Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first sole plate extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a first cleat set disposed in a forefoot region and having a first plurality of traction elements arranged in a first annular pattern about a first axis disposed in the forefoot region. The sole structure also A second cleat set is disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and includes a second plurality of the traction elements arranged in a second annular pattern about a second axis disposed in the heel region.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a curtain wall panel having an inner core material sandwiched between two outer walls and at least one elastic member inserted into at least one channel formed by the inner core material. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a curtain wall system including a plurality of adjacent panels of the present disclosure and at least one joining member configured to be received within a recess formed by the at least one elastic member of at least two of the plurality of adjacent panels. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for assembling a curtain wall system of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A unitized panel system may include a perimeter aluminum unitized frame. The unitized panel system may also include a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite panel. The unitized panel system may also include an aluminum structure attached to the perimeter aluminum unitized frame. An end portion of the FRP composite may be enclosed in the aluminum structure or sandwiched between the aluminum structure and the perimeter aluminum unitized frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a trailer without the presence of a physical connection. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a signal to initiate hitchless maneuvering of a trailer separately from a controlling vehicle, acquiring control inputs to maneuver the trailer from an input device within the controlling vehicle. The method includes communicating, from the controlling vehicle to the trailer, the control inputs to maneuver the trailer. The method includes in response to receiving feedback from the trailer indicating the trailer is within a requested position, sending a control signal to stop the trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rupture disc assembly for use in making a temporary seal in a vessel such as a casing string. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc having a side surface that has a shallow angle taper inward towards a bottom surface of the rupture disc, and a mounting apparatus to support the rupture disc so that the rupture disc forms the temporary seal. When a disc working pressure is applied to a top surface of the rupture disc, engagement/force transmission between the rupture disc and the mounting apparatus produces enough radial compression in the rupture disc due to the shallow angle taper to significantly mitigate or cancel tensile stresses thereby avoiding the rupture disc from breaking. The rupture disc may be configured to break when the rupture disc is subjected to a disc working pressure that is greater than the disc rupture pressure, thereby removing the temporary seal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securely transferring and merging an electronic shopping cart curated by an affiliate online service for purchase on a retailer online service is disclosed. The retailer online service provides an anonymous token to the affiliate online service that allows the affiliate online service to curate an anonymous electronic shopping cart for a user that does not include any identifying information that links the user to a guest account of the retailer online service. When the user is redirected from the affiliate online service to the retailer online service, the anonymous token is validated. Upon validation of the anonymous token, the retailer online service obtains identifying information linking the user to the guest account of the retailer online service and obtain a pre-existing electronic shopping cart linked to the guest account. The retailer online service then merges the anonymous electronic shopping cart with the pre-existing electronic shopping cart.

Abstract: A substrate for use in an aqueous slurry has a polymeric coating to provide a compliant and sticky surface. The polymer coating has a chemical to render the surface hydrophobic so as to attract hydrophobic or hydrophobized mineral particles in the slurry. The substrate can take the form of a conveyor belt, a bead, a mesh, an impeller, a filter or a flat surface. The substrate can also be an open-cell foam. The polymeric coating can be modified with tackifiers; plasticizers; crosslinking agents; chain transfer agents; chain extenders; adhesion promoters; aryl or alky copolymers; fluorinated copolymers and/or additives; hydrophobizing agents such as hexamethyldisilazane; inorganic particles such as silica, hydrophobic silica, and/or fumed hydrophobic silica; MQ resin; and/or other additives to control and modify the properties of the polymer.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner for removing material from a vessel, such as but not limited to a sumps, and storage tank, includes a chassis, elongated track members, and a cleaning head. A first elongated track member is on a first side of the chassis and a second elongated track member is on a second side of the chassis, and the elongated track members enable movement of the robotic cleaner along a surface. The cleaning head is supported by the chassis and is nested between the first and second elongated track members such that the first elongated track member and the second elongated track member overlap the cleaning head in a lateral direction. An inlet of the cleaning head may face a forward direction of the robotic cleaner.

Abstract: A junction box is provided for use with a water heater, a conduit, and a wire, the water heater having a water tank, a jacket separated from and concentrically surrounding the water tank, a coupling on the water tank, an electrical device associated with the coupling, and insulation disposed between the water tank and the jacket, the conduit being configured to be disposed between the water tank and the jacket, the wire being configured to be disposed within the conduit and being configured to be connected to the electrical device, the jacket having a jacket opening at the coupling.

Abstract: A new and improved NPWT bandage which is simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use, small in size (including having a low profile), is atraumatic to the wound during use, has improved pump efficiency, incorporates an automatic pressure indicator for indicating the level of negative pressure created, and provides an automatic pressure limiter for limiting the level of negative pressure created.

Abstract: A process of coating an open-cell foam substrate includes the steps of arranging two rollers separated by a gap; positioning the substrate above the gap; providing a coating material onto the substrate, feeding the substrate through the gap so as to achieve a layer of the coating material on the substrate, wherein the coating material is selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane derivative, acrylic polymer, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles, styrene block copolymers with ethylene, styrene block copolymers with propylene, styrene block copolymers with isoprene and polyvinyl ether and modifying the coating with tackifiers; plasticizers; crosslinking agents; chain transfer agents; chain extenders; adhesion promoters; aryl or alky copolymers; fluorinated copolymers; hexamethyldisilazane; and silica.

Abstract: A door actuation system may include an actuation device to move a first door leaf and a second door leaf between an open and a closed position. The actuation device may provide an open preload force in the open position. The actuation device may provide a closed preload force in the closed position. The system may include one or more of: a first engagement member that may contact the actuation device and may allow movement of the actuation device to adjust the open and closed preload force; or the actuation device may be coupled with the first door leaf by a first rod and the second door leaf by a second rod, at least one of the first or second rod may adjust a length of the first or second rod to maintain the open preload force in the open position and the closed preload force in the closed position.

Abstract: There is provided a bottomhole assembly that is deployable downhole within a wellbore via a conveyance system. The conveyance system includes a fluid conductor for effecting fluid communication between the surface and the bottomhole assembly. The bottomhole assembly includes an actuator tool and a shifting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the actuator tool is disposed for receiving transmission of a compressive force being applied to the conveyance system from the surface, and transmitting the compressive force for actuating the shifting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the actuator includes an anchoring tool configured for hydraulic actuation, via fluid pressure forces communicated by the fluid conductor of the conveyance system, for becoming retained relative to the wellbore string.

Abstract: Assays, kits, and methods that target and/or detect the presence of bovine respiratory complex (BRD)-associated pathogens in a sample. These assays, kits and methods can be portable and capable of providing fast (within 45 minutes) and accurate (at least 96%) results in the field, eliminating the need for a laboratory and other complex equipment.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for handling dental restorations or dental appliances, including a device having an adhesive at one side of a flexible substrate which peels from a strip to connect to a dental appliance, the device further including an abrasive at an opposite side of the substrate, and in further aspects a tab section devoid of adhesive to accommodate easy grasp and lift of the device for removal from the dental appliance, and in further aspects a string attached to the tab.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate material having a polyester film and a web of polyester fibers cohesively bonded directly thereto, such that portions of the fibers are bonded to the polyester film and portions of the fibers are free from the polyester film. The invention may also include a glass reinforced polymer layer formed on the laminated facer where the polymer of the glass reinforced polymer layer is commingled with the nonwoven of the laminated facer. The laminate may further include a second polymer layer having a thickness joined to the fiber layer and/or a layer of hot melt adhesive applied to the polyester fibers. Also presented is a composite material having a polyester film, a layer of polyester fibers bonded to the second polymer layer; a second polymer layer joined to the polyester film; and a glass reinforced polymer layer formed on the laminated facer, where the polymer of the class reinforced polymer layer is commingled with the nonwoven of the laminated facer.

Abstract: A new and improved NPWT bandage which is simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use, small in size (including having a low profile), is atraumatic to the wound during use, has improved pump efficiency, incorporates an automatic pressure indicator for indicating the level of negative pressure created, and provides an automatic pressure limiter for limiting the level of negative pressure created.

Abstract: A cryoneedle comprises an outer tube having a distal section with a generally central gas supply line placed within the outer tube. The gas supply line supplies a cryogas for forming an iceball on an outer surface of the outer tube over the distal section. The gas supply line terminates in an expansion chamber placed within the distal section. The cryoneedle comprises a heat exchange helix contacting the inner surface of the outer tube. The heat exchange helix has an increasing surface area per unit distance of the distal section such that the iceball has a generally symmetric shape.