Abstract: An apparatus and method for microcontact printing are described. The microcontact printing apparatus includes a planar stamp and a pressurized roller. The pressurized roller includes an inflatable bladder that can be inflated by a fluid to a pressure that reduces printing defects such as voids and stamp collapse. A substrate is disposed between the pressurized roller and a stamp coated with an ink of functionalizing molecules. As the pressurized roller moves over the substrate, at least a portion of the functionalizing molecules are transferred from the stamp to the substrate in the desired pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable envelope that comprises a light directing film this both transmits and reflects light. In its inflated form and along with a light source, the envelope forms a light balloon that due to the light directing film provides directed light to an area surrounding the balloon.

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for microcontact printing are described. The microcontact printing apparatus includes a planar stamp and a pressurized roller. The pressurized roller includes an inflatable bladder that can be inflated by a fluid to a pressure that reduces printing defects such as voids and stamp collapse. A substrate is disposed between the pressurized roller and a stamp coated with an ink of functionalizing molecules. As the pressurized roller moves over the substrate, at least a portion of the functionalizing molecules are transferred from the stamp to the substrate in the desired pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable envelope that comprises a light directing film this both transmits and reflects light. In its inflated form and along with a light source, the envelope forms a light balloon that due to the light directing film provides directed light to an area surrounding the balloon.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.

Abstract: An earplug assembly 10 that includes an earplug system 20 that has an earplug 12, 12? and a package portion 32 such as a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 31 of the earplug 12, 12?. A securement portion 28 is joined to the packaging 32 to enable the assembly 10 to be secured to another object such as a worker's helmet 30. In this manner, the earplugs can be readily available to the user in a protected condition. Opportunities for misplacement of the earplugs are reduced.

Abstract: An earplug system 10a, 10b that includes a foam earplug 12a, 12b and a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 16 of the foam earplug 12a, 12b in a noncompressed condition. The deformable sheath 14 allows the earplug to be compressed with a person's fingers in the sleeve before being placed within the user's ear. In this manner, the earplug can be inserted into the ear canal without being soiled or otherwise contaminated from a wearer's unclean hands.

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.

Abstract: Respirator and buckle having a flexural member allowing the buckle to move in three dimensions, potentially improving user comfort, the effectiveness of the respirator, and allowing for more precise adjustments to be made to the fit of the respirator on the user. The flexural member may be a three dimensional living hinge. By lifting on the buckle, the straps that secure the respirator to the user are released and the ability of the buckle to move in three dimensions tends to increase the situations in which the adjustment may occur. Various types of three dimensional living hinges may be utilized, including a cylindrical hinge and a serpentine hinge.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for removing liquids and solids from an endless conveyor belt, the assembly includes a plurality of laterally extending liquid absorbent material sheets disposed adjacent the belt, with the sheets collectively defining a contact face that is engageable with the belt for wiping liquids from the belt.

Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for removing liquids and solids from an endless conveyor belt, the assembly includes a plurality of laterally extending liquid absorbent material sheets disposed adjacent the belt, with the sheets collectively defining a contact face that is engageable with the belt for wiping liquids from the belt.

Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for a conveyor belt system with the type having first and second endless belts which each traverse a separate belt travel path and together define a generally upright article transport path between opposed top faces of the belts. The cleaning assembly includes a belt wiping blade assembly for moving liquids and debris from a belt, an absorbent material downstream from the blade assembly for wiping excess liquid from the belt, and belt edge seals disposed between the opposed top faces of the belts along the article transport path.

Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for a conveyor belt system with the type having first and second endless belts which each traverse a separate belt travel path and together define a generally upright article transport path between opposed top faces of the belts. The cleaning assembly includes a belt wiping blade assembly for moving liquids and debris from a belt, an absorbent material downstream from the blade assembly for wiping excess liquid from the belt, and belt edge seals disposed between the opposed top faces of the belts along the article transport path.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for use with a platen die station is employed for cutting relatively thin planar material layers, such as thin material layers used in the construction of fuel cells. The cutting apparatus includes a die having a substantially planar first surface and a substantially planar second surface. A cutting surface and at least one bearer surface respectively protrude from the first surface of the die. A height of the bearer surface is substantially equal to a height of the cutting surface, such that the bearer surface prevents damage to the cutting surface when the cutting surface and bearer surface are moved to contact an anvil surface of the platen die station. One or more layers of a compliant material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, may be situated in contact with the second surface of the die to add compliance to the cutting apparatus.