Abstract: The present disclosure provides flavor altering and/or sweetness enhancing compositions, methods, and food and beverage products using a soluble oligomeric component selected from soluble dietary fiber and polydextrose to alter flavor and/or enhance sweetness.

Abstract: Reel devices, systems, and related methods are disclosed. The reel devices are modular and include an automatic shift assembly that shifts to provide a mechanical advantage when used to tighten a cord. For instance, the reel devices are configured to provide a first drive ratio and automatically transition to a second drive ratio in response to a torque force. The reel devices include a drive assembly and a shift assembly. The drive assembly includes a cycloidal gear.

Abstract: Cuff assemblies for sports board leashes, where the cuff assembly includes a central section that having a precurved molded insert that is configured to connect to a cord of the sports board leash, a first wing attached to a first side of the central section, and a second wing attached to a second side of the central section. The maximum width of the central section of the cuff assembly is greater than the maximum width of either of the first wing or second wing, and the first wing and second wing are configured to overlap and fasten to each other in order to secure the cuff assembly around a person's limb portion.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a drop pattern. The method may include receiving an initial drop pattern. The method may include receiving a target drop pattern exclusion edge for each of a plurality of locations. The method may include receiving one or more constraints of a dispensing system. The method may include generating a base drop pattern exclusion edge line based on the target drop pattern exclusion edge. The method may include generating a new drop pattern wherein drops deposited at an edge of the new drop pattern are positioned on integer multiples of the pitch constraint from the optimum base drop pattern exclusion edge line.

Abstract: A method can be used to generate a fluid droplet pattern for an imprint lithography process using a fluid dispense system having fluid dispense ports. The method can include determining a fluid droplet pattern for dispensing a formable material onto a substrate, during a first pass, dispensing the formable material along a stitch line to form a first part of the fluid droplet pattern for an imprint field, where the stitch line runs from a first corner to a second corner of the imprint field. The method can also include offsetting the substrate and the fluid dispense ports relative to each other after dispensing the formable material during the first pass, and during a second pass, dispensing the formable material along the stitch line onto the substrate to form a second part of the fluid droplet pattern for the imprint field. An apparatus can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A shaping system and method of shaping with the shaping system. The shaping system may include a spatial light modulator. The shaping system may include a radiation source to illuminate the spatial light modulator with actinic radiation. The shaping system may include a beam splitter configured to receive actinic radiation from the spatial light modulator and emit a first image of the spatial light modulator and a second image of the spatial light modulator. The shaping system may include a beam combiner configured to receive the first image and the second image and emit a combined image. The combined image may include the first image; and the second image offset from the first image. The shaping system may include a projection system configured to receive the combined image and illuminate formable material between a template and a substrate with a projected image at a plane of the formable material.

Abstract: A pillow includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe extending outwardly from a central node and containing cushioning filling. A closure mechanism extends around perimeter of the first and second lobe. The third lobe is covered by the first and second lobe in a stowed position and not covered in a sleeping position. Portions of the first and second lobe exposed in the stowed position are covered by durable fabric. A Y-shaped inner pillow case may contain the filling and be positioned within the lobes. The filling may include an air bladder with a valve exposed in the stowed position.

Abstract: Reel devices, systems, and related methods are disclosed. The reel devices are modular and include an automatic shift assembly that shifts to provide a mechanical advantage when used to tighten a cord. For instance, the reel devices are configured to provide a first drive ratio and automatically transition to a second drive ratio in response to a torque force. The reel devices include a drive assembly and a shift assembly. The drive assembly includes a cycloidal gear.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting evaporation of a formable material on a substrate, the method comprising holding the substrate with a substrate chuck, the substrate chuck being positioned within a central opening of a frame such that the frame surrounds at least a portion of the substrate chuck, supplying the formable material or a volatile material different from the formable material to a portion of the frame surrounding the substrate chuck, and dispensing the formable material on the substrate.

