The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for joining a longitudinal seam in a tube, to an apparatus and method of joining a longitudinal seam in a tube in a borehole, to an apparatus and method of repairing a tube and to a pig. In an aspect an apparatus is provided for joining a longitudinal seam in a tube. The apparatus (200) includes a spool (202) for progressively unwinding a coiled member (10) into an extended form (12). The member (10) transitions from a flat form when coiled (11) to a slit tube form when extended (12), in which form the member is resiliently biased. A joining device (214) is positioned downstream of the spool arranged to provide energy to a portion of the member in its extended form to cause heating so as to progressively join together the longitudinal edges of the slit tube as the member passes the joining device. A longitudinal seam (20) is thereby formed in the tube.

A method of producing a plate-like construction having a double-wall structure and its use. According to the present invention, several elongated profiles which have essentially straight central axes are arranged against each other in such a way that adjacent hollow profiles abut each other and together form, in general terms, a flat stack having two opposite sides. The hollow profiles are welded together in order to join them with welded seams, in which case the welding is essentially carried out simultaneously from both sides of the stack. Besides good flexural strength and the opportunity to recycle, thermoplastic plates which are produced by means of the present method exhibit resistance to corrosion, decay and mould.

To improve the production yield rate of a synthesis corundum cell superior in translucency, chemical resistance or an optical component comprising calcium fluoride. On the other end side of synthetic corundum piece, spacer intervenes between the surfaces which will be bonded. The spacer is crushed flat by pressure force which effects the other end side of synthetic corundum piece in the case of heat-treatment after the temporary bonding. Thereby, the spacer does not disturb the synthetic optical contacting or chemical pressurized fusion bonding state of corundum piece.

An off-axis prepreg material manufacturing machine may include a robot configured to position a prepreg piece adjacent to an end of a prepreg layer. The machine may additionally include an alignment system configured to sense a position of the prepreg piece relative to the prepreg layer and generate a position signal representative thereof. The machine may also include a controller configured to receive the position signal and cause the robot to adjust the position of the prepreg piece such that an end edge of the prepreg piece and an end edge of the prepreg layer are in substantially abutting contact.

The present invention relates to a method for sealing a pouch-type secondary battery and may provide a method for sealing a pouch-type secondary battery, the method including: a first sealing process of vertically pressing a sealing area of upper and lower pouches through a sealing apparatus; and a second sealing process of moving the sealing apparatus outward from the inside of the pouch in the state of pressing the sealing area of the upper and lower pouches through the sealing apparatus.

A method for forming curved image sensors may include applying positive pressure to the face of an image sensor, forcing the image sensor to adhere the curved surface of a substrate. The pressure may be applied to the face of the image sensor in a variety of ways, including using pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, or pressure from an elastic or inelastic solid. Processing may occur on either a single image sensor die or an image sensor wafer. When an image sensor wafer is processed, a substrate may be used that has a number of cavities defined by respective curved surfaces with each cavity corresponding to a respective image sensor. When pressure is applied to the image sensor, the image sensor may deform until the curvature of the image sensor matches the curvature of the curved surface of the underlying substrate.

In general, a decorative laminate construction (50, 60) is provided. In one embodiment, the construction (50) includes: a protective layer (12), the protective layer comprising a film having opposing first and second major surfaces; an embossing layer (20) formed over the second major surface of the protective layer, the embossing layer have opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface of the embossing layer being proximate the protective layer and the second major surface (22) of the embossing layer being distal from the protective layer, the second major surface of the embossing layer being embossed with a pattern such that features (22a, 22b) are produced on the second major surface of the embossed layer which are raised and lowered relative to one another; a metallization layer (30) formed over the second major surface of the embossing layer so as to achieve a visual effect by virtue of the metallization layer conforming to the features of the embossed pattern; and, a primer layer (32) formed over the metallization layer on a side thereof opposite the embossing layer. Also disclosed is a method for application of the decorative laminate construction to a part (80, 100) such that the decorative laminate construction wraps around multiple surfaces of the part.

A laminating device includes a first jig on which a first member is seated, a second jig facing the first jig, and a second member between the first jig and the second jig. The second jig includes a pad part having a top surface on which the second member is seated, the pad part having elasticity, a pad deformation part configured to support a rear surface of the pad part, and a support part to support the pad deformation part. The pad deformation part couples the pad part to the support part, and a portion of the pad deformation part has a recessed plate shape with respect to the pad part to correspond to a position thereof coupled to the support part.

Friction-weld assemblies and methods of spin-welding are provided, where the components being joined are polymeric components. Designs provided for the polymeric components enable the use of relatively low speeds and pressures to achieve superior friction weld joints between the components. Further, large surface area polymeric components can be successfully friction welded with such designs. In certain variations, at least one polymeric component has a weld surface with a plurality of surface features that are concave (e.g., grooves) or convex. In other variations, the first component in the weld region has a distinct non-complementary shape from the second component, thus creating a progressive advancing weld line that avoids high temperatures that might incur damage to the polymeric component and weld joint. Such component designs additionally provide for improved flash management at the weld joint.

A method for manufacturing a capacitive operation device includes the steps of: preparing a capacitance sensing member including a base film, a sensing electrode formed on the base film, a cover film, and an adhesive layer; preparing an operation panel having a recessed portion having a shape that overlaps an outer edge of the sensing electrode in a stacking direction of the operation panel and the capacitance sensing member; disposing the operation panel and the capacitance sensing member so as to face each other; and bonding the capacitance sensing member to the back surface of the operation panel by pressing the capacitance sensing member against the back surface of the operation panel. In the bonding step, the capacitance sensing member and the operation panel are bonded together while a gas therebetween is being directed to the recessed portion.