Abstract: A machine for labelling containers (100), comprising first transport means (2) for positioning at least a container (100) at a time in a labelling position, second transport means (3) for positioning an annular heat-shrinkable label (200) below the at least a container (100) in a labelling position, raising means (50, 52) for raising the label (200) for inserting the label from below onto a container (100) in a labelling position, and dispensing means (51, 53) for investing the label (200) with a hot fluid; the dispensing means (51, 53) being unconstrained to the second transport means (3) such as to be stationary with respect to the labels (200) which advance, activated by the second transport means (3), and are configured such as to perform heat-shrinkage of at least a portion of the label (200) inserted on the at least a container (100) in a labelling position thereon, in which the portion extends over an entire axial development of the label (200).

Abstract: A label for application to a surface having at least one compound curve is provided. The label comprises a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and outer surface and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonwoven fabric having good fluid drawing properties, in which fluid hardly remains, a method for producing a nonwoven fabric, and an absorbent article. The nonwoven fabric has a thickness direction and a planar direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and includes a high density region having a higher fiber density than an average fiber density. The high density region penetrates from one side to another side in the thickness direction.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a carrier element (10) provided with an elongate cannula or catheter (12) upon which a plurality of sleeves (20) are disposed. The sleeves (20) are located within a zone (18) at which a medical device (40) is carried. The sleeves (20) include restraining mechanisms, typically channels (30), for receiving respective trigger wires (42-44). The medical device (40) is radially constrained by the trigger wires (42-44), in combination with the sleeves (20). The sleeves (20) are initially provided as separate elements which are fitted onto the elongate carrier (12) in a number and at locations suitable for the medical device (40) to be located on the carrier element (2). The arrangement provides a simple and effective restraining structure which can be adapted for different medical devices (40) and an arrangement in which the medical device (40) is radially constrained from within.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire having a carcass ply of cords rubberized with topping rubber, comprises a process for building a raw tire on an annular surface of an uninflatable core mold, and a process for vulcanizing the raw tire built on the core mold by heating the raw tire together with the core mold. The process for building the raw tire comprises making the raw carcass ply by rubberizing the carcass cords with the raw topping rubber. The carcass cords are made of polyethylene terephthalate or alternatively polyethylene naphthalate. The dry heat shrinkage percentage of the carcass cords before subjected to the vulcanizing process is 1 to 3% at 180 degrees C. The Mooney viscosity of the raw topping rubber is 35 to 70 (ML1+4, 130 deg. C.).

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

Abstract: A method for applying a shrink label to an article, a shrink label and a shrink label material.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing technique to directly form a unitized composite structure with at least one relatively flat surface and at least one sinuous element in an internally-bonded unitized composite is provided. A matrix of fibrous and or other materials is deposited in layers which are subsequently formed into corrugated or wave-like shapes and exposed to an activation step. At least one element is composed of a contractive material which shrinks when activated, such as by heating in an oven, to become relatively flat and optionally bonded to at least one other non-contractive layer which remains in a sinuous shape after the activation step.

Abstract: A proposal is made for a label (1) which can be adhered to an article (5), more particularly to a beverage bottle, and can be detached again in a washing liquid at a washing temperature of at least 5O° C., in the form of a laminate at least with the following layers: a biaxially stretched polymeric film layer (9) which shrinks at the washing temperature, a printed decoration layer (11), and an adhesive layer (13), more particularly a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, for adhering the label (1) to the article (5). The polymeric film layer (9) is designed in such a way that in the laminate at the washing temperature within a maximum time span of less than 5 minutes, in particular less than 3 minutes, it attains degrees of contraction in its two stretching directions which differ from one another by less than 50% and are lower than 50%. As a result of this, whereas the adhesive force between the label (1) and the article (5) is high, the label (1) can be washed off from the article (5) without splitting.

