A protective guard for a hand, finger or thumb includes a first thermoplastic layer heat welded to second thermoplastic layer. The second thermoplastic layer has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the first thermoplastic layer.

A protective guard for a hand, finger or thumb includes a first thermoplastic layer heat welded to second thermoplastic layer. The second thermoplastic layer has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the first thermoplastic layer.

A tool is provided for machining an interface between coplanar first and second layers of a workpiece that defines an orifice extending at least partially through the first and second layers and intersecting the interface. A housing portion includes a first end, a longitudinally-opposed second end, and a peripheral surface extending therebetween. The housing portion is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis and extend at least partially through the orifice. A contacting element operably engaged with the housing portion between the first and second ends and proximate the peripheral surface is movable between stored and operating positions. The contacting element is configured to extend outwardly from the peripheral surface of the housing portion to operably engage the interface within the orifice when the contacting element is in the operating position. An associated method is also provided.

A method of manufacturing a dental prophy angle with a wiper assembly is described. The prophy angle comprises a neck section and the neck section has an outer surface. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a dental prophy angle, manufacturing a wiper assembly by molding a base, the base having an undersurface, the undersurface configured to match the outer surface of the neck section, molding a shield, the shield assembly comprising a carriage and a wiper, attaching the base to the shield assembly, and attaching the undersurface to the outer surface.

An external thermal heat-stake arrangement includes a polymeric base member having a collared heat-stake having an inner diameter and a second member disposed within the inner diameter of the collared heat-stake. The collared heat-stake is operatively configured to be deformed by a heated element to retain at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the second member to the polymeric base member.

A method of manufacturing a dental prophy angle with a wiper assembly is described. The prophy angle comprises a neck section and the neck section has an outer surface. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a dental prophy angle, manufacturing a wiper assembly by molding a base, the base having an undersurface, the undersurface configured to match the outer surface of the neck section, molding a shield, the shield assembly comprising a carriage and a wiper, attaching the base to the shield assembly, and attaching the undersurface to the outer surface.

A syringe includes a syringe body, a syringe cone having a distal opening, and a connection arranged in the region of the syringe cone, wherein the syringe body includes a first material and the connection includes a second material, and wherein the first material is different from the second material and the second material is a softer material than the first material.

An external thermal heat-stake arrangement includes a polymeric base member having a collared heat-stake having an inner diameter and a second member disposed within the inner diameter of the collared heat-stake. The collared heat-stake is operatively configured to be deformed by a heated element to retain at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the second member to the polymeric base member.

A clamping ring that presses an end of a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage. The clamping ring comprises a body comprising a plastic material having memory properties. The body has a first end to be positioned at a distance from the end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe. The body of the clamping ring has a first position at the first end or at the distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness. The body of the clamping ring has at least one second position between the first position and the second end such that the body of the clamping ring has a second radial wall thickness at the second position. The second radial wall thickness is smaller than the first radial wall thickness.

Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs.