A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30 C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.

Methods for joining a first blade component and a second blade component of a rotor blade together includes printing and depositing, via a computer numeric control (CNC) device, at least one three-dimensional (3-D) grid structure at a first joint area of the rotor blade. The first joint area contains the first blade component interfacing with the second blade component. The method also includes providing an adhesive at the first joint area to at least partially fill the grid structure. Further, the method includes securing the first blade component and the second blade component together at the first joint area via the adhesive.

Methods for joining a first blade component and a second blade component of a rotor blade together includes printing and depositing, via a computer numeric control (CNC) device, at least one three-dimensional (3-D) grid structure at a first joint area of the rotor blade. The first joint area contains the first blade component interfacing with the second blade component. The method also includes providing an adhesive at the first joint area to at least partially fill the grid structure. Further, the method includes securing the first blade component and the second blade component together at the first joint area via the adhesive.

A method is described for making a retort container having one or two metal ends. A heat-sealable material is present on one or both of the container side wall and the/each metal end. The/each metal end is seamed onto the container body, and the resulting container assembly is conveyed on a conveyor adjacent to an induction sealing head and then adjacent to a cooling device. A pressure belt engages the upper end of the container assembly to keep the metal end from coming off the container body during the induction heating and cooling processes.

A method is described for making a retort container having one or two metal ends. A heat-sealable material is present on one or both of the container side wall and the/each metal end. The/each metal end is seamed onto the container body, and the resulting container assembly is conveyed on a conveyor adjacent to an induction sealing head and then adjacent to a cooling device. A pressure belt engages the upper end of the container assembly to keep the metal end from coming off the container body during the induction heating and cooling processes.

The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second. The inflatable article or bladder of the present invention may be used as or in athletic equipment, for example, including footwear.

The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second. The inflatable article or bladder of the present invention may be used as or in athletic equipment, for example, including footwear.

A method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composite includes laminating a matrix resin layer and a reinforcing resin layer to prepare a resin laminate, and heat-bonding the resin laminate, and prior to the step of heat-bonding the resin laminate, fixing one or more selected from the group consisting of the reinforcing resin layer and the resin laminate using a stitch resin having a draw ratio of less than 10:1 and a melting point of 150 C. or lower.

In the ultrasonic welding method, ultrasonic vibration is imparted to a first resin member via a horn while applying a pressing force to the first resin member and a second resin member in which weld portions and come into contact with each other by using a jig for supporting the second resin member and the horn that is disposed to face the jig and in contact with the first resin member so as to weld the first resin member and the second resin member, in which a jig of which a support surface for supporting the second resin member is formed of an elastomer is used as the jig.

In the ultrasonic welding method, ultrasonic vibration is imparted to a first resin member via a horn while applying a pressing force to the first resin member and a second resin member in which weld portions and come into contact with each other by using a jig for supporting the second resin member and the horn that is disposed to face the jig and in contact with the first resin member so as to weld the first resin member and the second resin member, in which a jig of which a support surface for supporting the second resin member is formed of an elastomer is used as the jig.