Abstract:
An ambulatory therapy device for the training or retraining of persons in developing walking skills and/or balance skills after suffering a serious illness, injury, or other infirmity, which limits their walking skills. The present invention is particularly useful for children suffering from infantile hypotonia, also known as floppy infant syndrome. The device is comprised of four telescoping vertical support columns mounted and located at the corners of a stable walking platform. Two flexible cables are attached to the upper ends of the support columns and extend longitudinally along both edges of the walking platform. The two cables are adjustable in tension such that a higher tension provides more support and wherein the tension can be progressively lessened as the user develops walking and balance skills. A pipe can encompass a majority of the length of each cable for easier use.
Abstract:
Articles produced according to the present disclosure include a first film having a structured surface and a second film having a structured surface. The structured surface of the first film is releaseably mated with the structured surface of the second film. In some exemplary embodiments, such articles may be optical bodies including first and second optical films having structured surfaces. Methods of making such articles, which may be optical bodies, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
In a directly-illuminated liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management layers lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. The light management layers, including, for example, a diffuser, a reflective polarizer and a brightness enhancing layer, are contained in a light management unit that is formed from two subassemblies. The two subassemblies each contain a substrate and are attached together so as to leave a gap between the two subassemblies. The diffuser is located in one of the subassemblies, and the other light management layers may be in either of the subassemblies, or may be disposed in the gap between the subassemblies.
Abstract:
An integrated noise suppression acoustic panel includes a back plate, a face plate, and a bulk foam absorber disposed between the back plate and the face plate. The bulk foam absorber is formed of a thermoset material, such as bismaleimide or phenolic, and is manufactured using a low pressure process. In particular, a foamable material is melted, and a blowing agent is mixed with the foamable material to obtain a mixture. The foam is formed and the mixture is cured by heating it to a temperature, and maintaining the mixture at the temperature for a time sufficient to cure the mixture.
Abstract:
Injection molding systems and methods useful for making microcellular foamed materials are provided as well as microcellular articles. Pressure drop rate and shear rate are important features in some embodiments, and the invention provides systems for controlling these parameters in an injection molding system. Another aspect involves an injection molding system including a nucleator that is upstream of a pressurized mold. Another aspect involves an extrusion system with the reciprocating screw for forming a single phase solution of non-nucleated blowing agent and polymeric material. Another aspect involves very thin walled microcellular material and very thin walled polymeric material. Another aspect provides a method for producing high weight reductions in very thin-walled parts with surfaces that have no noticeable differences from non-foamed parts.
Abstract:
A process for adjusting the level of water or water soluble additives in aqueous-based powder injection molding compounds for the purpose of recycling scrap material, controlling shrinkage or rehydrating dry feedstock. Depending on the objective, the process may require material granulation equipment, equipment for the addition or removal of water and mixing equipment. The molding compounds may be comprised of either recycled scrap material before being heat-treated or dry, virgin feedstock material.
Abstract:
Injection molding systems and methods useful for making microcellular foamed materials are provided as well as microcellular articles. Pressure drop rate and shear rate are important features in some embodiments, and the invention provides systems for controlling these parameters in an injection molding system. Another aspect involves an injection molding system including a nucleator that is upstream of a pressurized mold. Another aspect involves an extrusion system with the reciprocating screw for forming a single phase solution of non-nucleated blowing agent and polymeric material. Another aspect involves very thin walled microcellular material and very thin walled polymeric material. Another aspect provides a method for producing high weight reductions in very thin-walled parts with surfaces that have no noticeable differences from non-foamed parts.
Abstract:
A systems-assisted method for defining and managing a public value network according to one or more desired outcomes of the public value network, which includes creating a public value network representation by defining participants in the network, relationships between the participants, and a desired outcome the network, assigning a maturity level value to each relationship; establishing a network governance framework; specifying the capabilities of said public value network; calculating a capabilities maturity index according to the defined relationships, relationship maturity levels, and capabilities; and creating visualizations displayed to a user representing the network, the relationships, and the maturity levels.