Provided is a composite material for a wind turbine blade, the composite material including a plurality of rigid elements and plurality of flexible elements, wherein each flexible element is arranged between two rigid elements and is connected thereto such that the rigid elements are flexibly connected to each other by the flexible elements. The flexibility of the composite material can be achieved by using the interspaces between the rigid elements. Therefore, when the composite material is placed on a curved surface, hollow spaces between the rigid elements may be reduced or avoided.

A method for coupling a tube to a tube fitting includes radially outwardly expanding a tubular compression collar from a constricted state to an expanded state, the compression collar having a throughway extending there through and being made of a resiliently flexible material. An end of the tube is inserted within the throughway of the expanded compression collar, the tube bounding a passage. A tube fitting is inserted within the passage of the tube. The compression collar is allowed to resiliently rebound back towards the constricted state so that the compression collar pushes the tube against the tube fitting.

A coupling assembly includes: a tubular compression collar having a tubular body made of a resiliently flexible polymeric material and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; an end of a tube disposed within a throughway of the compression collar; and a tube fitting disposed within the passageway of the tube. The tube fitting includes: a tubular stem; a flange radially outwardly projecting from an exterior surface of the stem; and an annular barb encircling and radially outwardly projecting from the exterior surface of the stem, the annular barb including a frustoconical outside face that extends along and outwardly slopes away from the stem as the outside face extends toward the flange. The compression collar radially inwardly compresses the tube against the annular barb of the tube fitting so that a liquid tight seal is formed between the tube and the tube fitting.

A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank includes a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core includes at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. An underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

A fitment is provided and includes a top portion, a base, and a channel extending through the top portion and the base for passage of a flowable material. The base includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls extend around the channel. The sidewalls are joined together at opposing ends. The fitment further includes at least one sealing rib extending along the sidewalls. The sealing rib includes an ethylene/-olefin multi-block copolymer.

Compositions-of-matter comprising a matrix made of one or more, preferably two or more elastic layers and one or more viscoelastic layer are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter are characterized by high water-impermeability and optionally by self-recovery. Processes of preparing the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof as tissue substitutes or for repairing damaged tissues are also disclosed.

An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture is extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope.

A method for ultrasonically bonding elastic laminates is provided. The method includes attaching a removable shell layer to at least a portion of an exterior surface of a rotating roll, advancing at least a laminate material assembly along a machine direction to dispose the laminate material assembly on the removable shell layer, applying a vacuum pressure to the laminate material assembly, ultrasonically bonding the laminate material assembly, and advancing the elastic laminate including the laminate pattern along the machine direction.

A system for treating a deep abdominal wound. The system includes a wound dressing. The wound dressing includes a visceral-protective layer, a compressive layer, and a sealing layer. The visceral-protective layer is configured to be positioned in an open abdomen. The compressive layer is configured to be disposed proximate to the visceral-protective layer. The compressive layer includes a pattern of voids configured for anisotropic collapse of the compressive layer when under negative pressure. The sealing layer is configured to form a sealed space in the open abdomen. A negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure to the compressive layer.