Patents by Inventor Michael Merwin
Michael Merwin 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: 11945929Abstract: A macroporous-structured polymeric aerogel, and methods for making and using the same, having a polymeric matrix that includes macropores is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: BLUESHIFT MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Garrett Poe, Alan Sakaguchi, Michael Merwin, Kenneth Koldan, David J. Irvin
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Patent number: 11931999Abstract: A composite comprising a non-fibrous organic polymer aerogel layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a support layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface is disclosed. An interface can be formed between a portion of the first surface of the aerogel layer and a portion of the second surface of the support layer such that the aerogel and support layers are attached to one another. A majority of the volume of the aerogel layer does not have to include the support layer. The composite can have a thickness of 3 mils to 16 mils.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: BLUESHIFT MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Alan Sakaguchi, Garrett Poe, Michael Merwin
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Patent number: 11840659Abstract: A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Hao Bai, Xiaoqin Liu, Robert L Riegler, Christopher J. Vincent
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Patent number: 11672381Abstract: A drinking container system with multiple temperature zones, wherein the container system includes a main body having a sidewall and a bottom that define a phase change material (PCM) module receptacle, and a phase change material (PCM) module having a sidewall that defines a beverage chamber. The PCM module is disposable within the PCM module receptacle such that a beverage egress flow path is defined between the main body sidewall and the PCM module sidewall. The flow path formed in the container can make the beverage achieve the desired drinking temperature. The PCM module sidewall is at least partially filled with a phase change material and is structured and operable to provide a plurality temperature zones within the beverage chamber. Each temperature zone is operable to maintain a temperature of a respective portion of a liquid disposed within the beverage chamber within a respective temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Hao Bai, Robert Riegler, Christopher Vincent, Susan Liu
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Patent number: 11603238Abstract: A beverage container lid comprising a body having drinking hole and an air hole, and a slide-seal automatic Open and Close retention mechanism that comprises a sealing arm pivotally connected to the body, a movement and position retention linkage structured and operable to move the sealing arm between an Opened and a Closed position, a control mechanism slidingly disposed within the body and operably connected to the movement and position retention linkage such that movement of the control mechanism will control movement of the sealing arm between the Opened and Closed positions, and a biasing device structured and operable to exert constant force on the sealing arm, such that force exerted by the biasing device in combination with the structure and operation of the movement and position retention linkage will selectively retain the sealing arm in the Opened position and in the Closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Hongbin Ma, Hao Bai, Michael Merwin, Christopher Vincent
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Publication number: 20220063240Abstract: A composite comprising a non-fibrous organic polymer aerogel layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a support layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface is disclosed. An interface can be formed between a portion of the first surface of the aerogel layer and a portion of the second surface of the support layer such that the aerogel and support layers are attached to one another. A majority of the volume of the aerogel layer does not have to include the support layer. The composite can have a thickness of 3 mils to 16 mils.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Alan SAKAGUCHI, Garrett POE, Michael MERWIN
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Publication number: 20220017801Abstract: A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: HONGBIN MA, MICHAEL MERWIN, HAO BAI, XIAOQIN LIU, ROBERT L. RIEGLER, CHRISTOPHER J. VINCENT
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Patent number: 11192331Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: BLUESHIFT MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Alan Sakaguchi, Garrett Poe, Michael Merwin
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Publication number: 20210321688Abstract: A single use disposable respirator fit test hood includes front and rear panels joined together along a left and right side edges, and a top edge with an adhesive, particularly a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The front panel is provided with an aperture through which test substances are introduced into interior cavity defined by the front and back panels. The test subject inserts their head through an opening defined by the bottom edges of the front and rear panels. During fabrication, shoulder pieces are cut off the front and rear panels to give the bottom edges a generally truncated V-shape. A portion of each shaped bottom edge rests on the test subject's shoulders. The hood is able to remain upright because of the thickness of the film used for the front and rear panels and the presence of the strips of pressure sensitive adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: FLEXcon Company, Inc.Inventor: Michael Merwin
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Patent number: 11142675Abstract: A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Hao Bai, Xiaoqin Liu, Robert Riegler, Chris Vincent
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Publication number: 20200400380Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides an oscillating heat pipe, wherein the oscillating heat pipe comprises a 3-phase working fluid that includes at least one liquid phase portion, at least one vapor phase portion, and at least one solid phase portion, wherein in addition to a phase change between liquid and vapor, there is also a phase change from solid to liquid during a heat transfer process involving the oscillating heat pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Adalberto Aviles, Tingting Hao
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Publication number: 20200377272Abstract: A beverage container lid comprising a body having drinking hole and an air hole, and a slide-seal automatic Open and Close retention mechanism that comprises a sealing arm pivotally connected to the body, a movement and position retention linkage structured and operable to move the sealing arm between an Opened and a Closed position, a control mechanism slidingly disposed within the body and operably connected to the movement and position retention linkage such that movement of the control mechanism will control movement of the sealing arm between the Opened and Closed positions, and a biasing device structured and operable to exert constant force on the sealing arm, such that force exerted by the biasing device in combination with the structure and operation of the movement and position retention linkage will selectively retain the sealing arm in the Opened position and in the Closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Hao Bai, Michael Merwin, Christopher Vincent
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Publication number: 20200199323Abstract: A macroporous-structured polymeric aerogel, and methods for making and using the same, having a polymeric matrix that includes macropores is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Garrett POE, Alan SAKAGUCHI, Michael MERWIN, Kenneth KOLDAN, David J. IRVIN
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Publication number: 20200164330Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Alan SAKAGUCHI, Garrett POE, Michael MERWIN
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Publication number: 20200008623Abstract: A drinking container system with multiple temperature zones, wherein the container system includes a main body having a sidewall and a bottom that define a phase change material (PCM) module receptacle, and a phase change material (PCM) module having a sidewall that defines a beverage chamber. The PCM module is disposable within the PCM module receptacle such that a beverage egress flow path is defined between the main body sidewall and the PCM module sidewall. The flow path formed in the container can make the beverage achieve the desired drinking temperature. The PCM module sidewall is at least partially filled with a phase change material and is structured and operable to provide a plurality temperature zones within the beverage chamber. Each temperature zone is operable to maintain a temperature of a respective portion of a liquid disposed within the beverage chamber within a respective temperature range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Hao Bai, Robert Riegler, Christopher Vincent, Susan Liu
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Patent number: 10500557Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: BLUESHIFT MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Alan Sakaguchi, Garrett Poe, Michael Merwin
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Publication number: 20180290118Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Alan Sakaguchi, Garrett Poe, Michael Merwin
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Publication number: 20180171197Abstract: A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Hongbin Ma, Michael Merwin, Hao Bai, Xiaoqin Liu, Robert Riegler, Chris Vincent
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Patent number: D496399Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Societe BicInventors: Gregory Hoffmann, Michael Kent, Michael Merwin