Abstract: A system for attaching a terminal pin to a circuit trace on an electronic substrate. The system includes a sonotrode and a stage for holding the electronic substrate. The sonotrode is configured to direct ultrasound energy to a base region of the terminal pin placed on the circuit trace to weld the base region to the circuit trace. The system further includes a three-dimensional positioner coupled to the sonotrode. The three-dimensional positioner is configured to drive the sonotrode to lift the terminal pin from a rack and to place the terminal pin on the electronic substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for sealing air and water leaks in varied items. The methods provide for even application of a rubberized product that quickly and effectively cures to obtain a water- and air-tight seal.

Abstract: A repair assembly in the form of a temporary mold for repairing holes in plasterboard sheet walls comprises a backing plate for location within the cavity wall formed by the plasterboard sheet against the rear surface of the sheet over the hole to be repaired, a front cover for contacting the front surface of the sheet to close the hole, and a connector for connecting the rear plate and front cover to each other to form the mold, having a mold cavity further defined by the edge of the hole. When the repair assembly is clamped in place by the connector, suitable repair material, such as uncured plaster, is injected into the mold cavity through either the front cover or connector, to fill the hole. After the repair material has set and/or hardened, the connector and front cover are removed leaving a repair region flush with the front surface so that little or no extra finishing of the repair is required apart from filling in the small depression formed by the connector, thereby saving time.

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a fluid separation assembly. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a first tubesheet and a second tubesheet encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle, wherein one of the tubesheets has a plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the first and second tubesheets, the housing having a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed gas, permeate gas, or non-permeate gas are introduced into or removed from the hollow fiber membranes via the plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet, such that the radial through openings of the tubesheet intersect each or substantially each of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides economical and effective methods and apparatus for repairing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle surfaces that minimally contaminates the bottle during the refurbishing process. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: a) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material such as a bottle to form at least a partially filled packaging material; and b) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the at least partially filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material. Apparatus and recycling systems that incorporate this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enabling a lining (14) to be applied to a pipe elbow or bend C comprises the steps of connecting a tie member (12) to an end of a flexible elongate mandrel (1), drawing the tie member through the elbow or bend so as to draw the mandrel therethrough and locate opposing ends of the mandrel adjacent to opposing respective ends of the elbow or bend, and securing the mandrel ends in relation to the respective ends of the elbow or bend. The mandrel can be adapted to the elbow or bend by locating the elbow or bend in a given orientation and deriving a profile S of the elbow or bend while in that orientation, removing the elbow or bend and then locating the mandrel in the given orientation, and adjusting the mandrel in relation to the profile of the elbow or bend to adapt it thereto.

Abstract: A method of internally restoring a pipe preferably includes the steps of isolating a leaking pipe from a system of pipes; drying an interior of a leaking pipe; measuring the airflow through the leak; cleaning the interior of the leaking pipe; pre-sealing a leak with a leak sealing media, measuring the leak flow rate after the pre-sealing; applying an internal protective coating process; and pressure testing the leaking pipe for leaks. The pipe restoration method preferably uses a control box, a media injection system, an air compressor and a coating dispensing system at an inlet of the leaking pipe. The pipe restoration method preferably uses a coating overflow receiver, a muffler and a dust collector at an exit of the leaking pipe. After the treatments, the leaking pipe becomes a restored pipe. The restored pipe is pressure tested for leaks at a working pressure rating of the pipe and reconnected to its piping system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container prepared from a PCR HDPE blend comprising PCR HDPE and an effective amount of an impact modifier to provide acceptable ESCR results.

Abstract: A device for repairing a chimney preferably includes a rod effective for positioning and manipulating a camera and a plunger blade in a chimney; a camera attached to the lower portion of the rod in a manner such that rotation of the rod results in a corresponding rotation of the camera; and a plunger blade attached to the rod above the camera. The plunger blade is adapted to apply mortar to the sides of a chimney when the device is pulled upward in the chimney. The device may further include a camera-direction indicator attached to the rod above the plunger blade in a manner such that the camera-direction indicator is effective for indicating the direction of view of said camera even when the camera is not visible to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of structural pipe lining for conduit rehabilitation and more specifically, to methods for rehabilitating conduits using structural liners. There is provided a method for rehabilitating a tubular conduit having an inner conduit space and at least one service connection tied into the tubular conduit. A portion of the at least one service connection protrudes into the inner conduit space. A liner is provided for covering the inner surface of the tubular conduit. The liner is made of a flexible material capable of being impregnated with a first curable adhesive resin and has a film made of a material impermeable to liquid bonded onto the inner surface of the liner. Also provided, is a flexible sealing member made of a second curable adhesive resin.

Abstract: A cured sandwiched article may be used to enhance a portion of a vehicle. In some embodiments, a cured sandwiched article may include a core sandwiched between one or more backing layers and one or more top layers cured to conform to a surface of a vehicle. A cured sandwiched article may be made by steps including shaping a core, positioning the core between one or more backing layers and one or more top layers to form the sandwiched article, and curing the sandwiched article. A cured sandwiched article may be connected to a surface of a vehicle by providing adhesive to a bottom surface of the cured sandwiched article, positioning the cured sandwiched article on a surface of the vehicle, and curing the adhesive. In some embodiments, the cured sandwiched article may include a plurality of fiber-optic fibers.

Abstract: A method for converting expended plastic water bottles and other plastic beverage bottles into artificial landscape rocks and edging blocks by cutting a flap in an empty plastic bottle, filling the bottle with empty, crushed food cans, or compacted, expended plastic bottles, sealing the flap with wire lath and screws, wrapping the bottle with mason lath or chicken wire, or coating the bottle with a bonding agent, applying a stucco coating to the bottle, brushing the wet stucco, and coloring the stucco with a pigmenting agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method by which a substrate (typically, a TFT substrate) can be installed directly in a treatment apparatus by using a transfer container without shifting the substrate from the transfer container to another container. It is possible to use the container efficiently and transfer different substrates in size with one container. A manufacturing method in which a substrate is directly installed in an electrostatic-protected transfer container by a substrate supplier, and then the container is directly installed in a treatment apparatus by a substrate demander after transferring can be realized, thereby making it possible to transfer substrates such as a TFT substrate. A contamination of a substrate due to particles and electrostatic discharge damage of a TFT substrate can be avoided because a transferring operation is not needed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bimodal polyethylene comprising ethylene derived units and units derived from at least one of a C4 to C12 olefin; wherein the polyethylene has a density of from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cm3; an I21/I2 of 80 or more; a residual Group 4 metal content of 2.0 ppm or less: a Mw/Mn of from 20 to 60; and wherein the polyethylene comprises a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component, the high molecular weight component present from 40 to 60 weight percent based on the total polyethylene, and wherein the bimodal polyethylene has a weight avenge molecular weight Mw of 180,000 a.m.u. or more.

Abstract: A flexible core element having a large bonding surface area suitable for sandwich type construction comprising a plurality of first hexagonal nodes defining a first surface, a plurality of second hexagonal nodes defining a second surface spaced apart from and parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of rectangular wall members which interconnect said first hexagonal nodes to said second hexagonal nodes and define the depth of the core element. Each hexagonal node corresponds to an open hexagonal cell on its obverse surface and serves as a bonding surface. The core element is fabricated from a continuous sheet of material that has been die-cut with a repeating geometrical design, creased and folded, concertina style, in upon itself to make a double-sided core material that is flexible, able to vent, exhibits good bend and shear strength, and has a large surface bonding area rendering it suitable in the construction of lightweight sandwich panels and offering a wide array of other applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting expended thermo-plastic material, specifically empty plastic bottles, into artificial rocks, by placing the empty thermoplastic bottle in the apparatus between two sliding carriages, on each of which a rock has been mounted; and each carriage attatched to a hydraulic jack, which, when the handle is pumped, moves the carriage toward the bottle which has been heated to malleability by heat lamps mounted above and sideways to the bottle, and the said heated, flexible bottle is squeezed between the two rocks mounted on the carriages, and then the bottle is rotated and the process repeated to give the bottle a rock shape. The rock shape may be further altered using a portable heat gun.

Abstract: There are provided a shaft adapted for introduction into a tubular member made of refractory material and an expander provided on a leading edge of the shaft. The expander has both ends provided with a repairing material container and a seat plate. With the repairing material container having monolithic refractory material loaded therein confronted to a damaged portion in an inner wall of the tubular member, the expander is expanded by a driving motor to push the repairing material container toward the damaged portion while pushing the seat plate in contact with a wall surface opposite to the damaged portion in behind. Thus, the monolithic refractory material is filled and deposited in the damaged portion under remote control.

Abstract: A durable erosion control blanket featuring a novel synthetic fiber filler is disclosed. The erosion control blanket of the present invention addresses the need for a particularly resilient erosion control blanket through the use of a post-consumer, crimped, polyester fiber filler material. In one embodiment, the post-consumer fiber material is of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) readily available in post-consumer form from the recycling of soda bottles. In short, a preferred filler material for the blanket of the present invention would utilize recycled soda bottle material which has been converted into a crimped, highly-resilient fibrous filler. It is, thus, possible to achieve the desired physical and mechanical properties in the erosion control blanket of the present invention while conserving natural resources to some extent by using a readily available post-consumer polymer material.

Abstract: In a method of reinforcing an existing concrete electric pole having an annular side wall, an inner hollow portion provided therein and an opening portion formed to a position of the annular side wall to be penetrated therethrough, at least one of a predetermined amount of mortar, a predetermined amount of sand and a predetermined amount of gravel is injected into the inner hollow portion of the electric pole through the opening portion. A reinforcing member for reinforcing the electric pole is injected into the inner hollow portion of the electric pole through the opening portion.

