Abstract: A method of making a needle guard includes providing a mold having a portion defining a volume, the volume being a hollow cylinder with non-uniform walls with a pair of slots therein, the slots being open at one end and closed at the other end, the pair of slots having a major portion of constant width. The walls are thicker at the other end than at the one end. The method includes filling the volume with polymer and releasing a molded part from said mold and cooling a molded part resulting from the filling and releasing such that temperature that the widths of the pair of slots is non-uniform after cooling. The needle guard has upper and lower jaws defining a channel and coming together at a hinge. A winged needle can be inserted between the jaws, with the wings of the winged needle passing through slots between the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of shipping containers, computer server farm containers, and other forms of physical storage containers from a carbon nanotube-based fiber material with the potential application of other, non-carbon, nano-based materials containing various structures. Current materials used for shipping containers, computer server farm containers, and other forms of physical storage containers are heavier than the present invention and lack the ability to withstand high-intensity shock vibrations and other disturbances and are vulnerable to radiofrequency (“RF”) radiation. Instead of using metal, which is the currently preferred material used in the development of shipping containers, computer server farm containers, and other forms of physical storage containers, the present invention provides the use of a carbon nanotube-based material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a decorative element comprising a substrate and a top layer wherein the substrate is made of an engineered stone and wherein the top layer comprises a decorative pattern, comprising the steps of: providing a mixture comprising at least an inorganic filler and a binder; compacting the mixture; and curing the binder to obtain the substrate; wherein the method comprises the step of inkjet printing a first decorative pattern on at least a top surface of the substrate; wherein the method comprises the step of providing a protective coating above the printed pattern, wherein said protective coating comprises a curable substance, wherein the method comprises the step of fully curing said protective coating and wherein the method comprises the step of polishing said protective coating.

Abstract: A process embeds functional fibers in a workpiece during selective laser sintering. In a process variant, parts of a powder layer are sintered before the insertion process, for example using a laser beam. A heating device then subsequently re-melts the already melted workpiece parts. Through a channel in the heating device, the functional fiber is fed to the melt or melt-like mass by means of a feed device and inserted into the melt or melt-like mass at the insertion point. Due to the movement of the heating device, the completely or partially melted area moves away from the heating element and is heated less, causing it to cool and solidify comprising the already inserted functional fiber. This variant can also be used for inserting fibers into objects created, for example, by injection molding or extruder-based 3D printing or other additive manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for casting solid propellants include a mandrel for forming geometric features in a perforation of a propellant grain. In various embodiments, the mandrel includes a frangible portion that is removed from the propellant grain after the propellant grain has cured around the mandrel. A second portion of the mandrel may be left behind in the propellant grain. The mandrel may include a support structured disposed in the through hole of the mandrel. The support structure may include a plurality of longitudinal channels for directed exhaust gasses through the mandrel upon ignition of the propellant grain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include a substantially uniform thickness, a cooling device that is disposed in-line with the forming system and configured to continuously receive the gum from the forming system at an entry point of the cooling device, and a multi-pass conveying system configured to continuously transport the gum from the entry point to an exit point of the cooling device, the forming system and the cooling device being configured to form and cool the gum to be in a condition for stacking or collecting upon exiting the exit point of the cooling device.

Abstract: An illumination layer is coupled with a glass substrate. A refractive layer is overmolded over the illumination layer. The refractive layer may encapsulate light sources and electrical traces of the illumination layer. A lens curvature is formed in the refractive layer.

Abstract: A control device of an injection molding machine, the control device including an output part configured to output, to a display device, waveform information indicating, by a waveform, a change of each item indicating an actual value detected in a process by the injection molding machine; and a receiving part configured to receive an operation to specify a range of the waveform information, wherein the output part further outputs, to one or both of the display device and a storage device, information indicating a characteristic of each of the items included in the specified range.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade comprising an aerodynamic shell forming an outer surface of the blade and at least one main laminate, the method comprising; providing a mould 13, forming a main laminate 18 in the mould by providing a fibre lay-up comprising a plurality of fibre plies placed on top of each other in the mould 13, dividing the fibre lay-up into at least two segments as seen in the longitudinal direction of the mould by at least one transverse flow barrier 54,55 in the lay-up preventing longitudinal resin flow through the fibre lay-up past the flow barrier 54,55.

Abstract: A cover for a cushion includes a first panel, a second panel, and a primary receptacle defined between the first panel and the second panel. The primary receptacle may receive a primary cushioning element, such as a pillow, a pillow insert, or a fill material. At least one of the first panel and the second panel includes a secondary cushioning element. The secondary cushioning element may be defined from a compressible, resilient elastomeric material that defines a plurality of thin interconnected walls that in turn define an array of open cells or columns. Each cell or column may have a hexagonal shape, imparting the array of open cells or columns with a honeycomb appearance. Methods for assembling a primary cushioning element with such a cover are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.

