Abstract: Systems and methods for training participants about value streams through simulation and role-playing in which the participants assume different roles and actually assemble a physical model to conduct and evaluate production system scenarios. A training method generally includes simulating a first assembly scenario by having one or more participants assemble a physical model in accordance with the first assembly scenario, and simulating a second assembly scenario by having the participants assemble the physical model in accordance with the second assembly scenario. The second assembly scenario includes at least one value stream improvement in comparison to the first assembly scenario. The method can also include comparing the simulations, for example, to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the value stream improvement.

Abstract: An advertisement-display device (10) and method of advertisement is disclosed. The advertisement-display device (10) is intended for use in displaying advertisement information to passengers within an aircraft. In one embodiment, the advertisement-display device (10) comprises a substrate (77), adhesive (81) on a substrate bottom surface (103) and advertisement indicia (79) on substrate (77). The advertisement indicia (79) is oriented for viewing along substrate top surface (101). The advertisement-display device (10) is attached to a suitable information-display surface (65) on an aircraft tray table (11). The method of advertising includes providing an advertisement-display device (10) and adhering the device (10) to a suitable information-display surface (65) on a tray table (11) within the aircraft so that the advertisement information can be viewed by a passenger on the aircraft.

Abstract: A reversible valve for selectively delivering a pressurized gaseous mixture to and exhausting it from a reversible air motor or other pressure operated device. The valve has a perforate piston actuated by introducing the pressurized gas to a through flow position closing off lateral exhaust ports and actuated by the pressurized gas and a spring to a position fully opening the exhaust ports when flow to the valve is reversed.

Abstract: An electrical control unit for interconnection between a source of electrical energy and an electrically driven unit including a slide surface composed in part of electrically nonconductive material, a plurality of conductive discrete contact elements arranged in the slide surface, a conductive liquid contact adapted to progressively engage certain of the conductive discrete contact elements in the slide surface to provide a variable magnitude electrical output, and/or one or more conductive liquid contacts adapted to engage other of the discrete contact elements in the slide surface to effect a switching operation with respect to the variable magnitude electrical output or other electrical signal.