Abstract: The present invention can provide a protective sheet, a protective sheet preventing curl generation in a laminated article formed by using the same and having excellent appearance, and a solar cell module formed by using this protective sheet. A protective sheet includes a weather-resistant film A, an adhesive layer 1, a film B, an adhesive layer 2, a film C in the stated order, the film C having a thickness of 60 ?m or more, in which the width WA of the weather-resistant film, the width WB of the film B, and the width WC of the film C have a relationship of WA>WC>WB.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use in a fusion process for conduit. The method includes: heating and melting at least a portion of the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; and butt fusing the melted terminal edge of the first conduit portion with the melted terminal edge of the second conduit portion, thereby creating a fused joint area. A fusion apparatus for employing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of metal foil labels from a metal foil strip onto a continuous film liner in spaced apart juxtapositions, the method comprising placing metal foil strips onto a continuous web to form an assembly of the strips and the web, feeding the foil strip assembly through a compression roller module, and then feeding the foil strip assembly to a rotary die cutting module to cut through said metal foil strip and portions of said web to form a plurality of metal foil labels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing body adhering absorbent articles orientated in the cross-machine direction, body adhering absorbent article having reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, that is stretchable only in the transverse direction, attaching at least one component to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal encapsulation member is disclosed. The method comprises: preparing a substrate on one side of which an adhesive material is applied; adhering a metal member onto the one side of the substrate; attaching an adhesive member onto the metal member; and removing predetermined portions of the metal member and the adhesive member.

Abstract: At least one puck is used to manufacture a vacuum insulated panel with a shaped opening. A pair of barrier films are positioned about an insulated core having a shaped opening such as a through bore, cutout, or relief. The puck includes a protrusion having a shape similar to that of the opening of the insulated core. With the barrier films positioned about the insulated core, the pucks are inserted into the opening from opposite sides of the insulated core to thereby compress the barrier films between the shaped protrusions of the pucks to thereby prevent wrinkles and/or creases in the barrier films. The insulated core is then subjected to a vacuum to evacuate the insulated core of any gases and the barrier films are heat sealed to maintain the insulated core in the evacuated state. Excess barrier film is then removed to provide a wrinkle and/or crease free seal.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade (16) includes an upper shell member (20) and a lower shell member (22) with an internal cavity (25) therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste (34) at respective bond lines (36, 37) along leading and trailing edges (24, 26) of the blade. A cap (50) is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edge bond lines. The cap includes a head (52) oriented towards the blade edge and trailing leg portions (56) that span rearward from the head in biased engagement the upper and lower shell members. The cap defines a dam at the bond line against migration of excess bond paste further into the internal cavity. A method is also provided for forming bond lines at the leading or trailing edge with the bond paste caps.

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder. The casing includes a plurality of panels having edge areas joined to each other with bonds, and the edge areas project toward an exterior of the ball. The bladder is located within the casing. In another aspect, the casing includes a first panel and a second panel that each have an exterior surface facing outward and an opposite interior surface facing inward. The interior surface of the first panel is bonded to the interior surface of the second panel to form a seam that joins the first panel and the second panel together. A method of manufacturing the casing may include forming thermal bonds between the panels.

Abstract: A method of preventing a handheld electronic device from slipping in relation to a smooth hard surface having a low coefficient of friction is disclosed. The method includes forming a decorative layer from a label stock; forming a contoured surface on an anti-slip layer; bonding the decorative layer and the anti-slip layer together to form an anti-slip skin; and adhering the anti-slip skin to the handheld electronic device. The contoured surface prevents the handheld device from slipping on the hard surface.

Abstract: A plastic card prelaminate and a plastic card including a phone sticker, and methods for manufacturing the same are described herein. A first plastic sheet is provided, having a release layer bonded to the first plastic sheet via an adhesive layer. At least one composite structure is provided, the composite structure including a plastic layer including at least one electronic element. A second plastic sheet is provided on top of the first plastic sheet. At least one through-hole is formed in the second plastic sheet, where each through-hole is smaller than the release layer bonded to the first plastic sheet. A composite structure is positioned in each through-hole.

