Abstract: A stacker assembly for manufacturing an expandable integral blind, formed by adhering a plurality of cells formed from strip material, has opposing walls forming a stacking chamber and a rotating mechanism coupled to the stacking chamber for engaging the expandable integral blind. The rotatable mechanism actuates in response to the compression force of the expandable integral blind. A plurality of conveyor belts are used to supply the strip material to the stacker assembly, as well as introduce the strip material into the stacking chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for thermal sublimation imaging and more generally thermal pressing through a continuous or intermittent feed-through thermal pressing system. Cutting assemblies may be configured to cut, connect, advance, and/or align transfer media. The transfer media may have images created using inks, dyes, or the like that are configured to be sublimated into a substrate material within a sublimation assembly. The substrate may be interposed between upper and lower transfer media to allow for dual-side imaging via thermal sublimation. A thermal sublimation chamber may include a pre-confinement zone to reduce ghosting, a preheat zone, a thermal saturation zone to effectuate sublimation and image transfer, and/or a post-sublimation cooling zone to reduce ghosting. A post-sublimation collection system may separate transfer media from substrate(s).

Abstract: A stacker assembly for manufacturing an expandable integral blind, formed by adhering a plurality of cells formed from strip material, has opposing walls forming a stacking chamber and a rotating mechanism coupled to the stacking chamber for engaging the expandable integral blind. The rotatable mechanism actuates in response to the compression force of the expandable integral blind. A plurality of conveyor belts are used to supply the strip material to the stacker assembly, as well as introduce the strip material into the stacking chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for thermal sublimation imaging and more generally thermal pressing through a continuous or intermittent feed-through thermal pressing system. Cutting assemblies may be configured to cut, connect, advance, and/or align transfer media. The transfer media may have images created using inks, dyes, or the like that are configured to be sublimated into a substrate material within a sublimation assembly. The substrate may be interposed between upper and lower transfer media to allow for dual-side imaging via thermal sublimation. A thermal sublimation chamber may include a pre-confinement zone to reduce ghosting, a preheat zone, a thermal saturation zone to effectuate sublimation and image transfer, and/or a post-sublimation cooling zone to reduce ghosting. A post-sublimation collection system may separate transfer media from substrate(s).

Abstract: A sleeve element having at least one end region configured to be biased into a laterally adjacent recess formed in one of the piston element surface and the bore surface is disclosed. A seal assembly is disclosed including two sleeve elements, each sleeve element having at least one end region disposed adjacent a recess formed in one of the piston element surface and the bore surface, the at least one end region being configured for deflection thereinto. A seal assembly including one sleeve element wherein the sleeve element includes end regions thereof, each end region disposed adjacent a recess formed in one of the piston element surface and the bore surface, the end region being configured for deflection thereinto. Further, an energizer may be disposed generally within a recess. Pressure relief and equalization structures for a sleeve element and seal assembly are also disclosed, as is a method of sealing.