Abstract: A molding device for producing a molded module. The molding device has one tool part and one further tool part, which together enclose a cavity. At least one of the tool parts has at least one dividing web arranged and configured to subdivide the cavity into at least a low-pressure sub-cavity and a high-pressure sub-cavity. The tool part has at least two feed channels, of which a low-pressure feed channel opens into the low-pressure sub-cavity and has a smaller cross-section at least over a longitudinal portion than a high-pressure feed channel opening into the high-pressure sub-cavity. The low-pressure feed channel is configured to become pressure-resistantly blocked through hardening of the molding compound once a predetermined time interval has elapsed or during the interval. The high-pressure feed channel is configured to conduct a molding pressure into the cavity for a longer time interval than the low-pressure feed channel.

Abstract: A reconditioning device includes: a first shearing plate; a second shearing plate; and a housing. The housing includes: a first member configured to hold the first shearing plate and comprising an input for receiving a material; a second member connected to the first member to form an inner cavity, a portion of the inner cavity is located in a gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate; and an output member connected to a pipeline of a production applicator and configured to output the material subsequent to shearing. The shaft extends through the second member, is connected to the second shearing plate, and is configured to be rotated to shear the material disposed in the gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for 3D printing a 3D item, the method comprising providing 3D printable material (201) and printing during a printing stage said 3D printable material (201), wherein the 3D printable material (201) comprises a thermoplastic material, to provide said 3D item, wherein the 3D item comprises an item surface, wherein the method further comprises providing a powder coating with a powder coating device (595) on at least part of said item surface during a coating stage. The invention also relates to the item manufactured by such method and to the manufacturing apparatus (500) used.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a decorative element comprising a substrate and a top layer wherein the substrate is made of an engineered stone and wherein the top layer comprises a decorative pattern, comprising the steps of: providing a mixture comprising at least an inorganic filler and a binder; compacting the mixture; and curing the binder to obtain the substrate; wherein the method comprises the step of inkjet printing a first decorative pattern on at least a top surface of the substrate, and wherein the method comprises the step of providing a protective coating above the printed pattern, wherein the protective coating comprises a base coat that is applied immediately on top of the printed pattern and a top-coat that is provided above the base coat, between the application of the base-coat and the application of the top coat the method comprises the step of sanding the base coat.

Abstract: A method for joining an optical crystal to a substrate includes radiating a pulsed laser beam through the optical crystal or through the substrate onto a surface of an intermediate layer between the optical crystal and the substrate, and forming a fusion zone in the intermediate layer between the optical crystal and the substrate by the radiation of the pulsed laser beam, thereby integrally joining the optical crystal and the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing non-wood agricultural feedstock material for use as a pulp, and making a paper product therefrom. The method includes providing non-wood agricultural feedstock material (e.g., corn stover) that includes agricultural fibers, chemically pulping the agricultural fibers at a low temperature of less than 100° C., refining the agricultural fibers (either before or after cooking), and introducing the produced agricultural fiber pulp into a papermaking machine to make liner, medium, tissue, towel, cardstock or other paper product (e.g., tubes, cores, chipboard, grayboard, or other rigid container board). The agricultural pulp fibers can also be introduced into a molded pulp products manufacturing machine, to make egg cartons, molded paper plates, molded single use packaging, or the like.

Abstract: The method includes: filling and levelling of a heat insulation layer on a cathode shell bottom; its coverage from above with a refractory layer; installation of the cathode bottom and side blocks with subsequent sealing of joints or seams between them with cold ramming paste and further monolithic baking; wherein: the levelled heat insulation layer is covered with a lower barrier layer of graphite foil placed between layers of fiberboard sheets; at least one refractory layer is formed; an upper barrier layer of graphite foil is placed between the layers of fiberboard sheets; all formed layers are simultaneously compacted to achieve alignment of the uppermost layer surface with a lower edge plane of the ports in the cathode shell; and the refractory layer of 20-30 mm thick is formed above the upper layer, according to some embodiments.

Abstract: A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of papermaking. It provides methods for improving the compressive strength of paper and board by improving the moisture resistance of paper and board. The invention also provides paper and board with an improved compressive strength as well as a composition for improving the compressive strength of paper and board. More in particular, the invention relates to a process for the manufacture of paper wherein the process comprises a wet phase and a dry phase, wherein an enzymatically oxidized lignin is added in the wet phase.