Abstract: A template and method of using the template is disclosed. The template can include a body with a first side and a second side, and an extension. The extension can include a first surface adjacent the body, a second surface, and a third surface between the first surface and the second surface, where the first surface includes a curvature and where a portion of the curvature of the first surface is interior to the third surface. The method can include dispensing a formable material over a substrate, where the substrate includes a non-uniform surface topography. The method can also include curing the formable material contacting the second surface of the extension to form a layer over the substrate while the formable material contacting the third surface of the extension remains in a liquid state, wherein curing is performed while the template is contacting the formable material.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a wearable structure and/or a user-feedback element to a user is provided. The apparatus includes a wearable structure configured to be worn by a user, and a grounding assembly, coupled to the wearable structure. The grounding assembly includes: (i) an inflatable bladder, coupled to a first portion of the wearable structure, and (ii) a cord, coupled to a second portion of the wearable structure and the inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder is configured to receive a fluid from a source. The cord is configured to tighten around a portion of the user's body according to and in proportion with the fluid pressure inside the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A wearable device for providing haptic stimulations is provided. The wearable device includes: (i) a wearable structure to be worn on a portion of a user's body and (ii) an inflatable bladder, coupled to the wearable structure, that includes two or more pockets positioned at a target location on the wearable structure. Furthermore, the two or more pockets are configured to, when inflated, impart directional force(s) onto the user at the target location that impede movement of the portion of the user's body. Additionally, the directional force(s) are caused by the two or more pockets interfering with each other, when inflated. In some embodiments, (a) the portion of the user's body is a hand of the user, (b) the target location is a finger joint on the user's hand, and (c) the directional force(s) imparted onto the user at the target location impede flexion of the user's finger.

Abstract: Cuff assemblies for sports board leashes, where the cuff assembly includes a central section that having a precurved molded insert that is configured to connect to a cord of the sports board leash, a first wing attached to a first side of the central section, and a second wing attached to a second side of the central section. The maximum width of the central section of the cuff assembly is greater than the maximum width of either of the first wing or second wing, and the first wing and second wing are configured to overlap and fasten to each other in order to secure the cuff assembly around a person's limb portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shaping a film. Formable material in an imprint field on the substrate may be contacted with a shaping surface of a template. Outer boundaries of the imprint field correspond to outer boundaries of the shaping surface. Shaping the film includes forming a cured layer within the imprint field while the shaping surface is in contact with the formable material. Shaping the film may include separating the shaping surface from the cured layer. Shaping the film may include moving the template away from the imprint field to a first offset location wherein the outer boundaries of the shaping surface are offset relative to the outer boundaries of the imprint field. Shaping the film may include curing a second portion of the formable material while the template is at the first offset location so as to form the shaped film.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning mesa sidewalls of a template. Curable material may be deposited in a cleaning drop pattern onto a non-yielding imprint field of one of: a device yielding substrate; and a non-yielding substrate. The template may be brought into contact with the curable material. The template has: a recessed surface; a mesa extending from the recessed surface; and wherein the mesa sidewalls connect the recessed surface to the mesa. A relative position of the template to the cleaning drop pattern may be such that the curable material spreads up the mesa sidewalls and does not contact the recessed surface. Cured material may be formed by exposing the curable material to actinic radiation after the curable material has spread up the mesa sidewalls, and before the curable material contacts the recessed surface. The template may be separated from the cured material.

Abstract: A shaping system and method of shaping with the shaping system. The shaping system may include a spatial light modulator. The shaping system may include a radiation source to illuminate the spatial light modulator with actinic radiation. The shaping system may include a beam splitter configured to receive actinic radiation from the spatial light modulator and emit a first image of the spatial light modulator and a second image of the spatial light modulator. The shaping system may include a beam combiner configured to receive the first image and the second image and emit a combined image. The combined image may include the first image; and the second image offset from the first image. The shaping system may include a projection system configured to receive the combined image and illuminate formable material between a template and a substrate with a projected image at a plane of the formable material.

Abstract: A method can be used to generate a fluid droplet pattern for an imprint lithography process using a fluid dispense system having fluid dispense ports. The method can include determining a fluid droplet pattern for dispensing a formable material onto a substrate, during a first pass, dispensing the formable material along a stitch line to form a first part of the fluid droplet pattern for an imprint field, where the stitch line runs from a first corner to a second corner of the imprint field. The method can also include offsetting the substrate and the fluid dispense ports relative to each other after dispensing the formable material during the first pass, and during a second pass, dispensing the formable material along the stitch line onto the substrate to form a second part of the fluid droplet pattern for the imprint field. An apparatus can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A process, system, and method of manufacturing an article on a substrate having a fluid control feature. The fluid control feature may include at least one depressed region formed along an edge of an imprint field. Formable material is deposited in the imprint field of the substrate. A template is moved such that the template comes into contact with the formable material in the imprint field. While the template comes into contact with the formable material, the formable material may flow into the fluid control feature.