A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

Described herein is an oral care implement comprising: a handle; and a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a main body and a release component coupled to the main body, the release component comprising: a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a first polymer having a processing temperature greater than or equal to 130° C.; and a release agent comprising at least one of zinc oxide, potassium nitrate, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate; wherein the release agent is dispersed throughout the water-dissolvable matrix.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper layer formed of a first foam material and a lower layer formed of a second foam material and having a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the upper layer. In addition, a plate can be disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, where the plate has a hardness that is greater than each of the upper and lower layers.

A method for manufacturing a microprojection unit (10) according to the invention involves: a microprojection tool forming step of forming a microprojection tool (1) by bringing a projecting mold part (11) into contact from one surface (2D) side of a base sheet (2A) including a thermoplastic resin, and thus forming a protrusion (3) that protrudes from another surface (2U) side, and withdrawing the projecting mold part (11) from the interior of the protrusion (3); a joining step of joining the one surface (2D) side of the base sheet (2A), in which the microprojection tool (1) has been formed, and a tip end of a base component (4); and a cutting step of cutting the base sheet (2A), to which the base component (4) has been joined, along a contour (4L) of the base component (4) at a position more inward than the base component's contour (4L) in a planar view of the base sheet (2A) as viewed from the microprojection tool (1) side, to manufacture a microprojection unit (10).

A method for manufacturing a microprojection unit (10) according to the invention involves: a microprojection tool forming step of forming a microprojection tool (1) by bringing a projecting mold part (11) into contact from one surface (2D) side of a base sheet (2A) including a thermoplastic resin, and thus forming a protrusion (3) that protrudes from another surface (2U) side, and withdrawing the projecting mold part (11) from the interior of the protrusion (3); a joining step of joining the one surface (2D) side of the base sheet (2A), in which the microprojection tool (1) has been formed, and a tip end of a base component (4); and a cutting step of cutting the base sheet (2A), to which the base component (4) has been joined, along a contour (4L) of the base component (4) at a position more inward than the base component's contour (4L) in a planar view of the base sheet (2A) as viewed from the microprojection tool (1) side, to manufacture a microprojection unit (10).

An injection molding device includes an injection machine, a molding die, and a high frequency oscillation device. The injection machine injects a resin material containing a dielectric heat generating material while keeping fluidity by temperature control. The molding die includes a cavity being a channel of flow of the resin material, and a pair of electrodes, each of which faces the cavity, the pair of electrodes being disposed to sandwich the resin material therebetween in a direction crossing a direction of the flow. The high frequency oscillation device applies a high frequency alternate-current voltage to the pair of electrodes.

Systems and methods for calculating external bone loss for alignment of pre-diseased joints comprising: generating a three-dimensional (“3D”) computer model of an operative area from at least two two-dimensional (“2D”) radiographic images, wherein at least a first radiographic image is captured at a first position, and wherein at least a second radiographic image is captured at a second position, and wherein the first position is different than the second position; identifying an area of bone loss on the 3D computer model; and applying a surface adjustment algorithm to calculate an external missing bone surface fitting the area of bone loss.

A welding apparatus is suitable for welding polymeric materials, and particularly but not exclusively those that may be thin or brittle. A welding apparatus is provided for welding polymeric materials along a weld zone of the polymeric material. The welding apparatus has a carrier for supplying heat to the weld zone to cause melting of the polymeric material, wherein the heating element is arranged to reciprocate relative to the carrier between a retracted and an extended configuration, such that as the element moves from the retracted to the extended configuration the heating element melts and penetrates the surface of the polymeric material. The carrier also has a trailing contact surface trailing the heating element along the weld zone arranged to constrain molten polymeric material in the weld zone. The heating element is also arranged to reciprocate relative to the trailing contact surface.

A welding apparatus is suitable for welding polymeric materials, and particularly but not exclusively those that may be thin or brittle. A welding apparatus is provided for welding polymeric materials along a weld zone of the polymeric material. The welding apparatus has a carrier for supplying heat to the weld zone to cause melting of the polymeric material, wherein the heating element is arranged to reciprocate relative to the carrier between a retracted and an extended configuration, such that as the element moves from the retracted to the extended configuration the heating element melts and penetrates the surface of the polymeric material. The carrier also has a trailing contact surface trailing the heating element along the weld zone arranged to constrain molten polymeric material in the weld zone. The heating element is also arranged to reciprocate relative to the trailing contact surface.

An active grille shutter arrangement having an assembled modular frame with a plurality of primary frame pieces formed by extrusion. Each one of the plurality of primary frame pieces has a first end, a second end and at least one key slot extending between the first end and the second end. Each of the plurality of frame pieces also includes a hollow bore extending through the each one of the plurality of primary frame pieces forming an aperture at the first end and an aperture at the second end. When the modular frame is assembled there is an upper frame portion and lower frame portion, both formed from one of the plurality of primary frame pieces. The arrangement also includes a number of alternate frame and vane pieces that allow several different active grille shapes and configurations to be formed.