Abstract: A method of protecting a bond layer in a substrate support adapted for use in a plasma processing system. The method includes the steps of attaching an upper member of a substrate support to a lower member of a substrate support with a bonding material. An adhesive is applied to an outer periphery of the upper member and to an upper periphery of the lower member, and a protective ring is positioned around the outer periphery of the upper member and the upper periphery of the lower member. The protective ring is originally fabricated with dimensions the provide mechanical stability and workability. The protective ring is then machined to an exact set of final dimensions consistent with the design of the substrate support application.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a “shrink sleeve” label to a container includes a casing member for enclosing a container in a closed chamber, a heating device for heating a heat-shrinkable element that is a precursor of a “shrink sleeve” label arranged around the container so as to heat-shrink the heat-shrinkable element, and a pressure-reducing member to reduce the pressure in the closed chamber.

Abstract: A resilient structure comprising a carrier layer of open-cell, resilient urethane foam material. The foam material is substantially completely and uniformly impregnated with an impregnant comprising silicone. The impregnant is cured after said impregnation to produce a foamed, open cell, resilient structure wherein the open cells thereof partially comprise the carrier layer of urethane foam material and the silicone includes a filler. A method for producing a resilient structure comprising applying silicone onto a carrier layer of open-cell, resilient urethane foam material, substantially completely and uniformly impregnating the carrier layer with the silicone, and curing the silicone to produce a foamed open-cell, resilient structure wherein the open cells thereof partially comprise the foam material, wherein the structure exhibits properties of the silicone, and wherein the silicone includes a filler.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. The composite is formed from an elastic strand layer laminated to a nonwoven web facing. Latent elasticity may be imparted to the elastic strand layer through the combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin capable of forming semi-crystalline domains among the elastomeric chains. More specifically, the elastic strand layer may be stretched in one or more directions to orient the elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline domains of the polyolefin. The stretched elastic strand layer may subsequently be relaxed and bonded to a nonwoven web facing to form the composite. The composite may be later activated (e.g., heated) to shrink the elastic strand layer and provide it with “latent” stretchability.

Abstract: A submarine power cable (10) has an electrical conductor (1) surrounded by an insulation (2,3,4), said insulation being surrounded by a metallic moisture barrier (5) characterized in that the cable (10) further comprises a semi-conductive adhesive layer (6) surrounding said metallic moisture barrier (5), and a semi-conductive polymeric jacket (7) able to be in electrical contact with sea water surrounding said semi-conductive adhesive layer (6), the overlaying of the metallic moisture barrier (5), the semi-conductive adhesive layer (6) and the semi-conductive polymeric jacket (7) forming a 3-layer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a non-woven fabric having high-density regions and low-density regions dispersed horizontally, so as not to prevent liquid transfer from a surface sheet to an absorbent body and not to diffuse a liquid less during transfer, a manufacturing method thereof, and a disposable diaper made therefrom. The non-woven fabric 5 includes a plurality of high-density regions 11 and a plurality of low-density regions 12 dispersedly formed in a planar direction thereof. The high-density regions 11 are formed dominantly on at least one side of the non-woven fabric 5, and the low-density regions 12 are formed communicating both sides thereof.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of connecting two fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22) formed by a fibre-reinforced plastics material, in particular wound fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22) for aircraft fuselage cells, having a multiplicity of stringers (10, 11, 35, 36) arranged with a uniform distribution at a distance from and parallel to one another on the inner side of an outer skin (3, 4, 25, 26), with the formation of a transverse joint (5, 30).

Abstract: A covering for a sports helmet is provided. The covering including a band having at least a portion composed of a first heat shrink material. The band being sized to cover the sports helmet after an application of heat to the first heat shrink material. Also provided is a sports helmet.

