Abstract: A protective cover for a golf club, such as a driver or wood, is disclosed that remains in place during play to prevent scuffing, scratching, and the like of the surface finish. The golf club includes a head having a striking face portion and a non-planar body portion, and a shaft extending from the head. The protective cover includes a one-piece continuous polymeric film that closely conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the non-planar body portion of the golf club head, such as the entire crown, and a layer of adhesive adhering the polymeric film to the club head. The polymeric film preferably does not cover the face portion of the golf club head so that it has minimal impact on the performance of the golf club. A method of applying the protective cover to the club head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A part includes a structure and at least one shape memory alloy element that is prestressed and embedded at least in part within said structure. The shape memory alloy is suitable for dissipating the mechanical energy of said structure when it vibrates in a given frequency band.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an absorptive article according to the present invention includes: placing a continuum of the elastic members 4A and 5A in a desired layout, on at least one surface of a web 7A being transported continuously, while swinging the continuum of the elastic members 4A and 5A in a direction crossing a moving direction of the web 7A; feeding the web 7A on which the continuum of the elastic members 4A and 5A are placed, between a first roll 8, which is rotating in the moving direction, and a second roll 9; and pressing the continuum of the elastic members 4A and 5A, and the web 7A between the first roll 8 and the second roll 9.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a guide mechanism having a feeding portion for feeding an elastic member. The feed portion is alternately movable in a first direction and a second direction, and the elastic member is brought into contact with a web conveyed in a machine direction and is ananged in a waveform. The first direction is from a center portion of the web to a first end portion in a cross direction crossing the machine direction. The second direction is from the center portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. A distance between the feeding portion and a nip point at which the elastic member comes in contact with the web is largest when the nip point exceeds a position in the waveform where an angle between the machine direction and a tangent to the waveform is largest.

Abstract: Included is a tip end portion being a feeding position from which a filiform elastic member is fed. By an arm member guiding the elastic member, the tip end portion is alternately moved in a first direction and a second direction, and thereby the elastic member is brought into contact with the web and is arranged in a gather waveform. Here, the first direction is from the center portion of a web being conveyed in a predetermined direction and having sequentially-arranged component parts forming one part of an absorbent article, to a first end portion in a cross direction crossing with a conveyance direction, and the second direction is from the center to a second end portion which is an end portion opposite to the first end portion. At this time, in a planar view of a composite web, when a nip point exceeds a position where an angle between the conveyance direction and a tangent to the gather waveform is largest, a distance between the tip end portion and the nip point is largest.

Abstract: A method for producing a disposable worn article and a laminated stretchable sheet of the present invention includes: a step of forming stretched elastic sheet pieces F1 from a continuous elastic sheet; a step of carrying continuous webs Wa and Wb to be torso portions; a step of placing the elastic sheet pieces F1 intermittently on the continuous webs Wa and Wb; a step of bonding opposite end portions of the elastic sheet pieces F1 in the longitudinal direction to the continuous webs Wa and Wb by an adhesive, during the placement; an ultrasonic attachment step of forming a laminated stretchable sheet in an overlap portion between an intermediate portion between the opposite end portions of the elastic sheet piece F1 and the continuous webs; a placement step of placing core portions C, each of which forms a crotch portion 33, between adjacent ones of the elastic sheet pieces F1; and a step of cutting off the laminated stretchable sheet between adjacent ones of the core portions C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a thermoplastic resin film, which comprises oxidizing the surface of a thermoplastic resin film (i) that contains an unsaturated carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin-based resin, then applying a surface modifier thereto, and stretching it. According to the method, thermoplastic resin films can be produced that have good adhesiveness between the film substrate and the coating layer thereof and have good printability and electrostatic resistance.

Abstract: An elastomer laminate has an elastomer carrier layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one microtextured cover layer composed of a polymer that has a lower elasticity than the material of the carrier layer. The microtexture is produced by stretching the laminate beyond the elasticity limit of the cover layer and elastic recovery of the stretched laminate. The microtextured cover layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: A multi-segment, heat-shrinkable film includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment includes a bulk layer and a microlayer section comprising a plurality of microlayers. The second segment is joined to the first segment and has an oxygen transmission rate of no more than about 100 cc/m2-atm.-24 hrs. (at 73° F. and 0% relative humidity). The multi-segment film has a total free shrink (ASTM D2732-08) of at least about 30% at 185° F.

