Patents by Inventor Michael John Block

Michael John Block 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).

  • Patent number: 11850809
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval, Matthew Walp, Edwing Chaparro-Chavez, Stanislav O Kukatin, Albert Patrick Faulkinbury, Christopher McBride, Bradley Ray Lockwood, Nicholas Gene Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11772336
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20230234305
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20230234306
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P. Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20220063217
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval, Matthew Walp, Edwing Chapparo-Chavez, Stanislav O Kukatin, Albert Patrick Faulkinbury, Christopher McBride, Bradley Ray Lockwood
  • Patent number: 11198259
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 11091598
    Abstract: Fiber-containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepregs are described that include a first and second plurality of fibers. The second plurality of fibers is made from a different material than the first plurality of fibers. The PMMA prepregs also contain a polymerized resin that includes polymethyl methacrylate that has been formed from a reactive resin composition that includes methyl methacrylate. Methods of making fiber-containing PMMA prepregs are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10954349
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S—X-(A)n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A)n, represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20200368979
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P. Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10773474
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20200277460
    Abstract: Fiber-containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepregs are described that include a first and second plurality of fibers. The second plurality of fibers is made from a different material than the first plurality of fibers. The PMMA prepregs also contain a polymerized resin that includes polymethyl methacrylate that has been formed from a reactive resin composition that includes methyl methacrylate. Methods of making fiber-containing PMMA prepregs are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10683406
    Abstract: Fiber-containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepregs are described that include a first and second plurality of fibers. The second plurality of fibers is made from a different material than the first plurality of fibers. The PMMA prepregs also contain a polymerized resin that includes polymethyl methacrylate that has been formed from a reactive resin composition that includes methyl methacrylate. Methods of making fiber-containing PMMA prepregs are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10569483
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10449735
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20190284352
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S-X-(A)n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A)n, represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20190263078
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P. Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20180319105
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P. Sandoval
  • Patent number: 10105871
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20180229399
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P. Sandoval
  • Patent number: 9993945
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael John Block, Jawed Asrar, Derek Cooper Bristol, Christopher P Sandoval