An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container includes a flat film feed path and a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path. A former is positioned downstream of the cutter for opening the tubular material and includes a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side. The flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band. A pusher pushes the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for container application. The pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage. The film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the passage.

A system to repair a hose made from deformable material includes an elongated container for holding a liquid heated sufficiently for softening the hose. A heater can be positioned in the container. A plurality of restraining members can be positioned to retain the hose immersed in the liquid within the container. A gas supply is used to pressurize the hose prior to immersion, and a support is provided for holding the hose before and after immersion. A method includes filling an elongated container with a heated liquid and pressurizing the hose with a gas. The pressurized hose is immersed in the liquid and maintained immersed by retaining members to soften the hose. The hose is removed from the liquid, depressurized and allowed to cool.

A system to repair a hose made from deformable material includes an elongated container for holding a liquid heated sufficiently for softening the hose. A heater can be positioned in the container. A plurality of restraining members can be positioned to retain the hose immersed in the liquid within the container. A gas supply is used to pressurize the hose prior to immersion, and a support is provided for holding the hose before and after immersion. A method includes filling an elongated container with a heated liquid and pressurizing the hose with a gas. The pressurized hose is immersed in the liquid and maintained immersed by retaining members to soften the hose. The hose is removed from the liquid, depressurized and allowed to cool.

A deployment system for supported retractable extension of composite booms which interconverts between a retracted reduced volume stowed condition and an extended elongate tubular condition supported to carry a wide variety of mountable objects at an extended tip end.

A deployment system for supported retractable extension of composite booms which interconverts between a retracted reduced volume stowed condition and an extended elongate tubular condition supported to carry a wide variety of mountable objects at an extended tip end.

A stowable, load-bearing apparatus is disclosed having at least two bi-stable strips. Each of the bi-stable strips is alternatable between a stable, extended conformation having longitudinal linearity and lateral curvature and a coiled conformation having longitudinal curvature and lateral linearity. The two bi-stable strips are intercoiled when in the coiled conformation, have opposing lateral curvature relative to one another when in the extended conformation, and when extended are directed into a load-bearing alignment by a structural alignment member.