Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an annular belt made of polyimide comprising; a) joining both ends of a sheet made of a polyimide precursor to form an annular belt; and b) performing an imidizing reaction of the polyimide precursor.

Abstract: An unmixed plastic sheet, which is made of a thermoplastic material and which is composed of a number of body segments that are adjacent to one another in a plane, interconnected and made of a closed-cell foam material. The body segments are thermoplastically welded to one another at their abutting lateral faces while forming flat weld seams. The flat weld seams form a plastic intermediate layer, which has few pores, and which is provided in the form of a web structure that, when viewed from above, is reticular and reinforces the plastic sheet. The inventive plastic sheet is preferably used as a core layer in sandwich composites.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel thermoplastic profile roofing strip and an apparatus for welding the thermoplastic profile roofing strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a double layer air cylinder type air enclosure uses a middle film conveying unit to provide a middle film, a plurality of inner film conveying units to provide a plurality of inner films to stack on two sides of the middle film, a first hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of inner films and the middle film to allow two sides of the middle film to be respectively formed with a check valve with an air passageway, an outer film conveying unit to provide two sheets of outer film to respectively stack on the outside of the check valve and a second hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of outer films and the middle film to allow an air storable air chamber to be formed between the middle film and the each sheet of outer film.

Abstract: A heating and pressurizing apparatus (101), to which a circuit board (70) with electronic components (8) pre-bonded thereto via bonding elements (9) is carried in, is provided. The heating and pressurizing apparatus post-bonds the electronic component to the circuit board by heating and pressurizing the electronic component by a contact member (1211) having a heating device (122). By executing the pre-bonding and the post-bonding of the electronic components to the circuit board independently of each other, the time required for the post-bonding can be reduced, compared with the conventional case, and the productivity of the whole mounting line can be improved.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic material on a receptor that includes the steps of: placing a donor element proximate a receptor, wherein the donor element includes a donor substrate and a thermal transfer layer, wherein the thermal transfer layer includes a catalytic material, and wherein the thermal transfer layer of the donor element is placed proximate the surface of the receptor; thermally transferring at least a portion of the thermal transfer layer from the donor element to the receptor; and electrolessly depositing a metallic material on the receptor by growth of the metallic material on the catalytic material.

Abstract: Multicolored film composites are produced by laminating a support film with at least two different-colored top films. The surface of the top films or of the film composite is provided with a surface structure. The support film is a film of thermoplastic foam material, and the top films are laminated on in temporal succession and in overlapping relationship onto the support film.

Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, tackifying resins and optionally polyolefins (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) that provide strong, tight hermetic heat seals with an easily peelable opening feature to fluoropolymers such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene. Also disclosed are multilayer structures and packages comprising these compositions.

Abstract: A manufacturing device for manufacturing a reclosable-tape-having bag manufactures a reclosable-tape-having bag in which a reclosable tape is mounted on an inner surface of a bag body 10 while an open tape 23 for ripping and opening the bag body 10 is provided between a mounting base 212 and an upper film 11 of the bag body 10. The manufacturing device for manufacturing the reclosable-tape-having bag includes a notching instrument 110 for forming a notch on the bag body 10. The notching instrument 110 includes: a whole-notching instrument 110A for punching the upper film 11, a lower film 12, the open tape 23 and the mounting base 212 to form a tab on a side seal of the bag body 10; and a half-notching instrument 110B for forming an incision on the lower film 12 and a portion of the mounting base 212 corresponding to a position of the open tape 23.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a plurality of air bags for use in a motor vehicle, and air bags made by same. First and second fabric layers of a type of fabric suitable for use in a vehicle air bag are fed into a seaming station. At the seaming station, the fabric layers are seamed together according to a predetermined seaming pattern so as to produce a composite textile structure defining a plurality of individual air bags to be cut therefrom. Depending on the application, the seaming may be accomplished by stitching or welding. If the fabric layers are not precoated, a suitable coating material may then be applied to both outer surfaces of the composite textile structure so as to render the air bags substantially impermeable to passage of air. Finally, the plurality of individual air bags are cut from the composite textile structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a packing bag is disclosed and includes the steps of: equidistantly attaching RFID tags to a release film, one by one, to form a roll of tag web; installing the roll of tag web in a packing bag forming device to move the release film along a feeding direction of a packing material; changing a moving direction of the release film for peeling the RFID tags from the release film; intermittently pressing on the RFID tags for attaching the RFID tags to the packing material; bonding the RFID tags to the packing material with a melting technology; and processing the packing material by folding, sealing, and cutting to form packing bags securely installed with the RFID tags. A packing bag forming device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bonding upper and lower substrates for manufacturing a plastic micro chip comprising the upper substrate, the lower substrate and a sample filling space having a predetermined height for filling a sample between the upper and lower substrates. According to the method, the upper and lower substrates are bonded by introducing an organic solvent between the upper and lower substrates. In addition, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a micro chip using the method and a micro chip manufactured according to the method. According to the invention, it is possible to easily and precisely bond the upper and lower substrates of the plastic micro chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic panels by the use of a sealing means composed by a polymeric tri-layer comprising a composite getter system composed of a polymer with a low H2O transmission, having dispersed in its inside a H2O sorption material, and two outer polymeric layers with the composite getter system therebetween, as well as to a polymeric tri-layer for the manufacturing of photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: A method of producing a stretch laminate exhibiting reduced defects from a mechanical activation process can include providing a nipping member. The nipping member can have a first nip region and a non-nip region adjacent to the first nip region. A first substrate and an elastic element are provided to the nipping member. The first substrate and the elastic element are joined in a face to face relationship with adhesive therebetween, thereby creating an intermediate laminate. The intermediate laminate has a first tack down region and an activation region adjacent the first tack down region. A portion of the first tack down region passes through the first nip region, and a portion of the activation region passes through the non-nip region of the nipping member. The activation region of the intermediate laminate is mechanically activated, thereby creating the stretch laminate.