Abstract: A waterproof method for a wire end joint includes expanding a heat shrinkable tube radially outwardly. The method then includes inserting the wire end joint and a melted thermosetting waterproofing agent through an opening at an end of the waterproof protection tube. A solidification starting temperature of the waterproofing agent is set higher than a shrinkage starting temperature of the heat shrinkable tube. The method then applies heating so that the heat shrinkable tube shrinks to the original diameter and so that the waterproofing agent is not solidified. The heating is continued to the solidification starting temperature after the heat shrinkable tube is shrunk to a set inner diameter, thereby causing the thermosetting waterproofing agent to be solidified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coating a fiber-cement or concrete molding with a polymeric film, which comprises a) placing and securing the molding in a capsule, the polymeric film being mounted between capsule wall and molding, b) evacuating the air in the chamber between polymeric film and molding, c) heating the polymeric film, d) letting down a second chamber between polymeric film and capsule wall to atmospheric pressure with external air, and e) thereby pressing the polymeric film onto the molding, and maintaining a vacuum during this pressing operation; and also to fiber-cement and concrete moldings coated using this method.

Abstract: A method of forming an introducer sheath having a crease-free tapered distal tip portion. A mandrel is provided having an outer configuration comprising an elongated body and a tapered distal tip portion. A generally tubular inner liner comprising heat shrinkable PTFE, is positioned over the mandrel. The inner liner is heat shrunk to the outer configuration of the mandrel, in a manner that avoids the formation of creases along the inner diameter of the liner. A reinforcing member is positioned over a length of the inner liner, and an outer jacket is positioned over the reinforcing member and the inner liner. The liner, reinforcing member, and outer jacket are heated in a heat shrink enclosure, whereby the outer jacket melts and bonds to an outer surface of the inner liner.

Abstract: The implant includes an outer layer of ePTFE which exhibits extensibility normally not associated with ePTFE. The ePTFE is reduced in length by deforming the fibrils between the nodes while maintaining the nodes in a substantially flat configuration. Various implant configurations that can include the outer layer described are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rod-shaped antenna (1) having a distal threaded connecting piece (6) for screwing the antenna (1) into an antenna base, the antenna (1) comprising a rod (2) that can be fixed in the threaded connecting piece (6). A wire winding (4) for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals is disposed on top of the rod. According to the invention, the rod (2) is configured as an interior rod with an interior sheathing (3) applied to it. The wire winding (4) is disposed on the interior sheathing (3) and is electrically contacted to the threaded connecting piece (6). The threaded connecting piece (6) and the rod (2) with the interior sheathing (3) and the wire winding (4) applied thereto are at least partially enclosed by an outer shell (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a can body (2) which is characterized in that a film piece (3c) is cut from a film web (3b), said film piece (3c) is wound up on a winding spindle (7) from its front edge to its rear edge and is maintained on the winding spindle (7) so that it somewhat overlaps. The film piece (3c) is transferred from the winding spindle (7) to a concave inner surface (11a) and the film areas of the front edge and the rear edge resting against each other are sealed with each other on the concave inner surface (11a) in the area of overlapping (14). According to the invention, a closed film piece (3d) can be transferred without complication onto a can body (2), thereby conferring on the can body (2) the function of the stable structure and on the film piece (3d) the function of the décor or the inner barrier in such a manner that both functions can be optimized in a substantially independent manner.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including at least a component of the seat assembled made of closed-cell foam and having an integral exterior surface. The component may include a backrest, headrest, seat cushion or a component thereof such as an armrest. A method of forming a seat assembly including a first seat component and a second seat component wherein at least one of the first and the second components are made of closed-cell foam.