Abstract: The wearable device for sensing a body status is placed on the user. The wearable device includes a flexible printed circuit board and a semi-cured sheet encapsulatingly conforms to the shape of the flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board includes a sensor for sensing body status and a communication device for sending the sensed signals to a server. The wearable device is made in the form of silicone semi-cured sheet.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments offer a solution for controlling the thickness of a finished structural composite part when precise tolerances must be complied with for the quality of the assembly and in order to ease the assembly operations of this part. In order to implement the method according to the disclosed embodiments, an additional layer of plies made out of a non-structural composite material, called calibrating plies, is applied onto the structural plies of the structural part, at least in an area where the thickness must be maintained within close tolerances and, after the composite material has been cured, the calibrating plies are machined in order to obtain the thickness required for the finished part. The thickness of the calibrating plies applied is determined according to the possible thicknesses of structural plies, taking into account the manufacturing spreads so that the machining operation for the calibrating plies does not affect the structural plies.

Abstract: A packaging cushion insert is useful for cushioning a packaged object. The insert comprises a top sheet, a bottom sheet; and a plurality of interior sheets between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet, the bottom sheet, and the plurality of interior sheets are in stacked and laminated arrangement. The top sheet, bottom sheet, and plurality of interior sheets each comprise one or more materials selected from an air-cellular cushioning material, cellular foam material, and crumpled paper material.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for automatic, continuous production of preforms from dry fabrics containing a thermoplastic binder element by feeding individual layers (7-9) of dry fabrics towards an ultrasonic unit (13), applying ultrasonic energy from said ultrasonic unit (13) to said more than one layers (7-9) of dry fabrics applying pressure to said more than one layers (7-9) of dry fabrics containing a thermoplastic binder element while the binder element is activated by means of said ultrasonic energy in said ultrasonic unit (13), to create a consolidated, stiff laminate (18) and cutting said consolidated, stiff laminate (18) to a preform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article oriented in the machine direction wherein the body adhering absorbent articles have reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, stretching the web of shell material in the longitudinal direction, deadening at least one region of the stretched web of shell material, attaching at least one absorbent article component to at least a portion of the longitudinal deadened zone to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing elasticated webs including discontinous elastic threads, and methods for manufacturing articles from such elasticated webs. Apparatus for carrying out the methods. Further, elasticated webs and articles which can be manufactured using the methods.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing elasticated webs including discontinous elastic threads, and methods for manufacturing articles from such elasticated webs. Apparatus for carrying out the methods. Further, elasticated webs and articles which can be manufactured using the methods.

Abstract: An adhesive frame includes a clear flexible sheet member with an optional printed ink layer disposed on a border of a first side of the clear flexible sheet member. A semi-permanent adhesive layer is disposed on a second side of the clear flexible sheet member at the border of the clear flexible sheet member. No adhesive is disposed in the middle of the adhesive frame, either through using a patterned adhesive or through use of a liner. Such adhesive frames allow for quick and easy mounting of visual media on nearly any surface. Media can be quickly removed and replaced from underneath the adhesive frame because of the lack of adhesive in the middle portion of the adhesive frame.

Abstract: Floorboards are shown, which have a core and a surface layer and are provided with decorative joint edges which are formed by removing the surface layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an outer cover web having front and back waist edges; attaching elastomeric front and back body panel webs to the outer cover web. The front and back body panel webs comprise an elastomeric film laminate. Portions of the outer cover web are removed to define a series of spaced apart holes. The elastomeric front body panel web defines a front body panel web width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the front waist edge to each hole, and the elastomeric back body panel web defines a back body panel width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the back waist edge to each hole.

Abstract: A probe for a common path optical coherence tomography system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therein, a single mode optical fiber disposed within the lumen of the sheath such that a portion of the single mode optical fiber extends beyond the distal end of the sheath. The single mode optical fiber has an end face for transmitting and receiving light. The probe also includes a layer of hardened epoxy encasing the portion of the single mode optical fiber that extends beyond the distal end of the sheath except for the end face. The single mode optical fiber has an optical axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the single mode optical fiber. The hardened epoxy is polished at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the optical axis at the end face.

Abstract: Film material is applied to a surface of an elongate structural member. A carriage moved along the structural member dispenses, compacts and cuts the film material in a single pass along the structural member.

Abstract: A resilient floor tile includes a base layer, a film layer, a decorative film layer, and a topcoat. The resilient floor tile has a shaped edge formed on an upper surface thereof that extends about at least a portion of a perimeter of the resilient floor tile. In order to make the resilient floor tile, a continuous sheet of a base layer is conveyed into a press die. The press die is actuated from an open position to a closed position. The continuous sheet is cut with a blade of a cutting tool of the press die to form side surfaces of the resilient floor tile when the press die is in the closed position. A shaped edge is formed on at least a portion of a perimeter of an upper surface of the resilient floor tile with a forming tool of the press die when the press die is in the closed position.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate including a lens area, a non-lens area disposed adjacent to the lens area, and a cutting area disposed adjacent to the non-lens area and including a liquid crystal driving part, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where the liquid crystal driving part applies a liquid crystal driving voltage to the liquid crystal layer through the non-lens area, and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are driven substantially in a vertical direction by the liquid crystal driving voltage.

