A process for sealing a first water-soluble polyvinylalcohol film to a second water-soluble polyvinylalcohol film.

A plumbing fitting of a first plastic material comprises at least one annular branch defining a hollow port. A sleeve of a second plastic material can be inserted into the hollow port. The sleeve is retained within the hollow port by a retaining member which is fitted to the outer end and outer wall of the annular branch. The sleeve is configured to facilitate attachment of the plumbing fitting to a second plumbing fitting by insertion of the second plumbing fitting into the hollow port, wherein the second plumbing fitting is of the second plastic material.

A ultrasonic welding method of joining dissimilar-material workpieces, such as sheet materials, and the joined components formed thereby. The method includes applying ultrasonic energy to a thermoplastic piece to fill a hole of a dissimilar piece to form a weld point that is made up with polymer from the thermoplastic piece. In general, the geometry of the thermoplastic piece is not altered during the process. The dissimilar piece generally has a higher melting temperate and can be metal, thermoset polymers, or other thermoplastic material. The welded pieces can be arranged in a lap, laminate, or double lap configuration. In some embodiments, the hole of the dissimilar sheet material includes undercut features that improve the mechanical interlock between the dissimilar pieces. In some embodiments, the weld point has a mushroom cap to improve mechanical interlock.

The present disclosure provides methods of improving adhesion of a non-di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to an acrylic-based polymer or an ABS-based polymer. Such methods may comprise blending the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer with an impact modifier so that a rubber content in the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer is greater than 12% (w/w). Also provided are components of a device (e.g., a medical device) made by the disclosed methods.

In the present invention, a fluid handling device has: a first substrate made of resin whereon a channel is formed in a first surface; a first film made of resin and joined to the first surface of the first substrate; a second film made of resin a first surface of which is joined to a second surface of the first substrate; and a second substrate made of resin and joined to a second surface of the second film. A recessed part overlapping the channel in a plane view is formed on the surface of the second substrate joined to the second film. The glass transition temperature Tg.sub.1s of the first substrate, the glass transition temperature Tg.sub.1f of the first film, the glass transition temperature Tg.sub.2s of the second substrate, and the glass transition temperature Tg.sub.2f of the second film satisfy Tg.sub.1s, Tg.sub.2s>Tg.sub.1f, Tg.sub.2f.

An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.

Methods for bonding polymeric substrates to component parts, and medical devices assemblies including a tubing and a component part bonded together using a solvent containing a tackifier.

In a method for producing a filter medium, at least one substrate layer of a nonwoven comprising cellulose fibers and/or synthetic polymer fibers is provided and a fiber layer of polymer fibers is deposited on the at least one substrate layer. Prior to depositing the fiber layer, a solvent is applied to the at least one substrate layer, wherein a material of the substrate layer and/or a material of the fiber layer is soluble in the solvent. A filter medium produced by the method has material-fused connections at crossing points of the polymer fibers and/or cellulose fibers of the substrate layer with the polymer fibers of the fiber layer.

A flow cell and a method for connecting components of a microfluidic flow cell, in particular for integrating component parts into a carrier structure of the flow cell, in which a gap is formed between the components to be connected. The gap is filled with a solvent. The material of at least one component bordering the gap dissolves in the solvent and the material completely fills the width of the gap and partially fills the height thereof after evaporation of the solvent.

When a bridge pier is reinforced or repaired by wrapping a reinforcement around the pier, a waterproof sheet having a sufficient flexibility to attach to and cover the interface between the pier and the reinforcement in a liquid-tight manner is useful. The waterproof sheet is attached to the interface between the pier and the reinforcement to prevent water from penetrating into the interface for thereby preventing the reinforcement from deterioration.