Abstract: Provided is a filter medium including a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane and a gas-permeable supporting member that are integrated to ensure sufficient stiffness, having excellent gas permeability, and providing excellent bonding between respective layers included in the filter medium. The gas-permeable supporting member includes: a substrate having gas-permeability; and a fiber layer that is placed on the substrate so as to be in contact with the porous PTFE membrane. The gas-permeable supporting member has a structure in which fibers of the fiber layer enter into the substrate and are entangled with the substrate so that the fiber layer is bonded to the substrate. The fiber layer contains polyolefin-containing fibers that are bonded to the porous membrane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for producing a sterilized and pyrogen-free bag for storing fluids. The method includes providing a bag comprised of polymeric film and heating the bag to at least approximately 253 degrees Celsius for at least approximately 30 minutes for sterilization and pyrogen removal. The polymeric film is a polymer selected from the group of poly(oxy-1,4-phenylene-oxy -1,4-phenylene-carbonyl-1,4-phenylene) (PEEK); polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer; poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether) (MFA); polyperfluoro(ethylene-co-propylene)(FEP); poly(ethylene-alt-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (ECTFE); poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE); poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PDVF); tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene-co-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer (THV); poly(bisphenol A-co-4-nitrophthalic anhydride-co-1,3-phenylenediamine) (PEI); poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP); and suitable mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for binding of sheets includes providing an adhesive layer supported on a first side of a backing material. Plural sheets are accumulated against the adhesive layer, and heat is applied to a side of the adhesive layer adjacent the backing material to locally melt only a portion of the adhesive layer in a vicinity of an additional sheet accumulated against the adhesive layer.

Abstract: To provide a method of manufacturing a resin hollow molded body wherein, predetermined parts can be simply attached when attaching them in the inside of the blow molded hollow body; and the resin hollow molded body, such as a vehicle fuel tank containing a volatile liquid inside thereof, has a good barrier property against a gas component. There is provided a method for obtaining a product of a hollow molded body characterized in that: a thermoplastic resin parison 6, extruded to a tubular state, is expanded by blow molding; then dies 2, 4 are once divided to assemble predetermined parts 32, 34 inside of the hollow molded body; and the surfaces of the divided dies are joined again.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wearable article such as clothing, backpacks, hats, and the like that include a backlit lenticular lens display that emits light to allow animation and special effects. The array of interlaced images can be printed directly onto the electroluminescent panel, onto a removable support sheet, or onto the back surface of the lenticular. The electroluminescent panel is laminated to form a flange portion that is radio frequency welded to bond the lenticular display device to an article that is impregnated with a bonding material. A backing material having a fabric layer and a water impenetrable layer can be affixed to the assembly such that the fabric layer contacts the skin. Alternatively, the article may have a surface a display compartment or envelope with a transparent outer surface for enclosing the electroluminescent layer, a removable image sheet, and a lenticular lens layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of imparting constraint in a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate, and the constrained laminate itself, the method comprising providing a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film; and fusing at least, or preferably, only a portion(s) of the at least one meltspun elastic fabric to at least one of the extensible fabrics to create at least one inelastic zone. Desirably, the at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film is biaxially elastic, and referred to as being “nonwoven” due to the at least one layer of meltspun elastomer. The meltspun elastic fabric may comprise a polyolefin-based elastomer or blend of an elastomer with a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A method of producing disposable under-shorts having a fit gather laminate at high speeds. The method includes disposing an elastic member (1) between a pair of upper and lower non-woven fabric sheets (6, 7) in the width direction, intermittently securing the elastic member (1) to portions of the non-woven fabric sheets (6, 7) and cutting a non-secured section of the elastic member (1). The method also may include cutting the fabric sheets into pieces of a predetermined size and shape, folding the pieces along a center line, attaching together the left edges and attaching together the right edges to form a fit gather laminate. The method may further comprise attaching a reinforcing sheet (3) to the under-side of the fit gather laminate (2), and disposing an absorber (4) on the upper-side of the laminate (2), and a back sheet (5) on the under-side of the reinforcing sheet (3).

