Abstract: A unique and versatile seating system for automobiles is provided. The seating system includes aspects to improve the functionality of the seating arrangement while maintaining the safety and comfort of the automotive seats. In certain embodiments, the seating system includes a reversible automotive seat that includes a seat cushion and a backrest. The backrest is movable between a forward seating position and a rearward seating position and includes an integrated restraint system which is operable to secure an occupant seated when the backrest is in either the forward or rearward seating positions.

Abstract: A hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product is removed from a core mold part by closing the threaded end of the molded product and injecting compressed air into the molded product to loosen the molded product from the core mold part. The threaded end of the product is closed by attaching a threaded closure having a matching thread onto the threaded end of the molded product. A robotic arm is used to robotically attach the threaded closure onto the threaded end of the product. The threaded closure is a plastic cap that injection molded in the injection molding system in which the product is injection molded, with the caps being injection molded at the same average rate as the products are injection molded.

Abstract: During injection molding of a plastic product having a base wall and a sidewall, fluid plastic material is injected into a base-wall section of a mold cavity. The base-wall section of the mold cavity includes at least one flow guide that is defined by a first mold part, a second mold part, and a third mold part that is movable relative to the first and second mold parts to either decrease or increase the conduction of injected plastic material through the at least one flow guide. Conduction within the at-least-one flow guide is adjusted dynamically while the injected plastic material is being conducted into the sidewall section of the mold cavity by moving the movable third mold part in response to sensed variations in injection pressures in different portions of the sidewall section of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A unique and versatile seating system for automobiles is provided. The seating system includes aspects to improve the functionality of the seating arrangement while maintaining the safety and comfort of the automotive seats. In certain embodiments, the seating system includes a reversible automotive seat that includes a seat cushion and a backrest. The backrest is movable between a forward seating position and a rearward seating position and includes an integrated restraint system which is operable to secure an occupant seated when the backrest is in either the forward or rearward seating positions.

Abstract: During injection molding of a plastic product having a base wall and a sidewall, alignment of the mold parts that shape the mold cavity is maintained by conducting injected plastic material through a sequence of variable-opening throttles in a base-wall-section flow guide of the mold cavity. The openings of the throttles vary in response to variations in the thickness of a region of the sidewall section into which injected plastic material is conducted from the base-wall-section flow guide so that upon an increase in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide decrease and so that upon a decrease in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide increase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modification of a substrate so as to form an ultrahydrophobic surface on the substrate. Also disclosed are surface-modified substrates that can be formed according to the disclosed processes. The process includes attachment of a multitude of nano- and/or submicron-sized structures to a surface to provide increased surface roughness. In addition, the process includes grafting a hydrophobic material to the surface in order to decrease the surface energy and decrease wettability of the surface. The combination of increase surface roughness and decreased surface energy can provide an ultrahydrophobic surface on the treated substrate.

Abstract: A hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product is manufactured by injection molding a plastic product with a substantially tubular section, an open end, a closed end and a thread at the outside of the closed end. An inner core of the core mold part is retracted from within the end of the mold cavity in which the thread is formed so that when the molded product is removed from the cavity mold part, the neck is compressed to partially occupy the region vacated upon removal of the inner core, whereby the thread is removed without damaging the thread. Removal of the molded product from the core mold part is at least helped by injecting compressed air into the closed end of the product. The closed end is then opened.

Abstract: Solid phase extraction devices including a plurality of packed nominally aligned capillary-channeled polymeric fibers for use as stationary phase materials are disclosed. A plurality of fibers are packed together in a casing so as to provide good flow characteristics through the fibers and high surface area contact between a sample and the fibers. Different polymer compositions of the fibers permit the “chemical tuning” of the extraction process. The fibers can be physically or chemically derivatized to target specific analytes for separation from a test sample. Use of the fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backpressures. The fibers are easily packed into a micropipette tip or a conduit for use with a fluid flow device such as an aspirator or a pump. The devices can be used for isolation and pre-concentration of analytes from samples, for instance for proteins from buffer solutions or extraction of pollutants from remote locations.

Abstract: The present invention is a bioactive, nanofibrous material construct which is manufactured using an unique electrospinning perfusion methodology. One preferred embodiment provides a nanofibrous biocomposite material formed as a discrete textile fabric from a prepared liquid admixture of (i) a biodurable synthetic polymer; (ii) a biologically active agent; and (iii) a liquid organic carrier. The prepared liquid admixture and fluid blending of diverse matter is employed in a novel electrospinning perfusion process to form an agent-releasing nanofibrous fabric, which in turn, can serve as the antecedent precursor and tangible workpiece for subsequently making the desired medical article or device suitable for use in-vivo. As the fabric is generated as a discrete article in either tubular or flat sheet form, one or more of the pre-chosen biologically-active agents will have become non-permanently immobilized and releaseably attached to the nanofibrous material of the fabric.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a user the ability to select three-dimensional virtual objects in a three-dimensional modeling environment using two-dimensional representations of the objects. In broad overview, the invention involves a multidimensional degree of freedom haptic interface that controls a three-dimensional cursor. A user employs the cursor to select an arbitrary point on a three-dimensional virtual object of interest. Through the application of a mathematical transformation, the system displays the cursor at the location of the selected point on the object. The user can manipulate the object by operating the haptic interface. The systems and methods provide the user with the possibility of editing the selected virtual object. In one embodiment, editing includes sculpting the object. When the user releases the object after manipulation is completed, the cursor is relocated to the position the cursor would have had had the manipulations been applied to the cursor directly.