Abstract: Disclosed are hot-melt adhesives prepared from polyesters containing 1,4-cyclohexane-dicarboxylic acid as a diacid component and a diol component containing at least two diols chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, triethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol. These adhesives set up rapidly within a well-defined temperature window. The hot-melt adhesives can be used in a variety of applications, but are especially suited as seaming adhesives for roll-applied labels. These adhesives have melting temperatures and crystallization properties that allow their application at temperatures cool enough to prevent curling and premature shrinkage of the shrink label during seaming, and yet produce strong label seams that can withstand the elevated temperatures of a shrink tunnel without sacrificing line speed. Also disclosed are labeled containers and a process for applying a roll-on, shrink label to a container using the hot-melt adhesives of the invention.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable sleeve (3) made of a self-releasing material and having a linear seam is disclosed along with methods of employing a heat-shrinkable sleeve (3) in a process of manufacturing composite parts, either as a release layer between the composite part (9) and tool (7), or on a composite material to provide a consolidation force to the composite part (9).

Abstract: A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.

Abstract: A guide catheter shaft is formed from an inner tube structure and a multilayer sheath around the inner tube structure. The multilayer sheath includes an intermediate sheath and a shrink tube layer. The intermediate sheath is disposed around the inner tube and realized from a melt-processible first polyether-block amide material. The shrink tube layer is disposed around the intermediate sheath and realized from a different second polyether-block amide (e.g. a cross-linked polyether-block amide material) having a shrink temperature range greater than a melt temperature range of the first polyether-block amide material. The resulting structure is heated at a temperature within the shrink temperature range such that the outer shrink tube layer shrinks and the intermediate layer melts to thereby bond the multilayer sheath to the inner tube.

Abstract: A method of curing an inflatable packing is provided that includes providing a packer assembly having an inflatable packer around a mandrel; a polyamide bandage around the inflatable packer; and a sealing layer around both the polyamide bandage and the inflatable packer to from an airtight seal about the inflatable packer, wherein the method further includes curing the assembled packer assembly.

Abstract: A bulky sheet material having three-dimensional protrusions comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer provided on at least one side of the first fiber layer. The first fiber layer contains thermally shrunken heat-shrinkable fibers. The second fiber layer comprises heat non-shrinkable fibers. The first fiber layer and the second fiber layer are partly joined together at a large number of joints formed by fusion bonding. The joints are formed by melting and solidification of a heat fusible resin having a higher melting point than the shrinkage starting temperature of the heat shrinkable fiber. The second fiber layer forms a large number of protrusions between the joints by the heat shrinkage of the first fiber layer while leaving the joints as depressions.

Abstract: A process for labelling containers or bottles by applying tubular labels made of heat shrinkable film which completely surround an outer surface area of the bottle. The process and machine include winding a precut label from a reeled film on a rotating tubular round plate supported by a roundabout labelling machine, the bottle abuts on the round plate and the label is wound on the underlying tubular portion. The tubular surface of the round plate is provided with a plurality of holes alternatively supplying or drawing air for establishing a positive or negative pressure respectively on the label surface. The overlapped vertical ends of the label are heat sealed by an electrically heated bar located at each round plate or are chemically bonded. The tubular round plate and the container on it can vertically move to transfer the container into the tubular label.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pre-shrink oven and a shrink oven are located at positions where a conveyer belt travels according to a labeling process of bottles. The pre-shrink oven has adjustable steam ejection ducts at two sides thereof. The shrink oven has steam nozzles at two sides. The steam generators are located at the periphery of the shrink oven to generate and deliver steam of different pressures through pipes to the adjustable steam ejection ducts of the pre-shrink oven and the steam nozzles of the shrink oven. When the steam is delivered to the pre-shrink oven heated air passes through apertures of the steam tube to partially preheat and shrink a shrink film without dropping before a final shrinking process is finished. Steam delivered through the steam nozzles can shrink the shrink film securely on bottle bodies of the bottles.

Abstract: A method of bonding at least a first ceramics structure (101) to a second ceramics structure (102), which includes the steps of applying a pressure to the first ceramics structure (101) and the second ceramics structure (102) in such a direction that these structures move close to each other with a bonding material layer (110) interposed between the first ceramics structure (101) and the second ceramics structure (102) (FIG. A), removing a bonding material (111a) extruded from the bonding material layer (110) to an end face of a stacked body including the first ceramics structure (101) and the second ceramics structure (102) by the application of the pressure thereto (FIG. B), drying a bonding material (111b) near the end face of the stacked body (120) after the extruded bonding material (111a) is removed (FIG. C), and drying the entire part of the stacked body (120).

