1. A support device comprising:
a garment configured to be worn by a user; and
at least one sensory feedback element coupled to the garment, the at least one sensory feedback element configured to provide sensory feedback to the user, the sensory feedback configured to encourage the user to adopt an appropriate posture during a lifting operation by the user.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the appropriate posture comprises the user having a non-loaded curve of the spine.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback is configured to result in the user adopting the appropriate posture during at least 50% of lifting operations performed by the user.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback comprises an inward pressure on the user’s back.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensory feedback element comprises a backplate assembly.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a hand effector configured to allow free hand motion of the user relative to the device when the user is not performing the lifting operation, and configured to lock a motion of the user’s hands relative to the device during the lifting operation.
7. A lifting vest with sensory feedback comprising:
a load transfer element configured to transfer a weight of a load from a location of the load to a point over shoulders of a user and down to a lower torso of the user;
a posture compliance element configured to passively or actively enforce an appropriate back posture;
a coupling device configured to connect the load transfer element to the postural compliance element; and
at least one sensory feedback element configured to provide sensory feedback to the user.
8. The lifting vest of claim 7, where the at least one sensory feedback element is integrated into the posture compliance element.
9. The lifting vest of claim 7, wherein the sensory feedback is configured to result in the user adopting an appropriate lifting posture during at least 50% of lifting operations performed by the user.
10. The lifting vest of claim 7, wherein the sensory feedback comprises an inward pressure on the user’s back.
11. The lifting vest of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensory feedback element comprises a backplate assembly.
12. The lifting vest of claim 7, further comprising a hand effector configured to allow free hand motion of the user relative to the load transfer element when the user is not performing the lifting operation, and configured to lock a motion of the user’s hands relative to the load transfer element during a lifting operation.
13. A method of creating appropriate lifting posture in an individual, the method comprising enabling the individual to perform a lifting operation while wearing the support device of claim 1.
14. A method of creating appropriate lifting posture in an individual, the method comprising enabling the individual to perform a lifting operation while wearing the lifting vest of claim 7.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for extracting C5 sugars including pentose or C6 sugars including hexose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid, the method comprising the steps of:
feeding the slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid to a first stage via an inlet at a top of a vessel;
exposing the slurry in the first stage to a first temperature between 130\xb0 C. and 190\xb0 C. for a first period of time ranging between 10 minutes and 120 minutes;
extracting liquid comprising pentose or hexose from the slurry in the first stage;
passing the slurry to a counter-current wash stage;
feeding water to the counter-current wash stage via a first recycle loop;
exposing the slurry in the counter-current wash stage to a second temperature between 100\xb0 C. and 170\xb0 C. for a second period of time ranging between 30 minutes and 120 minutes;
passing the material through a pass-through zone;
passing the slurry to a second stage;
exposing the slurry in the second stage to a third temperature between 150\xb0 C. and 190\xb0 C. for a third period of time ranging between 30 minutes and 240 minutes while lowering the pH, wherein the slurry in the second stage obtains a soup-like consistency;
feeding acid or base to the second stage via a second recycle loop, wherein the second recycle loop passes through a heat exchanger; and
removing the slurry from the vessel, wherein the slurry comprises lignin.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pass-through zone prevents material from the second stage from entering the wash zone.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature is between 140\xb0 C. and 160\xb0 C.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the slurry comprises acid and the first temperature is between 130\xb0 C. and 170\xb0 C.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the slurry does not comprise acid and the first temperature is between 170\xb0 C. and 190\xb0 C.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature is between 140\xb0 C. and 160\xb0 C.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third temperature is between 180\xb0 C. and 190\xb0 C.