Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers and oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers and oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: A side plate for a heat exchanger and method for making a heat exchanger is provided. The side plate includes at least one localized contact point that can be bonded to a header of the heat exchanger during assembly of the heat exchanger. The localized contact point separates from the header under relatively low tension applied by the thermal expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger under normal operating conditions, thereby allowing the tubes of the heat exchanger to expand and contract.

Abstract: A multi-fluid heat exchanger and a method of making the same are provided wherein a cut portion is provided in an elongated header of the heat exchanger at a location between a pair of baffles in the elongated header and first and second cores of the heat exchanger. At least a majority of the transverse cross section of the elongated header is removed at the cut portion to allow for relative thermal growth of the first and second cores.

Abstract: A multi-fluid heat exchanger (10) is provided for transferring heat between a common fluid and a first fluid in one core section (22), and between the common fluid and a second fluid in another core section (28) of the heat exchanger (10). The core sections (22,28) are located in a series arrangement with respect to the flow of the common fluid through the heat exchanger (10) by folding the heat exchanger (10), with the core sections (22,28) being connected by folded portions (20) of the header pipes (12,14) that direct the first and second fluid flows to the interiors of the core sections (22,28).

Abstract: A multi-fluid heat exchanger having separate fluid flow paths for two fluid streams to be heated or cooled by a third fluid stream includes first and second elongated, parallel tubular headers (10, 12), having opposed ends (14), generally uniformly spaced elongated tube slots (16) in each of the headers (10, 12) with the tube slots (16) in one header (10) facing-and aligned with the tube slots (16) and the other header (12), a plurality of flattened tubes (20) extending between the headers (10, 12) and having ends (22) received in aligned ones of the tube slots (16), one tube slot (24) in each header being unoccupied by any of the flattened tubes (20), the one tube slots (24) being aligned with each other and located at a predetermined location between the ends (14) of the headers (10, 12) and between two groups (A, B) of the flattened tubes (20) so there are two groups of the flattened tubes (20) on each side of the one tube slot (24), a pair of baffles (30) in each header (10, 12) with one on each side of t