A flexible sealing tube is described that is adapted to be installed in and extend along a bore in the ground for use in a system for exchanging of energy with the ground. The flexible sealing tube has a first tube end to be installed at an inner part of said bore, and the flexible sealing tube is closed in the first tube end. The flexible sealing tube also has a first channel and a second channel extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the flexible sealing tube, the first and second channels being in fluid connection with each other. The first and second channels are formed by the flexible sealing tube.

Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs.

A method of forming deformations in a nonwoven web includes the steps of: a) providing a precursor nonwoven web; b) providing a pair of forming members which include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements; and c) mechanically deforming the precursor nonwoven web with the forming members by placing the precursor nonwoven web between the forming members. The method forms a nonwoven web having a generally planar first region and a plurality of discrete deformations. The deformations form protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven web and a base opening adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven web. The maximum interior width of the cap portion of the protrusions is wider than the width of the base opening.

Provided is a method for producing a packing sheet with improved insulation and storage properties, which can greatly reduce logistics costs by minimizing a volume during storage and transportation and also greatly increase insulation.

A method of manufacturing a bladder element comprises forming at least one of a first, a second, and a third polymeric sheet to have a contoured surface profile. The first, the second, and the third polymeric sheets are stacked so that the second polymeric sheet is between the first polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet. The method comprises applying fluid pressure between the first polymeric sheet and second polymeric sheet, between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet, or between both, forcing a first surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, or a second surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, or both. A bladder element is also disclosed.

Provided are multi-beam meltblowing apparatuses having a ridged collecting surface, methods for making multilayer meltblown composites using such apparatuses, and multilayer meltblown composites made therefrom. Also provided are a multilayer composite comprising an elastic layer and at least one ridged layer and a method for making the multilayer composite.

The present disclosure provides an inflatable product comprising a wall enclosing an air chamber. A plurality of main tension members and branch tension members are disposed within the air chamber. The main tension members have an upper edge and a lower edge. The branch tension members each include a first connection region and a second connection region each connected to the wall of the air chamber. The branch tension members each include a third connection region located between the first and second connection regions and connected to the upper edge or the lower edge of the main tension member.

Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.

A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

A method of manufacturing a bladder element comprises forming at least one of a first, a second, and a third polymeric sheet to have a contoured surface profile. The first, the second, and the third polymeric sheets are stacked so that the second polymeric sheet is between the first polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet. The method comprises applying fluid pressure between the first polymeric sheet and second polymeric sheet, between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet, or between both, forcing a first surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, or a second surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, or both. A bladder element is also disclosed.