A sheet-like article (1) for an absorbent article of the invention includes a plurality of absorbent units (4), each including: a long base portion (2); and water-absorbent polymer particles (3) that are fixed to a surface of first side of the long base portion (2). In the sheet-like article (1), the absorbent units (4) are arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof is oriented in one direction. When the water-absorbent polymer particles (3) absorb a liquid, the water-absorbent polymer particles (3) swell beyond the lateral side edge portions (2s), of the long base portion (2), that extend along the longitudinal direction, and a position, in the thickness direction, of each long base portion is varied from the position thereof before absorbing the liquid.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a stack of pre-stripped layers of substrate. Each object layer is formed by (i) providing substrate comprising waste portion(s) and substrate-retained portion(s) that are attached to each other and separated from one another by cut(s) within the substrate; (ii) subsequently, subjecting the subject of each layer to a stripping process which selectively strips away substrate-waste portion(s) from the substrate-retained portion(s). After stripping, the object layer is added to a stack of previously-stacked object layers to grow the stack. This process is repeated to further grow the stack. Object layers of the stack are bonded to each other to build the three-dimensional object therefrom. Apparatus and methods for stripping are also describedany teaching or combination of teaching(s) related to stripping substrate may be employed in any additive-manufacturing process described herein.

Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles are disclosed. An example apparatus for assembling a thermoplastic composite article includes a robot and an end effector coupled to the robot. The end effector includes a cutting head, a vacuum head, and a welding head.

An automated labeling method and apparatus includes a label web-severing mechanism and a label-applying assembly, the web-severing mechanism configured to synchronously sever a plurality of labels from a self-wound label web, and the label-applying assembly configured to synchronously apply the plurality of severed labels to a corresponding plurality of articles to be labeled.

Bags for storing granular material are disclosed, the bags having an inner woven polymeric layer, an outer nonwoven polymeric layer, and an extruded polymer layer bonding the inner layer to the outer layer. Methods for forming the bags are also disclosed.

An acoustic system is disclosed. The acoustic system includes a sound absorptive substrate, and a rigid polyester shell configured to be positioned over the sound absorptive substrate. The rigid polyester shell is configured to be mounted on an interior surface of a building such that at least some sound waves pass through the rigid polyester shell. The shell is configured to provide aesthetic features to the acoustic system.

A laminator includes a turnover abutment and a film laminating device. The turnover abutment includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface is a bearing surface on which a plurality of suction structures are provided. The plurality of suction structures are used for sucking a borne object onto the bearing surface. The film laminating device is configured to laminate a film on the borne object on the bearing surface.

A reinforced cable tie generally includes an elongate strap, a head attached to a first end of the strap and a continuous fiber reinforcement disposed in and extending substantially continuously along a path defining at least one of the strap and the head. The head has one or more apertures formed therein and a locking device disposed in the aperture of the head. The locking device is configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and is further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

The present disclosure provides a method for transferring an image to a substrate that includes providing a transfer medium having at least one registration mark; printing an image on the transfer medium; covering the image with a backing layer, the backing layer not covering the registration mark; covering the backing layer with an adhesive layer; penetrating the adhesive layer and the backing layer with a cutting device at locations around the image, the penetrating of the adhesive layer and backing layer not penetrating the transfer medium; removing portions of the adhesive layer and backing layer from the locations around the image; and transferring the image to the substrate.

A carpet tile having a greige good, an adhesive layer, and a secondary backing material. The greige good has a primary backing component and a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing component. The adhesive layer has an adhesive composition and a reinforcement material that is at least partially embedded within the adhesive composition. The adhesive layer is applied to a back surface of the primary backing component. The secondary backing material is adhered to the primary backing component by contact with a portion of the adhesive composition that flows through the reinforcement material. The reinforcement material and the secondary backing material are co-laminated onto the adhesive composition.