Abstract: A method for forming a porous PTFE layer includes steps of: combining one or at least two unburned porous PTFE films and a support body that can withstand a heating condition in the following process (a rod or plate shaped support body made of mesh or the like is preferable) by using a predetermined means in such a manner that a slip can be prevented in a heating treatment in the following process; and heating the matter resulted from the above process at a temperature of at least 150° C. and less than the melting point of the PTFE film for the range of 5-120 minutes (preferably at a temperature in the range of the melting point of a thermoplastic resin fiber to 320° C. for the range of 10-60 minutes in the case in which the thermoplastic resin fiber or the like is used in the process).

Abstract: A method for forming a porous PTFE layer includes steps of: combining one or at least two unburned porous PTFE films and a support body that can withstand a heating condition in the following process (a rod or plate shaped support body made of mesh or the like is preferable) by using a predetermined means in such a manner that a slip can be prevented in a heating treatment in the following process; and heating the matter resulted from the above process at a temperature of at least 150° C. and less than the melting point of the PTFE film for the range of 5-120 minutes (preferably at a temperature in the range of the melting point of a thermoplastic resin fiber to 320° C. for the range of 10-60 minutes in the case in which the thermoplastic resin fiber or the like is used in the process).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing and wrapping adhesive backed labels around elongate articles, such as electrical wires, including a rotatable puck assembly having an interrupted circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving an elongate object to be labeled and wing members for applying said label during rotation.

Abstract: A plastic sheet having cloth-like appearance and thermoplasticity and provided with melt patterns in the sheet face, the melt patterns formed in a predetermined arrangement under an elongating condition of the plastic sheet so as to form convex-concave wrinkles in regions between neighboring melt patterns in the plastic sheet under an un-elongating condition.

Abstract: An air permeable elastic laminate and a fabricating method thereof are disclosed. At least two materials having different elasticity coefficients are combined to form an elastic laminate. A thermal melting processing technique is utilized to perform a local thermal treatment to the elastic laminate so as to form a plurality of hardened parts on the elastic laminate. A stretch stress is applied to the elastic laminate in order to break the hardened parts. The elastic laminate is elastically recovered after the stretch stress is released. The air permeability is provided to the elastic laminate through the broken hardened parts, and the unhardened parts on the elastic laminate still have elasticity.

Abstract: An elastic netting like product is carried between two outer layers of material, such as nonwoven or non-stretch material, which are bonded together at the open areas of the netting like structure. The resulting laminate allows for the outer layers of the laminate to be directly bonded to each other without the stretch engine material being introduced into the bond.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a strip guide for laterally shifting a longitudinally moving strip material as it enters a joining mechanism that urges the strip material into contact with a moving sheet material, the strip guide comprising a surface over which the strip material passes longitudinally, the surface defining a U-shape.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an absorbent article according to the present invention includes the steps of: splitting an elastic member bundle having line-splitting strength within the predetermined range into multiple first elastic members by feeding the elastic member bundle in an MD via a line splitter, the line-splitting strength measured by a predetermined measuring method; applying an adhesive at least on a predetermined curved line on a web continuously conveyed; and placing the multiple elastic members thus split on the web while swinging the elastic members in a CD. The elastic member bundle is formed by splitting a single original elastic member with a slit into the multiple elastic members, and bundling and pressurizing the multiple elastic members.

Abstract: A method of modelling fabric properties and behavior first involves generating (16) a yarn model from fiber parameters, which may be empirically determined. The yarn model is homogenised (18, 20) to produce a homogenous representation of the yarn (YMM), suitable for use in finite element analysis. The method may then, secondly, involve generating (24) a fabric weave model by finite element analysis of the yarn representation (YMM). The fabric model is then also homogenised (26, 28) to produce a homogeneous representation of the fabric (FMM), suitable for use in finite element analysis. Finite element analysis of the fabric representation (FMM) can then be used to assess the suitability of various fabric materials for technical applications.