Abstract: A method for forming an undergarment comprises providing a web, cutting the web to form a pre-form, the pre-form comprising the first and the second transverse edges and two longitudinal edges, each longitudinal edge having two waist sections and a crotch section located intermediate the waist sections, a sealing area being located adjacent and inboard of each waist section, and transferring the pre-form to a processing wheel.

Abstract: A method for assembling a corrugated double-walled pipe section from pipe segments, having the steps of: providing an inner wall segment which is curved in circumferential direction and straight in longitudinal direction, providing an outer wall segment which is curved in circumferential direction and corrugated in longitudinal direction, connecting the inner wall segment to the concave side of said corrugated outer wall segment, providing a longitudinal profile at the longitudinally extending edges of the wall segment so as to provide a pipe segment, and connecting the adjoining longitudinal profiles of at least two of the pipe segments to each other.

Abstract: A lid for closing containers includes an at least two-layered composite assembly. A layer facing the container seals against a container edge and forms an opening by layer separation, for removing contents. The layers have a continuous construction without weakening lines. The layer facing the container is made mainly of a plastic having an intrinsic tearing resistance being lower in the region of the opening than its adhesion to the layer facing away from the container in a remaining region and an adhesion to the container edge being greater at least in the region of an opening aid than to the other layer. The plastic adheres so strongly to the outer layer in the region of the opening that a region corresponding to the opening is torn out upon opening and a remaining layer of the lid facing the container continues to adhere to the container edge by sealing action.

Abstract: A paper seal comprising a stretched thermoplastic resin film that comprises (a) a surface layer, (b) a substrate layer, and (c) a water-based adhesive-receiving layer having a water absorption level of from 2 to 25 ml/m2, wherein the stretched thermoplastic resin film has a porosity of from 20 to 50% and a 120°-opening time by bending repulsion of from 20 to 70 seconds. The paper seal can be stuck in a flat state without being curled by the environmental influence during labeling or by the influence of seasonal variation, and can be peeled off completely.

Abstract: A method for forming and stabilizing an absorbent composite web includes conforming a first web onto a forming surface having a plurality of raised nubs having upper surfaces. The first web defines a plurality of bond areas corresponding to those portions of the first web overlying the upper surfaces of the nubs. The method further includes depositing absorbent material onto the first web to form a unitary absorbent core having a plurality of holes therein. The method further includes joining a second web to the first web at the bond areas to form an absorbent composite web. The unitary absorbent core is positioned between the first web and the second web. The first web and the second web are bonded together through the holes in the absorbent core. The method further includes removing the absorbent composite web from the forming surface.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an end face treating structure completely preventing exposure of adhesive layer, anchor coating layer, ink layer and the like at an end face of a laminate film of two or more layers comprising at least uniaxially or biaxially oriented base film layer and a sealant layer laminated on one-side face or sandwiching the base film layer and a process for treating an end face as well as a liquid pouring nozzle capable of preventing contact of a packing material in a soft package bag with the above adhesive layer and the like and a method of producing the same. The construction lies in a point that in the end face of the laminate film comprising the base film layer and sealant layers laminated sandwiching it, the sealant layers are protruded from the edge of the base film layer to cover the end face of the base film layer.

Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.

