Abstract: A mandrel for use in welding an air mattress having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the mandrel includes a central mounting block; a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block; a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block; a stop block positioned on the top surface of the central mounting block adjacent the sealing surface; and a bumper mounted to the central mounting block.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in welding an air mattress having a top layer, bottom layer and at least one baffle joining the top layer and bottom layer, the mandrel includes a central mounting block; a baffle locating pin on a top surface of the central mounting block for securing the baffle to the central mounting block; a conductive sealing surface positioned along an edge of the central mounting block; a stop block positioned on the top surface of the central mounting block adjacent the sealing surface; and a bumper mounted to the central mounting block.

Abstract: A method for welding material including: applying a release material to a first film, the release material applied to locations where a weld is not desired; positioning a second film opposite the first film, the release material being positioned between the first film and the second film; placing the first film and the second film between planar press plates having planar surfaces and closing the press plates on the first film and the second film; applying energy to at least one of the press plates to weld the first film to the second film where the release material is absent.

Abstract: A technique for the design of 3-D RF welding electrodes by first modeling the surface of the welded part perimeter as a spline in a 3-D CAD program, and then dividing the spline up into multiple, small straight segments. The straight segments are offset simultaneously in opposite directions from the spline, to form two sets of straight segments, each set being equidistant from the spline, with the gap between the two sets equal to the target thickness of the welded package. New die faces are constructed from each of the sets using smoothing techniques, and 3-D models of the die faces are manufactured to check accuracy of the design, making sure that all the corresponding points of the pair of electrodes are equidistant, thereby creating a strong weld with good cosmetic results all along the parts being joined.

Abstract: An inflatable air cell pressure transducer. The air cell has a concavity formed therein. The concavity has two edges, wherein increased pressure within the air cell causes contraction of the concavity moving the two edges closer.

Abstract: A manually operated pump having a pump assembly and a check valve. The pump assembly includes a dome with a fluid inlet. A support plate is sealed to the dome to define a fluid chamber. The support plate includes a fluid outlet. A foam material is positioned in the fluid chamber, the foam material expanding the dome to a rest state upon release of external pressure on the dome. The check valve has a valve inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the support plate. The check valve is positioned outside of the fluid chamber. The check valve has at least one exhaust channel to provide one way fluid flow from the fluid chamber through the exhaust channel.

Abstract: An inflatable air cell pressure transducer. The air cell has a concavity formed therein. The concavity has two edges, wherein increased pressure within the air cell causes contraction of the concavity moving the two edges closer.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion is disclosed, having features that allow deflation of the cushion to be controlled. The cushion includes an inflatable bladder having a support therein and a valved exhaust tube in fluid communication therewith. An indicator coupled to the exhaust tube indicates when fluid is exiting the exhaust tube. When sat upon, the cushion deflates only by a preselected amount. This allows the cushion to be consistently and easily deflated to a predetermined inflation height.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a dual speed air control valve including a first sheet having an aperture therein and a second sheet continuously secured to the first sheet along a periphery of the first and second sheets. Further, a third sheet in continuously secured to the second sheet along a periphery of the third and second sheets. The first sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the third sheet. The third sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first sheet.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a flow control valve including a first sheet having a hole therein and a second sheet secured to said first sheet at a plurality of separate seal locations along a periphery of the first and second sheets. The seal locations define at least one channel between the seal locations. The second sheet has an aperture therein in fluid communication with the hole and selectively in fluid communication with the channel.