A method of forming an orthodontic aligner comprises: generating a teeth digital model; generating a digital dental model based thereon; assigning an identifier to the digital model; forming a dental model, marked with the identifier, corresponding to the digital model; coding a RFID chip within a pallet with the identifier; placing the dental model upon the corresponding pallet, based on the identifier, to form a model/pallet pair; placing the model/pallet pair into a model/pallet vessel; placing a biocompatible thermoplastic sheet upon a membrane stretched about a pressurizable chamber; heating the thermoplastic sheet; placing the membrane and the heated sheet adjacent the model/pallet pair; pressurizing the chamber to apply pressure to the membrane to form the sheet onto the model to form a molded aligner sheet; and cooling the molded aligner sheet to form the orthodontic aligner. The membrane creates a physical barrier between the applied pressure and the sheet.

Collapsible containers are an attractive alternative to surface-tension propellant management devices (PMDs) for handling cryogenic liquids, as the collapsible container comparatively may 1) allow higher expulsion flow rates than vanes and sponges, 2) significantly reduce operational complexity, and 3) thermally insulate the propellant from environmental heat leaks. Furthermore, while historical cryogenic collapsible containers suffered from the low ductility of polymer films at cryogenic temperatures, the technology disclosed herein shows that the incorporation of folded patterns into the collapsible container substantially increases the reusability of the cryogenic PMD.

Collapsible containers are an attractive alternative to surface-tension propellant management devices (PMDs) for handling cryogenic liquids, as the collapsible container comparatively may 1) allow higher expulsion flow rates than vanes and sponges, 2) significantly reduce operational complexity, and 3) thermally insulate the propellant from environmental heat leaks. Furthermore, while historical cryogenic collapsible containers suffered from the low ductility of polymer films at cryogenic temperatures, the technology disclosed herein shows that the incorporation of folded patterns into the collapsible container substantially increases the reusability of the cryogenic PMD.

Systems and methods for providing heat to a three-dimensional article are disclosed. The method can include inserting at least a portion of the article over a form. The method can further include inserting the form and article at least partially within an article container and moving the form and article into engagement with a flexible membrane where the membrane and the article container form an airtight chamber. The method can further include exposing the airtight chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to pull the membrane against at least a portion of the article and exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media.

Systems and methods for providing heat to a three-dimensional article are disclosed. The method can include inserting at least a portion of the article over a form. The method can further include inserting the form and article at least partially within an article container and moving the form and article into engagement with a flexible membrane where the membrane and the article container form an airtight chamber. The method can further include exposing the airtight chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to pull the membrane against at least a portion of the article and exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.

An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.

An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.

An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.

An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.