Provided is a tube body intermediate including: a carbon fiber disposed with respect to an outer circumferential surface of a mandrel so as to extend in an axial direction of the mandrel; and a fixing member having a tubular shape and disposed with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel so as to cover the carbon fiber. Also provided is a tube body production method including: disposing a fiber body with respect to an outer circumferential surface of a mandrel so that the fiber body extends in an axial direction of the mandrel; disposing a fixing member with a tubular shape with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel so that the fixing member covers the fiber body; and impregnating the fiber body with a resin on the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel and then heating the resin to mold the resin.

A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

Provided is a method for producing a high-pressure tank that is capable of suppressing entry of a resin in a stiffener layer into the boundary between a liner body and a mouthpiece, and also offers excellent productivity. The method for producing a high-pressure tank includes disposing a resin sheet on a liner body having a mouthpiece, the resin sheet covering a gap between an outer circumferential portion of the mouthpiece and the liner body, and heating the resin sheet and welding the resin sheet to the mouthpiece and the liner body, to make a liner; and forming a fiber layer around the outer circumference of the liner, the fiber layer being impregnated with a resin, and curing the resin, wherein the softening point of a material constituting the resin sheet is higher than the maximum temperature that is reached by the liner due to heating of the resin.

A system for protecting a surface of a substrate includes a protective film, which is configured to be applied and secured to the surface, as well as a backing on an adherent surface of the protective film and an application tape over an exterior surface of the protective film. Protruding features, such as tabs, adjacent to different peripheral edges of the protective film may enable removal of the backing and the application tape from the protective film, and may include features that indicate the order in which each protruding feature is to be grasped to peel its corresponding element away from the protective film. Methods of using such a system are also disclosed.

A protective film includes an adhesive material configured for “dry” application to a surface that is to be protected, such as the surface of an electronic device. An installation assembly that includes the protective film is configured to minimize or eliminate contact with the protective film as it is applied to the surface that is to be protected. Methods for manufacturing a protective film and an installation assembly that includes the protective film may be effected in contaminant-free conditions. Methods for applying the protective film are also disclosed, as are devices (e.g., electronic devices, etc.) with at least one surface covered with a protective film.

Methods for providing a slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial surface to a piece of sporting equipment include receiving a substrate printed with an image. The image is printed with ultraviolet curable ink and the substrate is non-silicone and includes a top printable layer printed with the image, a middle adhesive layer, and a bottom removable layer. The method includes aligning the substrate to a surface of the piece of sporting equipment, removing the bottom removable layer of the substrate, and contacting the middle adhesive layer that is exposed against the surface of the piece of sporting equipment. The method further includes smoothing the top printable layer printed with the image against the piece of sporting equipment. The substrate and the image printed with ultraviolet curable ink conforms to the shape of the piece of sporting equipment and provides the slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial surface.

A system for protecting a surface of a substrate includes a protective film, which is configured to be applied and secured to the surface, as well as a backing on an adherent surface of the protective film and an application tape over an exterior surface of the protective film. Protruding features, such as tabs, adjacent to different peripheral edges of the protective film may enable removal of the backing and the application tape from the protective film, and may include features that indicate the order in which each protruding feature is to be grasped to peel its corresponding element away from the protective film. Methods of using such a system are also disclosed.

Machines are provided for removing masking from regions of glazing panes. Also provided are methods of removing masking from regions of glazing panes. The machines can include a head assembly and a processing station. The head assembly can have various combinations and/or configurations of features, including one or more of a plurality of cutters, a plurality of belts, and at least one pressurized gas nozzle.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin molded article capable of preventing oxidation and degradation of a liner making up a preform at a high temperature, and such a manufacturing device thereof. Prior to pouring resin into a mold, the method fills inert gas (nitrogen gas, for example) into the mold. After filling inert gas (nitrogen gas, for example) into the mold, the method closes an upper mold (second mold) placed with a gap (second gap) with a preform (i.e., brings it closer to the preform).

A method of making a catheter includes obtaining a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, an elongated conduit, and one or more fluid openings formed in the distal section of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen. The method includes inserting a mandrel within the elongated lumen, positioning a first visible marker over an outer surface of the hollow tube at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube, and placing a sacrificial material over the first visible marker to completely cover the first visible marker. Heat is applied for shrinking the sacrificial material, which, in turn, compresses the first visible marker against the outer surface of the hollow tube, and for least partially melting the first visible marker for fusing the first visible marker to the outer surface of the hollow tube.