Illustrative examples of forming and using suitably adapted materials for improving interface strength between thermoset-thermoplastic joined parts includes exposure of a thermoplastic substrate to a plasma to form an amine-functionalized substrate having amine chemical moieties disposed on a first surface. The first surface of the thermoplastic substrate is positioned adjacent to and contacts a second surface of a thermoset substrate to form a workpiece. The thermoset substrate includes epoxide chemical moieties on and within material forming the thermoset substrate. The workpiece is subsequently heated to form a structure, where heating of the workpiece causes covalent chemical bonds to form between the plasma-treated first surface of the thermoplastic substrate and the second surface of the thermoset substrate. Thereafter, additional thermoplastic components can be fusion bonded to a surface of the thermoplastic substrate opposite the first surface—thereby providing improved attachment of additional thermoplastic components to the thermoset substrate.

Illustrative examples of forming and using suitably adapted materials for improving interface strength between thermoset-thermoplastic joined parts includes exposure of a thermoplastic substrate to a plasma to form an amine-functionalized substrate having amine chemical moieties disposed on a first surface. The first surface of the thermoplastic substrate is positioned adjacent to and contacts a second surface of a thermoset substrate to form a workpiece. The thermoset substrate includes epoxide chemical moieties on and within material forming the thermoset substrate. The workpiece is subsequently heated to form a structure, where heating of the workpiece causes covalent chemical bonds to form between the plasma-treated first surface of the thermoplastic substrate and the second surface of the thermoset substrate. Thereafter, additional thermoplastic components can be fusion bonded to a surface of the thermoplastic substrate opposite the first surface—thereby providing improved attachment of additional thermoplastic components to the thermoset substrate.

The machine comprises a heating station (20) with hot air supply nozzles (22) facing one another and spaced apart; a unitary dispenser device (30) for dispensing plastic spouts into said heating station by a delivery element; a welding station (40); a gripping device (50) for gripping the plastic spout (5) at said heating station (20) and transferring it to the welding station (40) by turning said plastic spout (5) and placing a portion thereof, once heated, inside the open mouth (M) of a plastic package (2)); and a control unit (60) which manages in a coordinating manner the operation of the heating station (20), the dispenser device (30), the plastic spout delivery element, the gripping device (50) and the welding station (40).

The machine comprises a heating station (20) with hot air supply nozzles (22) facing one another and spaced apart; a unitary dispenser device (30) for dispensing plastic spouts into said heating station by a delivery element; a welding station (40); a gripping device (50) for gripping the plastic spout (5) at said heating station (20) and transferring it to the welding station (40) by turning said plastic spout (5) and placing a portion thereof, once heated, inside the open mouth (M) of a plastic package (2)); and a control unit (60) which manages in a coordinating manner the operation of the heating station (20), the dispenser device (30), the plastic spout delivery element, the gripping device (50) and the welding station (40).

A novel spring-loaded device utilizes a linear or rotary measuring sensor to measure distance and control heat using a PID loop or other type of control loop feedback program. The power of the heating element is controlled by a program, which takes distance from the target into consideration when determining output power. For example, if the target distance is 10 mm away the algorithm will apply 100% power until reaching 9 mm, at which point it will lower power to 90%. When the distance is 5 mm from the target, the power level will be 50%, and so on and so forth. The closed loop nature of the system will reduce power automatically using pulse width modulation (PWM) of the input power. This will allow modulation of the power to the heating element on the fly.

A method of closing a packaging tray comprises arranging a packaging tray between a lower tool and an upper tool of a sealing station, positioning a cover film above the packaging tray between the lower tool and the upper tool, and pressing together the cover film and the packaging tray by a lower sealing surface of the lower tool and an upper sealing surface of the upper tool cooperating with the lower sealing surface. During the pressing together, a connection is established between the cover film and the packaging tray along a sealing seam. While the cover film and the packaging tray are being pressed together, an overpressure is locally generated by supplying pressurized gas from a pressurized-gas source, the overpressure cooperating as a counterpressure with the lower sealing surface or with the upper sealing surface so as to press the cover film and the packaging tray together.

A process for forming a container from a blank, the process comprising the steps of: thermally inducing one or more fold lines on at least one surface of a container blank fabricated from a thermal insulation sheet material, wherein the blank comprises: a first panel portion; a second panel portion located adjacent the first panel portion and sharing a first common edge therewith; and a third panel portion located adjacent the second panel portion and sharing a second common edge therewith, the second common edge being substantially parallel to the first common edge, wherein the first panel portion and the third panel portion are each associated with a pair of flap members adapted for folding movement relative to the respective first and third panel portions such that, when assembled, each of the flap members overlies an edge of the second panel portion substantially perpendicular to the first common edge and the second common edge, folding the first panel portion of the container blank along a first fold line, wherein when folded, the first panel portion is substantially perpendicular to the second panel portion of the container blank; folding the third panel portion of the container blank along a second fold line, wherein when folded, the third panel portion is substantially perpendicular to the second panel portion and substantially parallel to the first panel portion; sealing a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the first panel portion to a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the third panel portion to form a side seam joint; and sealing a portion of the first panel portion adjacent the side seam joint and a portion of the third panel portion adjacent the side seam joint to an edge of the second panel portion to form a bottom seam joint.

A method for welding at least two parts including a thermoplastic material and having respective surfaces to be welded, including: inserting an insert between the surfaces to be welded of the two parts; generating heat via the insert; wherein the insert moves in relation to the parts to be welded in a welding direction. Also, an installation adapted for implementation of this method.

A method of manufacturing a clamping ring for a cold-expansion joining system includes providing an extruded pipe part made of a cross-linked polymeric material where, while extruding the pipe part, the inner diameter is formed bigger than the outer diameter of a flexible cross-linked polymeric pipe onto which the clamping ring is positioned before making a pipe connection; providing an injection molded annular part having an inner diameter formed smaller than the inner diameter of the extruded part; and bonding the parts together to form a clamping ring having an inward protruding stop edge at one of its ends. The embodiments further relate to a clamping ring formed from an extruded pipe part made of a cross-linked polymeric material and an injection molded annular part bonded together to form a unitary structure including an inward protruding stop edge at one of its ends.

A method for producing a fuselage portion, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, has the following method steps: welding a skin portion containing a thermoplastic material with a former containing a thermoplastic material in the region of a predetermined welding zone; and connecting an attachment element, configured as a crack stopper, to the skin portion and to the former in the region of the welding zone.