Abstract: A sealed microfluidic conduit assembly is fabricated by forming a joint through which a first conduit fluidly communicates with a second conduit, by bringing the first conduit into contact with the second conduit. A layer of malleable material surrounding one or both conduits is compressed against the joint to fluidly seal the joint, by applying a radial force to an outer surface of a jacket surrounding the conduits and malleable layer. The respective compositions and/or sizes of the first conduit and second conduit may be different.

Abstract: An exemplary optical fiber connector includes a first surface and a second surface at opposite sides thereof, and a third surface connected between the first surface and the second surface. Two projections are formed on the first surface, and extend a same distance along a direction perpendicular to the first surface. The optical fiber connector defines a fixing recess extending from the second surface towards the first surface and being open at the third surface. The fixing recess has a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The first inner surface is parallel to the third surface. The second inner surface is parallel to the first surface. The first inner surface defines a number of receiving grooves. The optical fiber connector defines a number of receiving holes extending from the second inner surface to the first surface. The receiving holes are aligned and communicated with the receiving grooves, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to customizable fashion accessories, such as jewelry, belt buckles, watches and the like, which can be modified to the taste of the user. The wearable product generally comprises a predesigned wearable article having an attachment surface adapted for attachment of an adhesive display sheet and having one or more recessed trimming channel defining one or more boundary of the attachment surface. In other aspects, the wearable product further comprises an adhesive display sheet having a display surface opposite an adhesive surface, wherein the adhesive display sheet is sized to overlay at least a portion of the attachment surface of the predesigned wearable article and extend beyond at least one of the recessed trimming channels.

Abstract: A sport ball may have a plurality of panels that are joined at seams to form a casing. The panels may include a thermoplastic polymer material applied to an interior side of the panels, and the thermoplastic polymer material may be heat-activated to extend across the seams. The ball may further include a bladder within the casing and an intermediate layer located between the casing and the bladder. The thermoplastic polymer material may also be heat-activated to bond with the intermediate layer or casing.

Abstract: In order to form stacks, of which each forms a book block, folded sheets are provided with an adhesive application or layer of adhesive before they are placed on one another. Said adhesive application is applied to the sheets adjacent to the folded edge of said sheets and extends in the direction of said folded edge which comes to lie in the spine of the book block. The adhesive can be applied as a continuous track or as a track which is interrupted multiple times, or else in a punctiform manner. The sheets are joined to one another in the stack by means of said adhesive application, with the result that they maintain their position within the stack during further transport of the stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminator with a corner cutter including a main body, a laminating device and a cutting device. The main body includes a receiving space. The main body is horizontally formed with an entering slot, an exiting slot, a penetrating groove and a corner-cutting recess. The main body having two lateral sides formed between the entering slot and the exiting slot, the corner-cutting recess being disposed at one of the lateral sides. The laminating device disposed in the receiving space includes two rolling rods, a driving portion and two heaters. The two rolling rods are heated by the two heating members. The driving portion drives the two rolling rods to rotate. The cutting device includes a pushing portion and a cutting portion. The cutting device is disposed at one side of the receiving space where corresponding to the corner-cutting recess.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process including the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web; providing a plurality of subassemblies; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.

