The invention relates to methods for lowering the melt viscosity and thereby improving heat-sealability of a polyester. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a heat-sealed container or package from fibrous-based, polyester-coated packaging material, and a method for heat-sealing polyester. The solution according to the invention is subjecting polyester to electron beam (EB) radiation. The lowered melt viscosity allows a lower heat-sealing temperature, and permits sealing of polyester to an uncoated fibrous surface. The preferred polyester for the invention is polylactide, as such or as blended with another polyester.

The invention relates to use of polylactide (PLA) as an extruded polymer coating on paper or board intended for the production of containers and packages, which are heated in a stove or microwave oven. According to the invention a polyfunctional cross-linking agent, such as trialkyl isocyanurate (TAIC), is blended with PLA, and the extruded coating layer is subjected to cross-linking electron beam (EB) radiation. PLA may be used as such or blended with another biodegradable polyester such as polybutylene succinate (PBS). EB radiation has been found to improve adhesion of the coating to the paper or board substrate, heat-scalability of the coating, and heat-resistance of the finished containers and packages.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures. A method includes: placing a first polymeric part in contact with a second polymeric part; and plastically deforming the first polymeric part and the second polymeric part against each other to bond the first polymeric part to the second polymeric part. Additionally, during the plastic deformation, a temperature of the first polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the first polymeric part and a temperature of the second polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the second polymeric part.

The invention relates to a heat-fusible weld seam for joining ground coating members, comprising a copolymer selected from the group of polymers containing acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic anhydride, a polyethylene and a copolyamide.

There is disclosed a method of applying activatable material to a member of an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle. According to the method, the activatable material is provided to an applicator followed by applying the activatable material to the member wherein the activatable material is attached by way of a mechanical interlock via one or more through-holes.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures. A method includes: placing a first polymeric part in contact with a second polymeric part; and plastically deforming the first polymeric part and the second polymeric part against each other to bond the first polymeric part to the second polymeric part. Additionally, during the plastic deformation, a temperature of the first polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the first polymeric part and a temperature of the second polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the second polymeric part.

A molded article for laser welding is disclosed which has excellent visible light transmittance and laser transmittance and in which variation in laser transmittance is suppressed, and an agent for suppressing variation in laser transmittance of a molded article for laser welding. The molded article for laser welding includes a polybutylene terephthalate resin composition containing 100 parts by mass of (A) a polybutylene terephthalate resin, (B) a polycarbonate resin in which the melt viscosity at 300 C. and a shear rate of 1000 sec.sup.1 is 0.20 kPa.Math.s or greater, and 1 part by mass or greater and 10 parts by mass or less of (C) an epoxy-based compound, the molded article having a thickness at a welded part of 1.3 mm or greater, and an agent for suppressing variation in laser transmittance of a molded article for laser welding, the agent containing an epoxy-based compound.

The invention relates to methods for lowering the melt viscosity and thereby improving heat-sealability of a polyester. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a heat-sealed container or package from fibrous- based, polyester-coated packaging material, and a method for heat-sealing polyester. The solution according to the invention is subjecting polyester to electron beam (EB) radiation. The lowered melt viscosity allows a lower heat-sealing temperature, and permits sealing of polyester to an uncoated fibrous surface. The preferred polyester for the invention is polylactide, as such or as blended with another polyester.

The invention relates to use of polylactide (PLA) as an extruded polymer coating on paper or board intended for the production of containers and packages, which are heated in a stove or microwave oven. According to the invention a polyfunctional cross-linking agent, such as trialkyl isocyanureate (TAIC), is blended with PLA, and the extruded coating layer is subjected to cross-linking electron beam (EB) radiation. PLA may be used as such or blended with another biodegradable polyester such as polybutylene succinate (PBS). EB radiation has been found to improve adhesion of the coating to the paper or board substrate, heat-scalability of the coating, and heat-resistance of the finished containers and packages.