Patents by Inventor Aaron Kenneth Amstutz
Aaron Kenneth Amstutz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11920263Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
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Publication number: 20240002590Abstract: A coating created entirely from plant-derived ingredients is disclosed. Illustrative embodiments of the coating may be particularly well suited for use on leather-like materials created from epoxidized natural rubber-based formulations. Illustrative embodiments of the coating created may be comprised of substantially the reaction product between epoxidized vegetable oil and a polyfunctional naturally occurring acid (such as citric acid). Illustrative embodiments this reaction product may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Albert C. Pierz, Ian T. Pierz, Nima Ezatollah Amini, Skylar Clement
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Patent number: 11766835Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
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Patent number: 11760836Abstract: A coating created entirely from plant-derived ingredients is disclosed. Illustrative embodiments of the coating may be particularly well suited for use on leather-like materials created from epoxidized natural rubber-based formulations. Illustrative embodiments of the coating created may be comprised of substantially the reaction product between epoxidized vegetable oil and a polyfunctional naturally occurring acid (such as citric acid). Illustrative embodiments this reaction product may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Albert C Pierz, Ian T Pierz, Nima Ezatollah Amini, Skylar Clement
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Patent number: 11760835Abstract: A thermoset material containing ?-hydroxyesters wherein said thermoset material is subject to a mechano-chemical process to regenerate an epoxide and a carboxylic acid functionality. A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Peter Francis Walker
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Publication number: 20230143501Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
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Publication number: 20230034643Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a manufactured surface component may be comprised of a textile material on a first face and an elastomer material on a second face, wherein said elastomer material is bonded to said textile material, wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially planarly configured, wherein an area of said first face and said second face is from about 0.04 square inches to about 4.0 square inches, wherein a thickness of said manufactured surface component is from about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, and wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially free of any petrochemical-derived plastics, petrochemicals, and toxins.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Brent Baker
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Patent number: 11566101Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Albert C Pierz, Ian T Pierz
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Patent number: 11555263Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
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Patent number: 11542365Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce at least one of six different materials, wherein each type of material may be configured as a thermosetting elastomer that is crosslinked with ß-hydroxyester linkages. The materials may be configured as a leather-like material, a foam material, a molded elastomer, a coating, an adhesive, and/or a rigid or semi-rigid material. Illustrative articles made from any combination of the six materials may be recycled using a mechano-chemical process to de-crosslink the thermosetting elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Shang-Min Li
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Publication number: 20220380528Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce at least one of six different materials, wherein each type of material may be configured as a thermosetting elastomer that is crosslinked with ?-hydroxyester linkages. The materials may be configured as a leather-like material, a foam material, a molded elastomer, a coating, an adhesive, and/or a rigid or semi-rigid material. Illustrative articles made from any combination of the six materials may be recycled using a mechano-chemical process to de-crosslink the thermosetting elastomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Shang-Min Li
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Publication number: 20220282031Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce at least one of six different materials, wherein each type of material may be configured as a thermosetting elastomer that is crosslinked with ß-hydroxyester linkages. The materials may be configured as a leather-like material, a foam material, a molded elastomer, a coating, an adhesive, and/or a rigid or semi-rigid material. Illustrative articles made from any combination of the six materials may be recycled using a mechano-chemical process to de-crosslink the thermosetting elastomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Shang-Min Li
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Patent number: 11421075Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Albert C Pierz, Ian T Pierz
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Publication number: 20220250361Abstract: A thermoset material containing ?-hydroxyesters wherein said thermoset material is subject to a mechano-chemical process to regenerate an epoxide and a carboxylic acid functionality. A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Peter Francis Walker
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Patent number: 11407856Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Albert C Pierz, Ian T Pierz
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Patent number: 11396578Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce at least one of six different materials, wherein each type of material may be configured as a thermosetting elastomer that is crosslinked with ?-hydroxyester linkages. The materials may be configured as a leather-like material, a foam material, a molded elastomer, a coating, an adhesive, and/or a rigid or semi-rigid material. Illustrative articles made from any combination of the six materials may be recycled using a mechano-chemical process to de-crosslink the thermosetting elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Natural Fiber Wielding, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Shang-Min Li
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Publication number: 20220220251Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals
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Publication number: 20220185954Abstract: A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce at least one of six different materials, wherein each type of material may be configured as a thermosetting elastomer that is crosslinked with ?-hydroxyester linkages. The materials may be configured as a leather-like material, a foam material, a molded elastomer, a coating, an adhesive, and/or a rigid or semi-rigid material. Illustrative articles made from any combination of the six materials may be recycled using a mechano-chemical process to de-crosslink the thermosetting elastomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Luke Michael Haverhals, Isaiah Amstutz, Skylar Clement, Shang-Min Li
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Publication number: 20220064828Abstract: A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Shokoofeh Ghasemi, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Margaret Kathryn Firman, Spencer Jacob Null, Steven John Zika
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Publication number: 20220064823Abstract: A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Shokoofeh Ghasemi, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Margaret Kathryn Firman, Spencer Jacob Null, Steven John Zika