A tape applicator assembly for securing tape to a surface includes a body and may include a centering and locking assembly configured to automatically center and lock a tape assembly within the body for dispensing. The tape applicator assembly may further be configured for securing tape to at least one cable and a surface, wherein the body includes a tape-receiving cavity defined for receiving a tape assembly having tape with a tape center longitudinal axis. A tape applying assembly may be defined within the body that is configured to adhere the tape to both the at least one cable and the surface. A cable alignment assembly may also be defined within the body that is configured to receive at least one cable positioned against the surface and substantially align the at least one cable with the tape center longitudinal axis.

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 forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

A method of repairing damage to a composite material having a composite substrate and at least one layer of shielding material includes: a) removing damage to the at least one layer of shielding material by creating a hole in the at least one layer of shielding material; b) applying a patch of shielding material in the region of the hole via a resin, wherein a ratio of a resin weight to a weight of the patch of shielding material lies in a range between about 0.45-0.55; and c) curing the resin, wherein an absorptive, consumable material is positioned in contact with the resin during at least a portion of the curing.

A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

Applicators for applying a masking material to a target surface, the applicators include a body, an applicator system attached to the body and configured to apply the masking material to the target surface with a substantially straight edge as the body is translated in an application direction, a dispenser system attached to the body, the dispenser system being configured to support a supply of the masking material and to dispense the masking material to the applicator system, and a guide member attached to the body proximate the applicator system in a trailing position and configured to press the masking material to the target surface after the applicator system applies the masking material to the target surface.

A method for connecting the joint of two ends of at least one chassis sealing element. In order to allow a secure and quick connection of the ends and allow an additional unhindered passage of air and moisture between hollow chambers within the chassis sealing element via the joint when using a profiled hollow chamber, the ends are first arranged at a distance to each other, and a shapeless bonding agent is applied to at least one end. The bonding agent is then heated, and the ends are brought into mutual contact, whereby the ends are bonded at the joint by way of the heated bonding agent.

A method to integrate a first part and a second part comprising composite material, both parts being at least partially thermoplastic parts, that comprises the steps of providing the first part, placing the first part in a tool, applying an in-situ consolidation process, such that integration layers of thermoplastic material are laid on thermoplastic plies of the first part and the integration of the first part with the integration layers is obtained, the integration layers being the first layers of the second part, wherein the applied in-situ consolidation process comprises the sub-steps of melting each tape by a heat source, and welding to the layer below, compressing by a roller, and cooling down below melting temperature of thermoplastic, laying the rest of the second part, and curing or consolidation of a remainder of the second part.

A method of applying a pressure sensitive transfer adhesive to at least two end faces of insulation tubing, using a rolled connection system for adjacent ends of insulated tubing sections having a substrate roll of continuous release liner. Pressure sensitive transfer adhesive material members configured to conform with the ends of insulated tubing sections to be joined are spaced at selected distances from each other along the length of the continuous release liner. A second release liner covers each pressure sensitive adhesive material member and includes a tab to facilitate removal of the second release liner from the adhesive material members to facilitate joining juxtaposed face portion of the ends of the insulated tubing to be connected.

A medical gown (701) includes a layer of material (100) with a seam (401) disposed across the layer of material. The material can include a weave (110) of untwisted, continuous filament polyester. The material can also include a carbon filament (109). The seam is sealed by applying a tape (200) across the seam and applying heat to cause the tape to attach to the weave.