A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

A firearm holster includes a plate that is folded to form a cavity. The cavity is defined by a first sidewall, a trigger sidewall adjacent to the first sidewall, a second sidewall adjacent to the trigger sidewall, a barrel sidewall adjacent to both the first and second sidewalls, and a muzzle end wall. The muzzle end wall is adjacent to the first sidewall, the trigger sidewall, the second sidewall and the barrel sidewall. The firearm holster also includes a support wrap that at least partially surrounds the cavity and is fused to one or more of the first sidewall, the barrel sidewall, and the second sidewall.

The present invention is to provide a vehicular interior member in which three components can be strongly joined to each other and the weight can be reduced. A vehicular interior member is formed so that first and second components respectively made of thermoplastic resin, and a middle component arranged between the first component and the second component are joined to each other. The first component has a boss projecting to the second component side. The middle component has a through hole through which the boss is inserted. The second component has a through hole through which the boss is inserted, and a fitting portion projecting to the middle component side, the fitting portion being fitted to an edge portion of the through hole. The boss and the second component are welded to each other.

An object is to provide a joining state detection film, a joining state detection device, and a joining state detection method, capable of detecting a joining state of a joining portion of two members from the outside. [Solution] A film containing a mechanoluminescent substance is formed on a surface, on a side opposite to a joining surface, of at least one member of two members that are joined at joining parts each having the joining surface, and physical stimulation is applied thereto.

A method and apparatus for preparing edges of reels of web material, where a reel is held with its axis horizontal; a manipulator applies a first adhesive element on an outer surface of the reel; a gripping member picks up the first adhesive element and forms a loop; and a cutting device transversely cuts the web material at the loop. A section of web material with a length equal to or greater than a circumference of the reel is unwound from the reel; a second adhesive element is applied on an outer surface or on an inner surface of the web material; and a scrap portion of the web material is cut and discarded by a suction device.

A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on one of the objects in an opening provided on the other one of the objects. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. Before such liquefaction and interpenetration, an interference fit is established in which such opposite surfaces are pressed against each other, and, for the anchoring, mechanical vibration energy and possibly a shearing force are applied, wherein the shearing force puts a shear stress on the interference fit.

A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object is provided, wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes bringing the connector into physical contact with the first object, rotating the connector relative to the first object around a proximodistal rotation axis and exerting a relative force by the connector onto the first object, until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the connector becomes flowable and flows relative to the first object, and stopping rotation of the connector, whereby the flow portion anchors the connector relative to the first object, wherein a distal end of the connector is equipped for cutting/punching into the first object and/or for removing material therefrom.

A firearm holster includes a first half shell and a second half shell. The first half shell is nested in the second half shell to form a cavity therebetween for enclosing one or both of a barrel and a trigger area of a firearm. The cavity further includes an opening for receiving the firearm and otherwise having no other gaps or openings.

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.