Abstract: The present invention is an improved baby bottle with at least one wide diameter aperture to allow persons who have large hands to clean the bottle without using a brush. The baby bottle is comprised of an upper body, a lower body, and a coupler. The upper body and the lower body are connected by the coupler. The exterior surface of upper body and the exterior surface of the lower body have threaded necks that surround the apertures of the upper and lower bodies respectively. The apertures of the baby bottle are of sufficient size to accommodate a human hand. The threaded necks of the upper body and threaded neck of the lower body allow the upper and lower bodies to be screwed into threads of the interior surface of the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for shaping optical components with improved uniformity and higher throughput. A curved oven provides a plurality of sequential chambers arranged in a curved path, with walls separating the chambers. The walls of the chambers may have openings shaped to match the profile of shaping molds and pedestals which are transported through the oven. An optional dual temperature control system may provide for the separate temperature regulation of upper and lower regions of the chambers. Optical components, such as for solar energy sytems, are manufactured by conveying material and molds on a transport system through the curved oven and shaping them by controlled heat and vacuum assisted slumping. The chambers may be grouped into regions, with the materials undergoing different processes as they traverse each region.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved solar concentrator array utilizing a monolithic array of primary mirrors with a metal layer deposited on its backside for electrical purposes and for dissipating heat. The array of primary mirrors may be formed by glass slumping. The size of the primary mirrors is chosen to accommodate design aspects related to performance, manufacturing processes, cost, and thermal management. An electrical package, which in one embodiment is a molded leadframe, provides the electrical circuitry between a solar cell and the metal layer. The electrical package may be configured with features such as an aperture or side edges to enhance manufacturability of the solar concentrator array. An array of secondary mirrors may be integrally formed with a front panel of the solar concentrator.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for forming a monolithic array of glass parts. This invention enables high-precision glass parts of a relatively large size, such as mirrors for a solar concentrator, to be manufactured in an economical manner. A multi-cavity mold prevents warping of a glass sheet during a slumping process by utilizing multiple vacuum ports, which may be supplemented by stiffening features formed in the mold.