic cable and a method for manufacturing the cable. The cable includes an outer jacket that defines a fiber passage and first and second reinforcing member passages, an optical fiber ribbon, and reinforcing members. The method includes extruding the jacket, feeding the ribbon into the fiber passage, and feeding the reinforcing members into the reinforcing member passages. The jacket has a width and a thickness. The width is longer than the thickness. The reinforcing member passages are positioned on opposite sides of the fiber passage. The reinforcing members are paid-off from a single spool by paying-off a precursor reinforcing member from the spool. The precursor reinforcing member can be divided (e.g., by using a slitter) into the reinforcing members which are then fed into the reinforcing member passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of applying a temporary protective coating to a substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing a laminate comprising i) a flexible carrier substrate and ii) a coating layer prepared by applying by spreading, spraying or flow coating an aqueous coating composition comprising at least one water based film-forming polymer and solid particles of an amino resin based polymer to the flexible carrier substrate, and drying the applied coating composition, and b) transferring the coating from the flexible carrier substrate to a second substrate to provide the second substrate with a temporary protective coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a flexible display device by a roll-to-roll method, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a substrate transferring part for transferring a lower substrate attached onto a carrier substrate; a substrate separating part for separating the carrier substrate from the lower substrate transferred by the substrate transferring part; an upper bonding part for bonding an upper substrate to an upper surface of the lower substrate from which the carrier substrate is separated; and a lower bonding part for bonding a rear substrate to a lower surface of the lower substrate from which the carrier substrate is separated.

Abstract: Portions of microwave energy interactive material may be cut and removed during intermediate steps in a lamination processes, so that remaining microwave energy interactive material in a resultant laminate is arranged in a pattern. Regarding the removal of the portions of the microwave energy interactive material, a compound laminate may be delaminated into parts, and one of the parts may be a sacrificial laminate that includes the removed portions of the microwave energy interactive material.

Abstract: A biosensor strip having a low profile for reducing the volume of liquid sample needed to perform an assay. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip includes an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; a sample chamber; and an incompressible element placed between the cover and the electrode support, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber. In another embodiment, the biosensor strip has an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; and a sample chamber, the cover having a plurality of openings formed therein, at least one of the openings in register with the sample chamber. The invention further includes methods for preparing such a biosensor strips in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A laminar textile construction, to be used in acoustic components, characterized in that said construction comprises a double layer arrangement made by coupling a technical synthetic single-thread fabric material to a polymeric film, for use as sub-component elements in acoustic and electronic products in general.

Abstract: In one particular embodiment, a method for making a fiber-reinforced, composite article having an internal passageway includes providing a layup tool, fiber placing a base layup onto the layup tool, and generating a groove in the base layup. The method further includes placing a mandrel in the groove, fiber placing a top layup onto the base layup and the mandrel, curing the base layup and the top layup, and removing the mandrel from the base layup and the top layup. In another particular embodiment, the mandrel is replaced with a non-removable tube.

Abstract: Composite tape is laminated onto a substrate using a gantry to move a tape laminating head along the length of the substrate. The laminating head is mounted for movement along a beam on the gantry that extends across the width of the substrate. The direction of lamination may be altered by changing the angular orientation of the beam.

Abstract: A laminator comprises a laminating head and a processor. The laminating head comprises a plurality of heating elements. Each heating element has an activated state, in which the heating element is powered by a current, and a deactivated state, in which the heating element is not powered by a current. The processor selectively places the individual heating elements in the activated or deactivated state. The selective activation and deactivation of the heating elements is used to bond at least a portion of an overlaminate material to a surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A method for joining two components includes positioning a thermoplastic polymer portion of a first component adjacent a thermoplastic polymer portion of a second component such that the first and second portions form an interface. At least one of the portions includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void. The method also includes exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer portions to form a bond at the interface that holds the portions together. The plurality of closed cells, and especially those adjacent the surface of the thermoplastic polymer portion that form the interface, help isolate thermally and/or chemically the surface from the remainder of the portion.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying heat and pressure to a laminate assembly and to form a unitary product therefrom with increased processing efficiency. One implementation includes an apparatus that can decrease processing time by directly heating and cooling platens that press the laminate assembly. Additionally, the lamination press can allow the platens to flex about the laminate assembly, thereby applying substantially uniform pressure to the laminate assembly.