A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for joining assemblies, particularly joints and joining assemblies for co-joining composite components and metal components in a joining assembly, and inhibiting corrosion of metal components secured to composite component via a joining assembly.

A method of forming a structural tube may include urging a substantially flat thermoplastic sandwich sheet against a mandrel and heating the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature. The method may further include allowing the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to cool and removing the mandrel, thereby forming a tube portion.

A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

A joint molding apparatus for molding joints between composite panels comprising inflatable molding bladders connectable to a source of pressurized fluid. A bladder support structure supports the bladders in respective positions adjacent an intersection of panels where, when inflated, the bladders support a joint formed at the intersection of panels while an uncured portion of the joint is curing to hold the joint in a desired configuration at the panel intersection.

A method for applying adhesive to sides of a flange, such as in rotorcraft connection joints, includes attaching an intermediate member to an edge of a flange and flowing adhesive in gaps between sides of the flange and inner edges of a double lap joint element by inserting the flange with the intermediate member into the double lap joint element.

The aim of the invention is to improve an impairment to the adherence of an adhesive tape to a substrate caused by the inclusion of air bubbles between the adhesive tape and the substrate. According to the invention, said aim is achieved by means of an adhesive tape which comprises at least one adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer has at least one groove and none of the grooves extends as far as one of the lateral edges of the adhesive layer. The invention further relates to a release liner having a surface which has at least one ridge, wherein none of the ridges extends as far as one of the lateral edges of the release liner.

A method for forming a structural member and a structural member produced thereby includes positioning a first composite section and a second composite section within a tool. The tool has an inner surface and a wall intersection and is supported by a tool platform. The tool platform and a pressure platform are relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The tool has a non-planar outer surface against which the member may be pressed. A composite splice member is positioned at least partially overlapping both the first composite section and the second composite section to form a joint in the composite structural member. The composite structural member is pressed against the non-planar outer surface of the tool by applying pressure to the joint from a pressure bladder. Heat is applied to the composite structural member at the joint to cure the composite splice member to the first composite section and the second composite section.

Welding rod for performing a plastic weld on plastic panels, so as to fasten them to one another, and related methods. Use of welding rods, or structural and welding profiles, having at least one tongue below which is a boss extending longitudinally and forming a material reserve. Once the welding rod is placed along a desired weld line, under the effect of heating, the material reserve is softened and fuses with a panel portion situated opposite it, so as to produce a final plastic weld, and the tongue is folded down on said weld line, to conceal it.

A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.