An adhesive-applying method is disclosed herein. The method comprises: providing a film comprising pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a major surface thereof; heating the film to a softening point of the film; and pressing the film against a substrate with an application device, the application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film-contacting portion comprising a foam material and having a thermal conductivity of less than 1.8 BTU in/(hr ft.sup.2 F.); wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive on the major surface of the film adheres to the substrate. Application devices and kits that may be used in conjunction with the method are also disclosed herein.

A floor may include a substrate having a top side and a bottom side. A top layer may be provided on the substrate. The top layer may consist of a printed thermoplastic film and a thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer provided on the printed thermoplastic film. The top layer may be directly adhered to the substrate by heat welding the printed thermoplastic film and the top side of the substrate, in the absence of a glue layer. The substrate may be a synthetic material board including a filler. The substrate at least at two opposite edges may include coupling means provided in the synthetic material board. The thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer may be provided with a structure.

Methods and tools for de-bonding and cleaning substrates are disclosed. A method includes de-bonding a surface of a first substrate from a second substrate, and after de-bonding, cleaning the surface of the first substrate. The cleaning comprises physically contacting a cleaning mechanism to the surface of the first substrate. A tool includes a de-bonding module and a cleaning module. The de-bonding module comprises a first chuck, a radiation source configured to emit radiation toward the first chuck, and a first robot arm having a vacuum system. The vacuum system is configured to secure and remove a substrate from the first chuck. The cleaning module comprises a second chuck, a spray nozzle configured to spray a fluid toward the second chuck, and a second robot arm having a cleaning device configured to physically contact the cleaning device to a substrate on the second chuck.

A method of sealing a workpiece comprising forming an inorganic film over a surface of a first substrate, arranging a workpiece to be protected between the first substrate and a second substrate wherein the inorganic film is in contact with the second substrate; and sealing the workpiece between the first and second substrates as a function of the composition of impurities in the first or second substrates and as a function of the composition of the inorganic film by locally heating the inorganic film with a predetermined laser radiation wavelength. The inorganic film, the first substrate, or the second substrate can be transmissive at approximately 420 nm to approximately 750 nm.

A metal composite including an oxidized base metal and a fibrous composite material coupled by a self-assembled monolayer and adhesive is described. Additionally, a method of constructing a metal composite is described, wherein the method includes oxidizing a metal, depositing a self-assembled monolayer, and adhering a fibrous composite to the monolayer.

A display device, including a display panel including a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area surrounding the display area; a window facing the display panel and including a light-transmitting area and a light-blocking area, the light-transmitting area corresponding to the display area, and the light-blocking area corresponding to the non-display area; and a plurality of printed layers on the window in the light-blocking area, each printed layer including an isocyanate-blocking group having a different dissociation temperature from isocyanate-blocking groups included in other printed layers.

A method of manufacturing a footwear includes the steps of providing a leather base layer and providing a leather attachment layer. The leather base layer and the leather attachment layer are fixed against each other with an intermediate application of adhesive between them. The applied adhesive is activated. The leather base layer and the leather attachment layer are forced against each other under a pressure with the adhesive between them. The adhesive is cured and thereby the leather base layer and the leather attachment layer are bonded to each other. The bonded leather base layer and the leather attachment layer are integrated as part of the footwear.

Methods and tools for de-bonding and cleaning substrates are disclosed. A method includes de-bonding a surface of a first substrate from a second substrate, and after de-bonding, cleaning the surface of the first substrate. The cleaning comprises physically contacting a cleaning mechanism to the surface of the first substrate. A tool includes a de-bonding module and a cleaning module. The de-bonding module comprises a first chuck, a radiation source configured to emit radiation toward the first chuck, and a first robot arm having a vacuum system. The vacuum system is configured to secure and remove a substrate from the first chuck. The cleaning module comprises a second chuck, a spray nozzle configured to spray a fluid toward the second chuck, and a second robot arm having a cleaning device configured to physically contact the cleaning device to a substrate on the second chuck.

A metal composite including an oxidized base metal and a fibrous composite material coupled by a self-assembled monolayer and adhesive is described. Additionally, a method of constructing a metal composite is described, wherein the method includes oxidizing a metal, depositing a self-assembled monolayer, and adhering a fibrous composite to the monolayer.

A process for the coating a substrate with a microporous layer includes at least incorporation by mixing of at least one physical and/or chemical blowing agent into an elastomer mixture, shaping of the elastomer mixture including the physical and/or chemical blowing agent by means of a calender or of a roller-head system, and application of the calendered elastomer mixture including the physical and/or chemical blowing agent to a substrate to be coated. Further, heating and blowing of the coating including the physical and/or chemical blowing agent is then provided by means of at least one heat source. In some cases, the blowing agent is composed of microspheres, which in some embodiments, may be present in non-expanded form. In some aspects, the heating and blowing of the coating directly follows the application procedure. The heat source may be an infrared source, such as a ceramic source.