An apparatus for processing an elongated structure includes a mold within which an uncross-linked rubber material is placed, at least one heating unit configured to heat the mold, and a pressure device configured to press the rubber material using the mold heated by the heating unit to promote shaping the rubber material by the mold while proceeding the cross-linking of the rubber material. The heating unit includes a central heating device configured to heat a longitudinal central portion of the mold, multiple cooling devices configured to cool two longitudinal end portions of the mold, multiple intermediate heating devices configured to heat two intermediate portions between the longitudinal central portion and the longitudinal end portions of the mold, heat shield plates disposed between the central heating device and the intermediate heating devices, and heat shield plates disposed between the cooling devices and the intermediate heating devices.

A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger array that includes stacking a plurality of heat exchanger units in an aligned configuration with respective first ports of the plurality of heat exchanger units aligned. The method can further include generating heat in the first coupling elements at the same time and at a temperature sufficient to generate a first plurality of respective couplings between adjacent sheets of adjacent heat exchanger units about adjacent first ports and without a coupling being generated between the first and second sheets of a given heat exchanger unit.

A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger array that includes stacking a plurality of heat exchanger units in an aligned configuration with respective first ports of the heat exchanger units aligned. The heat exchanger units can include a first and second sheet coupled together to define an cavity between the first and second sheets; the first port at a first end of the heat exchanger unit defined by the first and second sheets; and a second port at a second end of the heat exchanger unit defined by the first and second sheets. The method further includes stacking the plurality of heat exchanger units in an aligned configuration with the first ports of the plurality of heat exchanger units aligned and generating a first plurality of respective couplings between adjacent sheets of adjacent heat exchanger units about adjacent first ports. The coupling can be generated by an adhesive.

An ultrasonic welding method for joining a first thermoplastic part and a second thermoplastic part without causing visible read-through on an exposed surface of the second part. The method includes arranging the first part on an inner surface of the second part. The inner surface is opposite the exposed surface. The first part has an interface portion contacting the inner surface. The method includes causing a horn of an ultrasonic welding stack to be pressed against the first part by applying ultrasonic energy oscillating at a frequency in a range of 45-70 kHz through the horn, to thereby join the first part and the second part together. The horn has at least one protruding distal portion configured to penetrate through the first part as the ultrasonic energy is imparted through the horn. The distal portion has a length longer than a thickness of the first part. A collapse distance of a weld formed at the interface portion is less than the thickness of the first part, to avoid read-through effects on the exposed surface of the second part.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

An attachment configuration for a vascular filter assembly including a self-expanding filter member attached to a catheter body and constrained from expansion in a first configuration by a constraining sheath is presented. The attachment configuration includes an outer tube of material that is overlaid over an end of the filter member and bonded to the catheter body through cutouts disposed through the end of the filter member.

A molding apparatus for a loop structure includes a molding die within which both ends of an elongated structure are located in such a manner that the ends are in contact with each other, the elongated structure being formed of a rubber to which a peroxide cross-linking agent is added; a liftable housing including a lower part having an opening, the housing defining a containment space within which the molding die and the elongated structure are located when the housing is lowered; a degassing device configured to depressurize and degas the containment space; a heating device configured to heat the molding die in the containment space; a pressure device configured to pressurize the ends of the elongated structure with the use of the heated molding die in the containment space to proceed cross-linking reaction of the rubber, thereby bonding the ends of the elongated structure; and an elevating device configured to lift and lower the housing.

In a process for welding plastic parts together, an IR shield redirects IR radiation emitted from a heater of a heating tool so that IR radiation which would otherwise be directly incident on certain portions of a plastic part and/or on other parts of the heating tool is avoided.

A system for assembling a container and closure comprising an expanding collet which has a plurality of pivoting collet segments, each configured to simultaneously pivot radially outward about a pivot point and comprising. The collet comprises a lip that is engagable with the rim of the open end of the container and an angled tip positioned radially inward from the lip and shaped to press a countersink portion of the closure against an interior wall of the container as the collet segments pivot radially outward. As the container and the chuck are brought together, the rim engages with the lips of the collet segments and causes the angled tips of the collet segments to pivot outward toward the interior wall of the container, thereby pushing the countersink portion of the closure against the interior wall of the container.