A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.

An automated system and method are disclosed for producing an inflatable product having a first sheet, a second sheet, and a plurality of tensioning structures between the first and second sheets. The system includes an upstream tensioning structure production subsystem that produces the tensioning structures and a downstream preassembly production subsystem that couples the tensioning structures to the first and second sheets. The subsystems may operate simultaneously to produce the inflatable product in an automated, efficient, and repeatable manner.

A system and method for forming a seam between at least first and possibly second pieces of material used to form an inflatable product utilizes at least a first and potentially a second seam forming members that are attached to an inside wall of a piece of product material that comprises the inflatable product proximate each end. The inflatable product is comprised of one or more pieces of product material and one or more seam forming members located at any location where a seam is necessary. A first portion of the seam forming member attaches to a first edge of a first piece of product material and a second portion of the seam forming member attaches proximate a second edge of the first piece of product material. The seal forming can be accomplished by radio frequency, ultrasonic, heat or other types of welding, and adhesive or chemical based bonding.

A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a flexible three-dimensional structure, characterised in that it includes the following steps: preparing a temporary mould defined by a peripheral surface; positioning a support structure on at least one portion of the peripheral surface of the temporary mould; decomposing the temporary mould; and extracting the decomposed temporary mould.

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

The blood pressure measuring device includes a device main body configured to form a flow path of a fluid and supply the fluid, and a cuff to be wound around a living body, the cuff provided with a bag-shaped connection portion with an opening and a connection plate with a hole communicating with the opening; the connection portion formed of a sheet member; the connection plate having a bending elastic modulus higher than that of the connection portion, bonded to the connection portion and adhered to the device main body; and the cuff configured to be inflated when the fluid is supplied to an internal space of the cuff.

The present disclosure relates to manufacturing an inflatable structure. There is determined one or more contours of at least a portion of an inflatable structure to be manufactured. There is further provided a drop stitch fabric having a first layer and a second layer tethered by drop stitches. Moreover, there is provided along at least a portion of the drop stitch fabric one or more fixation lines comprising coupling means fixating the first layer to the second layer, the one or more fixation lines corresponding to the one or more contours. Furthermore, the drop stitch fabric is coated, wherein one or more coating layers cover at least the one or more fixation lines. The disclosure also relates to an inflatable structure manufactured according to the foregoing, and a control system for controlling said manufacturing.

The present disclosure relates to an inflatable structure transformable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The inflatable structure comprises a drop stitch fabric having a first layer and a second layer tethered by drop stitches. The inflatable structure is provided with one or more folding lines defining the inflatable structure into two or more interconnected chambers, the one or more folding lines comprising coupling means coupling the first layer to the second layer. Dimensions of the one or more folding lines and/or coupling means are adapted to enable the inflatable structure to in both the deflated state and the inflated state be foldable along the one or more folding lines. The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a foldable inflatable structure in accordance with the foregoing.