Disclosed is an automated method (54) which includes directing rays from a source (34) to a tube (38) disposed between relatively movable first and second sealing plates (20, 32), capturing an image (70) of at least a portion of the tube (38) by an image capturing device (26), and transferring the captured image (70) to a processing device (24). The method (54) also includes determining a plurality of 26 tube parameters by the processing device (24) based on the captured image (70), using an image processing technique and determining a plurality of sealing parameters from a database (44) by the processing device (24) based on the determined plurality of tube parameters. Additionally, the method (54) includes controlling the drive unit (22) and a heater (36) by the processing device (24) influenced by the determined plurality of sealing parameters, to respectively compress the tube (36)and perform heat sealing of the tube (38).

A device for sealing sample tubes comprises a tool assembly configured to interface with a rack holding a plurality of sample storage tubes, the tool assembly holding a plurality of punches and a die plate including a plurality of cutting holes, with each of the plurality of cutting holes accepting one of the plurality of punches. The tool assembly receives a foil sheet between the punches and the die plate. The device includes an actuator enabling linear movement of the tool assembly. Linear movement of the tool assembly towards the rack engages the die plate against the rack and punches the punches through the cutting holes of the die plate to punch a plurality of sealing sections from the foil sheet and to press and seal each of the sealing sections against a top end of each of the plurality of sample storage tubes in the rack.

The present invention provides a methacrylic resin composition for non-contact hot plate welding comprising a methacrylic resin comprising 80 to 99.9% by mass of a methacrylic acid ester monomer unit and 0.1 to 20% by mass of a unit of at least one additional vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the methacrylic acid ester monomer, wherein the methacrylic resin composition has a melt flow rate (MFR) of 2.5 g/10 min or lower at 230° C. at a load of 3.8 kg.

A bonded body is formed of a first member and a second member. The first member has a first base portion and a first welded portion which protrudes from the first base portion toward the second member side. The second member has a second base portion and a second welded portion which protrudes from the second base portion toward the first member side. In a first region of the joint portion, a first rib formed so as to project from the first base portion toward the second member side covers the first welded portion and the second welded portion from the side. In a second region different from the first region, a second rib formed so as to project from the second base portion toward the first member side covers the first welded portion and the second welded portion from the side.

A system for coupling pipes includes a first pipe having a tapered, spigot end; a second pipe having a tapered, spigot end; and a coupler having two tapered socket ends adapted to internally receive the respective tapered, spigot ends of the first pipe and the second pipe. the first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR). A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the coupler. A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the second pipe and the interior of the coupler. Upon application of rotational force to the coupler, friction between the first pipe, the second pipe, and the coupler generates heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler. A method for coupling pipes includes disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the coupler; disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of the second and an interior of the coupler; inserting the first pipe and the second pipe into the coupler; and applying a rotational force to the coupler such that friction between the first pipe, the second pipe, and the coupler generates heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler.

A system for coupling pipes includes a first pipe having a tapered, spigot end; a second pipe having a tapered, spigot end; wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR), and a coupler having two tapered socket ends adapted to internally receive the respective tapered, spigot ends of the first pipe and the second pipe, wherein a thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the coupler. A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the second pipe and the interior of the coupler. Upon application of induction heating to the coupler, the heat between the first pipe, the second pipe, and the coupler is sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler. A system for coupling pipes includes a first pipe having a tapered, spigot end; and a second pipe having a tapered, socket end adapted to internally receive the tapered, spigot end of the first pipe. The first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR). A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the second pipe. Upon application of induction heating to the coupler, the heat between the first pipe and the second pipe is sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe to the second pipe. A method includes disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of a first pipe and an interior of a coupler; disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of a second and an interior of the coupler; inserting the first pipe and the second pipe into the coupler; and applying induction heating to the coupler sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler. A method of coupling pipes includes disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of a first pipe and an interior of a second pipe; inserting the first pipe into the second pipe; and applying induction heating to the coupler sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe to the second pipe.

A method for forming a preform charge having a complex geometry includes determining a partitioning axis defining first and second portions the preform charge, each portion having a major segment and a minor segment that are not co-planar with each other, creating a fixture having segregable elements that form cavities for partially consolidating the major segments of the first and second portions, and a cavity for partially consolidating the minor segments, separately partially consolidating the major segments, and, while partially consolidating the major segments to one another, forming the minor segments and partially consolidating them to the major segments. And a fixture capable of carrying out the method.

The cutting of fibrous material which does not melt easily is effected to avoid the unravelling of cut edges, using ultrasonic or laser beam techniques. The method includes (a) applying a thermoplastic powder material to the cutting region, and (b) applying thermal shock to the localised area, sufficient to destroy the fibres of the material, and melt the powder on either side of the cut, and (c) pressing the cut edges while the fused thermoplastic powder is still soft. Woven or non-woven fabrics have tendency to unravel, after cutting, and normally require a sewn hem. The method of the invention disposes of the sewn hem, and provides a thermo-cutting technique applicable to non-fusible or non-thermoplastic fibres.

A honeycomb sandwich sheet or panel, based on thermoplastic polypropylene, includes a structure having two flat outer films, at the top and bottom, welded to at least two inner or central thermoformed blister films, repeated in a regular and continuous pattern, wherein the at least two inner thermoformed films are welded to each other.

A roller electrode assembly (1) for applying a high-frequency alternating electric field to a workpiece (5a, 5b) has a core (2) which is at least partially made of electrically conductive material and surrounded by a tire (3) which can be filled with a protective gas and is made of a dielectric material.