Abstract: A high-strength, self-ligating appliances with orthodontically desirable dimensions. The appliances incorporate a door slidably engaged to a channel in the body; one that can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of an integral protrusion on the door. Cooperating grooves and rails on the body and the door can guide the door between the open and closed positions, and mitigate against unintentional detachment. Appliances including rails that result in improved labial pull strength are disclosed.

Abstract: A high-strength, self-ligating appliances with orthodontically desirable dimensions. The appliances incorporate a door slidably engaged to a channel in the body; one that can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of an integral protrusion on the door. Cooperating grooves and rails on the body and the door can guide the door between the open and closed positions, and mitigate against unintentional detachment. Appliances including rails that result in improved labial pull strength are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film results in a film having a useful central 60% portion with a caliper variation of about 5% or less of an average thickness of the film. The method includes selecting a draw ratio ? in a first in-plane stretch direction, setting an effective draw gap defined by a length L and a width W, and stretching a polymer film at the draw ratio and effective draw gap. The effective draw gap is set such that the stretching step fits into one of two regimes, the first regime referred to as a uniaxial regime and characterized by a ? equal to or less than about 1.0; and the second regime referred to as a planar extension regime and characterized by a ? equal to or greater than about 10.0. The disclosure also describes an optical film formed by the method.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film includes stretching a polymer film in first draw gap of a first length along a machine direction, at a first draw ratio; and further stretching the polymer film in second draw gap along a machine direction, wherein the step of stretching in the first draw gap is isolated from the step of stretching in the second draw gap.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film results in a film having a useful central 60% portion with a caliper variation of about 5% or less of an average thickness of the film. The method includes selecting a draw ratio ? in a first in-plane stretch direction, setting an effective draw gap defined by a length L and a width W, and stretching a polymer film at the draw ratio and effective draw gap. The effective draw gap is set such that the stretching step fits into one of two regimes, the first regime referred to as a uniaxial regime and characterized by a ? equal to or less than about 1.0; and the second regime referred to as a planar extension regime and characterized by a ? equal to or greater than about 10.0. The disclosure also describes an optical film formed by the method.

Abstract: A mill roll analysis system is described that includes a user interface module, a structural analysis engine, and an analysis control script. The user interface module receives mill roll design data from a remote user via a computer network. The analysis control script automatically directs the structural analysis engine to define and evaluate an appropriate analytical model for the mill roll design based on the mill roll design data. The mill roll analysis system presents an intuitive web-based interface for capturing the mill roll design data, and may present predefined mill roll applications and mill roll types for selection for the user. As a result, the remote user need not be familiar with the underlying analytical modeling techniques, which may be highly-complex by nature. Consequently, a user may utilize the system to evaluate and improve mill roll design in order to achieve increased product performance.

Abstract: A mill roll analysis system is described that includes a user interface module, a structural analysis engine, and an analysis control script. The user interface module receives mill roll design data from a remote user via a computer network. The analysis control script automatically directs the structural analysis engine to define and evaluate an appropriate analytical model for the mill roll design based on the mill roll design data. The mill roll analysis system presents an intuitive web-based interface for capturing the mill roll design data, and may present predefined mill roll applications and mill roll types for selection for the user. As a result, the remote user need not be familiar with the underlying analytical modeling techniques, which may be highly-complex by nature. Consequently, a user may utilize the system to evaluate and improve mill roll design in order to achieve increased product performance.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical generator is disclosed. The electrochemical generator includes a thin-film electrochemical cell which is maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of the cell, conducts current into and out of the cell and also conducts thermal energy between the cell and thermally conductive, electrically resistive material disposed on a vessel wall adjacent the conductor. The thermally conductive, electrically resistive material may include an anodized coating or a thin sheet of a plastic, mineral-based material or conductive polymer material. The thermal conductor is fabricated to include a resilient portion which expands and contracts to maintain mechanical contact between the cell and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the cell and the wall structure.

Abstract: An in-situ thermal management system for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a plurality of energy storage cells each being coupled in parallel to common positive and negative connections. Each of the energy storage cells, in accordance with the cell's technology, dimensions, and thermal/electrical properties, is configured to have a ratio of energy content-to-contact surface area such that thermal energy produced by a short-circuit in a particular cell is conducted to a cell adjacent the particular cell so as to prevent the temperature of the particular cell from exceeding a breakdown temperature. In one embodiment, a fuse is coupled in series with each of a number of energy storage cells. The fuses are activated by a current spike capacitively produced by a cell upon occurrence of a short-circuit in the cell, thereby electrically isolating the short-circuited cell from the common positive and negative connections.

Abstract: A surface treating article including a hub. The surface treating article and hub provide an improved mechanical interlock to each other. Preferably, the unitary surface treating article is molded to the hub.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical generator is disclosed. The electrochemical generator includes a thin-film electrochemical cell which is maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of the cell, conducts current into and out of the cell and also conducts thermal energy between the cell and thermally conductive, electrically resistive material disposed on a vessel wall adjacent the conductor. The thermally conductive, electrically resistive material may include an anodized coating or a thin sheet of a plastic, mineral-based material or conductive polymer material. The thermal conductor is fabricated to include a resilient portion which expands and contracts to maintain mechanical contact between the cell and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the cell and the wall structure.

Abstract: A thermal conductor for use with an electrochemical energy storage device is disclosed. The thermal conductor is attached to one or both of the anode and cathode contacts of an electrochemical cell. A resilient portion of the conductor varies in height or position to maintain contact between the conductor and an adjacent wall structure of a containment vessel in response to relative movement between the conductor and the wall structure. The thermal conductor conducts current into and out of the electrochemical cell and conducts thermal energy between the electrochemical cell and thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed between the conductor and the wall structure. The thermal conductor may be fabricated to include a resilient portion having one of a substantially C-shaped, double C-shaped, Z-shaped, V-shaped, O-shaped, S-shaped, or finger-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An in-situ thermal management system for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a plurality of energy storage cells each being coupled in parallel to common positive and negative connections. Each of the energy storage cells, in accordance with the cell's technology, dimensions, and thermal/electrical properties, is configured to have a ratio of energy content-to-contact surface area such that thermal energy produced by a short-circuit in a particular cell is conducted to a cell adjacent the particular cell so as to prevent the temperature of the particular cell from exceeding a breakdown temperature. In one embodiment, a fuse is coupled in series with each of a number of energy storage cells. The fuses are activated by a current spike capacitively produced by a cell upon occurrence of a short-circuit in the cell, thereby electrically isolating the short-circuited cell from the common positive and negative connections.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical energy storing device includes a number of thin-film electrochemical cells which are maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of each electrochemical cell, conducts current into and out of the electrochemical cells and also conducts thermal energy between the electrochemical cells and thermally conductive material disposed on a wall structure adjacent the conductors. The wall structure includes electrically resistive material, such as an anodized coating or a thin film of plastic. The thermal conductors are fabricated to include a spring mechanism which expands and contacts to maintain mechanical contact between the electrochemical cells and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cells and the wall structure.