Patents by Inventor Joel C Higgins

Joel C Higgins 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).

  • Method for processing thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers
    Patent number: 5830396
    Abstract: A method for forming products includes the step of forming an incompletely consolidated stock from a powder. A substantially completely consolidated stock is then formed from the incompletely consolidated stock. Finally, the substantially completely consolidated stock is machined to form the final product. The method of the present invention also includes a method for recycling waste thermoplastic materials into useful articles. The method of the present invention also includes a method for processing thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers. As part of the above, an elastomeric mold may be used, which may be formed from a mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Garry Lee England
  • Method for forming biocompatible components
    Patent number: 5688453
    Abstract: A method for forming biocompatible components from a stock of substantially completely consolidated material. The method includes the step of forming an incompletely consolidated stock from a powder. The substantially completely consolidated stock is then formed from the incompletely consolidated stock. Finally, the substantially completely consolidated stock is then machined to form the biocompatible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry Lee England, Joel C. Higgins
  • Method for forming biocompatible components using an isostatic press
    Patent number: 5505984
    Abstract: A method for forming a biocompatible component from a biocompatible thermoplastic material and a biocompatible fibrous material using an isostatic press. The method includes the steps of placing the biocompatible thermoplastic material and the biocompatible fibrous material in a flexible container. The flexible container is then heated under pressure so as to cause the biocompatible thermoplastic material to encapsulate the biocompatible fibrous material. The flexible container is then cooled so as to form the biocompatible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventors: Garry L. England, Joel C. Higgins
  • Biocompatible components fabricated from a substantially consolidated stock of material
    Patent number: 5466530
    Abstract: A method for forming biocompatible components from a stock of substantially completely consolidated material. The method includes the step of forming an incompletely consolidated stock from a powder. The substantially completely consolidated stock is then formed from the incompletely consolidated stock. Finally, the substantially completely consolidated stock is then machined to form the biocompatible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Garry L. England, Joel C. Higgins
  • Method for manufacturing titanium-containing orthopedic implant devices
    Patent number: 5380547
    Abstract: A method for treating orthopedic implants subject to wear and fatigue, and an orthopedic implant device treated in accordance with the described method. The orthopedic implant device is initially located in a reaction vessel. The outer surface of the orthopedic implant device is then subject to plasma nitriding so as to form a nitrogen enriched layer on the outer surface of the orthopedic implant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Joel C. Higgins