Abstract: What is new in the art to which my invention pertains is that it allows for a repair or restoration of a pressure retaining item that has local material degradation to an acceptable state of condition for continued operation without the need to cut out the degraded section of material or breach the pressure boundary of a pressure retaining item. Common methods of repair include removal of degraded or affected material section and replacement with a new section of equivalent material by joining the new material to an existing item at a location of adequate thickness using full or complete penetration welds. This type of repair may be referred to in the industry as a “flush patch repair”. An additional type of repair where a section of material degradation may be localized is a “weld build-up repair’ wherein weld metal is deposited onto the existing area of affected material to return the material to its original thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing or refurbishing thermoplastic drums. A damaged drum, or at least a damaged portion thereof, is heated until it reaches a softened state and is then drawn over a template, or mold, having the substantially the same shape and size of an undamaged drum. The drum is allowed to cool sufficiently to return to its hardened state, whereby it substantially assumes the shape of the template. The refurbished drum is then removed from the template and is essentially ready to be used again.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems for inspecting and repairing vessels include a laser used to project a laser beam into a hot furnace or vessel, a laser reader to measure a point cloud formed when the laser light reflects from the wall of the furnace, means for selecting those points in the cloud that are more relevant, and using the points to produce a 3D image that corresponds to the geometry of the interior of the furnace or vessel. The disclosed systems and methods further include means for comparing the 3D geometric data corresponding to the interior of the vessel with 3D geometric data provided as a reference, generating a 3D repair trace based on the comparison, and controlling a spray gun for applying refractory material according to the trace by taking into account a set of physical variables related to the vessel and the refractory material.

Abstract: A closed end of a one piece flexible elastomeric seal is mounted in one end of a tubular liquid concrete tight frame that is mounted on a removable door of one wall of a concrete wall mold, the other open end of the flexible seal is in liquid concrete tight sealing contact with the other wall of the concrete wall mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or refurbishing thermoplastic drums, by which a damaged drum, or at least a damaged portion thereof, is heated until it reaches a softened state and is then drawn over a template, or mold, having the substantially the same shape and size of an undamaged drum. The drum is allowed to cool sufficiently to return to its hardened state, whereby it substantially assumes the shape of the template. The refurbished drum is then removed from the template and is essentially ready to be used again.

Abstract: An exemplary candle comprises an outer tapered shell with a plurality of tapered sidewalls that are joined together at abutting edges. The shell comprises a material that does not completely melt when the candle is burned. A wick disposed within the shell, and paraffin is disposed the tapered shell to cover the wick except near the top of the candle where the wick is exposed, that is designed to melt when the candle is burned. The paraffin may comprise paraffin beads that partially fill the shell and cover the wick. An exemplary method includes providing a candle that has an outer shell made of a material that does not completely melt when the candle is burned, disposing a wick in the outer shell, and filling the outer shell with paraffin beads to surround the wick to a desired level that keeps an upper end of the wick exposed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for repairing or refurbishing thermoplastic drums, by which a damaged drum, or at least a damaged portion thereof, is heated until it reaches a softened state and is then drawn over a template, or mold, having the substantially the same shape and size of an undamaged barrel. The drum is allowed to cool sufficiently to return to its hardened state, whereby it substantially assumes the shape of the template. The refurbished drum is then removed from the template and is essentially ready to be used again.

Abstract: A process for restoring the damaged bottom of a storage tank. The process is initiated by preparing a slurry containing unconsolidated solids and a gelation solution. The gelation solution includes an aqueous liquid solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent. The slurry is placed on the internal bottom surface of the storage tank in a sufficient volume to fully cover the surface. The gelation solution is then gelled substantially to completion in the storage tank to form a gel that binds the unconsolidated solids and converts the slurry into a hardened conglomeration. The hardened conglomeration provides a coat over the internal bottom surface of the storage tank to prevent further damage to the bottom of the tank and leakage therethrough.

Abstract: A wrapped and curing substrate is secured with a strap. The strap has two clips, each having a prong. The prong of a first clip is slid in a first direction into a first portion of the wrapped substrate. A second clip is pulled away from the first clip over a substrate edge, and the prong of the second clip is slid into a second portion of the wrapped substrate in a direction opposite the first direction. In one embodiment, the first portion of the wrapped substrate is an overlapping layer of substrate, and the second portion of the wrapped substrate is the layer of substrate extending from underneath the overlapping substrate.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom enc. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and composition for cosmetically repairing a surface void in polyolefin objects. The method involves inserting a repair composition into the void and then applying heat thereto to fuse the repair composition with a surrounding portion of the polyolefin object. The repair composition is a physical mixture of a thermoplastic powder, a resin binder, and a solvent, having a paste-like consistency. The repair composition may be neutral in color, or may contain a colorant to closely match the underlying object. The heating step can be performed with an open flame or with a heat gun.

Abstract: A method for inverting the convex configuration of a liquid-product storage-tank bottom is described for providing greater efficiency in the removal of undesirable materials that normally accumulate on the tank bottom. A layer of material having plastic properties is placed over the conventional tank bottom except for at least one section from the center of the tank base to the edge. The material with plastic properties hardens over time, thus producing a new bottom having a center at a level below the level of the edge. The part over which the material having plastic properties was not placed forms a flow gutter which leads the liquids and sediments which have to be drained off to the edge.