Disclosed are embodiments of a versatile storage bag and methods of making same. The versatile storage bag may have first and second sidewalls, a double-locking closure mechanism with a first closure element extending along the first sidewall and a second closure element extending along the second sidewall, each closure element having a channel and an elongated member configured for interlocking with one another. A double-seal along three sides of the first sidewall and the second sidewall form a gusset between two seals, leaving an opening through the double-locking closure mechanism. Corner seals may be formed at the corners of the first and second sidewalls, further reinforcing the double-locking closure mechanism for an airtight and hence waterproof seal. The versatile storage bag may be made of a food-grade polyethylene vinyl acetate blend, approximately 90% or less ethylene vinyl acetate and approximately 10% or less polyethylene.

The invention relates to a method for forming a laser-welded connection, in which two parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a) are connected to one another under the effect of a laser beam (1) in a joining region (30; 30a) to form a weld (2), wherein one part to be joined (11; 11a) consists of a material transparent to laser radiation and the other part to be joined (12; 12a) consists of a material absorbent to laser radiation, and wherein the two parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a) form a receptacle (25; 25a; 25b) for a component (13; 13a; 13b; 14) separate from the parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a).

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.

Systems and methods are provided for consolidating thermoplastic parts. One embodiment is a method of automatically forming a thermoplastic composite structure. The method includes heating a thermoplastic preform to a forming temperature, forming the thermoplastic preform into a thermoplastic part having a desired shape, aligning multiple thermoplastic parts together, and consolidating the multiple thermoplastic parts together while controlling crystallization to form a complex thermoplastic part.

A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a flexible backing and a number of tiles disposed on the flexible backing in a single layer, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive.

A multi-layer bladder includes: a first bladder layer; a mask including a plurality of apertures; a second bladder layer bonded to the first bladder layer within the apertures in the mask and where the mask is not present between the first and second bladder layers, where the mask is configured to prevent bonding of the second bladder layer to the first bladder layer where the mask is present; and a fluid channel that is located between the first and second bladder layers and that extends to the mask from an outer edge of the multi-layer bladder.

Molded pulp containers with fused junctions and methods of making of same are provided. The present invention provides a pulp container, comprising a molded pulp body, wherein the body comprising a bottom and at least one side wall forming a wherein the at least one side wall comprising a upper rim, a neck, wherein the neck comprising a upper closure part and a lower rim, a fused junction, wherein a part of the upper rim of the at least one sidewall of the body and a part of the lower rim of the neck are aligned and fused together. The fused junction may be formed by ultrasonic welding.

A method of integral hot-melt adhesion of a bicycle saddle contains steps of: a) providing material; b) putting the material into at least one mold; c) inserting a heating plate; d) melting; e) removing the heating plate; f) hot-melting adhesion; and g) taking out. Thereby, the body includes the rubber shell, the flexible layer, and the covering layer. The rubber shell is connected with the support shell by a hot-melting manner so that a peripheral side of the covering layer is bent to and is connected on the bottom of the rubber shell, thus obtaining a security, a smooth appearance, a moisture-proof purpose, a waterproof purpose, a shock absorption, a heat dissipation, an easy cleaning, and a low fabrication cost.

A sealing device configured to create a frangible seal in a sample processing device is described. Methods of using the device to create one or more frangible seals in a sample processing device are also described.

One or more implementations of a multi-layer film include a first layer non-continuously bonded to a second pigmented layer. The multi-layer film includes an unexpected appearance differing from the appearance of the pigmented layer. In one or more embodiments, the multi-layer film includes a metallic appearance despite the pigmented layer being devoid of metallic pigment. The multi-layer film also includes areas that are visually distinct from areas of the film with the unexpected appearance. The visually-distinct areas comprise areas in which the first layer non-continuously is in intimate contact with the second pigmented layer. The visually-distinct areas have the appearance of the pigmented layer or another appearance. One or more implementations also include methods of making multi-layer films and bags with an unexpected appearance and visually-distinct areas.