A method of preparing a multi-layer assembly, or of protecting a surface of a multi-layer substrate from damage and/or contamination and/or debris, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a composite film comprising a polymeric base layer having a first and second surface and disposed on the first surface thereof a polymeric protective layer having a first surface and a second surface such that the first surface of the said base layer is in contact with the first surface of the polymeric protective layer, wherein said polymeric protective layer comprises an ethylene-based copolymer, and preferably wherein the polymeric base layer comprises a polyester derived from one or more diol(s) and one or more dicarboxylic acid(s); (ii) removing said polymeric protective layer from the first surface of said base layer; (iii) disposing on the exposed first surface of said base layer one or more functional layers to provide a multi-layer substrate, wherein the, or at least the uppermost, functional layer comprises zinc and/or tin in an amount of from about 5 to about 80 wt % of said functional layer; and (iv) disposing a polymeric protective layer comprising an ethylene-based copolymer onto the exposed surface of the, or at least the uppermost, functional layer comprising zinc and/or tin to provide a multi-layer assembly.

A method for manufacturing (S) a subassembly (3) for a tire (4) comprising the following substeps: providing an assembly comprising a supporting structure (14) comprising supporting filamentary elements linking a first structure (10) of filamentary elements and a second structure (12) of filamentary elements, aligning (S1) the first structure (10) and the second structure (12), securely fixing (S4) the first structure (10) onto the second structure (12) using a securing element (18), and cutting (S5) the assembly (1) along the securing element (18) so as to separate said securing element (18) from the rest of the assembly (1) and to obtain at least one subassembly (3) without securing element (18).

A wind turbine blade (2) comprising an outer shell (6) incorporating a metallic foil component (20), a conductive blade component (12) in-board of the metallic foil component (20), and a fabric sheet assembly (22) positioned between the metallic component (20) and the conductive blade component (12). The fabric sheet assembly comprises: one or more non-conductive fabric sheets (28, 30) which define first and second outer surfaces (24, 26) of the fabric sheet assembly (22); and at least one conductive thread stitch (34) penetrating a depth of the one or more fabric sheets (28, 30) and being exposed at the outer surfaces (24, 26); thereby to enable equipotential bonding between the conductive blade component (12) and the metallic foil component (20).

An exterior sheathing cementitious panel which prevents water penetration and air leakage is provided. Methods for manufacturing exterior sheathing cementitious panels with a highly efficient integrated air/water barrier sheet are also provided. An exterior sheathing system employing the exterior sheathing cementitious panel is provided.

A laminated body pressing apparatus, which can restrain damage of a first outer ridge portion or a second outer ridge portion of a positive electrode plate during roller-pressing and can restrain damage of a strip-shaped first separator of a strip-shaped negative electrode body on a positive electrode plate side, includes a first press roller, a second press roller disposed parallel to the first press roller and spaced apart from the first press roller by a roller gap, and a metal plate feeding unit to feed a strip-shaped metal plate extending in a conveyance direction to the roller gap. The apparatus roller-presses the positive electrode plate and the strip-shaped negative electrode body by the first press roller and the second press roller in a state where the strip-shaped metal plate fed by the metal plate feeding unit is placed on the positive electrode plate placed on the strip-shaped negative electrode body.

A method for non-contact adhesive activation and securement of a decorative skin to a part, including: applying an adhesive to a top surface of the part; applying the decorative skin to the adhesive after it have been applied to the top surface of the part; locating an upper heating element or elements of an upper heating plate or platen adjacent to the top surface of the part; locating a lower heating element or elements of a lower heating plate or platen adjacent to a bottom surface of the part, the bottom surface of the part being opposite to the top surface of the part; activating an adhesive located on the top surface of the part via the upper heating element or elements of the upper heating plate or platen and the lower heating element or elements of the lower heating plate or platen when the upper heating element or elements and the lower heating element or elements are adjacent to the part, wherein the upper heating plate or platen and the lower heating plate or platen do not contact the part and the decorative skin; heating the decorative skin during the activating step without contacting the decorative skin with the upper heating plate or platen and the lower heating plate or platen; moving the upper heating plate or platen and the lower heating plate or platen away from the part after the activating step; and applying pressure to the decorative skin located on the top surface as well as the portion of the bottom surface of the part via an upper plate and a lower plate, wherein portions of the part on the top surface have a curved surface that is covered by the decorative skin, the curved surface being defined by a radius of curvature that is less greater than 0 and less than 25 mm.

Disclosed is a process for creating an elastic film or sheet by calendaring a composition, including a polymer and a fabric. The composition may include a polymer, a cotton, or a combination of both. The calendared composition can form tough, flexible films and sheets. The film and sheet can have optical and physical properties that make them suitable as a replacement for some PVC films. Also disclosed is a composition for calendaring including a fabric and a polymer.

A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper, tissue, or nonwoven webs is provided. The apparatus includes a web-carrying structure configured to move and a first component having at least one sealing element adjacent the web-carrying structure, where the sealing element is configured to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one channel configured to direct air to the sealing element to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus. A method of operating a through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper, tissue, or nonwoven webs is also provided. The method includes directing air to a sealing element to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus.

A card substrate laminating device including a transfer roller configured to heat a portion of a transfer layer of a transfer ribbon and transfer the portion of the transfer layer from a carrier layer of the transfer ribbon to a surface of a card substrate. The transfer roller includes a diameter of less than 0.537 inches and a compliant exterior surface layer or coating. The compliant exterior surface layer or coating can include silicon rubber. The compliant exterior surface layer or coating can be approximately 0.020 inches thick. An internal heating element is configured to heat the transfer roller from an ambient temperature to a laminating temperature, at which laminating operations are performed, within 40 seconds.

An apparatus and a method for attaching functional elements, e.g. composed of metal, to a component, in particular to a component comprising fiber-reinforced plastic, while using a setting head, wherein the functional element has a contact surface provided with adhesive and wherein the adhesive can be supplied to the setting head in individual depots adapted to the functional elements on a carrier band is characterized in that the functional elements are taken over by a guide device and are each pressable to an adhesive depot and are subsequently guidable with the adhering adhesive depots and separately from the carrier band in the setting head to the setting position in front of a setting die.