Abstract: Provided is a high-shielding reflective film, and its manufacturing method. This film is fabricated from an optical reflective film and a polarizer. The optical reflective film and the polarizer are combined by a means of a specific scheme. The optical reflective film is formed by stacking multiple layers of dielectric optical interference films with different materials. The optical reflective film particularly applies a principle of optical interference to reflect the most of the incident light, and allow some transmission. The polarizer is to absorb half of the incident light, and allow the other half to pass through. Since the characteristics of reflection between the reflective film and the polarizer are different, the reflectance difference therefor may increase. By which, the high-shielding reflective film achieves a one-way mirror with anti-peep effect since it substantially increases the reflectance difference among the incident lights from the various directions.

Abstract: A method for detection of a synchronizing mark (6) being used in synchronized positioning of at least one essentially continuous material web (2), for manufacturing products (20) that have printed motifs (5; 5?) or similar processed elements, which material web (2) is intended to be divided into a nominal division length (LN) and has synchronizing marks (6) with a periodicity (LS), which method includes: detection of the respective synchronizing mark (6) for positioning the respective motif (5; 5?) in a predetermined position on the respective product (20), which detection is carried out along a predetermined in the machine direction longitudinal section (24) of the material web (2), and detection of the synchronizing mark (6) by distinguishing its color or color combination from colors or color combinations in the rest of said section (24). An arrangement for such detection, and an absorbent product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method includes the steps of: conveying in a conveyance direction MD a second web in which components forming one part of an absorbent article are sequentially arranged; swinging an elastic member in a cross direction CD at a predetermined cycle by using a swing guide mechanism for guiding the elastic member; and pressing, between one pair of press rollers, the second web on which the elastic member is arranged. The swing guide mechanism has a motor with a rotational shaft, an arm member for guiding the elastic member to a predetermined position on the second web in the cross direction, and a speed reducer provided between the rotational shaft and a base of the arm member to make a rotational speed of the arm member slower than a rotational speed of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A boxer-style pant and a method of making a boxer-style pant having side seams, a contracted crotch region, and hanging legs. A web is provided. The web may be a single pant assembly, or a continuous web of multiple pant assemblies connected to one another. The web may be folded against a support structure. In certain embodiments, a multi-lane production system may be used wherein the web is folded against multiple support structures each parallel to a direction in which the web is conveyed, with each lane or machine direction array of pant assemblies folded against just one support structure. The web is cut to define leg openings, and contracted in selected areas along the web between the leg openings. Front and back regions are then joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel process for manufacturing very thin freestanding polymeric films with the steps of supplying a molten film layer stream and a molten assist layer stream by a first extruder and second extruder; intimately contacting the film layer stream and the assist layer stream in coplanar fashion; extruding the film layer stream and the assist layer stream through a planar coextrusion die lip; stretching the multilayer melt curtain; cooling the multilayer film; delaminating the assist layer or layers from the film layer; and transporting the film layer to downstream processing operations. This process allows manufacturing of very thin freestanding films made from amorphous polymers, highly filled films made from amorphous, semi crystalline, or crystalline polymers, chemically cross linked films, and films with diffused addenda that would normally cause undesirable reactions in an extrusion environment.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising a polarizing film having thereon a retardation film containing a plasticizer and a cellulose ester, wherein a free volume radius of the retardation film determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy is in the range of 0.250-0.310 nm.

Abstract: An off-line stretching device includes a film supply chamber, a tenter section, a relaxation chamber, a cooling chamber, and a winding chamber. The film supply chamber includes a splicing section, where a rear end of a preceding film and a front end of a trailing film are overlapped to be spliced to each other by thermal welding. The thermal welding is performed from above and below the film while a temperature of welding heads of a heat sealer, contacting with the film, is kept at a level equal to or less than a decomposition temperature of the preceding and trailing films. The spliced film is stretched in the tenter section and subjected to heat treatment for stress relaxation in the relaxation chamber, to shrink in a film width direction.

