Abstract: Thermoplastic starch-based materials formed as a reactive extrusion product from one or more starches, one or more plasticizers, and micro or nano particles or fibers, with such particles or fibers being added before gelatinization of the starch. A diacid or acid anhydride may also be included. Such components are added and then gelatinized together, before blending of a resulting starch-based polymeric material with any other polymer (e.g., polyester biopolymers, polyolefins, or the like). Addition of such nano or micro particles during synthesis of the thermoplastic starch advantageously results in a far more homogenous distribution of such particles or fibers throughout the starch-based material matrix than occurs where addition of similar particles or fibers is attempted after formation of the thermoplastic starch, e.g., when mixing with a partner resin material. Addition of a diacid during synthesis can reduce molecular weight and viscosity, further aiding in achieving substantially uniform distribution.

Abstract: Thermoplastic starch-based materials formed as a reactive extrusion product from one or more starches, plasticizers, with the addition of a diacid, diglycidyl ether, silicone and/or a glyceride additive added during gelatinization of the starch and plasticizer, before blending of such starch-based polymeric material with any other polymer (e.g., polyester biopolymers, polyolefins, polyamides, etc.). Silicones, where added, may alternatively be added after formation of the thermoplastic starch, e.g., as part of a masterbatch, when blending with another polymer. Addition of silicone reduces glycerin migration and smoke generation, particularly when processing such compositions to form nonwovens. Addition of glycerides (e.g., triglycerides) can increase hydrophobicity of the resulting starch-based polymeric material.

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: A wearable sound therapy device includes a housing, and a loop cord coupled to the housing for supporting the sound therapy device pendant from the neck of a user upon a torso of the user. Audio electronics are resident in the housing and include a bone-conduction transducer, an audio file storage medium storing an audio file, a power supply, and a transducer control unit structured to energize the bone-conduction transducer based on the stored audio file to bone-conduct sounds to the body of the user. The stored audio file can include a compressed audio file such as an MP3 or MP4 file of pure tone sounds.

Abstract: Adjustable mattress assemblies and processes including an adjustable mattress foundation dimensioned to support a mattress configured to accommodate two supine users during use thereof includes a foundation frame including a first sub-foundation configured with at least one motorized actuator to effect inclination or declination of the mattress support surface and an abutting second sub-foundation free of a motorized actuator. The second foundation is mechanically coupled to the first foundation such that articulation of the first sub-foundation results in a similar articulation in the second foundation. The first and second foundations have similar length, height and width dimensions, which collectively approximates the size of the oversized mattress configured to accommodate two supine users, e.g., king size, queen size, California king size, or the like.

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Mattress assemblies including static and adjustable mattress foundations generally include a foundation frame including side frame members and transverse frame members attached at respective ends by a corner bracket at each of the respective ends to define a generally rectangular shape. An adjustable support leg coupled to each one of the corner brackets for automatically elevating the foundation frame relative to ground. The adjustable support leg can include an outer tubular member fastened to an interior facing portion of the corner bracket including an end cap, wherein the end cap includes an aperture. A motorized linear actuator can be coupled to the outer tubular member, which can include a motor and an extendible portion coupled to the motor. The extendible portion is configured to selectively retract from and extend through the end cap to change the elevation of the foundation frame relative to ground.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies including static and adjustable mattress foundations generally include a foundation frame including side frame members and transverse frame members attached at respective ends by a corner bracket at each of the respective ends to define a generally rectangular shape. An adjustable support leg coupled to each one of the corner brackets for automatically elevating the foundation frame relative to ground. The adjustable support leg can include an outer tubular member fastened to an interior facing portion of the corner bracket including an end cap, wherein the end cap includes an aperture. A motorized linear actuator can be coupled to the outer tubular member, which can include a motor and an extendible portion coupled to the motor. The extendible portion is configured to selectively retract from and extend through the end cap to change the elevation of the foundation frame relative to ground.

Abstract: A coil spring mattress and adjustable foundation assembly includes a coil spring mattress; and an adjustable foundation including a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first portion and a second portion. The intermediate or seat section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate or seat section is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation and process includes a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section. The intermediate or seat section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head and back section 18 and/or the leg and foot section 22 from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate or seat section 20 is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head and back section 18 and/or the leg and foot section 22 from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Abstract: Adjustable mattress assemblies and processes including an adjustable mattress foundation dimensioned to support a mattress configured to accommodate two supine users during use thereof includes a foundation frame including a first sub-foundation configured with at least one motorized actuator to effect inclination or declination of the mattress support surface and an abutting second sub-foundation free of a motorized actuator. The second foundation is mechanically coupled to the first foundation such that articulation of the first sub-foundation results in a similar articulation in the second foundation. The first and second foundations have similar length, height and width dimensions, which collectively approximates the size of the oversized mattress configured to accommodate two supine users, e.g., king size, queen size, California king size, or the like.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation and process includes a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section. The intermediate or seat section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head and back section 18 and/or the leg and foot section 22 from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate or seat section 20 is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head and back section 18 and/or the leg and foot section 22 from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation and process includes a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section. The intermediate or seat section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate or seat section is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Abstract: Adjustable mattress assemblies and processes including an adjustable mattress foundation dimensioned to support a mattress configured to accommodate two supine users during use thereof includes a foundation frame including a first sub-foundation configured with at least one motorized actuator to effect inclination or declination of the mattress support surface and an abutting second sub-foundation free of a motorized actuator. The second foundation is mechanically coupled to the first foundation such that articulation of the first sub-foundation results in a similar articulation in the second foundation. The first and second foundations have similar length, height and width dimensions, which collectively approximates the size of the oversized mattress configured to accommodate two supine users, e.g., king size, queen size, California king size, or the like.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation and process includes a mattress support surface including a head/back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg/foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first second portions, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head/back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg/foot section. The intermediate section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head/back section and/or the leg/foot section from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate section is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head/back section and/or the leg/ foot section from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Abstract: Adjustable mattress foundations generally include a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate seat section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section at another end. The intermediate seat section includes spaced apart upper and lower panels, wherein the lower panel is hingedly connected to the head and back section and slideably engaged with side frame members of the foundation, and wherein the upper panel is stationary and hingedly connected to the leg and foot section. A linear actuator is operatively coupled to a linkage assembly to independently effect inclination or declination of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section and is further operative to effect an increase or decrease in a length of the intermediate seat section by movement of the lower panel relative to the upper panel.