An exemplary air cushion inflation machine includes: a first terminal connected to a direct current input; a second terminal; a reference resistor powered by the direct current input; an op-amp; and a transistor. The first terminal of the op-amp is connected to a variable voltage source and the second terminal of the op-amp is connected to the reference resistor. The transistor has a base connected to an output of the op-amp, an emitter connected to the reference resistor, and a collector connected to a first terminal of a sealing band apparatus having first and second terminals. A meltable material placed between the first and second terminals is melted by resistance of current flowing between the first and second terminals. The variable voltage source changes voltage based on a voltage drop measured across the first and second terminals by a voltage measurement device and the constant current.

A process for welding profiles (1) of a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer to a top layer (3) of a belt (2), such as a conveyor belt, also being made of a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer. The process uses thermal impulse welding and applies the welding heat onto the surface (21) of the belt (2) which is opposite to the top layer (3). The process is in particular suited for welding TPO profiles to TPO top layers.

Apparatus and methods are described including adhering a first lens to a second lens such as to form a combined lens having a given optical design, by placing the first lens and the second lens in respective first and second pressure chambers with an adhesive layer disposed between the first lens and the second lens, bringing a convex surface of the first lens into contact with the adhesive layer, and bringing a concave surface of the second lens into contact with the adhesive layer. Other applications are also described.

The present disclosure provides a sheet storage apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus capable of effectively reducing tension applied to the entrance portion of a storage bag that stores sheets at the time of sealing the storage bag. The sheet storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a sealing unit that seals a predetermined portion of the storage bag storing sheets and a tension reducing unit that reduces the tension applied to the predetermined portion.

Disclosed embodiments provide automated fiber placement techniques for fabrication of parts made from composite materials. A peening system with multiple pins provides compaction over irregular surfaces, providing superior performance as compared with traditional compaction rollers. The apparatus that carries out the techniques include a tape dispensing system, a heating system, a peening system, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory contains instructions that when executed by the processor perform the steps of: dispensing a first ply of thermoplastic composite tape over a mandrel; dispensing a second ply of thermoplastic composite tape on the first ply; and peening the second ply onto the first ply, such that the second ply is bonded to the first ply.

The invention relates to a method for the ultrasonic welding of two plastic components using a sonotrode, wherein the energy for the welding is introduced into the plastic components via at least one or more pins of the sonotrode, wherein the two plastic components are welded to one another step by step, wherein the respectively subsequent step of the welding is carried out in a region which has already been loaded and relieved of tension as a result of the preceding step of the welding.

Apparatus and methods are described including an additional lens (24) made from an amorphous viscoelastic material and having an optical design. A curvature of the additional lens (24) is changed such as to conform with a curvature of abase eyeglasses lens (22), without causing a loss of the optical design of the additional lens (24), by heating the additional lens (24) to a temperature at which a Tan Delta of the amorphous viscoelastic material is between 0.2 and 0.8, and shaping the additional lens (24). Subsequently, the additional lens (24) is adhered to the base eyeglasses lens (22). The optical design of the additional lens (24) is such that, upon being adhered to the base eyeglasses lens (22), the adhered base eyeglasses lens (22) and the additional lens (24) provide a combined lens (20) having a desired optical prescription. Other applications are also described.

A machine converts a web of preformed pouches, which are defined by transverse seals extending from a remote edge, into inflated dunnage units. A sealing arrangement is positioned to provide a longitudinal seal intersecting the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form a dunnage unit. The sealing arrangement has at least two sealing belts. Each belt is positioned so that respective first sides engage a surface of the web and pull the web through sealing elements positioned on either side of the web. A heating element is on a second side of the first belt not engaging the web. A compliant material is on a second side of the second belt not engaging the web. As the web passes between the heating element and compliant material, imperfections in the web are smoothed by the compliant material and the layers of the web are sealed by the heating element.

The invention relates to a device for welding a connection region of a film to a connection part having an axial direction. In the case of conventional devices, there is the risk of steep workpiece edges causing uncontrolled weak spots in the film and in the weld seam. According to the invention, the film is extended in a controlled manner such that the film has a length reserve. The film is extended in such a way that the film has a deformation cross-section that runs out such that the deformation is not visible on the final product. In this connection, the invention further relates to a use of a film, to a method for welding, to a method for producing bags, to a system for producing bags, and to a bag.

In an embodiment, a process for producing a functional-substance thin film material for which a required heating temperature for finishing is 100-130° C. is characterized in that a PP film 2 is releasably laminated to a surface of a PET film 1 with a non-silicone adhesive layer 3 so that the strength of adhesion of the PP film 2 by the non-silicone adhesive layer 3 is regulated so as to prevent the PP film 2 from suffering thermal deformation when a functional substance superposed in a thin film form on the other surface of the PP film 2 is heated to 100-130° C. in order to finally convert the functional substance into a functional-substance thin film material 4.