An endoscopy instrument is configured to be adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. The endoscopy instrument includes a snare forming a loop extending from a proximate end to a distal end and a plurality of basket wires. Each of the basket wires includes a proximate end coupled to the proximate end of the snare and a distal end coupled to the distal end of the snare. The snare and the plurality of the basket wires cooperate to form a basket portion configured to contract when the endoscopy instrument is adjusted from the extended position towards the retracted position during entry of the basket portion into a tubular member. The contracting of the basket portion aids in grasping an object in need of retrieval from a patient.

Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

In order to thermally cure a thermosetting adhesive quickly and with less energy, the bonded article (10) according to the present invention comprises an adherend member (1) having a thermal conductivity of 1 w/m.Math.K or more, an adherend member (2) made of a material which can adhere to the adherend member (1), and an adhesion portion that is formed of a cured product of a thermosetting adhesive (3) and that is in contact with both the adherend member (1) and the adherend member (2), wherein the adherend member (1) has a heat transfer-inhibiting structure (4) which inhibits the transfer of heat from a portion thereof in contact with the adhesive (3) to a peripheral portion thereof.

Methods, apparatus or equipment and systems for lining conduits, e.g., preferably subterranean pipelines and passageways, such as sewers, with a liner impregnated with a curable resin in order to secure the conduit against ingress or egress of liquids.

Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

A bonded object manufacturing apparatus is for manufacturing a bonded object in which a first object and a second object, which is more flexible than the first object, are bonded by a bonding agent, viscosity of which is variable, and includes: a bonding agent supplier that supplies the bonding agent to a first or second bonding surfaces; a thickening unit that increases the viscosity of the bonding agent; and a loading unit that applies a load to and deforms the second object against the bonding agent that closely adheres to the first bonding surface and becomes harder than the second object. In a method for manufacturing a bonded object, the first and second bonding surfaces are brought close to each other to hold the bonding agent therebetween, the bonding agent closely adheres to a required portion of the first bonding surface, and the second object is loaded and deformed against the bonding agent that closely adheres to the first bonding surface and is harder than the second object.

An apparatus for applying a liquid adhesive according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a side part including a support surface configured to support one surface of an upright secondary battery; and a lower part including an adhesion space configured to accommodate the liquid adhesive therein and configured to accommodate insertion of a sealing part disposed at the one surface of the upright secondary battery, the lower part having a passage extending from an outer periphery of the lower part to the adhesion space, the passage configured to permit the liquid adhesive to flow from the outer periphery to the adhesion space, wherein the lower part is disposed below the side part.

A method and system temporarily holds a workpiece, most suitably an aero engine turbine blade element during manufacture. The workholding system includes a support body with a contoured body surface, complementary to a workpiece surface, formed of a transparent material to define a bonding zone. The support body is supported by a base to form a workpiece shuttle, and a bond station receives the workpiece shuttle. Complementary zero-point locating elements on the shuttle and station assure accurate positioning. The bond station further has workpiece locating elements configured to accurately position the workpiece on the shuttle in a predetermined position relative to the zero-point locating elements of the shuttle, thereby compensating for shuttle-to-shuttle variance. An adhesive, such as a UV curable adhesive, is applied to the bonding zone and cured by UV through the transparent material, thereby fixing the workpiece in the predetermined position.

Methods, apparatus or equipment and systems for lining conduits, e.g., preferably subterranean pipelines and passageways, such as sewers, with a liner impregnated with a curable resin in order to secure the conduit against ingress or egress of liquids.

An optical unit has an optical element reflecting light between intersecting first and second directions, and a holder. The holder includes a holder body extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, and a pair of surface portions extending from the holder body in an intersection direction intersecting the third direction. The optical element is arranged between the surface portions. At least one surface portion has an inner surface facing the optical element, an end surface connected to an edge of the inner surface in an intersection direction, and a concave portion arranged astride the inner and end surfaces and recessed in the intersection direction from the end surface. The concave portion accommodates an adhesive member bonding the optical element with the holder. The length of the concave portion along the end surface is greater than the depth of the concave portion in the intersection direction.