Patents Examined by Monica Huson
  • Three-dimensional printing with reciprocal feeding of polymerizable liquid
    Patent number: 11400698
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus (including associated control methods, systems and apparatus), for the production of a three-dimensional object by “bottom up” additive manufacturing, in which a carrier is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred (but not necessarily limiting) embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., “CLIP”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Ermoshkin, David Shirvanyants, Nordstrom Kirk Phelps, Nikita Ermoshkin, Edward T. Samulski, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • Multi-layer blow molded article with functional visual and/or tactile effects
    Patent number: 11400635
    Abstract: Blow molded articles having a predetermined feature incorporated into the wall provided by variations in the thickness of the wall of the article corresponding to a predetermined pattern etched into the perform from which the article was formed. Also, etched performs for making blow molded articles and methods for making such performs and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicole Ashley Rizzo, Andrew Joseph Horton, Joseph Craig Lester, Philip Andrew Sawin
  • Articles of wear and processes for making the same
    Patent number: 11400673
    Abstract: Processes and systems for thermoforming articles of wear are disclosed. The process can include utilizing a negative pressure generation system to seal an article in a forming material thereby compressing the forming material onto the outer surface of the article. The process can also include exposing the sealed article to an increased temperature followed by exposure to a decrease temperature, while maintaining the compressive force of the forming material on the outer surface of the article. A positive pressure can also be applied to the sealed article while undergoing the heating and/or cooling steps, which can facilitate the removal of bubbles from the article during thermoforming as well as apply additional compressive force to the outer surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Meng-Chun Hu, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, I-Hsien Tseng, Mirko Bianconi, Federico Zecchetto
  • Method and device for producing a three-dimensional object
    Patent number: 11396175
    Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object by layer-wise applying and selectively solidifying a building material in powder form includes the steps of applying a layer of the building material over a working plane and selectively solidifying the layer at positions that correspond to a cross-section of the object to be produced by introducing energy and repeating the steps of applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. By doing so, the application step is carried out such that the application device moves at least twice over an area to be coated without an intermediate irradiation, and the step of selectively solidifying is carried out with an irradiation device that emits a radiation suited to solidify the building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Stefan Paternoster, Stefan Grünberger
  • Decontamination device and method
    Patent number: 11389553
    Abstract: A method for decontaminating a tube of which a first open end forms an inner neck towards the inside of the tube and an outer neck towards the outside of the tube, the method including: initially raising the temperature of the tube, then subjecting the tube to ultraviolet radiation, that includes emitting ultraviolet radiation by radiation emission apparatus, and subjecting the inside of the tube, the outer neck and the inner neck to the ultraviolet radiation, in which the first end is inserted into a cavity arranged to reflect the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the emission apparatus and to direct this ultraviolet radiation into the tube through the first end, onto the outer neck of the tube and onto the inner neck of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CLARANOR
    Inventors: Janyce Franc, Christophe Riedel
  • Vacuum thermoforming apparatus and method for manufacturing display device using the same
    Patent number: 11383423
    Abstract: A vacuum thermoforming apparatus including: a molding machine on which a window base material is mounted; and a pressure supply machine coupled to the molding machine and configured to supply a pneumatic pressure toward the molding machine. The molding machine includes a mounting part having a curved surface-shaped mounting surface, and a coupling part having a structure for coupling with the pressure supply machine and a curved portion along the shape of the mounting part. The pressure supply machine includes: a cover part facing the mounting surface; and a side wall extending from the cover part to define an inner space in the pressure supply machine, the side wall having a curved upper surface so as to engage with the coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunseung Seo, Jonghwan Cho, Jihyun Ko
  • 3-D formable sheet material
    Patent number: 11384210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3D-formable sheet material, a process for the preparation of a 3D-formed article, the use of a cellulose material and at least one particulate inorganic filler material for the preparation of a 3D-formable sheet material and for increasing the stretchability of a 3D-formable sheet material, the use of a 3D-formable sheet material in 3D-forming processes as well as a 3D-formed article comprising the 3D-formable sheet material according.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: FiberLean Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Johannes Kritzinger, Michel Schenker, Patrick Gane, Philipp Hunziker
  • Selective thermoforming of injection molded parts
    Patent number: 11383422
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object is disclosed. The method includes the step of obtaining a preform of the object, with the preform having a first panel having a planar portion and at least one second panel. The second panel has an orientation which is different from that of the first panel. The planar portion of the first panel of the preform is thermoformed so as to have a protruding element. The thermoforming is done in a selective manner such that the at least one second panel is not thermoformed. The invention is also directed to a thermoforming device for performing the thermoforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Stanley Works Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Nir Joseph Evron, Miki Birnbaum
  • Method for leakage detection in a device for shaping container preforms
    Patent number: 11383421
    Abstract: ABSTRACT The invention provides a method for leakage detection in a device for shaping container preforms, comprising a compressed air system which is connected to a compressed air source and comprises at least two fluidically connected regions that can be separated from each other and/or from the environment by shut-off elements. The method comprises a leakage test run conducted in an automated manner in which at least one of the blocking elements and/or the compressed air supply into the compressed air system is controlled in such a way that it can be determined separately for each region whether compressed air escapes therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Philipp, Robert Aust, Thomas Kitzinger, Dieter Finger, Thomas Rauschendorfer
  • Apparatus and methods for fabricating components
    Patent number: 11376778
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for fabricating a component having a surface substantially free of imperfections may include providing a mold having a configuration corresponding to the component, and depositing a material on at least one surface of the mold to fabricate the component having the surface substantially free of imperfections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenneth Susnjara
