Abstract: One variation of a method for manufacturing a physical volumetric representation of a virtual three-dimensional object includes: receiving a series of adjacent cross-sections of the virtual three-dimensional object, including a first cross-section and a second cross-section of the virtual three-dimensional object; depositing a first layer of transparent polymer; curing a portion of the first layer of transparent polymer; with ink, printing an image of the first cross-section onto a dominant face of the first layer; depositing a second layer of transparent polymer over the first layer of transparent polymer; curing a portion of the second layer of transparent polymer; with ink, printing an image of the second cross-section onto a dominant face of the second layer according to an order of the series of cross-sections; and releasing a stack of layers including the first layer of transparent polymer and the second layer of transparent polymer from the build platform.

Abstract: One variation of a method for manufacturing a physical volumetric representation of a virtual three-dimensional object includes: slicing the virtual three-dimensional object into a set of virtual layers of discrete virtual thickness; for each virtual layer in the set of virtual layers, selecting a set of cross-sections of a portion of the virtual three-dimensional object within the virtual layer, setting an opacity level for each cross-section, combining the set of cross-sections into a composite cross-section based on an opacity level set for each cross-section, and printing the composite cross-section onto a dominant face of a substrate in a set of substrates; and assembling the set of substrates into a stack, each substrate in the set of substrates positioned within the stack according to a position within the virtual three-dimensional object of a cross-section printed on the substrate.

Abstract: An inflatable container generally includes a flexible housing having an interior cavity and a flexible valve in operative association with the housing, wherein, when a first force is exerted on the housing and a second force is exerted on the valve, or the valve is attached to an external object such as another container, the housing and the valve each undergo a change in shape to draw fluid from the ambient environment, through the valve, and into the interior cavity.

Abstract: A packaging device generally includes a flexible inner container, a flexible outer container, and a one-way valve in fluid communication with the inner container. Articles to be packaged are contained within the inner container, and the inner container is positioned within the outer container. When the containers are closed and pressure is applied to the outer container, ambient fluid trapped within the outer container transfers the pressure to the inner container, thereby urging fluid flow from the inner container, through the one-way valve, and out of the packaging device.

Abstract: A packaging device generally includes a flexible inner container, a flexible outer container, and a one-way valve in fluid communication with the inner container. Articles to be packaged are contained within the inner container, and the inner container is positioned within the outer container. When the containers are closed and pressure is applied to the outer container, ambient fluid trapped within the outer container transfers the pressure to the inner container, thereby urging fluid flow from the inner container, through the one-way valve, and out of the packaging device.

Abstract: A flexible valve includes two or more juxtaposed film plies joined together with one or more seals. The valve is movable between (1) an ingress position to allow fluid flow through the valve in a first direction, e.g., into a container with which the valve is associated; (2) a seal position to substantially prevent fluid flow through the valve; and (3) an egress position to allow fluid flow through the valve in a second direction, e.g., out of a container with which the valve is associated.

Abstract: An inflatable container generally includes a flexible housing having an interior cavity and a flexible valve in operative association with the housing, wherein, when a first force is exerted on the housing and a second force is exerted on the valve, or the valve is attached to an external object such as another container, the housing and the valve each undergo a change in shape to draw fluid from the ambient environment, through the valve, and into the interior cavity.