Abstract: A hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product is removed from a core mold part by closing the threaded end of the molded product and injecting compressed air into the molded product to loosen the molded product from the core mold part. The threaded end of the product is closed by attaching a closure having a matching thread onto the threaded end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioactive, small-diameter (typically less than 6 mm in internal diameter) vascular graft prosthesis, and is a textile conduit preferably manufactured using a novel electrospinning perfusion methodology. One preferred embodiment is a nanofibrous biocomposite textile conduit which comprises a prepared liquid admixture of polyester (Dacron), a biodurable implantable synthetic polymer, and Type IV collagen, an extracellular matrix protein. This prepared admixture and blending of diverse fibrous matter is utilized in a novel electrospinning perfusion process to form a small-diameter (less than 6 mm) fabricated textile conduit, a discrete article of manufacture, which then serves as an antecedent tangible workpiece for a subsequently-made prosthetic vascular graft construct.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic container or closure has a sidewall extending from a base wall to a rim wall. An upper portion of a segment of the rim wall extends with both outward and inward directional components. A lower portion of the given segment extends with both downward and inward directional components; and at a given level of the lower portion, the given segment has an inner surface and an outer surface that each extend with downward and inward directional components. At the given level the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion are respectively formed by different mold components of one of the mold parts. Upon removal of the container or closure from the mold parts, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion at the given level of the given segment are contemporaneously removed from one of the separated mold parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting relative positions of different machine components includes first and second eccentric rings. The first eccentric ring has a first edge disposed in slideable contact with a first component of a given machine, such as an adjustable base section of a cavity mold part. The second eccentric ring has a first edge disposed in slideable contact with a second component of the given machine, such as a stationary side section of the cavity mold part, and has a second edge disposed in slideable contact with a second edge of the first eccentric ring. The contact portions of each said edge are circumscribed by a respective circle. By rotating both eccentric rings the relative positions of the first and second machine components can be adjusted in accordance with desired two-dimensional coordinates.

Abstract: An interlockable element for a structure assembly set includes an at least partially planar body and a connector edge having associated therewith a first A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a first axis of rotation and a second A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are disposed on opposing sides of a generally rectangular quadrilateral of a specified dimension. Each of one pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the A-type connectors and each of the other pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the B-type connectors; and the quadrilateral is generally disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the body of the interlockable element.

Abstract: During injection molding of a plastic product having a base wall and a sidewall, alignment of the mold parts that shape the mold cavity is maintained by conducting injected plastic material through a sequence of variable-opening throttles in a base-wall-section flow guide of the mold cavity. The openings of the throttles vary in response to variations in the thickness of a region of the sidewall section into which injected plastic material is conducted from the base-wall-section flow guide so that upon an increase in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide decrease and so that upon a decrease in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide increase.

Abstract: A device for providing access to at least one power connection within an enclosure is disclosed. The device includes an assembly adapted for mounting to the enclosure and having an inside face and an outside face opposite the inside face for being inside the enclosure, the outside face for being outside the enclosure, an inside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the inside face accessible from inside the enclosure, an outside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the outside face and accessible from outside the enclosure, a cover operatively connected to the assembly having a first position for protecting the outside power outlet and a second position for providing access to the outside power outlet.

Abstract: A device for providing access to at least one power connection within an enclosure is disclosed. The device includes an assembly adapted for mounting to the enclosure and having an inside face and an outside face opposite the inside face for being inside the enclosure, the outside face for being outside the enclosure, an inside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the inside face accessible from inside the enclosure, an outside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the outside face and accessible from outside the enclosure, a cover operatively connected to the assembly having a first position for protecting the outside power outlet and a second position for providing access to the outside power outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a construction for fitting to a structural member in particular to a construction for routing a conduit or the like through a structural member where the integrity of the seal made by the structural member must be maintained. The construction having an annular bush (50) for fitting tightly in an aperture (43) defined in a structural member, the annular bush (50) being expandable radially when located in the aperture (43) by the action of a mandrel being passed through a longitudinal passageway defined by the bush whereby to exert a compressive force upon the region of the structural member surrounding the bush (50), wherein the bush (50) has a coupling for sealable attachment of a conduit to the bush (50).