Tool (1) for applying a film onto a target object under the action of heat and/or pressure, comprising a support (11) of a first material and a bar (21) of a second, elastic material, wherein the bar is arranged on the support, and wherein the bar has at least one area (W) that is curved outwards.

An extensible bearing element of a tool for sealing a bottom or a lid of a cardboard package on a body of said package has a generally polygonal shape and a cross-sectional profile. The bearing element is formed by two parallel extension sections extending along an extension direction, each connected, at one of their ends, to a bearing section. The extension sections and the bearing section define an inflation cavity. The extension sections are configured to extend along the extension direction when the bearing element is inflated. The bearing section comprises a substantially flat, free bearing surface that contacts the package body. The bearing surface extends along a plane substantially normal to the extension direction. The bearing section further comprises, at the junctions with the extension sections, beveled release portions. An inflation device comprising such an extensible bearing element is also described.

Channel joints (1) can permit bonding a tube or tubular member (30) to an end fitting (20) in double shear. The channel joint may include a receiving channel (25) in the end fitting (20) that is complementary in shape to the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member (30) that is to be fitted and bonded with the end fitting. The use of a channel joint allows for simplified assembly because the receiving channel acts as a reservoir for the bonding agent or adhesive (50). Upon insertion of the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member into the adhesive-loaded receiving channel, the adhesive will backflow to fill the voids in the joint and expel the excess adhesive.

A joint structure comprises a light-absorbable member having at least one opening portion and a light-permeable member superposed on the light-absorbable member so as to cover the opening portion, wherein an annular weld part is formed so as to enclose the opening portion and join the light-absorbable member and the light-permeable member, and the light-permeable member is formed into a thin sheet adhering to the light-absorbable member by deforming at a depressurized state of an interior of the opening portion before the formation of the annular weld part.

The invention relates to an extensible bearing element (28) intended to be arranged in a tool for sealing a bottom or a lid of a cardboard package on a body of said package, with a generally polygonal shape.

The extensible bearing element (28) has a cross-sectional profile comprising two parallel extension sections (36) extending along an extension direction (E), each connected, at one of their ends (36E), to a bearing section (38), such that the extension sections (36) and the bearing section (38) define an inflation cavity (30).

The extension sections (36) are configured so as to extend along the extension direction (E) during the inflation.

The bearing section (38) comprises a substantially flat free bearing surface (40), configured to come into contact with the package body, the bearing surface (40) extending along a plane substantially normal to the extension direction (E).

The bearing section (38) further comprises, at the junctions with the extension sections (36), beveled release portions (42).

The invention also relates to an inflation device (6) comprising such an extensible bearing element (28).

A joint structure comprises a light-absorbable member having at least one opening portion and a light-permeable member superposed on the light-absorbable member so as to cover the opening portion, wherein an annular weld part is formed so as to enclose the opening portion and join the light-absorbable member and the light-permeable member, and the light-permeable member is formed into a thin sheet adhering to the light-absorbable member by deforming at a depressurized state of an interior of the opening portion before the formation of the annular weld part.

Described are channel joints (1) for bonding a tube or tubular member (30) to an end fitting (20) in double shear. The channel joint may include a receiving channel (25) in the end fitting (20) that is complementary in shape to the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member (30) that is to be fitted and bonded with the end fitting. The use of a channel joint allows for simplified assembly because the receiving channel acts as a reservoir for the bonding agent or adhesive (50). Upon insertion of the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member into the adhesive-loaded receiving channel, the adhesive will backflow to fill the voids in the joint and expel the excess adhesive. The resulting joint is less likely to have voids, has additional bonding area compared to lap joints, and prevents the adhesive or bonding agent from experiencing tensile loads.