A tube sealing positioning apparatus has a tube holder slidable on a vertical guide from a lower to an upper portion of a sealing chamber for positioning adjacent a heating apparatus and a clamping apparatus. The heating apparatus may have a nozzle to direct heated air on an open end of a plastic tube. The clamping apparatus may have two clamping devices slidably disposed to clamp the heated open end of the plastic tube to fuse the tube wall adjacent the open end. A control processor may be connected to control movement and dwell time of the tube holder, and to control heat application and clamp spacing and time. A sealed tube may be attached to a top cover to be positioned in a test container. A sealing disk may close the top cover and may direct fluid pressure into the tube and apply a vacuum to the test container.

A method for forming a geomembrane liner testable for leaks by securing adjacent panels together with the conductivity of the lower surface of an overlying panel broken along a line adjacent the panel overlapping edge, and the overlapping edges sealed along the line. A heat welder has slots for the overlapping panel edges, with a heated wedge between the slots and having a projection to break the conductivity of the overlying panel bottom surface as it passes the wedge. The slots merge to press the liner edges together to heat weld them along the line of broken conductivity as the welder is moved along the panel edges.

A medical device includes a balloon expanded scaffold crimped to a catheter having a balloon. The scaffold has a network of rings formed by struts connected at crowns and links connecting adjacent rings. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes using protective polymer sheaths or sheets during crimping, and adjusting the sheaths or sheets during the crimping to avoid or minimize interference between the polymer material and scaffold struts as the scaffold is reduced in size.

The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining, however prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.

Composite film structures for packaging use. The composite film structures have easy open, clean peel and hermetic seal characteristics stemming from good caulkability characteristics when a region of the composite film structures are folded over and sealed to form a seal on a bag, pouch or package. The composite film structure includes a base film which includes a biaxially-oriented film and a vacuum-deposited metal layer and a heat-sealant structure comprising a low density polyethylene and a linear low density polyethylene. The metal layer is between the biaxially-oriented film and the heat-sealant structure. The heat-sealant structure thickness is from about 50 to about 100 gauge, the adhesion strength between the biaxially-oriented film and the metal layer is less than about 800 g/in, and the seal strength when a region of the composite film structure is folded onto a composite film structure region is from about 500 to about 1500 g/in.

A fluidic device including an inorganic solid support attached to an organic solid support by a bonding layer, wherein the inorganic solid support has a rigid structure and wherein the bonding layer includes a material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength that is transmitted by the inorganic solid support or the organic solid support; and a channel formed by the inorganic solid support and the organic solid support, wherein the bonding layer that attaches the inorganic solid support to the organic solid support provides a seal against liquid flow. Methods for making fluidic devices, such as this, are also provided.

A multilayer film includes a base film, a cavitated layer, and a sealing layer. Such films have been found to produce good ultrasonic seals in the cross-machine direction at high speeds.

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By manufacturing the ejector in two pieces, dimensions within the ejector: throat, converging section, and diverging section, is more accurate than prior art manufacturing techniques thereby providing better flow characteristics throughout the boost range.

A method for forming a geomembrane liner testable for leaks by securing adjacent panels together with the conductivity of the lower surface of an overlying panel broken along a line adjacent the panel overlapping edge, and the overlapping edges sealed along the line. A heat welder has slots for the overlapping panel edges, with a heated wedge between the slots and having a projection to break the conductivity of the overlying panel bottom surface as it passes the wedge. The slots merge to press the liner edges together to heat weld them along the line of broken conductivity as the welder is moved along the panel edges.

A fluidic device including an inorganic solid support attached to an organic solid support by a bonding layer, wherein the inorganic solid support has a rigid structure and wherein the bonding layer includes a material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength that is transmitted by the inorganic solid support or the organic solid support; and a channel formed by the inorganic solid support and the organic solid support, wherein the bonding layer that attaches the inorganic solid support to the organic solid support provides a seal against liquid flow. Methods for making fluidic devices, such as this, are also provided.