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: An electronic device is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display mounted in an electronic device housing. The display has a layer of liquid crystal material sandwiched between an upper display layer such as a color filter layer and a lower display layer such as a thin-film-transistor layer. An upper polarizer is formed on the upper surface of the color filter layer. A lower polarizer is formed on the lower surface of the thin-film-transistor layer. To protect display layers such as a glass color filter layer substrate for the color filter layer from damage during polarizer trimming operations, a coating is deposited on a peripheral edge of the glass color filter layer substrate. The coating may be formed from an elastomeric polymer such as silicone and may remain in place or may be removed following trimming operations.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an LCD device is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes combining a first substrate having thin film transistors with a second substrate having black matrices and color filters using a sealant. Also, the method includes: forming an absorbent layer which is positioned to overlap with an edge of the sealant and burned by a laser; curing the sealant partially covered with the absorbent layer by irradiating UV light; burning the absorbent layer using a laser beam; and cutting the sealant through the burnt absorbent layer and the second substrate opposite to the absorbent layer using a scriber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protection of cosmetic surfaces on electronic devices and adhesive overflow prevention are provided. In particular, an assembly for protecting a cosmetic surface can include a heat activated adhesive, such as a heat active film adhesive (“HAF”), which can be used to secure a mesh to the cosmetic surface. In some embodiments, a protective layer having a center layer laminated between two layers of heat activated adhesive can be used to protect the cosmetic surface from scratches caused by the mesh. In some embodiments, one or more hot shoes can be used to cross-link the heat activated adhesives to the mesh and the cosmetic surface. Because the shape of a shoe can influence the flow of heat activated adhesives during cross-linking, different shoes can be selected in order to minimize overflow in certain locations in the assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing curved composite structural elements can include fabricating a web ply in a flat curve over a removable substrate and laying up the ply on a curved web surface of a manufacturing tool. The method also can include laying up a diagonal ply with fibers oriented at +/?45° from the centerline of the web surface. The method further can include cutting a unidirectional composite tape into segments and laying up the tape segments to form a cross ply with a fiber orientation normal to the centerline of the web surface. One or both edges of the diagonal and cross plies may be folded over one or two sides of the manufacturing tool to form one or two flange surfaces. Additionally, a cap ply can be laid up on one or both flange surfaces using composite tape. The structural element layup can then be inspected and any excess composite material can be trimmed away.

Abstract: Methods of transferring an image to a substrate are generally provided. A heat transfer material can be partially cut to define a shape with cuts made into the heat transfer material (i.e., into its thickness). The heat transfer material includes a transferable portion overlying a release layer overlying a base sheet such that the cuts are made into the heat transfer material through the transferable portion while leaving the release layer and base sheet uncut. The transferable portion of the heat transfer material can be removed from the base sheet in an area surrounding the shape. Then, the heat transfer material can be positioned adjacent the substrate such that the transferable portion defined by the shape contacts the substrate. Heat and pressure can be applied to the heat transfer material. Thereafter, the base sheet can be removed.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing electronic monolithic ceramic components, including a sheet supplier for supplying a plurality of ceramic green sheets of a plurality of types in a predetermined order, and a laminator for laminating the ceramic green sheets supplied by the sheet supplier. A plurality of trays is set in two vertical columns in a rack which is vertically movable. Each tray holds a stack of a plurality of ceramic green sheets of the same type. A particular tray positioned to a predetermined level by the vertical movement of the rack is drawn by a tray drawer device, and one ceramic green sheet is picked up from the tray, and is then conveyed to the laminator. The utilization efficiency of area in the sheet supplier is thus increased.

Abstract: The steps of a method for fabricating a proximity sensing module that is adapted to be attached to a mobile device, include: (a) patterning an upper conductive film to form a patterned conductive film which includes an upper connective pad that is adapted to be electrically connected to a respective contact on a circuit board of the mobile device, and an induced circuit pattern that is electrically connected to the upper connective pad; (b) adhering an adhesive sheet to the patterned conductive film; and (c) forming a through hole in the adhesive sheet such that the upper connective pad is exposed from the through hole.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular fabric sleeve having a backing or base fabric having pile strands knitted thereinto which pile strands extend outwardly from the base fabric to form the pile of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve. The seamless, tubular fabric sleeve is placed onto a segment of film wound onto a cylindrical member, and heat is applied to cause the segment of film to fuse with the base fabric to support the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve in a cylindrical configuration. The tubular knitted pile fabric having the segment of film fused thereto may be finished into paint roller covers by combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the cross-referencing of identification (1) of tissue slice supports (2), for microtomised analytical samples still to be mounted thereon, with identification information (3) of a tissue sample holder (4) of a tissue sample (5) which is not yet microtomised. The conventional problem of cross-referencing is improved in a simple manner, whereby the identification information (3) for the tissue sample holder (4) is automatically detected when positioned in the microtome (6) and an identification (1) corresponding thereto is automatically transferred to at least one tissue slice support (2) and that tissue slice support (2), provided with the identification (1), is dispensed for application of the tissue sample slice at the moment when a tissue sample slice must be applied to a tissue slice support (2).

Abstract: Electronic components each having a chip module with module contacts and an antenna having antenna contacts is made by securing a plurality of the chip modules the inner face of a module film strip having an outer periphery projecting past the chip module with the chip modules spaced from one another at a uniform predetermined module spacing. A plurality of the antennas are secured to an inner face of an elongated antenna strip with the antennas spaced from one another by a predetermined antenna spacing. The module strip is longitudinally subdivided into sections each of which is of a length equal to the predetermined module spacing and each of which carries a respective chip module. The module-strip sections are pressed against the antenna strip such that the module contacts of each of the chip modules engage and bear on the antenna contacts of a respective antenna.

