A method for making a covering is described. The covering includes a first layer made of a flexible material; a second and a third layers made of a preferably rigid material engaged on opposite sides to the first layer. The second and the third layers respectively have a plurality of V-shaped grooves defining respective adjacent rigid and corresponding structural portions. Each rigid structural portion can be oriented with respect to the adjacent rigid structural portion, by folding the first layer so as to model the covering according to three-dimensional configurations and/or a simple or double curvature. The method is preferably performed through a virtual designing of the shape desired to be obtained and a processing of the same for the obtainment of the grooves required to attain such shape.

A method and apparatus for forming a bend in composite panel. A method for forming a bend in a composite panel comprises forming a slot having a curved flange in the composite panel, inserting a sheet into the curved flange, and bending the composite panel with the slot and the sheet within the curved flange about a longitudinal axis of the slot to form the bend.

A layered panel in which strength of a hinge can be improved regardless of the kinds of substrates configuring a front wall and a rear wall of the layered panel is provided. A layered panel in accordance with the present invention is a layered panel rotatable about a hinge as a rotary axis, characterized by including a front wall, a rear wall, and an intermediate layer interposed between the front wall and the rear wall, the hinge including the intermediate layer.

Pouch folding methods and devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a pouch folding method includes applying heat to a wing of a cell pouch to obtain a heated wing, and folding the heated wing of the cell pouch.

A hemmed structure includes a first member and a second member. The first member is a sheet-like member including a thermoplastic resin and includes an inner bent portion formed at a position at which an end portion of the first member is bent. The second member is a sheet-like member a metal material and includes an outer bent portion formed at a position at which an end portion of the second member is bent. The outer bent portion is disposed so as to wrap around the inner bent portion, and the end portion of the second member is disposed inside the inner bent portion. A brittle portion is formed on an inner surface of the inner bent portion.

Dental devices having folded material. A dental appliance may include a specialized region configured to impart one or more specialized forces to one or more particular areas of a patient's dentition. The specialized region may include a reinforcement structure including a rigid three- dimensional structure, where the rigid three-dimensional structure includes repeating geometric shapes defined by folds in a sheet of one or more polymeric materials. The folds may be folded along a pattern of lines according to the repeating geometric shapes. The rigid three-dimensional structure may have a greater thickness than the unfolded sheet so as to impart a greater rigidity to the specialized region compared to the unfolded sheet, thereby reinforcing the specialized region for imparting the one or more specialized forces to the one or more particular areas of the patient's dentition.

A device for folding a pouch having first and second cup parts, first and second circumferential parts formed flat along circumferences thereof, respectively, includes: lower and upper nests on which the first and second cup parts are seated; first and second guides fixed to the lower and upper nests and having first and second protrusions protruding upwardly therefrom, the first and second protrusions in close contact with each other forming a support protrusion; and a pressing part allowing a connection part of the first and second circumferential parts to be in close contact with the support protrusion when the first and the second cup parts are seated on the lower and the upper nests, respectively, wherein when the pressing part causes the connection part and the support protrusion to be in contact, the upper nest rotates so that the second cup part is folded onto the first cup part.

A door safety device generally includes a door attachment portion, a spanning portion, and a door jamb attachment portion. The spanning portion can be operatively coupled to the door (and/or door jamb) attachment portions by one or more living hinges, optionally with tambour portions disposed between the spanning portion and the door (and/or door jamb) attachment portios. The tambour portions can also include one or more living hinges. The living hinges can have a range of motion of less than 180 degrees, for example less than 175, 170, 165, or 160 degrees. A method of manufacturing a door safety device includes creating a score line along a surface of a substantially planar sheet of material, and snapping the sheet along the score line so as to create a hinge. The snapping creates a plastic deformation of the material in the region of the score line.

A corrugated plastic box and a method for manufacturing a corrugated plastic box from a blank are provided. The method includes the steps of forming rounded edge seals on the perimeter edges of the blank, pre-sealing portions of the blank to form a plurality of areas in which major and minor flap slots and a glue tab are desired, ultrasonically scoring the blank to form a plurality of flap score lines, and cutting the blank through the plurality of pre-sealed flap slots and glue tab, leaving a sealed edge.

A corrugated plastic box and a method for manufacturing a corrugated plastic box from a blank are provided. The method includes the steps of forming rounded edge seals on the perimeter edges of the blank, pre-sealing portions of the blank to form a plurality of areas in which major and minor flap slots and a glue tab are desired, ultrasonically scoring the blank to form a plurality of flap score lines, and cutting the blank through the plurality of pre-sealed flap slots and glue tab, leaving a sealed edge.