  • Method and device for forming a balloon
    Patent number: 11357957
    Abstract: A method for forming a balloon provides a preform that encloses an internal space. The preform is pre-heated to a shaping temperature by passing a heated gas or fluid via an inlet of the preform into the internal space. The preform is then shaped the preform into a balloon. A device is configured to heat a preform using heated gas or fluid to decouple heating from the temperature of a shaping tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Matthias Wesselmann, Amir Fargahi, Christoph Hoser, Daniela Santos, Bodo Quint, Tobias Schaefer
  • Pouch molding method and apparatus
    Patent number: 11358322
    Abstract: To solve the above problems, a pouch molding method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a seating step of seating a pouch film on a top surface of a die; a stripper descending step of allowing a stripper disposed above the die to descend; a fixing step of fixing the pouch film using the stripper; a molding preparation step of allowing a Blank holder disposed at a central portion of the die to ascend to contact one surface of the pouch film and allowing a punch disposed at a central portion of the stripper to descend to contact the other surface of the pouch film; and a molding step of allowing the punch and the Blank holder to descend along with each other to form a cup part in the pouch film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Kim, Woo Yong Lee, Kieun Sung, Hyun II Kim, Byung Jun Ahn, Tae Hyun Kim, Sung Gyu Kim
  • Systems and methods for thermoforming thermoplastic structures
    Patent number: 11358321
    Abstract: A thermoforming method includes heating a thermoplastic panel to a forming temperature, and compressing the thermoplastic panel between a first tool and a second tool, wherein the thermoplastic panel is bent about a first axis extending along a first direction with respect to the thermoplastic panel in response to being compressed between the first tool and the second tool. The thermoplastic panel may then be cooled to a hardened temperature and disposed between a third tool and a fourth tool. The method further includes heating the thermoplastic panel to the forming temperature, and compressing the thermoplastic panel between the third tool and the fourth tool, wherein the thermoplastic panel is bent about a second axis extending along a second direction with respect to the thermoplastic panel in response to being compressed between the third tool and the fourth tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Sensors for three-dimensional printing systems and methods
    Patent number: 11351735
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. The methods may comprise providing, adjacent to a build surface, a film comprising a polymeric precursor. A sensor may be used to determine a profile of the film. The profile may be indicative of a quality of the film. If the profile meets a quality threshold, at least a portion of the film may be exposed to light to initiate formation of a polymeric material from the polymeric precursor, thereby printing at least a portion of the 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Holo, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Greene, Jonathan Pomeroy, Pierre Lin, Carlo Quinonez
  • Die with a modular adjustment system and a modular adjustment system
    Patent number: 11351711
    Abstract: An adjustment system coupled to a die, and a die including an adjustment system, includes first and second adjustment modules. The first adjustment module includes a first body, a first plurality of studs, and a first actuator. Each of the first plurality of studs is slidably positioned within the first body. The first actuator is coupled to the first plurality of studs and is configured to move each of the first plurality of studs. The second adjustment module includes a second body, a second plurality of studs, and a second actuator. Each of the second plurality of studs is slidably positioned within the second body. The second actuator is coupled to the second plurality of studs and is configured to move each of the second plurality of studs. The number of studs composing the first plurality of studs is different from a number of studs composing the second plurality of studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Pitsch, Mike Dudley, Kerry Reetz
  • Apparatus, systems, and methods for finishing a yarned strap
    Patent number: 11352726
    Abstract: The disclosed method may include bending, by an end-shaping tool, a portion of an end of a strap in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a plane of the strap. The bending may include extending the portion of the end of the strap over a raised area of a first portion of the end-shaping tool and connecting a second portion of the end-shaping tool to the first portion. The connecting may include placing a recessed area of the second portion over the raised area of the first portion. The method may include debossing, by an end-setting tool dimensioned to accommodate the strap as bent by the end-shaping tool, the portion of the end of the strap at the bend. Various other methods, systems, and apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Michael Ellis, Kristen Renee Hayenga, Quintin Morris
  • Method and system for batch preforming of fiber bundles
    Patent number: 11345061
    Abstract: A preformer capable of simultaneously forming plural preforms includes a forming surface and source of heat. The forming surface includes guides to keep fiber bundles, the nascent form of the preforms, spaced apart and to maintain their cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the preformer further includes a source of energy, and in some embodiments, the preformer includes a source of energy and a cooling source. A method for forming preforms is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Arris Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Escowitz, J. Scott Perkins, Erick Davidson, Riley Reese, Cory Bloome
  • Systems and methods for thermoforming thermoplastic structures
    Patent number: 11338497
    Abstract: A system for forming a thermoplastic may comprise a mandrel configured to receive a thermoplastic charge. The mandrel may rotate about a mandrel axis. A series of rollers may be located circumferentially about the mandrel and configured to apply radially inward pressure. A heating element may be located upstream of the series of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Blowing agents in polymer foam processing systems
    Patent number: 11332593
    Abstract: Methods and systems that include introducing blowing agent into a hopper of a polymeric foam processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Trexel, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Edward Dix, Levi A. Kishbaugh
  • Apparatus and a method for forming plastic preforms into plastic bottles with a movable bottom portion
    Patent number: 11331846
    Abstract: A forming unit (20) for forming plastic preforms into plastic bottles, wherein the forming unit comprises a blow mould (20) having a first lateral portion (4), a second lateral portion (6) and a bottom portion (2), wherein said lateral portions as well as the bottom portion (2) form a cavity (15), within which the plastic preforms (10) can be formed into the plastic bottles, wherein the bottom portion (2) can be moved relative to the lateral portions (4) in a closed condition of the blow mould, wherein the forming unit (20) comprises a drive unit in order to move the bottom portion (2) relative to the lateral portions (4, 6), wherein the drive unit preferably has a movable piston element (32) which ist movable along a predefined stroke path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Andreas Pense, Thomas Philipp, Gerald Huettner, Dieter Finger, Andreas Steiner