Abstract: A lens blank for a fluid lens includes a rigid lens and a semi-flexible inflatable membrane attached to the rigid lens. The lens blank is divided into a cavity zone and a bonded zone. The cavity zone extends radially outward from a central area of the lens blank and a cavity is formed between the membrane and the rigid lens within the cavity zone. The bonded zone extends radially outward from the cavity zone and the membrane is bonded and fluidly sealed to the rigid lens throughout the bonded zone. The bonded zone is dimensioned to be trimmed to accommodate a plurality of frame shapes and sizes. Methods of manufacturing lens blanks are also provided. Arrays of lens blanks and fluid lenses are also provided.

Abstract: An electrode assembly and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same are disclosed. Specifically, the present invention provides an electrode assembly which is capable of preventing the occurrence of a short circuit between a non-coating portion of an electrode plate and an active material layer of an electrode plate having an opposite polarity when damage or shrinkage of a separator takes place, through the attachment of an insulating tape to either or both sides of the non-coating portion of an electrode plate without attachment of an electrode tab. Therefore, an internal short circuit of the battery can be prevented by application of the electrode assembly of the present invention to a variety of lithium secondary batteries including pouch-type, polygonal and cylindrical batteries.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a chip resistor, a semi-product is formed by sandwiching an electric-insulating material layer between an electric-conducting material layer and a heat-dissipating material layer. Resistor sections arranged in an array on the semi-product are formed by forming longitudinal first slots and transverse second slots through the semi-product. Slits are formed on a first layer of each resistor section to form a resistor main body. A dividing slot is formed on a second layer of each resistor section. Two electrodes are formed to be electrically connected to opposite ends of the resistor main body. The resistor sections are trimmed from the semi-product to obtain the chip resistors.

Abstract: A method of handling an adhesive laminate, wherein the adhesive laminate is provided releasably adhered to a first web, comprising a plurality of cut or punched sections and wherein adjacent sections of the adhesive laminate remain joined to one another in the longitudinal direction of the web through one or more tie points. A first supporting structure and a second supporting structure adjacent to the first supporting structure are provided. The first web is led over the first supporting structure. A second web is provided and led over the second supporting structure, wherein the second web is oriented such that the release surface of the second web faces the first supporting structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of splicing polarized films. The method includes steps of providing a substrate; attaching a first polarized film to the substrate; attaching a second polarized film to the substrate so that a side portion of the second polarized film is correspondingly overlapped with a side portion of the first polarized film; correspondingly cutting off the overlapped side portions of the first polarized film and the second polarized film; removing separated parts of the side portions from the first polarized film and the second polarized film; and performing a flatten treatment to the cut side portions of the first polarized film and the second polarized film. The method effectively reduces the interval between spliced polarized films so that the light leakage problem at the joint position is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid-flexible printed circuit board includes certain steps. A flexible substrate including an exposed portion and an attaching portion is provided. An adhesive sheet defining an opening, and a rigid copper clad laminate are provided. The rigid copper clad laminate includes an insulating layer and a copper layer. A blind first slit is defined in the insulating layer. The flexible substrate, the adhesive sheet and the copper clad laminate are laminated. An outer circuit is formed in the copper layer. A second slit is defined in the copper clad laminate, and the second slit is in communication with the first slit. A portion of the copper clad laminate is removed to expose the flexible portion of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid-flexible printed circuit boards includes following steps. First, a first rigid substrate is attached to a first adhesive layer. Second, a first opening through the combined first rigid substrate and the first adhesive layer is defined. Third, the first rigid substrate is laminated to a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate includes an exposed portion exposed via the first opening. Fourth, a second rigid substrate is attached to a second adhesive, a glass transition temperature of the second adhesive layer being lower than that of the first adhesive layer. Fifth, a second opening through the combined first rigid substrate and the first adhesive layer is defined. Sixth, the second rigid substrate is laminated to the flexible substrate in such a manner that the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the first and second adhesive layers, the exposed portion is exposed in the first and the second openings.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable bladders for use in articles of manufacture. The method includes the steps of providing a first polymer film, applying a curable release coating to the polymer film in a pattern that corresponds to the configuration of the inflatable bladder, curing the release coating to the first polymer film, providing a second polymer film with the first polymer film to form a layered element such that the release coating is disposed between the polymer films, positioning the layered element between two plies of material, applying heat and pressure to adhere the polymer films together except in the area where the release coating has been applied to form an inflatable compartment surrounded by a sealed perimeter, and removing the plies of material from the adhered first and second polymer films.