The invention provides a device for connecting together two flat tubular sheaths, the device including: a blocker (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) for blocking one end of a first sheath, the blocker having means for opening an end of the first sheath; an adhesive-applicator system for applying adhesive to the inside of the open end of the sheath; the blocker being arranged to authorize closure of the end of the first sheath, once adhesive has been applied thereto, on an end of the second sheath.

The invention also provides a corresponding roll of adhesive and a corresponding connection method.

An underwater pipe and connector assembly includes an underwater pipe having a pipe body and an annular connecting end section, a connector fixed in the connecting end section, and at least one reinforcing layer having a first fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering the connecting end section, and a second fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section. An outer coil is embedded between the first fixed cover section and the connecting end section and between the second fixed cover section and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section.

A high altitude balloon, including a method and machine for manufacture, uses a perimeter border strip to couple two circular balloon panels with a lap or butt seal. Simultaneous sealing of two perimeter seals, one between the border strip and each of two balloon panels, is provided by supporting stacked balloon panels on a rotatable support and sealing around the full perimeter of the two interposed balloon panels and the border strip. The method and machine for manufacture allow for the mass production of high altitude balloons and minimize necessary material handling. The perimeter border strip can be dispensed and guided relative to the perimeter of the balloon panels for positioning before sealing together, as a bonding device is rotated relative to the balloon envelope.

A method and apparatus for forming a bonded joint on a composite structure is presented. An apparatus carrying a first workpiece is positioned relative to a second workpiece. A vacuum is applied to the first workpiece and a portion of the second workpiece. A bladder on a first surface of a housing of the apparatus is deflated. Deflating the bladder positions the first workpiece such that adhesive having a desired thickness is positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The adhesive positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece is cured.

An article of manufacture that has at least three layers of heat sealable material. There is at least one first heat seal between at least two of the layers in a first area effected at a first temperature. There is also at least one second heat seal between at least two more layers, where at least one of these two layers is distinct from the at least two layers joined by the first heat seal, in a second area effected at a second temperature, where the second temperature is different than the first temperature, thereby allowing for heat sealing of discrete areas of the article in discrete steps.

Methods and compositions for securing to and removing adhesive tapes from substrates, e.g., delicate substrates such as skin, are described. The methods include providing an adhesive tape comprising an adhesive layer and a support layer in contact with the adhesive layer. A first adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the support layer is, or can be controlled to be, less than a second adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the substrate. The methods further include applying the adhesive tape to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer to the substrate while the support layer remains in contact with the adhesive layer; and removing the support layer from the substrate by separating the support layer from the adhesive layer.

A connection element includes a composite component with a cured epoxy resin, a first layer including a first thermoplastic polymer and an intermediate layer arranged between the composite component and the first layer, the first layer containing both the cured epoxy resin of the composite component and the first thermoplastic polymer of the first layer. The first thermoplastic polymer has a melting point above a curing temperature of the epoxy resin and is soluble at a temperature of at least 150? C. in the epoxy resin used for producing the composite component.

A method for producing, by welding, a joint between a thermoplastic matrix composite material and an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is functionalized by incorporating, onto the surface of the elastomer, a nonwoven fabric consisting of fibers of thermoplastic material. The functionalized surface of the elastomeric material is welded to the thermoplastic material of the composite. The functionalization of the elastomeric material is performed during the vulcanization of the raw elastomer. The vulcanization is performed under a sufficient pressure for the nonwoven fabric placed on the surface of the raw elastomer to become incorporated with same, at least at the surface, during the vulcanization process. The welding operation includes interposing a metal fabric coated with thermoplastic material between the surfaces of the elastomer and the composite that are welded to each other, and passing an electric current through same, resulting in the surface melting of the two materials.

A method for producing, by welding, a joint between a thermoplastic matrix composite material and an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is functionalized by forming a thin layer of elastomeric material incorporating particles of thermoplastic material and melting the thin layer onto the surface of the elastomeric material during the pressure-vulcanization of the elastomer. The functionalized surface of the elastomeric material is welded to the thermoplastic material of the composite. The welding operation includes interposing a metal fabric coated with thermoplastic material between the surfaces of the elastomer and the composite that are welded to each other, and passing an electric current through same, resulting in the surface melting of the two materials.

A method for joining primary and secondary members includes providing a primary member, a secondary member and a heating element which is joined to one of the primary and secondary members. The heating element includes an electrically insulating matrix material and an electrically conductive reinforcing clement extending through the matrix material. The method further includes bringing the other of the primary and secondary members and the heating element into engagement and controlling a flow of electrical current in the reinforcing element so as to resistively heat and fuse at least some of the matrix material of the heating element with a matrix material of the other of the primary and secondary members. The method may be used to join a primary member such as a composite tubular and a secondary member such as a component for terminating the composite tubular.