Abstract: A method of bonding material in a process system for producing a bonded product includes the steps of loading a plurality of rolls of elastomeric material in an unwind system; programming a controller with an unwind speed and a rewind speed, the controller in communication with the unwind system and a rewinder disposed downstream from the unwind system for respective communication of the unwind and rewind speeds to the unwind system and the rewinder; unwinding a quantity of material from the plurality of rolls of elastomeric material into a pressure bonder disposed upstream of the rewinder, the pressure bonder and the rewinder operating faster than the unwind system operating at the unwind speed to generate a speed differential, wherein the speed differential imparts a stretch state to the quantity of material; and bonding the stretched quantity of material with the pressure bonder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical film laminate including subjecting a laminate including the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate and the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer formed on the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate to an elevated temperature in-air stretching to form a stretched laminate comprising a stretched intermediate consisting of a molecularly oriented polyvinyl alcohol type resin, impregnating the dichroic material in the stretched laminate to form a dyed laminate including a dyed intermediate comprising a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer having the dichroic material impregnated therein in an oriented state, and stretching the dyed laminate in boric acid solution to form an optical film laminate.

Abstract: A polarizing film includes a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) type resin having a dichroic material impregnated therein. The polarizing film is formed by stretching the PVA type resin, such that the thickness of the polarizing film is decreased to 10 ?m or less, and. The polarizing film has optical properties which satisfy conditions represented by formulae: P>?(100.929T-42.4?1)×100 (where T<42.3); and P?99.9 (where T?42.3) where T represents a single layer transmittance and P a polarization rate. The polarizing film can be made by providing a laminate comprising a PVA type resin layer formed on a non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate.

Abstract: A method of sequentially laminating a carrier film-attached optical film laminate to a rectangular-shaped panel having a long side and a short side, is provided. The optical film laminate includes an optical film including a thin polarizing film, and a carrier film attached to the optical film through an adhesive layer. The method includes the steps: forming a plurality of slits in the carrier film-attached optical film laminate in a width direction thereof at lengthwise given intervals to extend from a surface of the optical film on a side opposite to the carrier film to a depth reaching a surface of the carrier film adjacent to the optical film to thereby form an optical film sheet supported by the carrier film, between lengthwisely adjacent two of the slits; and laminating each of the optical film sheets to a respective one of the panels through the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical panel assembly including the polarizing film in a continuous manner by laminating a polarizing film to a surface of a rectangular-shaped optical panel, is disclosed. The polarizing film is formed by performing a step of subjecting a laminate including a continuous web of a thermoplastic resin substrate and a PVA type resin layer formed on the substrate, to a 2-stage stretching consisting of a preliminary in-air stretching and an in-boric-acid-solution stretching, to reduce a thickness of the PVA type resin layer to 10 ?m or less, and a step of causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the PVA type resin layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a clothing article including the steps of (a) joining first continuous webs 120a and 120b having stretchability in the longitudinal direction thereof both in a longitudinally stretched state along an edge portion thereof to a longitudinally substantially inextensible second continuous web 120c to make a continuous composite sheet 120, (b) joining the composite sheet 120 obtained in step (a) on its side to a member 130 of the clothing article to make a web assembly 110, and (c) cutting the web assembly 110 obtained in step (b) to length.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a porous material for a fuel cell electrolyte membrane, wherein at least one strength auxiliary layer is provided inside and/or on the surface of a high porosity layer, the high porosity layer and the strength auxiliary layer constitute a multilayer structure, and the average diameter of pores of the high porosity layer is different from the average diameter of pores of the strength auxiliary layer, is provided. Also, a porous material having high porosity and high strength, which is suitable as a base material for an electrolyte membrane of a solid polymer fuel cell, is provided and a high-performance fuel cell using such material is realized.

Abstract: Composite membrane materials and process for their production. The process entails the use of at least first and second porous membranes formed of a polymeric material and at least a third porous membrane formed of the same polymeric material, but having larger pores than the first and second porous membranes. The first, second and third porous membranes are laminated together by applying heat and pressure to the first, second and third porous membranes without applying a separate adhesive material therebetween. The laminated first, second and third porous membranes form a composite membrane in which the third porous membrane is between the first and second porous membranes.

Abstract: A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A layered filter membrane with improved anti-clogging characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a filter membrane includes multiple polymer layers, each with different pore diameters formed by stretching the polymer layers. Furthermore, the multiple filter layers are coupled together before being stretched and the different pore sizes are formed during co-stretching of the filter layers.

Abstract: Incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include two or more film layers adhesively bonded together. At least one of the two or more film layers is incrementally stretched. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can have maintained or increased strength parameters despite a reduction in gauge. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can be formed into bags for use as trash can liners or food storage. Methods of forming incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include cold stretching one or more of the first and second film layers and adhesively bonding the film layers together.

Abstract: A laminated web from which diaper closure elements may be punched is made by first applying at least two pairs longitudinally extending and transversely spaced bend-resistant strips to a first longitudinally extending nonwoven tape. Then a respective longitudinally extending strip of an elastically stretchable polymer is applied to the first nonwoven tape between each of the pairs of the bend-resistant strips with the polymer strip partially overlapping both of the bend-resistant strips of the respective pair. A second longitudinally extending nonwoven tape that covers and extends transversely to both sides of the polymer strip is applied over the bend-resistant strips and the polymer strips to form a laminate with the polymer strip between the first and second nonwoven tapes.

Abstract: A method of continuously making a disposable pants-type diaper includes feeding first and second webs in a machine direction and bonding the first and second webs together to obtain first composite web. From the first composite web, a substantially circular section defined between each pair of the adjacent chassis in the middle region as viewed in the cross direction is clipped out to obtain a second composite web. The second composite web is folded in two and halves of the second web facing each other are locally bonded together by bonding agent to obtain a third composite web. The third composite web is provided on both sides of a cutting line extending in the cross direction with seal regions to obtain a fourth composite web and finally the fourth composite web is cut along the cutting line to obtain the individual pants-type diapers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of continuously making a disposable pants-type diaper having a body waste receiving pocket. A first web is continuously fed in a machine direction and a second web is continuously fed onto the first web and is folded back onto itself in a cross direction and locally bonded together along opposite edges thereof to obtain a third web. The third web is superposed on the first web and then the first web and the third web are bonded to each other to obtain a first composite web. From between the adjacent chassis in a second composite web defined by the first and third webs, substantially semicircular web pieces are clipped out to obtain third composite web on both sides of a cutting line to obtain a fourth composite web which is cut along the cutting line to obtain the individual pants-type diapers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing nonwoven/film laminates for personal hygiene articles, from an initial film web consisting of a thermoplastic polymer and an initial nonwoven web. According to said method, the initial film web and the initial nonwoven web, whose melting point lies above the crystallite melting point of the polymer, are heated to a temperature that exceeds the crystallite melting point of the polymer and lies below the melting point of the initial nonwoven web. The laminate is then guided through a cooled nip and is cooled to a temperature that lies below the crystallite melting point of the initial film web. The invention also relates to laminates that can be produced by said method.

Abstract: Tape heating means is allowed to come close to an adhesive tape for support and, in a heating state, the adhesive tape for support is stretched and tensioned with proper tension in a tape width direction and a transport direction. A heated work is bonded to an adhesive face of the tensioned adhesive tape for support, thereby supporting the work.

Abstract: Elastic laminates and methods of making same are provided, wherein the laminate includes an elastic film laminated to at least one substrate web, and wherein the elastic film has been stretched at least twice prior to bonding the film to the substrate layer. Such laminates possess improved bond strength between the film and the substrate web and have greater elongation versus laminates made with a film that has been stretched only once.

