Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermoplastic product that includes packaging therefore. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with packaging of one or more ingredients of a thermoplastic product, wherein the packaging is used to contain the ingredients during storage and/or transportation, and wherein at least a portion of the packaging itself is an ingredient for inclusion into the thermoplastic product. In some implementations, the entire packaging is incorporated into the thermoplastic product for utilization thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermoplastic product that includes packaging therefore. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with packaging of one or more ingredients of a thermoplastic product, wherein the packaging is used to contain the ingredients during storage and/or transportation, and wherein at least a portion of the packaging itself is an ingredient for inclusion into the thermoplastic product. In some implementations, the entire packaging is incorporated into the thermoplastic product for utilization thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermoplastic product that includes packaging therefore. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with packaging of one or more ingredients of a thermoplastic product, wherein the packaging is used to contain the ingredients during storage and/or transportation, and wherein at least a portion of the packaging itself is an ingredient for inclusion into the thermoplastic product. In some implementations, the entire packaging is incorporated into the thermoplastic product for utilization thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermoplastic product that includes packaging therefor. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with packaging of one or more ingredients of a thermoplastic product, wherein the packaging is used to contain the ingredients during storage and/or transportation, and wherein at least a portion of the packaging itself is an ingredient for inclusion into the thermoplastic product. In some implementations, the entire packaging is incorporated into the thermoplastic product for utilization thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable massage bed assembly including a head motor for controllably raising and lowering a head section of a mattress, a foot motor for controllably raising and lowering a foot section of the mattress, and a vibratory motor for imparting a massaging action to the mattress. A handheld control unit has first and second mechanisms for controlling operations of the head and foot motors, and a third mechanism for controlling an operation of the vibratory motor. The third mechanism when actuated also automatically stops any ongoing operation of the head and foot motors as a safety feature.

Abstract: A vibratory, motorized articulated bed including a head motor, a foot motor and a vibratory massage motor, is controlled by a remote control hand-held device. The device has (a) a first user-activated mechanism which controls an operation of at least one of the head and foot motors and (b) a second user-activated mechanism which shifts an on-off cycling rhythm of the massage motor between first and second different rhythms with the massage motor running. According to another aspect of the invention, a control circuit remotely operable by a user of the bed is provided. The control circuit includes (a) a user memory which stores a remotely-communicated user variable to indicate a user-selected preferred position of the bed, (b) a recall control by which the user can remotely command the bed to be returned to the preferred position, and (c) a handler routine which is responsive to the recall control and which returns the bed to the preferred position.

Abstract: An adjustable bed having a bed frame, an assembly supported by the frame and including base and back portions, and a mattress foundation supported on the base and back portions. A motor when operated moves the back portion from a generally flat orientation to a raised orientation generally about a pivot axis and generally radially out from the pivot axis as it is pivoted to the raised orientation. The head end edge of the back portion travels generally in a vertical straight line up.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed manufactured in seven or so components for packing in three or so separate smaller boxes for easy transport. These components can be snap-fit together for easy assembly (and disassembly). The bed includes a bed frame, a power module or carriage and a bedding foundation. The foundation in turn includes a head portion and a body portion both of which are snap-fit securable in position to the power carriage. Pins releasably hold the roller assemblies of the power carriage to side rails of the frame for rolling moving of the carriage on the frame. A motor of the power carriage controllably moves the foundation head portion with respect to the frame and body portion. A drag link pivotally connects the head portion to the head rail of the frame. The drag link can be releasably connected at either end thereof or in the middle, snapping the two parts of the drag link together.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed having a back support section, a head rest section, an angled lifting lever, and a crank assembly operatively connecting the bed motor to the lifting lever. A slidable pin-and-slot arrangement connects the head end of the lever to the head rest section. As the lever is pivoted it first tilts the head rest section up relative to the (horizontal) back support section to a relative tilt position. Continued pivoting of the lever causes it to engage, lift and pivot the back support section up about the lifting-lever pivot axis. The head rest section, while maintaining the relative tilt position, is pivoted up with it. A polyfoam foundation affixed to the tops of both the back support and head rest sections tends to drag or lift the back support section up as the head rest section is pivoted up.

