Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wiper blade for cleaning a vehicle surface comprising an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip provided with respective longitudinal grooves on corresponding opposite long sides for securing to a mounting structure and with a wiper surface with an array of longitudinal microfeatures for contact with a surface wherein each microfeature is substantially rectangular in cross-section, an elongated spring-elastic mounting structure having corresponding slots and rails to engage the longitudinal grooves of the wiper strip, and a connection device for a wiper arm or handle connected to the middle portion of the mounting structure. The microfeatures replace a single wiping edge with multiple wiping edges to reduce noise, improve durability, and enable simplification of the wiper blade design. The wiper surface may have two sides that alternately contact the surface or a single side that maintains continuous contact during wiping motion in both directions.

Abstract: A gripping surface for a manufactured article comprising: a first pillar cluster disposed on a substrate and having: a first pillar, having a first apex vector and a first draft angle defined by a first side of the first pillar and the substrate; a second draft angle defined by a second side of the first pillar and the substrate wherein the second draft angle is less than the first draft angle; and, a second pillar having a second apex vector wherein the first apex vector and the second apex vector are parallel; wherein the first pillar cluster has a triangular orientation; and, a second pillar cluster having: a first set of pillars arranged in a first concentric circle; and, a second set of pillars arranged in a second concentric circle wherein the first pillar cluster and the second pillar cluster cover less than 25% of the article.

Abstract: A gripping surface for a manufactured article comprising: a first pillar cluster disposed on a substate and having: a first pillar, having a first apex vector and a first draft angle defined by a first side of the first pillar and s substrate; a second draft angle defined by a second side of the first pillar and the substrate wherein the second draft angle is less than the first draft angle; and, a second pillar having a second apex vector wherein the first apex angle and the second apex angle are parallel; wherein the first pillar cluster has a triangular orientation; and, a second pillar cluster having: a first set of pillars arranged in a first concentric circle; and, a second set of pillars arranged in a second concentric circle wherein the first pillar cluster and the second pillar cluster cover less than 25% of the article.

Abstract: A gripping surface for a manufactured article comprising: a first pillar cluster disposed on a substate and having: a first pillar, having a first apex vector and a first draft angle defined by a first side of the first pillar and s substrate; a second draft angle defined by a second side of the first pillar and the substrate wherein the second draft angle is less than the first draft angle; and, a second pillar having a second apex vector wherein the first apex angle and the second apex angle are parallel; wherein the first pillar cluster has a triangular orientation; and, a second pillar cluster having: a first set of pillars arranged in a first concentric circle; and, a second set of pillars arranged in a second concentric circle wherein the first pillar cluster and the second pillar cluster cover less than 25% of the article.

Abstract: This specimen collection tool can include a handle including a core manufactured by injecting a first material into a mold; wherein the core includes a flat portion, a protrusion and a proximal portion; a distal end having a cavity for receiving the core manufactured by injecting a second material into the mold wherein the second injection is performed without removing the handle from the mold and the second material surrounds the core; a first set of microfeatures disposed on the distal end having a second set of microfeatures disposed on the first set of microfeatures; a demolding pin included in the distal end; a support surface included on the core to support the core in the mold; and, a tapered tip included in the core operatively associated with a narrowing portion of the distal end to hinder removal of the distal end from the handle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pouch (also called a flexible container) for holding fluid, the pouch including: (a) a first polymeric sheet including a first inner body and a first outer surface, the first inner body including a first inner surface and inner microstructure extending from the first inner surface, the first inner body defining an aerial microstructure surface area density (AMSAD) between 5% and 15%; (b) a second polymeric sheet including a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second polymeric sheet may be joined with the first polymeric sheet such that the first inner body and the second inner surface form an air-tight fluid chamber therebetween. The second polymeric sheet may lack microstructure extending from the second inner surface. The first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, and the second outer surface may be smooth and non-recessed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved contact surface for manipulating articles wherein the microstructure included on the contact surface having a plurality of pillars spaced apart in the range of 200 ?m and 600 ?m, having a height in the range of 50 ?m and 1200 ?m, a width of in the range of 70 ?m and 300 ?m, a wall draft angle between 0° and 15°, a density of in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 pillars per square inch, and a friction rating greater than 7. The contact surface can be included on a sewing machine feed dog, a glove, sporting equipment, firearm grip, hand rail, tool grip, tool handle, and a strap such as for a satchel or backpack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pouch (also called a flexible container) for holding fluid, the pouch including: (a) a first polymeric sheet including a first inner body and a first outer surface, the first inner body including a first inner surface and inner microstructure extending from the first inner surface, the first inner body defining an aerial microstructure surface area density (AMSAD) between 5% and 15%; (b) a second polymeric sheet including a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second polymeric sheet may be joined with the first polymeric sheet such that the first inner body and the second inner surface form an air-tight fluid chamber therebetween. The second polymeric sheet may lack microstructure extending from the second inner surface. The first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, and the second outer surface may be smooth and non-recessed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved contact surface for manipulating articles wherein the microstructure included on the contact surface having a plurality of pillars spaced apart in the range of 200 ?m and 600 ?m, having a height in the range of 50 ?m and 1200 ?m, a width of in the range of 70 ?m and 300 ?m, a wall draft angle between 0° and 15°, a density of in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 pillars per square inch, and a friction rating greater than 7. The contact surface can be included on a sewing machine feed dog, a glove, sporting equipment, firearm grip, hand rail, tool grip, tool handle, and a strap such as for a satchel or backpack.

Abstract: This invention is a fracturing component and method having a fluid and a plurality of three dimensional structures mixed in the fluid wherein each structure has a longitudinal axis, center of mass and center of pressure wherein the center of mass and the center of pressure do not align in a stable manner causing the structure to flutter in the fluid to reduce the structure from settling out of the fluid when injected into a fissure. Each three dimensional structure can include a first end of the structure having a first plane having an angle of incident ?1 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second end of the structure having a second plane having an angle of incident ?2 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The difference between ?1 and ?2 can be in a range of 0° to 65°.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pouch (also called a flexible container) for holding fluid, the pouch including: (a) a first polymeric sheet including a first inner body and a first outer surface, the first inner body including a first inner surface and inner microstructure extending from the first inner surface, the first inner body defining an aerial microstructure surface area density (AMSAD) between 5% and 15%; (b) a second polymeric sheet including a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second polymeric sheet may be joined with the first polymeric sheet such that the first inner body and the second inner surface form an air-tight fluid chamber therebetween. The second polymeric sheet may lack microstructure extending from the second inner surface. The first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, and the second outer surface may be smooth and non-recessed.

Abstract: This invention is a fracturing component and method having a fluid and a plurality of three dimensional structures mixed in the fluid wherein each structure has a longitudinal axis, center of mass and center of pressure wherein the center of mass and the center of pressure do not align in a stable manner causing the structure to flutter in the fluid to reduce the structure from settling out of the fluid when injected into a fissure. Each three dimensional structure can include a first end of the structure having a first plane having an angle of incident ?1 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second end of the structure having a second plane having an angle of incident ?2 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The difference between ?1 and ?2 can be in a range of 0° to 65°.