In an example embodiment, a doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive plant material, a bracket assembly connected to the hopper assembly, and a roller in a hopper opening defined by the hopper assembly extending through the hopper assembly. An interior surface of the hopper assembly may define the hopper opening. The bracket assembly may include a shaft extending across a portion of the hopper opening. The roller may be in the portion of the hopper opening of the hopper assembly and may extend between a first part and a second part of the interior surface of the hopper assembly. The roller may be connected to the shaft and may be configured to rotate with rotation of the shaft.

An ultrasonic systems and methods for sealing complex interfaces or for metal forming. Complex interfaces, such as a Gable top, have multiple and a variety of layers across the interface, or an oval or round spout having a complex geometry. An example system includes two ultrasonic horns arranged opposite a gap between which the interface is provided. The frequency and phase of the ultrasonic energy are synchronized as the energy is applied simultaneously while the interface is pressed between a jaw and the energy is applied to both sides of the interface. Another example system includes two ultrasonic transducers synchronized in frequency and phase and used to vibrate a horn mechanically to facilitate a sealing or welding interface or to assist in a metal-forming process.

An ultrasonic welding system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly having a horn and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged to impart ultrasonic energy into the horn. The horn has a first part-interfacing surface and a second part-interfacing surface opposite the first part-interfacing surface. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and configured to cause rotation of the horn. A controller is configured to: cause the actuator assembly to rotate the horn so that the first part-interfacing surface applies the ultrasonic energy to a first part along an entire length of the first part-interface surface while a first ultrasonic energy is applied through the horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate back and forth along its entire length as the first ultrasonic energy is applied by the first transducer to the horn.

A method for manufacturing a fuel cell assembly includes: arranging an end face of a gas diffusion layer on a placement jig in a state abutting an end face of a resin frame; melting a part of the frame member and causing to penetrate into the gas diffusion layer by pressurizing the projecting part by way of a heat-transfer member, and heating the projecting part via the heat-transfer member by abutting a heating member against of the heat-transfer member; and solidifying the part of the resin frame having penetrated into the gas diffusion layer, in which an abutting position of the heating member relative to the heat transfer member is set in the melting step so that a central axis of the heating member is positioned more to a side of the gas diffusion layer than the central axis of the projecting part.

In the present invention, a through-hole (2) and a compression periphery part (3a) at which the core of the resin foam (1c) is compressed are provided in a fastening part of a resin-foam core composite plate (1). A cylindrical part (11a) of a metallic fastening member (11) is inserted into the through-hole (2) from the proximal end side of a wall part (4). The fastening member (11) is crimped to the distal end of the wall part (4) via an eyelet member (12) placed on the outside of the wall part (4) so as to forcibly spread the cylindrical part (11a). The fastening member (11) and a counterpart member (A) are fastened together by tightening a nut (14) onto a bolt (13) inserted into the cylindrical part (11a).

The invention relates to a method for producing tubular bags made from plastic film or from composite film having a plastic layer on the bag content side, having a self-cutting plastic closure attached to the tubular bag, consisting of a spout part having a fastening flange, a cutting body, which is movably guided in the spout part, and a screw cover having means for activating the cutting body. The film material (5) is supplied from a supply roll to a bag manufacturing machine and the plastic closure is sealed onto the film material in a spout region of a tubular bag. According to the invention, the film material (5) is thinned on the inside of the bag in a ring-shaped region, which is intended for cutting by the cutting body, by means of a thermal embossing process. The plastic closure is then positioned and sealed onto the film material such that the cutting organ embedded in the spout part can become effective in the thinned, ring-shaped region upon use thereof.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a heat sealed packaging wherein the heat seal is along a curved surface. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a device for heat sealing a package on a surface that is curved along the direction of force.

A method of manufacturing a de-icer assembly includes disposing a first welded-material layer and a second welded-material layer beneath a horn of a horn-based welding system, controlling the horn to move along a welded-portion pattern configured to weld the first welded-material layer to the second welded-material layer in the pattern of the welded-portion pattern such that inflatable portions are formed within the welded-portion pattern formed in the de-icer assembly between non-welded sections of the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer, and applying high-frequency energy to the first welded-material layer and a second welded-material layer using the horn such that the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer are welded together at areas in the shape of the welded-portion pattern to form a welded de-icer assembly.

A die-welding system for a de-icer assembly includes a die, a die base, a high energy source, and a de-icer assembly. The de-icer assembly includes a first welded-material layer and a second welded-material layer. At least one of the die and the die base includes a welded-portion pattern thereon configured to weld the first welded-material layer to the second welded-material layer in the pattern of the welded-portion pattern such that inflatable portions are formed within the welded-portion pattern formed in the de-icer assembly between non-welded sections of the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer.

A method of manufacturing a de-icer assembly includes positioning a first welded-material layer and a second welded-material layer between a die and a die base of a die-based welding system, wherein at least one of the die and the die base includes a welded-portion pattern configured to weld the first welded-material layer to the second welded-material layer in the pattern such that inflatable portions are formed within the welded-portion pattern formed in the de-icer assembly between non-welded sections of the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer, pressing the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer together between the die and die base, and applying high energy to the die-based welding system using a high energy source such that the first welded-material layer and the second welded-material layer are welded together at the areas in the shape of the welded-portion pattern to form a welded de-icer assembly.