Abstract: A method for making a tubular device includes coating a first surface of a thin sheet, rolling the sheet such that side edges of the sheet are disposed adjacent one another with the coating disposed inwardly, creating a longitudinal seam along the side edges to create a sleeve, and attaching a tubular structure around the sleeve. In another embodiment, the method includes coating a first surface of a thin sheet, wrapping the sheet partially around a mandrel with the coating disposed inwardly, positioning a slotted tube around the sheet and mandrel, attaching the tube to the thin, and trimming any excess material of the sheet. In another embodiment, the method includes coating an outer surface of a thin sleeve, inverting the sleeve, and attaching a tubular structure around the inverted sleeve, thereby providing a tubular device including a lubricious, hydrophilic, and/or otherwise coated inner surface.

Abstract: A finish trim for use in dry wall construction having an elongated core that is configured with a flange having outwardly facing surfaces to which is affixed a pre shrunk covering strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a device containing a needle that poses an injury risk, which is equipped with a protective mechanism. The method comprises the following steps, which may be carried out in any order: a) provision of at least one film, b) connection of the film to a protective device to form a protective mechanism, and c) fixing of the protective mechanism to the device, whereby at least part of the surface of the film can be fixed directly or indirectly to the device. The invention also relates to a protective mechanism for a device containing a needle that poses an injury risk, the device comprising at least one film, in addition to an assembly of protective mechanisms, in which the protective mechanisms are directly or indirectly connected.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) responsive tag comprising a heat-sealing substrate comprising a polyester layer, and an antenna comprising a patter of conductive material wherein said conductive material is in direct contact with a heat-sealing surface of the substrate, and wherein the shrinkage of the heat-sealing substrate is less than 5% at 190° C. over 30 minutes; a method of manufacture of said RF-response tag.

Abstract: A retrofit heat-sensitive shrink wrap sleeve is placed over a tetrahedral hand-held personal electronic device to be covered, having four adjacent lateral planar sides and two remaining planar sides perpendicular to the lateral planar sides. The sleeve is aligned with the device, and then shrunk to a form fit by heating all surfaces using an ordinary hair dryer. For certain devices such as personal music/video player devices (e.g.—iPod® of Apple Corporation), the sleeve is open at top and bottom thereby providing clearance for access to connectors which are typically placed on those surfaces of the device. For other types of device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA)/camera phone device, it is more appropriate for the sleeve to be open at both sides to permit access to connectors and ports on the side. In such case, a port is provided for the camera lens of the camera phone device.

Abstract: Protective laminate films protect an underlying windshield from damage due to impacting rocks and other debris. The protective laminate films generally include a flexible polymer substrate having a scratch resistant coating and an adhesive layer on opposing surfaces thereof. Each layer is transparent such that, when applied to a windshield, the laminate film does not inhibit visibility. Each layer may also be flexible so that the laminate films can be molded to a curved windshield. Generally, the scratch resistant coating protects the laminate films from scratching or other damage from impacting debris and/or from windshield wipers. The substrate provides structural integrity to the laminate films and may provide some degree of impact dispersion. The adhesive layer, in addition to adhering the laminate films to the windshield, may also provide significant impact resistance that helps protect the windshield from cracks or chips due to impacting rocks or other debris.