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

Abstract: A method of installing flooring and resulting structure are disclosed. The method is particularly useful for sanitary nonslip applications such as kitchens. The method includes the steps of positioning a first sheet of polymer flooring material with an upwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the first sheet on a floor to be covered, and applying a second sheet of polymer flooring material with a complementary downwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the second sheet to the upwardly facing step cut of the first sheet and to the floor adjacent the first sheet while concurrently sealing the respective faces to one another in a step lap joint.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Abstract: A cable is installed in coiled tubing for use in. downhole wells; the cable having an expandable jacket (22) extruded around it. After being installed in the coiled tubing, and the expandable jacket is caused to expand, securing the cable in the coiled tubing. The expandable jacket is caused to expand by the application of heat or by the application of a liquid hydrocarbon. The expandable jacket may be discontinuous along the length of the power cable, discontinuous portions being provided by interspersing the expandable jacket with sections non-expandable material.

Abstract: The storage bag includes two sidewalls with peripheral edges and the sidewalls being attached together along at least a portion of the peripheral edges. One or more additional sidewalls may be disposed within the bag, and these additional sidewalls may be connected to form an inner bag. Any inner bag sidewalls may be laminated to the outer bag sidewalls or hang loose from the outer bag sidewalls. One or more of the sidewalls may include an adhesive for adhering to an opposing sidewall or item in the bag, a thin perforated layer disposed over an adhesive, a line of perforations for tearing, and/or one or more perforations for venting. Furthermore, processes for manufacturing a storage bag are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-ply fabric is provided that includes an inner ply positioned between two outer plies that contain both thermoplastic fibers and absorbent staple fibers. The plies are ultrasonically bonded together. The material used to form the inner ply may be selectively controlled to optimize certain properties of the fabric for a particular application, such as strength, bulk, absorption capacity, absorption rate, handfeel, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polyimide material. The method involves forming an interface between multiple the polyimide materials. Next, heat is applied to the interface to soften the polyimide material. The temperature of the heat source is below the melting point of the polyimide material. Finally, pressure is applied to the interface to create a seam between the polyimide materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laminating personalized cards, which includes a frame that supports a supply spindle for delivering a patch film disposed on a web to a personalized card. The frame supports a platen structure for affixing a portion of the patch film to a portion of one side of the personalized card when the supply spindle delivers the patch film to the personalized card. The frame supports a take-up spindle for receiving the web after the patch film has been delivered to the personalized card. The frame supports a lamination assembly for laminating the entire patch film to the entire side of the personalized card after the personalized card has had the patch partially affixed thereto.

Abstract: In an assembly of facing metal sheets separated by a polymer layer, welded metallurgical bonds are formed between the metal sheets by use of a friction stir weld tool. A rotating tool penetrates the first sheet, locally displaces the encountered portion of polymer film and penetrates into the second sheet. The affected metal of the two sheets is momentarily plasticized and stirred, and the plasticized metal of the two sheets combines to form a weld between the metal sheets. The interposed polymer film may be intended to serve as an adhesive or a vibration damping medium or the like. The facing metal sheets can be layers of facing laminated metal sheet structures that each comprise two metal sheets bonded by an adhesive interlayer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for bonding by molecular adhesion of two substrates to one another during which the surfaces of the substrates are placed in close contact and bonding occurs by propagation of a bonding front between the substrates. The invention includes, prior to bonding, a step of modifying the surface state of one or both of the surfaces of the substrates so as to regulate the propagation speed of the bonding front. The surface can be modified by locally or uniformly heating or roughening the surface(s) of the substrate(s).

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include an outer barrier formed from a polymer material and a foam tensile member located within the outer barrier. In manufacturing the fluid-filled chamber, a mold may be contoured to substantially equalize compressive forces between the outer barrier and various portions of the tensile member, thereby providing substantially uniform bonding between the outer barrier and the tensile member. Surfaces of the tensile member may also be contoured to substantially equalize compressive forces. In some configurations, the outer barrier and tensile member may be formed from thermoplastic polymer materials that form a direct bond between the outer barrier and surfaces of tensile member.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include an outer barrier formed from a polymer material and a foam tensile member located within the outer barrier. In manufacturing the fluid-filled chamber, a mold may be contoured to substantially equalize compressive forces between the outer barrier and various portions of the tensile member, thereby providing substantially uniform bonding between the outer barrier and the tensile member. Surfaces of the tensile member may also be contoured to substantially equalize compressive forces. In some configurations, the outer barrier and tensile member may be formed from thermoplastic polymer materials that form a direct bond between the outer barrier and surfaces of tensile member.

