A process for welding a first molding to a second molding. The process uses an implement including first and second external surfaces. Each external surface further includes a duct. An end of the first molding is heated by a hot gas while the end is at a distance from the duct-entry plane in the range from 3 mm outside the duct to 10 mm inside the duct. A junction area of the second molding is heated by a hot gas while the junction area is at a distance from the duct-entry plane in a range from 3 mm outside the duct to 10 mm inside the duct. The heated end and the heated junction area are then brought into contact with one another and cooled, forming a weld between the first molding and the second molding. Also disclosed is a welded molding obtainable by the process of the invention.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components by positioning and moving a heated plate between the components to melt their respective faying surfaces, and as the plate moves, pressing the components together so that the melted faying surfaces bond together as they cool and re-solidify, thereby creating a composite structure. The plate has a heated portion which is positioned between and heated to melt a portion of the first and second faying surfaces. A manipulator mechanism moves the plate along an interface from between the portion to between a series of subsequent portions of the first and second faying surfaces, thereby welding the thermoplastic components along the entire interface to create the composite structure. The heated portion may contact the faying surfaces and melt them through conduction, or may be suspended between them and melt them through radiation and convection.

Systems and methods are presented herein for a method of attaching a strip to a housing. An internal support member is inserted into a collapsible housing, such that it is arranged along a longitudinal axis of an inner surface of the collapsible housing. An outer support member is arranged along an outer surface the collapsible housing opposite the internal support member. A strip is positioned along the outer surface using the outer support member and the internal support member. Then the strip is permanently welded to the outer surface using a welding element. Welding is performed by a welding element located in one (or both) of the internal support member or the outer support member.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components by positioning and moving a heated plate between the components to melt their respective faying surfaces, and as the plate moves, pressing the components together so that the melted faying surfaces bond together as they cool and re-solidify, thereby creating a composite structure. The plate has a heated portion which is positioned between and heated to melt a portion of the first and second faying surfaces. A manipulator mechanism moves the plate along an interface from between the portion to between a series of subsequent portions of the first and second faying surfaces, thereby welding the thermoplastic components along the entire interface to create the composite structure. The heated portion may contact the faying surfaces and melt them through conduction, or may be suspended between them and melt them through radiation and convection.

A method and installation for joining a cover layer to an object in a continuous process. Joining is effected with the aid of a joining material having thermoplastic properties, wherein the joining material is arranged between the cover layer and the object and is liquefied using ultrasonic vibration energy. Before application of the ultrasonic vibration energy, the joining material is preheated in a contactless manner with the aid of electromagnetic induction in the region of the glass transition temperature of the joining material or above this glass transition temperature. The object is in particular a chip board and the cover layer an edge strip to be joined to an edge of the chip board.

An edge trim for pieces of furniture, including a meltable layer, is described. The molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts. By way of a non-limiting example, an edge trim for pieces of furniture having an exposed edge of wooden or wood substitute material is described, comprising a molten layer and a structural layer, wherein the structural layer and the molten layer are connected in an adhesive bond, wherein the molten layer is made of a material that is chemically modified such that polar and non-polar components are found in a single molecular structure, wherein the molten layer contains energy absorbing additives, wherein the energy absorbing additives of the molten layer are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal salts of organic anions and combinations thereof.

The invention comprises a method of butt seaming artificial turf. The method comprises providing a piece of artificial turf comprising a primary backing material having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of tufts of filament material formed in the primary backing material, wherein the tufts are arranged to simulate blades of grass extending outwardly from the upper surface of the primary backing material and the tufts have tuft backs formed on the lower surface of the primary backing material and a layer of a thermoplastic polymer formed on the lower surface of the primary backing material and the tuft backs such that the layer of thermoplastic polymer attaches the tuft backs to the primary backing material. The method further comprises heating a portion of the layer of thermoplastic polymer adjacent an edge of the artificial turf until the portion of the layer of thermoplastic polymer softens and pressing the softened portion of the layer of thermoplastic polymer into contact with a seaming tape.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a container which consists of a thermoplastic at least to some extent and comprises at least a first compartment element and at least a second compartment element joined to the first compartment element in a joining region by thermoplastic welding. The invention also relates to a plastic container which can be, and preferably is, produced according to said method.

Systems and methods are presented herein for a method of attaching a strip to a housing. An internal support member is inserted into a collapsible housing, such that it is arranged along a longitudinal axis of an inner surface of the collapsible housing. An outer support member is arranged along an outer surface the collapsible housing opposite the internal support member. A strip is positioned along the outer surface using the outer support member and the internal support member. Then the strip is permanently welded to the outer surface using a welding element. Welding is performed by a welding element located in one (or both) of the internal support member or the outer support member.

The present invention provides a flexible mat with fluid conduit, methods of manufacture thereof and apparatus for the manufacture thereof. In an embodiment, the mat comprises a base layer, one or more fluid conduits and a thermoplastic bonding tape that attaches the fluid conduits to the base layer. The base layer can be a textile fabric, mesh or netting, or a flat flexible sheet. The base layer is preferably also formed of a thermoplastic layer. The fluid conduits can carry heated or cooled fluid, such as water, that can be used for heating or cooling an environment in which the device is deployed. For example, the device can be used for heating or cooling in a greenhouse environment. The fluid conduits can additionally or alternatively carry irrigation fluids, such as water or treated water, for irrigating plants and crops. The fluid conduits can additionally or alternatively carry gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) or carbon dioxide mixed with other gasses, for treating plants and crops.