A sealing apparatus 200 for sealing together two film portions 202, 204 may include a heating element 206 positioned in relation to a pair of nip pressure devices 208, 210 for creating a seal 311 between the two film portions 202, 204 and trimming the two film portions 202, 204 at the created seal. A controller 214 is connected to the heating element 206 and is for connection to a power source for applying a variable amount of power to the heating element 206. The amount of power varies based on at least a speed of the two film portions 202, 204 passing the heating element 206.

A sterile connection device includes first and second carriages. The first carriage defines a first portion of a proximal slot and a first portion of a distal slot, while the second carriage defines second portions of the proximal and distal slots. A controller executes a sterile connection procedure in which a solid cutting blade is heated, followed by the heated blade being moved to a cutting position to cut sealed proximal and distal tubes received by the slots. The second carriage moves proximally or distally with respect to the first carriage so as to align the cut ends of the tubes. The heated blade then moves out of the cutting position, followed by the first carriage moving toward the second carriage so as to press the cut ends of the tubes into contact with each other so as to sterilely connect the cut ends and define a joined tube.

The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The elastomeric laminates may include a first substrate, a second substrate, and an elastic material located between the first and second substrates. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, a beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam, wherein the strands may include a spin finish. First bonds are applied to bond discrete lengths of the stretched elastic strands with and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the discrete first bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. In addition, second bonds are applied between consecutive first bonds to bond the first and second substrates directly to each other, wherein the second bonds extend in the machine direction and may be separated from each other in a cross direction by at least one elastic strand.

The present disclosure is directed to a compression belt for inflation and sealing devices. The device may include an inflation assembly, a heating assembly, and a drive mechanism. The inflation assembly may direct fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a flexible web material to inflate chambers between the plies. The heating assembly may be operable to heat the first and second plies of the web material to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the fluid in the inflated chambers. The drive mechanism may drive the web material in a downstream direction. The drive mechanism may tension the web material against the heating assembly. The drive mechanism may include a first belt including a high grip material on a surface that contacts the web material to grip the web material during heating by the heating assembly.

The present disclosure relates to liners and methods of making liners. The liners may be suitable for use with tanks and other storage/containment vessels, such as process tanks, immersion tanks, indoor or outdoor containment pits, gravity feed conduits (e.g., concrete trench, canal, or drain, etc.) for transferring or conveying liquid, grain storage tanks or containers (e.g., dielectric or electrically non-conductive liners for grain storage, etc.), etc.

The present disclosure relates to liners and methods of making liners. The liners may be suitable for use with tanks and other storage/containment vessels, such as process tanks, immersion tanks, indoor or outdoor containment pits, gravity feed conduits (e.g., concrete trench, canal, or drain, etc.) for transferring or conveying liquid, grain storage tanks or containers (e.g., dielectric or electrically non-conductive liners for grain storage, etc.), etc.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

A system includes a forming funnel, a cutting element, and a fusing device. The forming funnel has divergent surfaces arranged to receive a mailer in an insertion direction between the divergent surfaces. The forming funnel includes a slot that constrains the mailer after the mailer is inserted between the divergent surfaces. The cutting element cuts off a portion of the mailer and to forms a cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot in a sliding direction. The fusing device applies pressure to an exterior of the cut end of the mailer and applies heat to the cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot. The pressure and the heat applied by the fusing device cause portions of the cut end to fuse together to close the mailer.

Apparatus for forming a pocketed spring unit, comprising a plurality of strings of pocketed springs and at least one cover sheet, comprises welding tools for welding together the pocketing material and the sheet. One of the welding tools is provided with a cutter for cutting the pocket prior to welding. The tool travels in the direction of Arrow A1, so that the cutter penetrates the pocketing material substantially centrally at the circular proximal end face of the pocket. Once inside the pocket, the tool moves axially through the centre of the spring until it reaches the distal end face of the pocket. Before the end face is reached, the piercing member becomes retracted in the direction of Arrow A2, so that the blade does not pierce the distal end face of the pocket.