Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include mattress assemblies and components employing passageways for ventilation and airflow. A mattress may contain a mattress core to provide cushioning and support. For example, the mattress core may comprise an innerspring, air bladder(s), and/or foam layer(s). A mattress assembly may include a foam base and/or at least one foam side support member to at least partially surround a mattress core to provide cushioning and structure. The foam base and/or at least one foam side support member may include at least one passageway for facilitating diffusion and air exchange between an exterior environment and an interior space of the enclosure containing the mattress core. In this manner, as stagnant air and humidity developing in the mattress core may be avoided or reduced from the mattress core, which may otherwise cause unhealthy conditions or unpleasant odors for users.

Abstract: Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members.

Abstract: Interlocking foam encasement components to form mattress encasements, and related mattress encasements, mattress assemblies, and methods are disclosed. A mattress encasement is formed by two interlocking foam encasement components engaged with each other. Each interlocking foam encasement component includes a foam base member with two foam side-support members provided in parallel or substantially parallel arrangement on opposite sides of the foam base member. To form the mattress encasement, first side-support members of a first interlocking foam encasement component are interlocked orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to second side-support members of a second interlocking foam encasement component to form a foam side-support perimeter for the mattress encasement. The foam side-support perimeter provides an interior area to receive and encase a mattress innerspring or mattress core.

Abstract: Box spring assemblies employing foam cushioning grids, and related components, mattress assemblies, and methods are disclosed. Foam cushioning grids are comprised of a plurality of foam grid members that are interconnected to form the foam cushioning grid. By interconnecting the foam grid members, a plurality of voids may be disposed between the interconnecting foam grid members as part of the foam cushioning grid. In this manner, as a non-limiting example, the foam cushioning grid can be disposed on a wire grid, such as in box springs, to provide cushioning support for the wire grid, as one non-limiting example. A load placed on the wire grid will be cushioned by the foam cushioning grid disposed therebetween. Further, as a non-limiting example, voids in the foam cushioning grid allow air to easily flow between the interconnected foam grid members.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and methods employing foam side support members and cloth members to enclose mattress cores are disclosed. A mattress may include a mattress assembly enclosing a mattress core. The foam side supports of the mattress assembly may be disposed adjacent to a periphery portion of the mattress core to provide additional support, for example, when a user mounts and dismounts from the mattress. The side support members may be thermally bonded to the cloth members to secure the side supports adjacent the periphery portion of the mattress core. In this manner, the side support members may be precisely positioned relative to the mattress core without the need for adhesives or expensive manufacturing equipment to thermally weld the side support members directly to a foam base.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods for molding and curing of composite articles are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a molding apparatus including an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support and a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support. In one embodiment, the mold includes an inner surface, the inner surface further including a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber. In one embodiment, a prepreg is further disposed within the molding chamber, wherein the prepreg is disposed on the first surface of the elastic layer. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer, thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article.

Abstract: An automated in-line feed-through system integrating the delivery, application and infusion of a resin to one or more fiber tows and layup of the one or more infused fiber tows to form a composite structure. The system includes an automated resin delivery, deposition and infusion system configured to deposit the resin on a respective one of the one or more fiber tows and form the infused fiber tows. The system integrates an automated layup system including a compaction roller configured to adhere the one or more infused fiber tows to a substrate. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the resin, control the temperature of the resin, the infused fiber tows and the automated layup system, and control tension of the one or more infused fiber tows within the automated layup system. Other aspects of the automated in-line system are also provided.

Abstract: Encasement assemblies, systems, and related methods employing interlocking support components to provide at least a portion of an encasement, particularly for bedding and seating applications, are disclosed. In this regard in one embodiment, an assembly for bedding or seating is provided. The assembly includes a base having one or more elongated channels disposed therein having a first geometry. The assembly also includes one or more elongated support members each having a rail disposed therein and having a second geometry complimentary to the first geometry. Each rail is interlocked with at least one of the one or more elongated channels such that the one or more elongated support members are attached to the base and extend from the base to provide at least a portion of an encasement. The assembly may also include a flip-up support member(s) disposed in the base to form at least a portion of the encasement.

Abstract: Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members.

Abstract: A tube for delivering fluid to a remote location not normally in view or not practicably able to be viewed by an operator placing such tubes. The tube comprising a lumen connecting a fluid input aperture, disposed at a proximal end of the tube, and a fluid output aperture, to deliver fluid therebetween. The tube further comprises positioning means having an optical waveguide and sensor means. The optical waveguide extends from the proximal end of the tube to the sensor means. The optical waveguide guides an input optical signal to the sensor means. Positioning of the sensor means in a desired location within a system varies the properties of the input optical signal to provide a predetermined output optical signal, which is guided to the proximal end of the tube to indicate to a user, placement of the predetermined portion of the tube at the desired position within the system.

Abstract: An integrated content production environment includes a connected services framework providing connectivity to a set of applications that produce content for the media industry. Users in their roles use the integrated environment to perform setting up, ingesting, logging, selecting, editing, reviewing, playout, distributing, and archiving activities. Notifications are dynamically triggered to users when their action is requested. The notifications may be instant messages, e-mails, voice mails, etc. Throughout the production of content, actions by both users the applications are tracked and stored in a log file for processing. The action data in the log file may include payload data from messages. When one or more applications or when one or more users of the environment have excess capacity, that capacity can be leveraged. External users can purchase or bid on the excess capacity and can then access the environment through available web services.

Abstract: An integrated content production environment includes a connected services framework providing connectivity to a set of applications that produce content for the media industry. Users in their roles use the integrated environment to perform setting up, ingesting, logging, selecting, editing, reviewing, playout, distributing, and archiving activities. Notifications are dynamically triggered to users when their action is requested. The notifications may be instant messages, e-mails, voice mails, etc. Throughout the production of content, actions by both users the applications are tracked and stored in a log file for processing. The action data in the log file may include payload data from messages. When one or more applications or when one or more users of the environment have excess capacity, that capacity can be leveraged. External users can purchase or bid on the excess capacity and can then access the environment through available web services.

Abstract: An integrated content production environment includes a connected services framework providing connectivity to a set of applications that produce content for the media industry. Users in their roles use the integrated environment to perform setting up, ingesting, logging, selecting, editing, reviewing, playout, distributing, and archiving activities. Notifications are dynamically triggered to users when their action is requested. The notifications may be instant messages, e-mails, voice mails, etc. Throughout the production of content, actions by both users the applications are tracked and stored in a log file for processing. The action data in the log file may include payload data from messages. When one or more applications or when one or more users of the environment have excess capacity, that capacity can be leveraged. External users can purchase or bid on the excess capacity and can then access the environment through available web services.