An orthodontic appliance shaped to receive teeth. The orthodontic appliance can be constructed from a laminate structure with an outer transparent layer and an inner translucent layer. The translucent layer can scatter light to decrease a relative degree or perceived gloss to the human eye, and hence provide a more natural appearance to the orthodontic appliance.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing system is described. The additive manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing device to form a three-dimensional (3D) printed object. The additive manufacturing system also includes a placement device to embed at least a portion of a container structure into the 3D printed object. The container structure expels a payload when a predetermined condition is met. A controller of the additive manufacturing system controls additive manufacturing and placement of the portion of the container structure.

A curved human interface device is manufactured by thermoforming a stack. The stack comprises a front substrate formed of a transparent, first thermoplastic material; an OLED display configured to display an image through the front substrate; and a thermomechanical buffer layer formed of a transparent, second thermoplastic material arranged between the front substrate and the OLED display. Heat is applied to the stack for causing a temperature of the front substrate and buffer layer to increase to a respective processing temperature at which the first and second thermoplastic materials become pliable. The stack is thermoformed while the thermoplastic materials are pliable to form the curved human interface device. The second thermoplastic material has a lower stiffness at the respective processing temperature than the first thermoplastic material.

Methods for producing a transfer film (1), in particular IMD transfer film (1), wherein the following steps are carried out, in particular in the specified order: preparing a carrier ply (3), preparing a transfer ply (2) having a decorative ply (21), wherein the transfer ply (2) has been or is arranged on the carrier ply (3), applying one or more forming elements (40) to the carrier ply (3), wherein the one or more forming elements (40) have a three-dimensional shape and are applied register-accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21).

A method for coating a plastic injection-molded article with the transfer film, as well as the transfer film and the plastic injection-molded article.

Method of forming an article from a molten plastic composition including a polymer and a blowing agent. The method provides that during an injecting step (c) and a packing step (d), the injection pressure and the packing pressure, respectively, are maintained above a minimum pressure threshold in at least one second region of the cavity to maintain the physical blowing agent as a gas dissolved in the polymer so that substantially no gas bubbles are formed in the at least one second region, during a mould opening step (e), at least some of the molten plastic composition is exposed to an external pressure lower than a minimum pressure threshold to form in the article at least one first portion having expanded cellular foam formed from the plastic composition, and prior to the opening step (e), the plastic composition in the at least one second region of the cavity has been cooled so as to be fully solidified to form in the article at least one second portion having a substantially homogeneous, solid phase, unexpanded plastic composition

A face shield, patient interface and methods of use thereof are described for improved respiratory therapy of patients. In particular, a face shield is disclosed that acts as a seal when used with a patient interface. The face shield may be manufactured from a low melt temperature hard thermoplastic material. The face shield may be formed initially formed to match the general contours of the face, but not customised to a specific user's face. The face shield may be crosslinked to provide shape memory to the seal and to improve its handling properties and is configured to be thermoformed to a user's face. The face shield may be customised to the patient's facial features to a second customised shape.

A molded component displays an optical image that is visible from a front by allowing light that is emitted from a light source that is disposed at a back to pass therethrough. The molded component includes a light-shielding resin member that has an optical transmission hole that has a shape depending on the optical image in a plan view, and a transparent resin member that is optically transparent and that is stacked on a surface of the light-shielding resin member that faces the front such that the transparent resin member covers at least the optical transmission hole. The transparent resin member includes a peripheral portion that has a constant thickness, and a thin portion that is disposed inside the peripheral portion and that is thinner than the peripheral portion.

Multi-body interpenetrating lattices comprise two or more lattices that interlace or interpenetrate through the same volume without any direct physical connection to each other, wherein energy transfer is controlled by surface interactions. As a result, multifunctional or composite-like responses can be achieved by additive manufacturing of the interpenetrating lattices, even with only a single print material, with programmable interface-dominated properties. As a result, the interpenetrating lattices can have unique mechanical properties, including improved toughness, multi-stable/negative stiffness, and electromechanical coupling.

The invention discloses a preform for a container comprising a polyester, titanium dioxide, and a light absorbing additive. In addition, a process for preparing a polyester-based container from such a preform is disclosed, as well as a polyester-based container obtainable by such a process. The opaque containers can for instance be used for storing light-sensitive solids and/or liquids. The optical properties of the preform result in improved properties during blow-moulding processes.

Method of forming an article from a molten plastic composition including a polymer and a blowing agent. The method provides that during an injecting step (c) and a packing step (d), the injection pressure and the packing pressure, respectively, are maintained above a minimum pressure threshold in at least one second region of the cavity to maintain the physical blowing agent as a gas dissolved in the polymer so that substantially no gas bubbles are formed in the at least one second region, during a mould opening step (e), at least some of the molten plastic composition is exposed to an external pressure lower than a minimum pressure threshold to form in the article at least one first portion having expanded cellular foam formed from the plastic composition, and prior to the opening step (e), the plastic composition in the at least one second region of the cavity has been cooled so as to be fully solidified to form in the article at least one second portion having a substantially homogeneous, solid phase, unexpanded plastic composition.