In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

The present invention relates to a method and a structure for attaching nonslip members to both sides of a sock, in which nonslip members having a variety of patterns may be firmly attached to an inner side and an outer side of a sock, which need a nonslip member, using a mold, the nonslip member includes air holes to be smoothly ventilated, and a size of the nonslip member is adequately adjusted according to a thickness and an area of the mold.

A flexible prosthetic inner socket that resides inside of a rigid prosthetic socket that is fabricated by forming a sized, injection molded, flexible inner pre-socket. The flexible inner pre-socket includes a body formed with an opening and an enclosed end. The Pre-socket can be heated and stretched over a prosthetic residual limb model and then a prosthetic rigid socket can be formed over it. It can also be heated and vacuum-formed inside of an existing hard prosthetic socket in order to provide global volume reduction intended to make the rigid prosthetic socket fit tighter onto the residual limb. The opening of the flexible inner socket may be trimmed after the formation to fit contours of an opening of the rigid prosthetic socket.

Embodiments provide methods of assembling an apparel product. The methods include applying a composition to a portion of a major component of the apparel product or a portion of a minor component of the apparel product. The methods include coupling the portion of the minor component with the portion of the major component via the composition. The major component forms a base portion of the apparel product and is configured to be supported and worn at least partially over a portion of a wearer. The minor component forms a secondary portion that is configured to be coupled to the major component with an adhesive. The composition is cured to form the adhesive and the apparel product. The adhesive includes a polymer having a cyclodextrin moiety bonded to an azobenzene moiety.

A method for producing a water-tight, water-vapour-permeable segment, having a three-dimensional contour, for a shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack or for producing a shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack, the segment being free of connection points in its surface, and the method for producing the segment being a thermoforming process in which the two-dimensional flat structure obtained is completely laminated in its entirety, the segment being free of connection points in its surface. Also, a water-tight, water-vapour-permeable segment of a three-dimensional functional laminate for introduction into a shoe or shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack, the segment being dimensionally stable under its own weight, of a single piece and free of connection points in its surface.

The pressing of an article is achieved with a closed-loop feedback press. The closed-loop feedback press is effective to measure an amount of pressure applied and adjust the pressure to achieve a prescribed amount of compression on the article. Further, the press may leverage a closed-loop feedback system to maintain a consistent temperature of one or more platens. The press is able to adjust a pressure applied one or more times during a pressing operation to accelerate a temperature change in the pressed article while reducing the pressure applied as the temperature approaches a target temperature to limit unintentional deformation and bleeding of the pressed material of the article.

A system comprising a scanner to scan the airman or soldier (subject), a processor to receive, from the scanner, a non-manifold three-dimensional (3D) digital surface model (DSM) scan data representative of the subject, and a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) device. The processor recognizes anatomical features on the 3D surface model including the cephalic (head) region of the scanned subject; stores each sub region defined by anatomical features as a non-manifold 3D surface model; creates a surface offset from the DSM sub region; creates a closed volume within and between the DSM sub region and the offset surface representative of a solid 3D pilot flight equipment; and causes a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) device to manufacture the solid 3D pilot flight equipment.

Disclosed is a welding machine for synthetic resins. The welding machine for synthetic resins performs welding of fabrics using ultrasonic waves and through preheating sufficient not to burn off a coating solution on the surfaces of the fabrics using hot air so as to achieve rapid and firm welding due to concentrated molecular decomposition and melting on the bonding surface between the fabrics, allows both an ultrasonic horn and a welding wheel to be rotated vertically so as to achieve rapid and stable entry of the fabrics and welding of the fabrics while preventing the fabrics from slipping, and achieves stable welding of various fabrics through adjustment of pressing force of the welding wheel depending on the thickness or the material of the fabrics, etc.

The pressing of an article is achieved with a closed-loop feedback press. The closed-loop feedback press is effective to measure an amount of pressure applied and adjust the pressure to achieve a prescribed amount of compression on the article. Further, the press may leverage a closed-loop feedback system to maintain a consistent temperature of one or more platens. The press is able to adjust a pressure applied one or more times during a pressing operation to accelerate a temperature change in the pressed article while reducing the pressure applied as the temperature approaches a target temperature to limit unintentional deformation and bleeding of the pressed material of the article.

Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.