A process for flexibly making a wetsuit or the like is disclosed by integrally forming a functional surface layer on a rubber foam substrate sheet, thereby rendering the function of the surface layer for the wetsuit or the like.

A method of producing an elastic profile with longitudinally recurring transverse protrusions includes extruding a primary profile at a primary extruder; extruding a secondary profile at a secondary extruder, the secondary profile includes a substrate layer and transverse protrusions, the secondary extruder includes an extrusion die, wherein a rotating molding wheel forms a wall of the extrusion die, the molding wheel having recesses functioning as molds for the transverse protrusions within the extrusion die; joining the primary profile and the substrate layer of the secondary profile at a joining point for fusion bonding forming a composite structure. A rotating pressing wheel, may press on the composite structure against a bedding separate from the molding wheel. The primary profile may travel along an entirely straight path from the primary extruder to the joining point. The joining occurs at a nip formed between the molding wheel and a flat and stationary bedding.

A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

A roll stack for the production of plastic sheeting uses a pneumatically-operated toggle joint, instead of a hydraulic press, to precisely separate two rollers. The pneumatically-operated toggle joint allows the rollers to be more quickly and safely further separated from each other in case there is an emergency.

A linear actuator leverage assembly including a base with a side surface and a back surface defining between them a corner, a rail member coupled to the base, a lever arm with a bearing surface, and a linear actuator. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot and to the linear actuator at a second pivot. The linear actuator is configured to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot of the lever arm along a continuous motion path. The motion path includes a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface and a second path segment, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.

A roller assembly for forming adjacent curved surfaces in a composite gap filler member includes a first roller supported by a first support member wherein the first roller rotates relative to the first support member about a first axis of rotation. A second roller is supported by a second support member wherein the second roller rotates relative to the second support member about a second axis of rotation. First support member is rotatable about a third axis of rotation and the third axis of rotation extends in a direction transverse to the first axis of rotation. Second support member is rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation. The fourth axis of rotation extends in a direction transverse to the second axis of rotation.

A die assembly for forming a composite gap filler, including a first die having a first portion which extends along a first central axis of the first die and has a first curved surface which has a radius which changes as the first curved surface extends about the first central axis. A second die a second portion which extends along a second central axis of the second die and has a second curved surface which has a radius which changes as the second curved surface extends about the second central axis. A third die defines a third wall member which extends about the third die and which changes in width dimension wherein with the first die abutting the second die and with the third wall member abutting the first and second dies, a closed gap is formed.

A process for producing an eyelet for a biomedical electrode (e.g. an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode) involves: hot pressing an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin to produce a film having a web of eyelets, each eyelet having a post protruding from a first face of the film and a flange at a second face of the film; applying a coating of a non-polarizable conductive material (e.g. a silver-containing material) on to a contact face of the flange; and, cutting the film to produce the eyelets separated from the web. Preferably, the process involves extrusion replication. A web of eyelets for biomedical electrodes has a film of an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin possessing a plurality of posts protruding from a first face of the film, and preferably a layer of a non-polarizable conductive material on a second face of the film. The process may be a one-step continuous process that is cheaper and simpler than current commercial processes.

A thin film member forming device includes a reference roll fixedly disposed while being rotatably supported by a first bearing member, a movable roll disposed movably with respect to the reference roll while being rotatably supported by a second bearing member, a roll gap adjusting mechanism which adjusts a gap between the reference roll and the movable roll and a roll opening mechanism which expands the gap. The roll gap adjusting mechanism adds a load in a direction to narrow the gap to the second bearing member, and the roll opening mechanism adds a load in a direction to expand the gap to the second bearing member.

A rotary dough shaper including a drive assembly, a support assembly, and a rolling assembly. The rolling assembly comprises a gauging drum having an external surface and an adjustable back plate having an internal surface. The support assembly supports the gauging drum and the adjustable back plate such that a rolling gap is formed therebetween, and the gauging drum is rotatably coupled to the support assembly such that the gauging drum rotates with respect to the support assembly to roll a dough ball between the adjustable back plate and the gauging drum.