The present disclosure relates to a recyclable, padded paper mailer that is water resistant, heat sealable, and provides padded protection. The mailers in accordance with this disclosure find utility as padded mailing envelopes such as e-commerce mailers, bubble packaging pillows, or any other protective shipping packaging.

Provided is a polymeric auricular scaffold for use in auricular implants and methods for making them. The disclosed polymeric auricular scaffold is formed using a biocompatible polymer sheet that is vacuumed formed into a shape representing auricular cartilage using a vacuum forming mold.

Provided is a polymeric auricular scaffold for use in auricular implants and methods for making them. The disclosed polymeric auricular scaffold is formed using a biocompatible polymer sheet that is vacuumed formed into a shape representing auricular cartilage using a vacuum forming mold.

A pressure forming machine is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure forming machine integrates a heater in its pressure chamber, so the heater and pressure chamber are movable together with respect to a base of the pressure forming machine. The pressure chamber and base can contain locking mechanisms to create a seal between the pressure chamber and a plastic sheet used for forming. The base can also contain a separable air compressor component, so the air compressor can be physically distanced to reduce the noise experienced by a user. Other embodiments are provided.

A pressure forming machine is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure forming machine integrates a heater in its pressure chamber, so the heater and pressure chamber are movable together with respect to a base of the pressure forming machine. The pressure chamber and base can contain locking mechanisms to create a seal between the pressure chamber and a plastic sheet used for forming. The base can also contain a separable air compressor component, so the air compressor can be physically distanced to reduce the noise experienced by a user. Other embodiments are provided.

A heated polymeric sheet material feeding process. The process may include heating a polymeric sheet in a heating zone to a forming temperature to form a heated polymeric sheet material. The process may further include transferring, while under a feeding vacuum range, the heated polymeric sheet from the heating zone to feed the heated polymeric sheet material into a forming zone under the feeding vacuum range.

A heated polymeric sheet material feeding process. The process may include heating a polymeric sheet in a heating zone to a forming temperature to form a heated polymeric sheet material. The process may further include transferring, while under a feeding vacuum range, the heated polymeric sheet from the heating zone to feed the heated polymeric sheet material into a forming zone under the feeding vacuum range.

Continuous adjustment appliances are provided that can store a large number of geometries that can be successively accessed throughout orthodontic treatment, with each geometry can correspond to an arrangement of the patient's teeth. An appliance according to the present disclosure can be stimulated to transition among the myriad geometries, which can include changes to the overall shape of the appliance as well as the position and geometry of the cavities corresponding to a patient's teeth. Methods of creating the continuous adjustment appliances and methods of treatment using the continuous adjustment appliances are also revealed.

Continuous adjustment appliances are provided that can store a large number of geometries that can be successively accessed throughout orthodontic treatment, with each geometry can correspond to an arrangement of the patient's teeth. An appliance according to the present disclosure can be stimulated to transition among the myriad geometries, which can include changes to the overall shape of the appliance as well as the position and geometry of the cavities corresponding to a patient's teeth. Methods of creating the continuous adjustment appliances and methods of treatment using the continuous adjustment appliances are also revealed.

A thermoforming apparatus is provided having a pair of coacting platens, a load bearing structural member, a force applicator, and a deformation sensor. The pair of coacting platens and respective dies are configured to mate on opposed surfaces of a heated sheet of thermoformable material to form articles. The load bearing structural member is configured to carry the coacting platens and the dies in complementary closed relationship about the sheet during an article forming operation. The force applicator is carried by the structural member and configured to impart a forming load between the pair of opposed dies and platens and across the structural member during a forming operation. The deformation sensor is configured to span a first location and a second location on the structural member to detect deformation indicative of separation between the dies resulting from deformation. A method is also provided.