Abstract:
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to casting of an optical part having a non-uniform thickness. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method for casting an optical part having a non-uniform thickness, the method including adding a fluid material into a first cavity and into a second cavity separated from the first cavity by a separator. The first and second cavities may each have a non-uniform thickness and the separator may have a configuration complementary to shapes of the first and second cavities such that the first cavity, the second cavity, and the separator form a combined structure having a uniform thickness during a casting process. The method further comprises solidifying the fluid material in the first and second cavities to form the first and second optical parts.
Abstract:
Embodiments related to the fabrication of a light guide are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises extruding a thermoplastic polymer through a die to form an extrusion, machining the extrusion to one or more fixed dimensions, and maintaining a face of the extrusion in contact with a heated mold surface to soften or melt the face of the extrusion while applying pressure to the extrusion.
Abstract:
Embodiments related to the fabrication of a light guide are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises extruding a thermoplastic polymer through a die to form an extrusion, machining the extrusion to one or more fixed dimensions, and maintaining a face of the extrusion in contact with a heated mold surface to soften or melt the face of the extrusion while applying pressure to the extrusion.
Abstract:
A point of sale coffee pod dispensing device for use with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The compressible pods are arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities. The pod advancing means moves the pods from a pod loading station to the pod delivery station, there between sequentially passing through stations for pod expanding, coffee filling, and sealing. An operating system allows input of signals for the operation of the device based on tactile input from a control panel on the device's housing that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating coffee pods at a point of sale location using a coffee pod dispensing device with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The fabrication is initiated by tactile input from a control panel that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated and generates the operational signals for the dispensing device. Fabrication there after progresses sequentially through a series of operations that involves the loading of the coffee pods onto a pod advancing means which then takes the coffee pods through the steps of expansion, filling, sealing and delivery. To accomplish this the pods are compressible pods arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities.
Abstract:
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to input devices with curved multi-touch surfaces. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a method of making a multi-touch input device having a curved touch-sensitive surface comprises forming on a substrate an array of sensor elements defining a plurality of pixels of the multi-touch sensor, forming the substrate into a shape that conforms to a surface of the curved geometric feature of the body of the input device, and fixing the substrate to the curved geometric feature of the body of the input device.
Abstract:
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to input devices with curved multi-touch surfaces. One disclosed embodiment comprises a touch-sensitive input device having a curved geometric feature comprising a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising an array of sensor elements integrated into the curved geometric feature and being configured to detect a location of a touch made on a surface of the curved geometric feature.
Abstract:
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to fabrication of an optical wedge. For example, one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing an optical wedge comprising inserting a wedge blank into a vacuum molding tool and applying a vacuum to the vacuum molding tool to temporarily hold the wedge blank against a molding surface of the vacuum molding tool. The method further comprises removing a layer from a top surface of the wedge blank to expose a machined surface of the wedge blank, and casting a finish layer on the machined surface to form a finish layer of a finished optical wedge.
Abstract:
Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface.
Abstract:
Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface.