Abstract: A process for joining together a first polishing pad with a second polishing pad to form a larger pad for a machine that performs chemical-mechanical polishing of silicon wafers. The process includes laying a first polishing pad on a surface and laying a second pad on the surface so that a portion of the second pad overlies a portion of the first pad, creating an overlap region. The first and second pads in the overlap region are cut through to form a first cut edge on the first pad and a second cut edge on the second pad, the first and second cut edges having shapes which are complementary. The first and second cut edges are brought into engagement, and the first pad is joined to the second pad at the first and second cut edges.

Abstract: In a friction plate formed by adhering a plurality of friction material segments having connecting portions to be interconnected to each other onto a core plate, a frictional engagement surface side portion of each connecting portion between the friction material segments is formed as a recessed portion.

Abstract: An open web beam composed of wooden top chord and an open web central structure terminated on at least one end by wooden members in the form of a closed web wherein the closed web is reinforced by insertion of a portion of the closed web into a strut and the two chords which have been slotted or grooved for this purpose. The closed be being oriented strand board using structural adhesive without interfering mechanical fasteners in the web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a three-dimensional object. There is provided a lamination unit for holding and pressing a block of material, a slicing unit for cutting the block to form a horizontal layer having a first working surface and a cut block having a second working surface; a profiling means for profiling at least one of the working surfaces into at least one planar element; and an electronic means for receiving XYZ information corresponding to the shape of the object, for processing the XYZ information into a plurality of computerized cross-sectional representations of the shape and for controlling the operation of the lamination means, the slicing means, and the profiling means.

Abstract: A band joining system including a method of preparing and making a join in a band, a tool for supporting the band when making the join and an attachment for a hot air gun to facilitate making the join. The tool has first and second arms pivotally attached to one another in a scissor type configuration and having first and second guide means associated with the arms for supporting band end regions during the formation of a join. According to the method, band ends are cut in such a fashion that they fit within guide regions of the guide means and supported in a configuration in which the hot air gun attachment may be interposed between the two band end regions supported in the tool, hot air applied to the band end regions and then compressive force used to bring the molten band end regions into contact with one another to form a welded join. The band end regions are cut such that each band end region retains elements of a central reinforcing member, those elements aiding the formation of a strong join.

Abstract: A method uses waste paper materials to manufacture the pallets having a solid structure. A number of paper sheets are superposed with each other and adhered together at a number of adhering portions arranged in an alternation way, and cut to form an upper prototype having two or more legs, and expanded to a honeycomb structure. A lower prototype is also formed by the paper sheets and cut to form two or more protrusions and expanded to a honeycomb structure. The protrusions of the lower prototype are engaged into the legs of the upper prototype and engaging with the legs for allowing the honeycomb prototypes to be solidly secured together with a greatly increased adhering area. A cover sheet and a base sheet are preferably attached to the upper and the lower surfaces of the honeycomb prototypes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat-welding corners lengths of profiles together, for sealing gaskets, where the profiles include at least one extendible or compressible air chamber and are cut at their ends at an angle. The method includes positioning two profiles, with one of the cut ends of each profile opposite each other inside a suitable device including clamps which make the positioning possible, heating the positioned ends until the positioned ends reach a softened state, choking the profiles so as to completely occlude the air chambers along choking sections, closing the clamps in order to cause the profiles to come into mutual mating contact at the heated ends, injecting air into the air chambers by perforating the air chambers in a region between the choking sections and the heated ends so as to apply pressure to walls of the profiles in that region, pressing the walls against walls of the clamps to join the heated ends by heat-welding under pressure, and opening the occluded sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a plastic spacer directly on an object, in particular on the periphery of window glazing, such as automobile glazing intended to be glued into the opening of a vehicle. In particular the invention relates to properly producing the connection zone between the end and the beginning of the extruded spacer when it forms a closed loop. According to the invention the beginning of the spacer and the remainder of the loop are extruded, with the exception of the connection zone. The object is then provided with an applied anti-adhesive deposit surface that is continuous with the surface of the object. The path of the extrusion head is diverted in relation to the surface of the object so that the extrusion occurs on the applied deposit surface, proximate to and beyond the beginning of the spacer loop. The extruded spacer is then allowed to harden and the extremities of the spacer are cut and adjusted to properly complete the connection.

Abstract: A laminated paperboard package is produced by initially printing graphics by high speed printing on a sheet of clay-coated publication paper. The printed paper is then continuously applied to a surface of cellulosic substrate and bonded to the substrate, preferably through use of starch as an adhesive, to provide a laminated product. The laminated product is then die cut to the desired shape, folded and glued into the configuration of a box or container. A layer of water absorbent, cellulosic fiber material can be bonded to the inner surface of the substrate to prevent moisture from the contained product from seeping outwardly through the substrate to the printed paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding veneers without problems in manufacturing process even if logs, which causes disorder of veneers after dried are used. The veneer bonding apparatus for bonding veneers to each other comprises: a bonding face machining device for machining both end portions of a veneer to be bonded to bonding faces; a bonding agent applying device for applying bonding agent to at least one bonding face of the machined bonding faces; an adjusting device for adjusting a front end bonding face of a succeeding veneer to a rear end bonding face of a preceding veneer such that a face side of the preceding veneer with the applied bonding agent and a backside of the succeeding veneer with the applied bonding agent are flush with each other; and a pressurizing device for pressurizing the adjusted bonding faces to each other.

Abstract: Composite products and processes for the manufacture thereof, including, but not limited to composite products that could feasibly replace nearly all decorative and/or structural lumber products.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing knockdown safety soft floor tiles. The method includes steps of cleaning up an oil layer on the surface of the EVA board, using photography to print a predetermined picture on transfer printing paper, attaching the transfer printing paper with the picture to the surface of the EVA board, rolling and compressing the transfer printing paper with a high temperature roller, tearing away the transfer printing paper and leaving the picture on the EVA board and cutting the EVA board to have predetermined dimensions defining a floor tile.

Abstract: A composite window shade is constructed of short lengths of cellular fabric that may be from the same dye lot or that may be of different colors or textures to achieve desired decorative or functional results by trimming the lengths to have attachment strip surfaces and bonding of the surfaces using a glue applicator machine through which each length of cellular fabric to be attached is passed to place beads of hot melt glue and then pressing the attachment strip surface of the length of fabric to be attached to the attachment strip surface of the length of fabric to which attachment is to be made and maintaining pressure thereon until bonding occurs.

Abstract: An unseasoned veneer bonding method and an apparatus therefor capable of bonding unseasoned veneers to each other without being affected by the moisture content of the unseasoned veneers and with ease. The unseasoned veneer bonding method comprising the steps of: machining an end portion of at least one unseasoned veneer of unseasoned veneers with prescribed thickness to be bonded to form a portion thinner than the prescribed thickness; overlapping the thinner portion of the one unseasoned and an end portion of the other unseasoned veneer to each other through thermosetting bonding agent; and press-contacting a heating body to at least the thinner portion.

Abstract: A method of producing sub-images for use in forming a larger image from a series of the sub-images. The method includes printing each of the sub-images of the series of sub-images and a portion of the larger image surrounding the sub-image on a separate sheet of material. Each sub-image is printed on the same location on the respective sheet. Then the sheets are cut to the size and shape of the sub-images. When the sub-images are positioned to form the larger image, the sub-images are in a non-overlapping and contiguous relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for scarfing edge portions of a veneer sheet to produce a joint suited for joining the veneer sheets in an edge to edge relation. A conveyor system aligns, conveys and flattens the sheet. The sheet as it is being conveyed is engaged by tapered anvils that deflect edge portions of the sheet at an angle to the plane of the flattened sheet. One anvil on one side deflects one edge portion upward and the anvil on the opposite side deflects the opposite edge portion downward. The resiliency of the sheet maintains the deflect edge portion against the anvil. The sheet is conveyed through scarfing saws which generate a bevel on each of the deflected side edges.

Abstract: A method for forming a branch in a pipe made of polymeric material which permits a strong joint to be formed at the branch to another pipe. A system for carrying out the method includes heaters which soften the polymeric material in a highly localized manner. A forming member is pulled through the softened material to deform the pipe wall and form a branch. A method for making reinforced pipe joints in which pipe sections are force fit into each other is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated system and process for managing building materials which requires a minimal amount of manual labor and supervision. The automated system and method are especially suited for precutting lumber used for building trusses and frames having predetermined specifications.

Abstract: A hand held tool for facing and joining the ends of opposed lengths of plastic pipe in axial alignment has a generally horizontal body and a generally vertical fixed handle extending from the body. A cylindrical shaft is supported by the body perpendicular to the fixed handle. A fixed pipe clamp is supported by the body by which a first length of plastic pipe can be removably secured. A moveable pipe clamp is slidably supported by the shaft by which a second length of plastic pipe may be secured. A moveable handle is pivotally supported to the body, the handle having a first portion in engagement with the second pipe clamp and a second portion extending in a plane of the fixed handle so that the second clamp can be manually moved towards the fixed clamp. A facer is removably positionable on the hand held tool between the fixed and moveable clamps, the facer having a cutter body having a cylindrical opening therethrough. A cutter holder is rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening.

Abstract: A method of making a glue-down prefinished hardwood flooring product, which includes the steps of providing a wooden flooring component for installation with like flooring components to form a floor. The flooring component has a top surface for being exposed after installation, a bottom surface and opposed side edges. The bottom surface of the flooring component has a plurality of longitudinally-spaced scores cut therein transverse to the length of flooring component from one side edge to the other side edge and along substantially the entire length of flooring component for more closely adhering to irregularities of the subfloor. An adhesive layer is applied and permanently adhered directly to the bottom surface of the flooring component from one end edge to an opposite end edge thereof for providing an attachment interface surface for adhering the flooring component to the subfloor. Locking means are formed in the flooring component.

Abstract: This has a plurality of nubs which incorporate preset multicolored decorative designs in their bodies, created by a machine able to apply this manufacturing process, on a multilayered monobloc composed of a base, support and seating layer and another or other upper ones, some of which are on the same level and in which cavities are formed, giving rise to the nubs which define images that change according to their three dimensional structure and different locations, alignments and possible quincunx formation, as well as the different perspective of observers and the variations in the distance of the latter.

Abstract: A corrugator fabric comprising a first basecloth having a first staple fiber layer secured to the lower face thereof and a second staple fiber layer secured to the upper face thereof, a second basecloth having a lower face secured to the second staple fiber layer and optionally the first basecloth, a third staple fiber layer secured to the upper face of the second basecloth, a jointing body to form a seam for said fabric and a seam flap including at least one basecloth covering said jointing body.

Abstract: A simplified assembly for a multi-colored emblem that includes a non-woven base layer which outlines the emblem. The non-woven base layer extends beyond the embroidered fabric layer and provides an emblem with a non-fraying border.

Abstract: A tube-forming machine and process has a supply for delivering an elongate, folded, plastic web along a path of travel. The web may be clear polyethylene folded treated surface to treated surface. A cutting mechanism is positioned along the path including a hard cylindrical roll and a cutter having a cutting head and means to bias the head toward the roll. A rotatable sealing drum has a cylindrical web engaging surface delineating a further portion of the path. A set of circumferentially spaced flame-emitting nozzles are positioned adjacent the drum surface section. Each of the nozzles includes a tip disposed within the cylinder delineated by said drum surface and has an axis disposed in an imaginary radial plane. Each tip is directed radially upwardly to impinge its flame against portions of a web being fed along the path when such portions project from said drum surface. Each tip axis is at an angle from 90.degree. to 60.degree.

Abstract: An intersection assembly for use with an architectural stucco reveal system. The stucco reveal system generally includes elongated strips of material which can be attached to an underlying structure. The strips include a base portion and generally two spaced-apart walls extending from a front side of said base portion defining a channel therebetween. Flanges extend away from outside surfaces of the walls and the channel. The intersection assembly includes at least two intersecting portions which have edges which are placed in abutment to define a desired angular configuration of the intersection assembly. A support plate of a generally rigid material compatible for welding to the intersecting portions is welded to a rear side of the intersecting portions. The support plate provides structural support to retain the intersecting portions in the desired angular configuration with the edges thereof in abutment.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming pipe insulation discrete panels of generally rigid planar board insulation are fed through a sizing apparatus to control thickness, then fed into a vertically oriented conveyor where adjacent ends of the panels are adhered to one another to form a continuum of panels passing through the conveyor. A horizontally moving severing station cuts the panels into transverse trapezoidal segments, such that each succeeding segment is reversed relative to the adjacent segments with the severing plane being common. A tipping mechanism tips the segments according to their orientation such that all of the segments are received on a horizontal conveyor in the same orientation. An accumulator conveyor abuts the base of each segment against each adjacent segment such that a solid surface is formed for the application a backing to integrate the trapezoidal segments. Alternatively, the panels are sized and end glued on a horizontal conveyor prior to forming a series of trapezoidal segments.

Abstract: A seamed flexible belt and process for fabricating the belt is disclosed.

Abstract: A strip of resilient material is clamped uniformly across the width of the material at a first position by vertically spaced clamps which are separated to stretch a section of the material beyond the elastic limit. The stretched section of material is released and transported on a horizontal conveyor to a second position where the stretched section is cut by a cutter providing edges of reduced thickness which are suitable for overlapping other stretched edges of reduced thickness for splicing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing high quality laminated veneer lumber from pre-flattened wood veneer, for such uses as in architecture and furniture, and a method of mass production thereof using veneer which is flattened in advance. A sheet of veneer is first obtained by cutting a log with a rotary lathe or the like, and flattening and cutting the veneer into a predetermined length. Sheets of veneer thus obtained are cut on both edges in the grain direction to form symmetrically diagonal end faces, and are bonded with one another at these end faces with their grain directions aligned to form an elongated sheet of veneer. The resultant elongated sheet veneer is cut into a predetermined length to form laminated veneer material having seams. Plural sheets thus formed laminated veneer material are laminated and bonded with their grain directions aligned to form laminated veneer core.

Abstract: A method of making a floor covering having decorative inlays therein is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of cutting and removing portions of the floor covering, providing inlays from another floor covering material having substantially the same shapes and sizes as the removed portions, and joining the inlays and floor covering to create a seamless structure. The seamless structure results from the application of a volatile solvent which causes the thermoplastic properties of the materials within the inlays and floor covering to fuse.

Abstract: A method for welding tubular thermoplastic parts includes the steps of (a) providing first tubular and second tubular parts made of thermoplastic material and each having an end face; (b) determining a desired butt weld length for the parts; (c) providing a clamping member for coaxially clamping the parts, the clamping member including a first clamp for clamping the first part and a second clamp for clamping the second part, at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp being axially displaceable relative to the other between a part loading position and a butt weld position; (d) adjusting the butt weld position of the first and second clamps to a final butt weld position corresponding to the desired butt weld length; (e) clamping the parts in the clamps when the clamps are in the part loading position; (f) positioning a cutter between the end faces of the parts; (g) displacing the at least one of the first and second clamps toward the final butt weld position so that the cutter machines the end faces o

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic lug loader to place blocks on each lug on a lug conveyor in a finger jointing machine. The lug loader includes a support structure with a control station and a feed table. A powered loading conveyor overlies the support structure with an infeed end disposed over the control station. The loading conveyor extends downstream to an outfeed end which is disposed over the upstream end of the lug conveyor. A powered adjuster is connected to the loading conveyor and shifts the loading conveyor toward and away from the control station to selectively grip a block. The invention also encompasses an automatic cornering apparatus to transfer blocks from a side-to-side relationship on the lug conveyor to an end-to-end arrangement on a transverse conveyor. The cornering apparatus includes a first conveyor with an upstream end and a downstream end.

Abstract: A disposable pallet made up of paperboard or like material. The components of the pallet include a plurality of base members and a plurality of cross beams which are interlocked in a skeletal-type structure having novel intersections at their cross over locations. A new pallet component and a method for making the pallet are disclosed.

Abstract: Endless coated abrasive articles having a splice. In general, the coated abrasive articles comprise a backing having abrasive grains bonded thereto by one or more layers of binder. This invention also provides a method of making the splice by using radiation curable adhesives, e.g., acrylated urethanes, and radiation energy to cure the adhesives. The radiation curable splice adhesive essentially solvent-free. Consequently, the time required for the solvent to flash off is eliminated and solvent removal is no longer an environmental concern. By utilizing a source of radiation energy, the splice adhesive can be solidified in less than one minute. Because the splice adhesive is fully solidified, coated abrasive belts can be packaged immediately after the splice is formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a livestock feeder for retaining hay so that livestock can consume the hay without trampling thereon is disclosed which includes forming a plurality of leg members and a plurality of retainer members connectable to the leg members. The retainer members are fabricated of a polymeric material having angular deflection characteristics and memory so that the retainer members can be angularly deflected by pressures exerted thereon and restored to a substantially non-deflected position when such pressures are removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and hardware for bonding together nds of a sealing strip. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of cutting a slot in both a first end and a second end of a sealing strip, inserting an attachment strip having a plurality of engaging members into the slot cut into the first end, applying adhesive to the second end of the sealing strip, and placing the two ends of the sealing strip into an abutting relationship by inserting the attachment strip into the slot in the second end and sliding the ends together. The hardware used to effect the method includes an alignment guide having a substantially C-shaped channel for receiving the ends of the sealing strip to be joined together. The alignment guide has an end cap associated therewith having one or more slots for receiving a cutting tool for cutting slots in the ends of the sealing strip. The hardware further includes an attachment strip which is used to join the ends of the sealing strip together.

Abstract: A method of making a veneered door with a raised central panel that is elongated and vertically oriented in which only three pieces need to be assembled. A suitable wood or wood-like stock is machined to form first and second elongated, generally rectangular substrates and then a flexible veneer with a simulated or real wood grain is affixed to each of these substrates. In the finished door, the grain of the veneer applied to the first substrate and to the second substrate runs, respectively, generally parallel to and generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the central panel. At least one single, unitary piece defining the central panel and two vertically-oriented framing members is fabricated from the veneered first substrate.

Abstract: A method of joining adjacent, non-coplanar, fiber reinforced composite structures includes machining a plurality of serrations (4) into an edge (6) of a consolidated first fiber reinforced composite structure (2) such that reinforcing fibers continue from a main body (14) of the first fiber reinforced composite structure (2) into the serrations (4). One or more reinforcing fiber plies (16) are then laid up around the serrations (4) to form an unconsolidated second structure such that the serrations (4) protrude through at least one reinforcing fiber ply (16). In addition to the one or more reinforcing fiber plies (16), the unconsolidated second structure also includes a matrix precursor. Sufficient heat and pressure are applied to the unconsolidated second structure and the serrations (4) to consolidate the second structure into a fiber reinforced composite structure (8).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of constructing an arts and crafts project using a water soluble composition of low density to make a plurality of child-safe articles. The invention is used for forming toys or construction materials for use in playing a game, constructing arts and crafts projects, or used as building blocks. The composition of the articles used in the invented method preferably comprises a matrix principally made from a food starch supplemented with polyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Alternatively, the composition used in the invented method may also comprise a mixture of a grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water. The composition can be extruded in a sheet-like form, with the sheets being cut and bonded together through the application of water to create an art project. By applying water or moisture, the pieces formed by the invented method can be easily bonded together to create the desired article.

Abstract: A countertop finishing apparatus includes a base for supporting the countertop. A press is arranged to press an end piece against an end of the countertop. A trimming head is provided with an automatic positioner for automatically moving the trimming head relative to the base to cut the end piece of the countertop to a desired size.

Abstract: A process for providing microperforations in a zippered film useful for manufacturing reclosable zippered produce bags including the steps of(a) providing a web of thermoplastic film with zipper profile members on at least one side of the web, the zipper profile members spaced apart on the web forming a central web area between the profiles;(b) feeding the web between the nip of a cylinder having a plurality of heated pins and a pressure roller such that a plurality of microholes are formed in the central web area between the zipper profile members; and(c) maintaining the web in feeding alignment between the pin cylinder and the pressure roller such that uniform sized microholes are perforated in the web area between the profile members.

Abstract: Depth matting in the form of rigid thermoplastic foam bevel board is cut with a device to form a forty-five degree angled surface on one end facing away from a front surface of the bevel board which has a lengthwise edge forty-five degree angle bevel face used to provide depth between standard mats and the framed picture. A cutting device is provided holding the bevel board on its edge against a vertical wall with a vertical slot through which a knife edge is forced downwardly through the slot and the bevel board. The beveled surface on the end of the cut bevel board panel is abutted against the lengthwise edge beveled surface of the adjoining bevel board panel at each corner of the standard mat and attached to the rear surface of that mat.

Abstract: A pipe joint for first and second profile wall pipes of the type having generally concentric, spaced apart inner and outer walls, and a helical rib connecting the inner wall to the outer wall. The convolutions of the helical rib extend in multiple turns around the exterior of the inner wall and along the interior of the outer wall for substantially the entire length of the pipe. The pipe joint includes a first exposed portion of the rib of the first pipe, and a second exposed portion of the rib of the second pipe. The exposed helical rib of the first pipe is threadably interengaged with the exposed helical rib of the second pipe.

Abstract: Belts used in agricultural applications and particularly in round, hay balers have inherent problems created by their predominant process of manufacture. This process often involves cutting a large processed sheet of material into the narrow strips which form the core of the belt. The method disclosed herein produces a belt with a folded edge, a fabric wrapped edge, or an edge that is reinforced with a hard elastomer. These belts have strengthened longitudinal edges and an increased cross-sectional modulus at the edges which alleviates many problems associated with current hay-baler belts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for splicing webs of pressure sensitive laminate material. When webs of pressure sensitive laminates are spliced by conventional methods and wound into rolls, the resultant splices must be located and removed when the roll is later converted into pressure sensitive products. The novel splice is achieved by eliminating the top tape used in a conventional splice and overlapping a face sheet of one laminate web over the other laminate web to join the webs. For many processes, this novel splice is printable and does not have to be edited out, and it is at least as strong as those made with tapes. Also disclosed is a novel spliced pressure sensitive laminate.

Abstract: Complex edges of workpieces are veneered by stretching a thin flexible veneer strip over the edges and moving the workpiece edge against a yieldably mounted heated bar having a complementary surface to seat the strip and bond it the workpiece edge. The yieldably mounted bar moves in a second direction as it is moved by the workpiece to fully seat the veneer strip before the adhesive previously applied to the edge is heat-set by the bar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for manufacturing vehicle interior trim panels such as door panels and instrument panels in which different regions of the trim panel have different colors or other aesthetic characteristics. Two pieces of sheet vinyl having the desired color or other aesthetic characteristic desired in the manufactured trim panel are cut to shape and then bonded together edge-to-edge to form a composite two-tone vinyl sheet. This composite vinyl sheet is draped over a mold having a blade projecting from the mold surface. A retainer is installed onto the backside of the composite vinyl sheet to attach the composite vinyl sheet to the blade and thereby hold the vinyl in place with the bond between the two sheets located at the apex of the blade. The mold is closed and urethane is poured against the backside of the composite vinyl sheet to encapsulate the retainer.

Abstract: A handled, open-ended, single layer, elastic and resilient thermal insulator for cylindrical beverage containers made in the form of a flat rectangular strip of foamed cross-linked polyolefin which is slightly longer than the circumference of the container to be insulated and has a pair of overlapping inter-engaging tabs at its opposite end portions and integral closed handle elements extending radially outwardly from above and below the tabs when the strip is applied to such a container. The insulator is made by a method in which a generally rectangular strip is cut from a panel of such flexible expanded thermal insulating material and, at the same time, a U-shaped cut is made in the interior of each of the opposite terminal portions of the strip to thereby produce flexible tabs, with the open end of each of the U-shaped cuts facing each other.

Abstract: A sterile containment welding device for plastic tubes comprises a pair of side by side spaced tube holders. Each of the tube holders includes a clamp base and a clamp lid. A pocket is provided in each clamp base extending completely across the clamp base so that a plastic tube could be inserted into the pocket and clamped in the holder when its clamp lid is moved to a closed position. Pockets of the side by side tube holders are alignable with each other to permit a plastic tube in one of the holders to be welded to the plastic tube in the other of the holders. A tube locating member is movably mounted at the end of each pocket in the space between the holders. The tube locating member has a wall disposed in the space beyond the pocket for positioning its plastic tube in the proper position for the later welding step when its tube is moved into contact with the walls.

Abstract: A catheter and a method of manufacture of a catheter which includes a relatively rigid body and a relatively soft tip for decreasing the likelihood of injury or damage to tissue such as the wall of a blood vessel or the heart when the catheter is used as a part of an invasive medical procedure such as angiography or angioplasty. The method includes the use of a core material which is sufficiently resistant to high temperatures to allow extrusion of catheter material thereover in the process of forming the catheter. The core controls the catheter's inside diameter, and is sufficiently heat resistant to allow its use through all subsequent manufacturing process steps involving the formation of the soft tip.