Systems useful for reinforcing a support mat over at least one seam formed between upper and lower panels of the mat include at least one extruder configured to apply weld-forming material over the seam(s) to form at least one weld atop the seam(s) and at least one electronic controller associated with the extruder.

A method of reinforcing a support mat includes at least one extruder applying at least a first stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between upper and lower, interconnected, at least partially overlapping, panels on the top of the mat and at least one automated extruder applying at least a second stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between the panels on the bottom of the mat.

A method of repairing a first automotive part that includes providing a connector tab and applying a fluidic thermoplastic material to the connector tab and/or the first automotive part to attach the connector tab to the first automotive part. The connector tab comprises: a retainer portion sized to attach to the first automotive part, wherein the retainer portion has a plurality of holes formed therethrough, and wherein the plurality of holes is configured to receive the fluidic thermoplastic material to secure the retainer portion to the first automotive part; and a coupler portion defining a shape corresponding to a portion of the first automotive part, the coupler portion forming a coupler, which is configured to operably engage another coupler of a second automotive part.

A glue delivery system and method for providing precise application of glue on a substrate. A bead of glue is extruded from a first glue chamber through a gun to a leading edge of the substrate. A trailing edge of the substrate is blown off and over to the nozzle to receive a smear of glue from a second glue chamber. A gear pump is controlled by a servo drive that is connected to a servomotor utilizing a gear reducer. The pump regulates the extrusion of the glue onto the substrate that is programmed with empirical data of gear reducer ratio at which the glue flows within a constant speed, torque, current, speed and position of the glue. The empirical data is provided to a programmable logic circuit to achieve a precise pressure related to volume of a glue deposition and speed of the substrate onto which the glue is applied.

A glue delivery system and method for providing precise application of glue on a substrate. A bead of glue is extruded from a first glue chamber through a gun to a leading edge of the substrate. A trailing edge of the substrate is blown off and over to the nozzle to receive a smear of glue from a second glue chamber. A gear pump is controlled by a servo drive that is connected to a servomotor utilizing a gear reducer. The pump regulates the extrusion of the glue onto the substrate that is programmed with empirical data of gear reducer ratio at which the glue flows within a constant speed, torque, current, speed and position of the glue. The empirical data is provided to a programmable logic circuit to achieve a precise pressure related to volume of a glue deposition and speed of the substrate onto which the glue is applied.

A method of contact coating at least one elastic strand with an adhesive is disclosed. A first strand has a periphery with an upper surface. The first strand is moved in a machine direction relative to a contact nozzle, the adhesive is discharged from the contact nozzle into contact with the upper surface of the first strand, and pressurized air is discharged at the adhesive on the first strand to cause the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the first strand without blowing adhesive off the first strand.

The present invention provides a multi-layer hose comprising a cover layer, comprising a first polymer, an enhancement layer comprising woven filaments, and an inner lining, comprising a second polymer, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are dissimilar. The first polymer is preferably a polymer with good wear resistance properties, e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), TPU/PVC, or PVC, or PVC/NBR. The second polymer is preferably a polymer with good chemical resistance properties, e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing said multi-layer hose.

The present invention includes methods and apparatus for testing tire performance using a laterally-contoured road wheel. Accordingly, particular embodiments of the machine include a wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface configured to engage a tire during operation, the outer tire operating surface arranged along an annular side of the wheel and having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel along a contoured path. The machine may further include a drive source configured to rotate the wheel and a tire mount configured to rotatably maintain a tire. The present invention also includes methods of forming a laterally-contoured tire operating surface for a road wheel.

An applicator for applying two materials to a substrate includes a central module configured to receive a first material, a tee block configured to receive a second material, a pair of outer modules spaced from and disposed on opposite sides of the central module, each outer module fluidically connected to and configured to receive the second material from the tee block, and a slot die assembly disposed in fluid communication with the central module and the pair of outer modules, the slot die assembly configured to receive the first and second materials from the central and outer modules, respectively, and discharge the first material over a first width and the second material over a second width greater than the first width.

A slot die assembly for applying at least one material onto a substrate includes an adapter having a passive heat transfer device, a shim package fluidically connected to the adapter, the shim package having a first material discharge slot and a second material discharge slot, and a die plate having a one or more fluid channels fluidically connected to the shim package. The assembly also includes one or more mounting studs extending from the adapter, the mounting studs configured to engage a parent machine.