Abstract: In an articulated bed having a motor for raising and lowering the bed, a control circuit operated by the user has first user memory for storing a first user variable indicating a user-selected first preferred bed position and a recall button by which the user can command that a handler routine in the control circuit return the bed to the first preferred bed position indicated by the first user variable. Further, the control circuit can have a tracking memory for frequently storing a tracking variable indicating the current position of the bed and a "store" or "program" button or control by which the user can command that the first user variable be set to equal the current tracking variable. Thus, any time the bed is a position preferred by the user, the user can push the store button to store a user variable indicating the preferred bed position in the controller's memory; then afterwards the user can have the bed return to that preferred position by pressing the recall button.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed manufactured in seven or so components for packing in three or so separate smaller boxes for easy transport. These components can be snap-fit together for easy assembly (and disassembly). The bed includes a bed frame, a power module or carriage and a bedding foundation. The foundation in turn includes a head portion and a body portion both of which are snap-fit securable in position to the power carriage. Pins releasably hold the roller assemblies of the power carriage to side rails of the frame for rolling moving of the carriage on the frame. A motor of the power carriage controllably moves the foundation head portion with respect to the frame and body portion. A drag link pivotally connects the head portion to the head rail of the frame. The drag link can be releasably connected at either end thereof or in the middle, snapping the two parts of the drag link together.

Abstract: In an articulated bed having a motor for raising and lowering the bed, a control circuit operated by the user has first user memory for storing a first user variable indicating a user-selected first preferred bed position and a recall button by which the user can command that a handler routine in the control circuit return the bed to the first preferred bed position indicated by the first user variable. Further, the control circuit can have a tracking memory for frequently storing a tracking variable indicating the current position of the bed and a "store" or "program" button or control by which the user can command that the first user variable be set to equal the current tracking variable. Thus, any time the bed is in a position preferred by the user, the user can push the "store" button to store a user variable indicating the preferred bed position in the controller's memory; then afterwards the user can have the bed return to that preferred position by pressing the "recall" button.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed including a bed foundation having a body member and a generally separate head member, a mattress supported on the foundation, an electrical motor coupled to the head member, and a support frame which supports the mattress, foundation and motor. The motor when operated pivots the head edge of the head member upwardly, moves the head member away from the body member along a roller-glide assembly, and together with the pivoting motion moves the entire foundation towards the head edge of the frame. Thereby, the head portion of the mattress does not slide with respect to the foundation head member and the head edges of the mattress and foundation travel up in a vertically straight line thereby remaining in constant close proximity to the wall at the head edge of the bed. Advantageously, the person lying on the bed experiences a similar movement; that is, his shoulders move in a straight vertical line.

Abstract: A safety device for an adjustable bed having an articulated mattress is shown including a power drive module having adjustable sections that support corresponding sections of the articulated mattress. Multiple winding electrical motors are mounted within the drive module for driving the adjustable sections through linkages. Due to the weight of the articulated mattress and adjustable section, the linkages are always in tension. However, should a foreign object, such as a hand, be placed below the mattress supporting section as it is lowered, the linkage will be exposed to a compression force. A switch is mounted within the linkage to sense the compression force and inhibit the motor winding which lowers the bed. However, the winding which raises the adjustable bed continues to be enabled to permit the bed to be raised and the foreign object removed.

Abstract: An adjustable bed is shown having an adjustable frame which supports an articulated mattress. The frame mounts a single motor which lifts a first adjustable section thereof through a threaded drive shaft. A push linkage connects from the first adjustable section of the frame back to the frame itself where a conversion plate connects the push linkage to a pull linkage. The pull linkage connects to a second adjustable section of the frame. The single motor thus raises the first adjustable section and, through the linkage, the second adjustable section.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed which may be disassembled for easy shipping in a small container and which is constructed from a minimum number of components is shown. The bed includes a frame, power drive module which nests within the frame and an articulated mattress. In one embodiment, the power drive module includes all necessary moving parts to form the articulated bed so that any frame may be used. In another embodiment, the power module includes all moving parts but for a pivotal linkage which mounts between the lower leg section of the articulated mattress and the frame. In either embodiment, the power module includes a pair of central support members which are separated by a lateral support. The lateral support is provided with a square cross section that aligns the central support members and drive motors mounted thereon. The pivot points are arranged in the two planes formed by the central support members for increased strength.