B29K2021/003

Custom-made artificial nipple
11471378 · 2022-10-18 · ·

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

Method and apparatus for assembling absorbent articles

The present disclosure relates to assembling elastic laminates that may be used to make absorbent article components. Methods herein may include an anvil adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein first and second spreader mechanisms adjacent the anvil roll are axially and angularly displaced from each other with respect to the axis of rotation. During the assembly process, a substrate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating anvil. The first spreader mechanism stretches a first elastic material in the cross direction, and the second spreader mechanism stretches a second elastic material in the cross direction. The stretched first and second elastic materials advance from the spreader mechanisms and onto the substrate on the anvil roll. The combined and elastic materials may then be ultrasonically bonded together on the anvil to form at least one elastic laminate.

Strand-based laminates in absorbent articles

Absorbent articles comprising a multilayer outer cover comprising a first outer layer and a second outer layer comprising a component that exhibits at least partial elastic recovery after mechanical activation in the machine direction; an inner layer, disposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, the inner layer comprising elastic strands; and wherein at least one of the first outer layer and second outer layer is laminated to the inner layer.

Profiled films

The present disclosure relates to films having at least a first profiled layer and a second layer having an inverse profile of the first layer. Those films can be used as protection tapes for various surfaces. Exemplary uses of the films of the present disclosure include leading edge protection tapes for rotor blades.

Annealed elastomeric thermoplastic powders for additive manufacturing, methods thereof, and articles including the powders
11597142 · 2023-03-07 · ·

The present disclosure provides for making annealed additive manufacturing powder, where the powder can be used to make structures using additive manufacturing processes. The additive manufacturing powder can be annealed to improve the flowability of the powder. Once annealed, the powder can be used in the additive manufacturing process and structures can be formed by affixing the powder particles to one another (e.g., by reflowing and re-solidifying a material present in the powder particles). The annealed additive manufacturing powder can be formed in a layer-by-layer additive process to produce articles such as a component of an article of sporting equipment, apparel or footwear (10), including a sole structure (30) for footwear (10).

Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for laminate
11597195 · 2023-03-07 · ·

A manufacturing method including a first conveying step of conveying the sheet in a lateral or oblique lateral direction along a sheet pass line below the discharge port; a receiving step of receiving a tip part of the film raw material with the sheet on the sheet pass line, the tip part being discharged and hanging down from the discharge port; a second conveying step of conveying the sheet and the film raw material after the tip part overlaps the sheet on the sheet pass line, the second conveying step conveying the sheet and the film raw material in a mutually overlapping state along the sheet pass line; and an introducing step of introducing the sheet and the film raw material in the mutually overlapping state to the joining part from the sheet pass line.

Lens assembly

The disclosure relates to a micro lens assembly including; a base; a support inserted into the base to be movable in an optical axis direction; a driver for auto focus adjustment configured to move the support in the optical axis direction; a lens unit inserted into the support and including a lens barrel to which a lens part is coupled; a driver for optical image stabilization configured to move the lens unit in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction; a plurality of ball bearings arranged between the support and the base for the support to be movable with respect to the base in the optical axis direction; and a plurality of connection members configured to connect the lens unit and the support to each other for the lens unit to be movable with respect to the support and formed of an elastic nonconductor.

Process for joining overlapping thermoplastic membrane components

A method of joining overlapping thermoplastic roofing membrane components in which a first thermoplastic roofing membrane component and a second roofing membrane component are positioned in overlapping relationship between a pair of complementary molding surfaces. Heat is generated in a metal substrate and transferred by thermal conduction from the metal substrate to overlapping portions of the first and second thermoplastic roofing membrane components to locally melt and coalesce a portion or more of the thermoplastic material of the first thermoplastic roofing membrane component and a portion or more of the thermoplastic material of the second thermoplastic roofing membrane component. The molten thermoplastic material of the first and second thermoplastic roofing membrane components forms a zone of coalesced thermoplastic material that, upon cooling, forms a solid weld joint.

Process for joining overlapping thermoplastic membrane components

A method of joining overlapping thermoplastic roofing membrane components in which a first thermoplastic roofing membrane component and a second roofing membrane component are positioned in overlapping relationship between a pair of complementary molding surfaces. Heat is generated in a metal substrate and transferred by thermal conduction from the metal substrate to overlapping portions of the first and second thermoplastic roofing membrane components to locally melt and coalesce a portion or more of the thermoplastic material of the first thermoplastic roofing membrane component and a portion or more of the thermoplastic material of the second thermoplastic roofing membrane component. The molten thermoplastic material of the first and second thermoplastic roofing membrane components forms a zone of coalesced thermoplastic material that, upon cooling, forms a solid weld joint.

ARTICLES, DIES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
20230068396 · 2023-03-02 ·

Articles (100, 200, 300) comprising first (101, 201, 301) and second layers (102, 202, 302) each having first and second opposed major surfaces and between the first and second layers a series of first walls (110, 210, 310) having aspect ratios between 1.5 and 5 providing a series of microchannels, and methods for making the same. Embodiment of coextruded articles described herein are useful, for example, in cushioning applications where high levels of compression are desired.