An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

Combined continuous/random fiber reinforced composite filament including a plurality of axial fiber strands extending substantially continuously within a matrix material of the fiber reinforced composite filament as well as a multiplicity of short chopped fiber rods extending at least in part randomly within the same matrix material is 3D printed via a deposition head including a conduit continuously transitioning to a substantially rounded outlet tipped with an ironing lip, which is driven to flatten the fiber reinforced composite filament against previously deposited portions of the part, as the matrix material and included therein a first proportion of the short chopped fiber rods are is flowed interstitially among the axial fiber strands spread by the ironing lip. A second proportion of the short chopped fiber rods is forced against previously deposited portions of the part.

A tooling apparatus may include a pair of elongated tooling dies independently rotatable about a common central axis. Each tooling die may have a layup surface including a web layup surface and at least one flange layup surface oriented non-parallel to the web layup surface and configured to receive at least one composite ply to form a stringer layup half having a web and at least one flange. The tooling dies may be rotatable into side-by-side relation causing the webs of the stringer layup halves to be positioned in back-to-back mating contact with one another.

A soft signage, or soft signage piece, is disclosed. The soft signage comprises a display and a frame. The display comprises a substrate and a strip of material. The display is sized to fit tightly within the frame. The substrate may be a natural or synthetic material. In some embodiments, the substrate is a polyester fabric. The fabric has a graphic printed on at least one side thereof. The graphic may extend edge to edge of the fabric. The display includes a strip of material attached along the substrate edges using welding. The strip of material may be referred to as a keder. In some embodiments, the welding comprises RF welding. The display, comprising a printed substrate and welded strip of material, may comprise a silicon edge graphic (SEG). The frame may be formed in any suitable shape and size and includes a recessed groove or slot for receiving the strip of material on the substrate. The frame may comprise any suitable material such as, for example, extruded aluminum.

Apparatus for shaping a segment of material includes a forming member having a curved sidewall shaped complementary to a desired shape of the segment of material, and a conforming member having an applicator side and an engagement side disposed for engagement with the curved sidewall of the forming member. The conforming member includes a plurality of attachment regions disposed on the applicator side. Each attachment region is adapted to hold the segment of material on the conforming member. Engagement of the conforming member with the forming member causes the attachment regions to move from a first shape profile to a second shape profile, the second shape profile being the desired shape of the segment of material.

A method for producing components of an outer skin of a vehicle with a film, which is back-molded at least from one a front side or rear side with clear plastics material, includes subjecting the film to a thermoforming process in order to generate the desired three-dimensional form. The film is subjected to further steps for preparation of the back-molding, including providing the film at least partially with a color layer. The film includes regions, through which other colors are intended to show through and be visible from the front side, or electromagnetic waves are intended to pass. The film may be punched-out in the regions to define punched-out portion in which components are inserted. The components are attached to the film by adhesive and/or overmolding on the rear side.

A method for manufacturing a transparent open container, the method including providing a continuous metallic-based sheet, having a first surface and a second surface; the continuous metallic-based sheet, having folding lines forming a central zone and at least two lateral zones. The method further including depositing on the first surface of the continuous metallic-based sheet, a transparent dielectric panel being fixed by an interlayer; forming a flat assembly, extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z; having a width, W, measured along the longitudinal axis, X, and a height, H, measured along the vertical axis, Z. The method still further including bending on the folding lines the flat assembly to form the open container to form a transparent open container, defined by X, Z and a Y-axis, and having a depth, D, measured along the Y-axis.

The present invention relates to an automatic integrated continuous procedure for the one-piece production and manufacturing of at least one layer, cover, mat and/or film of polyethylene and/or plastic material attached, fastened and/or integrated with at least one element for the delivery, distribution and/or removal of fluid, comprising the steps of feeding a film, layer, cover and/or mat of polyethylene and/or plastic unfolded toward a thermofusion unit comprising drag idlers whereby the film, layer, mat and/or cover passes, where high-temperature silicone wheels are arranged above said drag idlers, so that when they touch said idlers together they become the dragging means of the film, layer, cover and/or mat which are arranged between said idlers and silicone wheels, feeding a film sleeve to be arranged and/or placed over the irrigation line already deployed over the film, layer, cover and/or mat arranged between said idlers and silicone wheels, and thermofusing the peripheral edges of said film sleeve that are arranged or placed over the film, layer, cover and/or mat, producing the coupling of the film sleeve with the film, layer, cover and/or mat fusing them together in conjunction with the pressure produced by the silicone wheels welding the two plastics, ensuring that the element for the delivery, distribution and/or removal of fluid is not thermofused with the fused plastics, remaining attached, fastened and/or arranged between the film sleeve and the film, layer, cover and/or mat.

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.