In a method for making roller shades a stack of pleated material is cut so that the length of the stack corresponds to the width of the roller shade being made. Then the edge of the material is attached to a roller so that the plurality of pleats are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller. Preferably the stack of pleated material has been made from strips bonded together to form tabs where the edges of adjacent fabric segments are joined together. Preferably the tabs in the panel of pleated material will be along one edge of the stack and the pleats will be along the opposite edge of the stack.

A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

A method for manufacturing a composite product includes folding a first layer of material to create a first folded layer having a first and a second superposed portion extending from a respective first and second free end to a first bend, folding a second layer of material in order to create a second folded layer having a third and a fourth superposed portion extending from a respective third and fourth free end to a second bend, laying the first folded layer over a first element with the first portion in contact with the first element, laying the second folded layer over the first folded layer laying a second element over the second folded layer, compressing the plurality of the fiber layers by either vacuum or gravity, pulling two free ends of the first folded layer and of the second folded layer in order to let them contact each other.

A method for cleaving one or more optical fiber(s) at an angle to the optic axis is provided and includes clamping the optical fiber(s) with its coating stripped to expose its distal end. An axial force and/or a bending force is applied to the optical fiber to create internal stresses in the fiber. A sharp blade is provided in an orientation such the blade edge is perpendicular to the optical fiber. The blade is further orientated such that a plane bisecting the blade angle formed between two polished surfaces of the blade is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber. The at least one optical fiber is scratched with the sharp blade to create a non-perpendicular cleave having a controlled shape in the region of the scratch. A method of splicing the fibers and a tool for cleaving the fibers are also provided.

A method and apparatus for forming a bend in composite panel. A method for forming a bend in a composite panel comprises forming a slot having a curved flange in the composite panel, inserting a sheet into the curved flange, and bending the composite panel with the slot and the sheet within the curved flange about a longitudinal axis of the slot to form the bend.

A curtain wall panel includes frame with a first frame member defining a channel, a cover configured to extend over the first frame member, a spacer formed of a thermally insulating material, the spacer including a first end, a body, and a second end, the first end being configured to be secured in the channel of the first frame member in a cammed interference fit by rotating a body of the spacer, and the second end being configured to form a cammed interference fit with the cover. An insert is supported from the first frame member by the spacer with the cover fit onto the spacer to capture and secure the insert relative to the frame.

A method of manufacturing a door for a vehicle includes molding a door inner panel using a polymer composite; molding a door frame assembly using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the door frame assembly defining a space to be opened or closed by a door glass; molding a door outer panel using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy; molding an impact beam using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the impact beam serving to increase rigidity of a side surface of the door; coupling the molded door frame assembly and the molded impact beam to the door inner panel; and coupling the door inner panel, which is coupled to the door frame assembly and the impact beam, to the door outer panel.

Cellulosic pulp structures integrating unreacted quantities of an inorganic peroxide and a destabilizing acid, as binary components of an odor control system, absorbent articles incorporating such structures, and various methods of forming the same, are disclosed herein. The components are adapted to react in the presence of an aqueous fluid to produce hydrogen peroxide, thereby providing an antimicrobial and odor mitigating effect.

Disclosed are optical connectors having lenses along with methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the optical connector includes a fiber body having a front portion with a plurality of fiber guides, and a connector body having a plurality of connector body fiber guides that lead to a plurality of lenses at a front portion of the connector body. The fiber body attaches to the connector body and may align a plurality of optical fibers to the lenses at the front portion of the connector body. One embodiment has the fiber body configured as a crimp body with a barrel at a rear portion for attaching a fiber optic cable.

A method of manufacturing a door for a vehicle includes molding a door inner panel using a polymer composite; molding a door frame assembly using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the door frame assembly defining a space to be opened or closed by a door glass; molding a door outer panel using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy; molding an impact beam using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the impact beam serving to increase rigidity of a side surface of the door; coupling the molded door frame assembly and the molded impact beam to the door inner panel; and coupling the door inner panel, which is coupled to the door frame assembly and the impact beam, to the door outer panel.