An ultrasonic systems and methods for sealing complex interfaces or for metal forming. Complex interfaces, such as a Gable top, have multiple and a variety of layers across the interface, or an oval or round spout having a complex geometry. An example system includes two ultrasonic horns arranged opposite a gap between which the interface is provided. The frequency and phase of the ultrasonic energy are synchronized as the energy is applied simultaneously while the interface is pressed between a jaw and the energy is applied to both sides of the interface. Another example system includes two ultrasonic transducers synchronized in frequency and phase and used to vibrate a horn mechanically to facilitate a sealing or welding interface or to assist in a metal-forming process.

An ultrasonic welding system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly having a horn and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged to impart ultrasonic energy into the horn. The horn has a first part-interfacing surface and a second part-interfacing surface opposite the first part-interfacing surface. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and configured to cause rotation of the horn. A controller is configured to: cause the actuator assembly to rotate the horn so that the first part-interfacing surface applies the ultrasonic energy to a first part along an entire length of the first part-interface surface while a first ultrasonic energy is applied through the horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate back and forth along its entire length as the first ultrasonic energy is applied by the first transducer to the horn.

An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a production machine for the production of collapsible pouches, which comprises an impulse sealing device with a first jaw and a second jaw for contacting bottom regions of walls of the pouches. Each jaw comprises a susceptor element comprising electrically conductive material, having a front surface that is at least shaped as an inverted T for sealing side edges and at least a portion of bottom edges of two adjacent interconnected pouches. Each jaw comprises an inductor which is electrically insulated from the respective susceptor element. The machine comprises a high frequency electric current source, which is connected to the inductors. At least one of the jaws comprises a cooling device for cooling down the respective inductor and susceptor element. The machine is configured so that, in an impulse sealing cycle for sealing the bottom regions of the pouch walls, the electric current source is operated to temporarily feed a high frequency electric current to the inductors, thereby generating a high frequency electromagnetic field with the inductors. The high frequency electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the respective susceptor element generating an impulse of heat that is emitted by the susceptor element, which impulses of heat seal the bottom regions of the pouch walls to each other.

An axial reinforcement system is disclosed that provides a shell (i.e., a form or jacket) that protects a weight-bearing member (e.g., a cement column) from a corrosive environment and which also substantially increases the structural capacity of the weight-bearing member. The shell is integrated with “positioners” and reinforcing elements, the combination of which offers several advantages over conventional shells. The positioner is attached directly to the shell and the positioner is, in turn, secured to a reinforcing element, which can be a reinforced steel, such as rebar, or a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material. The axial reinforcement system has been found to substantially increase the structural rigidity of the weight-bearing member, while at the same time protecting the weight-bearing member from corrosion and is also simple to install.

A thin ribbon spirally wound polymer conduit and method of forming, wherein a helical reinforcing bead is interposed adjacent overlapping layers of ribbon. Further, a method of continuously forming spirally wound conduit wherein a sacrificial layer, preferably having a different base polymer to that of the conduit, is first applied to the former before the conduit is formed overtop.

The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing a pouch containing a brewable material accommodated in a wrapping, comprising a pouch manufacturing device adapted to manufacture a water-permeable pouch containing brewable material, and comprising a sealing station with two sealing jaws movable relative to one another for sealing the pouch in the wrapping placed in a U-shape around the pouch, wherein the sealing jaws are configured to form longitudinal seals (L) lying opposite one another and a transverse seal (Q) extending transversely thereto on the wrapping, wherein at least one sealing jaw comprises first and second sealing jaw elements each configured to form one of the longitudinal seals (L) and a segment of the transverse seal (Q).

A method for forming a double-sided loop strap includes: receiving a continuous longitudinal strip of loop material including a strip-form base bearing a field of upstanding loops on a fastening side of the strip bounded by opposite longitudinal edges, folding each of the longitudinal edges away from the fastening side, such that the base overlaps itself, and securing the folded edges in place by permanently bonding together overlapped areas of the base to form the double-sided loop strap.

An ultrasonic processing system adapted to subject a web running in a machine direction to ultrasonic processing includes a first mechanical element defined by one of an ultrasonic horn and an anvil and a second mechanical element defined by a remainder. The web placed on an outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum moves conforming to the drum in a machine direction. The first mechanical element is provided on the inner side of the drum and the second mechanical element is provided on the outer side of the drum. The first and second mechanical elements repeat a step of forward movement and a step of backward movement in a direction intersecting the machine direction across the web. In both steps, the first and second mechanical elements come in close contact with each other by the intermediary of the web and thereby subject the web to the ultrasonic processing.

A method of calibrating a three-dimensional measurement system having a plurality of cameras and at least one projector is provided. The method includes performing a full calibration for each camera/projector pair where the full calibration generates at least two sets of correction matrices. Subsequently, an updated calibration is performed for each camera/projector pair. The updated calibration changes less than all of the sets of correction matrices.