Apparatus for splicing expiring and replenishing webs of a web material includes first and second spaced platens having respective facing inner surfaces defining a passageway for transit of the expiring web, where the platens are adapted for displacement toward and away from one another in a reciprocating manner. The first platen is adapted to engage an end of the replenishing web, while the second platen is adapted to engage and position the moving expiring web. Moving the platens together with their respective inner surfaces in close proximity to one another causes a cutting die on the first platen to sever the expiring web forming outfeeding and infeeding ends of the expiring web, and to attach the expiring web's outfeeding end to the replenishing web. Attached to the second platen in facing relation to the first platen and engaging the expiring web is an ironing pad to ensure firm contact and adhesion of expiring web to the replenishing web. During web splicing, the cutting die is transferred from the first platen to the second platen to free the replenishing web from the first platen, with the cutting die engaging and collecting or holding the expiring web's infeeding end.

Systems and methods are disclosed that include an operation chamber, a plasma generator having at least one plasma head disposed within the operation chamber and in proximity to a profile formed by cutting a piece of tubing, and a mechanical motion module. The plasma generator generates a plasma treatment and applies the plasma treatment via the at least one plasma head to the profile to activate material on an end surface of the profile, within a lumen of the profile, or a combination thereof. Once the material of the profile is activated by the plasma treatment, the mechanical motion module manipulates the profile to close the lumen of the profile to aseptically seal the profile.

The present invention provides a joint structure having: a first panel comprising a first material; a second panel comprising a metal material different from the first material; a rivet having a head portion that is placed in contact with the first panel, a shaft portion that is passed through the first panel, and a joint portion that is disposed on the shaft portion side and is in contact with and joined by welding to the second panel; and a sandwiching portion that is disposed at the rivet and sandwiches between itself and the head portion the first panel from the second panel side.

A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

A vertical form fill sealing machine includes a machine frame and at least one transverse sealing device for sealing a packaging material transversely. The transverse sealing device is mounted on the machine frame such that it can be rotated around a rotation axis of the transverse sealing device at least substantially as a whole. A guide unit guides the rotation of the transverse sealing device around the rotation axis at least substantially as a whole. The guide unit includes at least one guide element that delimits at least partially an at least substantially circular cylindrical receiving area within which the transverse sealing device is at least substantially completely arranged. The transverse sealing device includes at least one movement unit, at least two sealing jaws, and at least one guide unit to guide the at least two sealing jaws during a movement.

An apparatus for forming a weld between a first portion of a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material and a second portion of a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a structure for holding said first and second electrodes in opposition to one other with a space therebetween for receiving said first portion and said second portion in contact with one another. The structure is electrically non-conductive and an electrical circuit comprising a power source and a switch arranged such that closure of said switch applies a voltage potential across said first electrode and said second electrode so as to generate heat via electrical resistance, the heat being sufficient to melt regions of said first and second portions.

A method for heat sealing a lid on a thermoplastic drinking glass comprising a wall with an upper end having a rim comprising an annular rib and two collecting surfaces extending on either side of the annular rib. According to the invention, the rim also comprises first and second annular grooves extending between the annular rib and the collecting surfaces. The method comprises, during the heat sealing of the lid, a step of making all or part of the annular rib flow into the grooves.