Abstract: A patient transfer sled has a support structure including at least one air cushion adjacent a major surface thereof The air cushion includes a flexible material at least partially surrounding a rigid material, and a portion of the flexible material has a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Systems for patient transfer may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A patient transfer board including an elongated board body that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between leading and trailing ends of the board body. The transfer board has a top side and an underside of the board body. The underside includes first and second side edges that extend along the longitudinal axis. The underside includes alignment slots having respective openings at the first side edge. The alignment slots are defined by interior sidewalls. The alignment slots are configured to receive reference elements of the patient table through the respective openings when the transfer board is moved in a lateral direction that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. The sidewalls are configured to engage the corresponding reference elements and direct the transfer board toward a designated position.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly, pre-reacted product of a polyol and monomeric or polymeric polycarboxylic acid or polyglycerol is provided. The pre-reacted product may include glycerol and esters of citric acid such a monoglyceryl citrate, diglyceryl citrate, and triglyceryl citrate as well as other citric acid-based esters. The pre-reacted product, when used in a binder, helps to speed the crosslinking reaction, induces faster water evaporation, decreases the viscosity of the binder, helps to reduce the amount of water needed for application of the binder, and decreases tackiness. The pre-reacted product may be used, for example, in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free, aqueous binder composition that includes a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and a pre-reacted product of an alcohol or polyol and monomeric or polymeric polycarboxylic acid or polyglycerol is provided. The pre-reacted product may include glycerol and esters of citric acid such a monoglyceryl citrate, diglyceryl citrate, and triglyceryl citrate as well as other higher molecular weight citric acid-based esters. The inclusion of the pre-reacted product in the binder composition helps to speed the crosslinking reaction, induces faster water evaporation, decreases the viscosity of the binder, helps to reduce the amount of water needed for application of the binder, decreases tackiness, and helps to achieve a maximum vertical expansion of the insulation pack in the transfer zone. The binder composition may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A patient transfer board including an elongated board body that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between leading and trailing ends of the board body. The transfer board has a top side and an underside of the board body. The underside includes first and second side edges that extend along the longitudinal axis. The underside includes alignment slots having respective openings at the first side edge. The alignment slots are defined by interior sidewalls. The alignment slots are configured to receive reference elements of the patient table through the respective openings when the transfer board is moved in a lateral direction that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. The sidewalls are configured to engage the corresponding reference elements and direct the transfer board toward a designated position.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a composition for use in making a cured binder, the composition comprising: a first mixture comprising citric acid and an alkali metal hydroxide or an aqueous solution comprising the reaction products thereof; wherein the molar ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide to citric acid is between about 0.001:1 to 0.6:1, and wherein the pH of the first mixture is about 0.5 to about 2.5 when the first mixture is a 50% by weight citric acid aqueous solution.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: There are disclosed cationic crosslinked waxy starch products having a Brookfield viscosity of about 700 cps to about 2500 cps and a method for preparing the starch products. Also disclosed is the use of the cationic crosslinked waxy starch products having a Brookfield viscosity of about 700 cps to about 2500 cps in the production of paper products.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process of modifying a seed based fiber (SBF) to form an enhanced fiber additive (EFA). The process includes an acid treatment step and optionally at least one fiber modification step. Preferred EFA products and uses are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process of modifying a seed based fiber (SBF) to form an enhanced fiber additive (EFA). The process includes an acid treatment step and optionally at least one fiber modification step. Preferred EFA products and uses are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process of modifying a seed based fiber (SBF) to form an enhanced fiber additive (EFA). The process includes an acid treatment step and optionally at least one fiber modification step. Preferred EFA products and uses are described.

Abstract: A restoration process for restoring surface porosity defects on a component surface. The areas of a component surface having surface porosity defects are identified for restoration. The restoration surface is subsequently sprayed with a restoration spray to restore the surface porosity defects. The component surface is then finished to create a final component substantially free of surface porosity.

Abstract: In this disclosure there are provided processes for improving purity of starch suspensions and starch pastes. Also provided in the disclosure are starch products having improved purity.

Abstract: In this disclosure there are provided processes for providing a Soy Protein Flour water dispersion with reduced viscosity. Also provided in the disclosure are Soy Protein Flour dispersions with reduced viscosity, and the use of Soy Protein Flour dispersions with reduced viscosity.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting system is provided with the ability to allow both primary and secondary portions of the circuit to be used in the alternative without having the primary and secondary systems interfere with each other by operating at the same time. By incorporating a continuity controller, such as a switch or a diode to selectively disconnect the sacrificial anode from the circuit, the primary and secondary systems can both be provided on a marine vessel, but used independently from each other. In that way, the primary and secondary corrosion inhibiting systems are prevented from interfering with each other during normal operation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process of modifying a seed based fiber (SBF) to form an enhanced fiber additive (EFA). The process includes an acid treatment step and optionally at least one fiber modification step. Preferred EFA products and uses are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to protein-starch compositions. The disclosure also relates to processes for preparing the protein-starch compositions. Further, the disclosure relates to uses of the protein-starch compositions in the preparation of adhesives or binders. Further, the disclosure relates to adhesive formulations that include protein-starch containing compositions and to paper products resulting from the processes herein.

Abstract: An electrically conductive surface of a submerged object comprises a polymer matrix, such as a resin, with a plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles suspended within the polymer. The nanoparticles are preferably smaller than 100 nanometers in their minimum dimension. In addition, large electrically conductive particles can be suspended in the polymer. The larger particles are typically greater than 300 nanometers in minimum dimension. The larger particles can comprise carbon powder or fibers. The electrically conductive nanoparticles, which can be nanotubes or ferrules, for example, and the larger particles, which can be carbon powder or fibers, are suspended homogeneously within the polymer matrix for best results and most uniform electrical conduction through the thickness of the composite layer.