Abstract: A fitted mattress cover for enveloping the top, side and end surfaces of a mattress is constructed to accommodate a range of mattress peripheral sizes and thicknesses. The construction utilizes composite end panels which include stretch end panels covering lower partial portions of the mattress end surfaces and which impart recovery forces to effectively grip the mattress and thereby minimize the shifting of the cover relative to the mattress. At the same time, the look and feel of the mattress covering, which may be of importance especially in the case of a fitted sheet, is improved, by virtue of the fact that the side panels can be formed as uninterrupted unitary extensions of the material forming the top side panel, or other material based upon aesthetic considerations, as can upper partial portions (extension end panels) of the composite end panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial leather composed of fiber entangled structure and elastomer, wherein it has excellent elasticity with the longitudinal elongation of 15% or more and elastic recovery ratio 80% or more. The artificial leather is manufactured by the steps of: integrating a fiber web and a shrinkable sheet; applying elastomer to the integrated sheet; subjecting the resulting sheet to a shrinking treatment, and then removing the shrinkable sheet. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing artificial leather excellent in elasticity, particularly, in longitudinal elasticity which has not been achieved by a conventional artificial leather, without deterioration of surface appearance thereof.

Abstract: Themoformable multilayer film having a longitudinal and transversal thermoshrinkability equal to or greater than 20%, which thermoshrinkability is not substantially influenced by thermoforming, and devices for producing packages from the thermoformable multilayer film.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mandrel tooling member to receive a composite lay-up, the method comprising obtaining a mandrel tooling member having at least one working surface configured to support a composite lay-up; positioning a shrinkable material, in a pre-shrunk condition, about at least a portion of the mandrel tooling member and the working surface; and causing the shrinkable material to shrink and conform to the mandrel tooling member and the working surface to provide a barrier about the working surface.

Abstract: A pipe system comprises first and second pipes having first and second ends welded together forming a girth-weld and a heat recoverable polymer material comprising a plurality of holes extending therethrough covering the girth-weld. The heat recoverable polymer material can include a surface having an adhesive coated thereon disposed on the girth-weld. Air trapped underneath the recoverable polymer material can be released through the plurality of holes during shrinking of the heat recoverable polymer material. Also, a portion of the adhesive can flow through the holes during a shrinking of the heat recoverable polymer material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite comprising at least one heat shrinkable adhesive layer stitch-bonded with yarns, which shrink less than the adhesive layer or do not shrink, when the adhesive layer is exposed to heat. The stitch-bonded yarns form loops upstanding from the shrunk adhesive layer and the loops create a textured surface on the composite, and the composite is substantially inelastic after the adhesive layer is shrunk. The composite may further comprise at least one fibrous layer stitch-bonded to the shrinkable adhesive layer, and the fibrous layer is less shrinkable than the adhesive layer or is substantially non-shrinkable.

Abstract: A label for a container is formed by wrapping a length of label material around a cylindrical mandrel and introducing heat, adhesive or other sealing means into a gap between the leading end portion of the label material and the trailing end portion as the label material is wrapped around the mandrel. The cylindrical sleeve is slid off of the mandrel and telescoped over a container passing thereunder. The container with a cylindrical sleeve therearound is then moved to a heating station which heats the label material, preferably foam polystyrene, to cause it to shrink into conformity with the contour of the container.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determine a size of a bonding film for bonding a bonding target having a size which varies due to temperature variation, at an environmental temperature which is different from a temperature during use. The method includes measuring an actual size of the bonding portion of the circuit electrode at the first temperature, comparing the actual size of the bonding portion with a designed size of the bonding portion at the first temperature, and determining a cutting size of the bonding material based on a comparison result and mounting the bonding material over the bonding portion.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having characteristics resembling woven and knitted fabrics is produced by extruding a plurality of plural component fibers, where each fiber includes first and second polymer components with the first polymer component having a degree of shrinkage when subjected to heat. A nonwoven web of the extruded fibers is formed on a web forming surface and bonded. The bonded web of fibers are post-bond treated to shrink at least the first polymer component and separate at least a portion of the second polymer component from the first polymer component utilizing any combination of heat, mechanical agitation and dissolving of fiber components. The resultant nonwoven fabric has a texture, drape and feel of woven and knitted fabrics.