The disclosure relates to a method for producing a overlapping connection, in which at least two overlapping components are connected to one another via a folded flange, with a first edge of a first component being folded over a second edge of a second component to form the folded flange, along with a body component that includes such an overlapping connection for a vehicle and a stamping tool for such a body component. According to the disclosure at least one connection region is formed on the folded flange, in which the stamping tool stamps the first component through the second component at least one stamping point, with displaced material of the first component passing into the second component and producing a positive connection.

A respiratory protection composite facepiece is disclosed and includes a polymeric rigid facepiece body portion having a first surface and a second surface and a silicone sealing facepiece element chemically bonded at least one of the first surface or the second surface. The first and second surfaces can be opposing major surfaces. A second silicone element is chemically bonded to at least one of the first surface or the second surface. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

A biochip for the integration of all steps in a complex process from the insertion of a sample to the generation of a result, performed without operator intervention includes microfluidic and macrofluidic features that are acted on by instrument subsystems in a series of scripted processing steps. Methods for fabricating these complex biochips of high feature density by injection molding are also provided.

A mixing baffle for mixing a fluid flow includes a longitudinal support structure and a first set of moveable mixing elements integrally molded with and extending from the longitudinal support structure. The first set of moveable mixing elements are molded in a first configuration and deform to a second configuration. The first set of moveable mixing elements may deform when the mixing baffle is inserted into a conduit. A static mixer for mixing a fluid includes a conduit and the mixing baffle inserted in the conduit.

There is disclosed a member for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a carrier, an expandable material and at least one fastener.

A method of manufacturing an elongate shaft for delivery of a medical device may include disposing a polymeric sheath having a lumen extending therethrough over a mandrel; sliding a proximal portion of the polymeric sheath into a lumen of a metallic tubular member; placing a polymeric tubular member over the distal portion of the polymeric sheath and a distal portion of the metallic tubular member; fixedly attaching a proximal coupler to a distal end of a longitudinal support filament; inserting a proximal end of the longitudinal support filament between the polymeric sheath and the polymeric tubular member to position the longitudinal support filament alongside the distal portion of the metallic tubular member and a distal portion of the polymeric sheath; and reflowing the polymeric tubular member to secure the longitudinal support filament relative to the polymeric sheath and the metallic tubular member.

A material dispense tip includes an elongated hole in an elongated neck that extends from an input end of the neck to an output end of the neck. The hole at the output end of the neck has a first diameter. The output end of the neck is positioned against a die surface. A punch is inserted into the hole at the input end of the neck. An external force is applied to the neck to cause the output end of the neck to be deformed under compression by the die surface, to reduce the diameter of the hole at the output end of the neck from the first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

The invention provides a design method for a connecting rod. The connecting rod includes a first end, a shank and a second end; and the shank is connected between the first end and the second end. The design method includes: determining a weight m.sub.1 of a standard steel connecting rod; determining a weight m.sub.2 of a nodular cast iron connecting rod having the same size with the standard steel connecting rod; and simulating to reinforce the shank with a reinforcement material having a preset weight m, and calculating a size of the reinforced shank; where m.sub.1>m.sub.2, and m<m.sub.1−m.sub.2. The present invention overcomes the technical problem that existing steel connecting rods have larger weights.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for receiving or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to receive blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus. For example, blood may be received from the device, and/or the device may contain sensors or agents able to determine the blood and/or an analyte suspected of being contained in the blood. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to arrangements of skin insertion objects such as microneedles and methods of forming and arranging skin insertion objects. Other aspects of the present invention are directed at other devices for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids, e.g., interstitial fluid), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.