Abstract: Provides a light polarizing sheet which is easy to manufacture, offers the functionality of conventional multiple sheet structures, and satisfies both the luminance and viewing angle characteristics required for liquid crystal televisions and the like. The light polarizing sheet of the present invention comprises a first polarizing lens sheet including a sheet-shaped substrate and a first lens portion formed on one face of the substrate; and a second polarizing lens sheet including a sheet-shaped substrate and a second lens portion formed on one face of the substrate, having a flat portion on its tip; wherein the flat portion of the second lens portion on the second polarizing lens sheet and the other face of the substrate of the first polarizing lens sheet are adhered using a transparent material.

Abstract: A biodegradable and toilet-flushable body waste collection pouch, and an appliance and method in which such pouch constitutes the inner pouch of a peelably separable pouch-in-pouch system, are disclosed. The walls of the inner pouch are composed of an ultra-thin, heat-sealable film impermeable to body wastes comprising a plasticized biodegradable polyester or copolyester externally covered by a soft, porous, water-disintegratable cover layer of biodegradable and water-dispersible fibers. The cover layer and film are weakly bonded together in such a way as to avoid pinholes in the film that might otherwise be caused by the fibers. When used as the inner pouch of a pouch-in-pouch system, the film of the outer pouch is selected to have a melting temperature higher than that of the inner pouch film, with the result that a peripheral heat seal joining the walls of the two pouches together will allow the walls of the outer pouch to be peeled away without delaminating the film and cover layers of the inner pouch.

Abstract: A gel electrolyte battery in which adhesion between a layer of an active material of an electrode and a gel electrolyte is raised to provide for sufficient mobility of lithium ions, and a method for the preparation of the gel electrolyte battery. The gel electrolyte battery is comprised of a battery device accommodated in an exterior material of a laminated film and sealed in it on heat fusion. The method for the preparation of the gel electrolyte battery includes a battery device preparation step of layering a positive electrode and a negative electrode via a gel electrolyte to form the battery device, an accommodating step of accommodating the battery device from the battery device preparation step in the laminated film, and a heating step of heating the battery device, accommodated in the laminated film in the accommodating step, under a pressured state.

Abstract: Heat-sealed articles formed from polymer film portions heated-sealed together in selected areas forming a heat seal pattern, by passing the film portions together in a partial wrap about a heated sealing roller having a cylindrical outer surface that supports the film portions in a smooth cylindrical configuration about the roll. The cylindrical outer surface of the roller comprises a first surface portion defining a configuration corresponding to the heat seal pattern and formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and a second surface portion formed of a second material having a second thermal conductivity lower than the first thermal conductivity such that only areas of the film portions in contact with the first surface portion are heat sealed together, the first and second surface portions being substantially flush with each other at the outer surface.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is made economically by using thermoplastic sheets with hollow tubes and spacers between the sheets and fusing the edges of the sheets together to form an integral housing. Preferably, the heat exchanger is an opposed-flow heat-exchanger giving improved heat-transfer efficiency.

Abstract: Iron's soleplate comprising a body that is a single ceramic plate (1) having an ironing outer side and an inner side (11), and a heating element having at least one screen-printed resistance (2) on said inner side of the ceramic plate. The ceramic plate is made of alumina or a glass-ceramic material and is provided with some steam outlets (3). The ironing outer side of the ceramic plate is uniformly granulated, in order to form a plurality of micro-channels for uniformly distributing the steam, or else is smooth and is provided with some channels for distributing the steam too.

Abstract: A method of forming a multi-colored multi-layered non-woven composite includes the application of ultrasonic energy to the top layer to displace a portion of that layer in a predetermined pattern such that openings are formed through which any underlying layer may be visible. In related embodiments, the use of pinsonic or ultrasonic embossing of a non-woven layer provides a three-dimensional colored pattern due to melting and densification of the fibers and/or the activation of heat activatable pigments or dyes used to color the non-woven.

Abstract: A heat sealing tool for sealing a lidstock to a rigid polymeric container comprising a well and a flange with a curved upper sealing surface and a lower surface wherein the tool comprises a first plate adapted to contact the lower surface of the flange and a second plate adapted to press the lidstock against the sealing surface of the flange, wherein the second plate is curved with substantially the same curvature as the sealing surface of the flange.