Abstract: A continuous method for producing incontinence articles in the form of pants for receiving body excrements utilizes crotch sections comprising absorbent bodies and having leg cut-outs formed by a first contour cut. Two partial webs are joined to the crotch sections in such a fashion that one end of the crotch sections overlaps one partial web in a longitudinal direction transversely to the machine direction, and the other end thereof overlaps the other partial web, and the crotch sections are disposed at a separation from each other in the machine direction. A second contour cut is performed that includes the partial webs on their mutually facing edge sections for forming substantially curved leg cut-outs. The article is then folded and the partial webs are joined transversely to the machine direction at a separation from each other for forming side seam areas of the incontinence article to be produced.

Abstract: A new liner and method of forming a liner for use in lining the junction between a main pipe and a lateral pipe are provided. A liner tube is joined about one end to a liner member about an aperture in the liner member. A liquid thermoset adhesive is applied around a junction formed between the liner tube and the liner member on a resin impermeable coated side of the liner tube and the liner member. The thermoset adhesive is not affected by temperature changes present during an exothermic reaction when the resin impregnated liner tube and liner member are cured and hardened.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin high-performance polarizing film includes coating a polyvinyl alcohol type resin on a resin substrate having a thickness of at least 20 ?m and then drying the resin to thereby form a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer, immersing thus produced polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer in a dyeing solution including a dichroic material to thereby have the dichroic material impregnated in the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer, stretching the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer having the dichroic material impregnated therein together with the resin substrate in a boric acid solution such that a total stretching ratio of 5.0 or more of the original length is achieved.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying a tread to a carcass of a tire; the machine has a rotary drum supporting the carcass, a feed conveyor for feeding the tread to the rotary drum, a pressure roller contacting the tread, an actuating device for pushing the pressure roller against the tread with a force of adjustable intensity, and a control unit for regulating the intensity of the force as a function of an error variable calculated as the difference between the length of the remaining portion of the circumference of the carcass, and the length of the remaining portion of the tread; and the control unit regulates the intensity of the force by means of a proportional control block having a gain varying as a function of the value of the error variable and as a function of the rate of change of the error variable.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a substrate for a light emitting element package provided with a thick metal section formed under a mounting position of a light emitting element, having a lamination step of laminating and integrating a laminate having an insulating adhesive agent which is composed of a resin containing heat conductive fillers and has a heat conductivity of 1.0 W/mK or more and a metal layer member, with a metal layer member having a thick metal section while drawing out each member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a polarizing plate which is transparent, has resistance against high temperatures and high humidity, and is significantly improved in brittleness. Specifically disclosed is a process for producing a polarizing plate comprising two polarizing plate protective films and a polarizer intercalated between the polarizing plate protective films, which is characterized in that at least one of the two polarizing plate protective films is an acrylic film comprising an acrylic resin (A) and a cellulose ester resin (B) at a ratio of 85:15 to 55:45 by mass, and the acrylic film is drawn in at least one direction at a draw ratio of 10 to 150% inclusive and is subsequently bonded to the polarizer with an aqueous adhesive agent.

Abstract: Sliced specimens can be automatically and continuously prepared and burdens of an operator can be reduced while accuracy required for the sliced specimen is maintained. The sliced specimen is prepared by relatively moving a specimen block transfer section and a cutter, and when a slicing operation to adjust the height position of the specimen block is continuously performed so that the cutting surface of the specimen block is located at a sliceable position, the cutter is moved so that a contacting area of a blade edge of the cutter that firstly contacts the specimen block after the height position adjustment is sequentially changed, every time previously set number of times of slicing operation is completed. Thereafter, the height position of the blade edge of the cutter after the change is measured by a detector, and based on the measurement information of the detector, the sliceable position is corrected and the slicing operation is resumed.

Abstract: Therapeutic devices for stimulation of living tissue are provided. Multimodal stimulation may be mechanical, electrical, chemical, sensory and combinations thereof. The devices have a matrix sufficiently elastic so that when attached to the tissue, the matrix is capable of applying force upon the tissue and compliantly responding to force resultant from motion of the tissue. The devices also have an electrically conductive region contained within the matrix, so that, selectable locations of the device are capable of being in electrical communication with a power source and with the tissue. Methods of stimulating tissue as well as methods of making the devices are also provided.