Patents by Inventor Mingfu Zhang

Mingfu Zhang 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: 11952689
    Abstract: Processes of making a non-woven glass fiber mat are described. The process may include forming an aqueous dispersion of fibers. The process may also include passing the dispersion through a mat forming screen to form a wet mat. The process may further include applying a carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat to form a binder-containing wet mat. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches. The process may include curing the binder-containing wet mat to form the non-woven glass fiber mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Zhihua Guo, Uranchimeg Lester, Jawed Asrar, Kiarash Alavi, Mingfu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11938691
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg product includes a belt or conveyor, a prepreg applicator that positions a thermoplastic prepreg atop the belt or conveyor, a foam applicator that applies a foam mixture atop the thermoplastic prepreg, a heating mechanism that heats the thermoplastic prepreg and the foam mixture to cause the foam mixture to react atop the thermoplastic prepreg, and a laminator that is configured to press the thermoplastic prepreg and foam mixture to control a thickness of the resulting thermoplastic prepreg product. The thermoplastic prepreg includes a fabric, mat, or web of fibers and a thermoplastic material that is impregnated within the fabric, mat, or web of fibers. The thermoplastic material is formed from in situ polymerization of monomers and oligomers. The foam mixture includes an isocyanate, a polyol blend, and a blowing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Malay Nandi, Mingfu Zhang, Lance Wang, Jawed Asrar
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230405877
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composite sheet may be composed of a polymer material matrix and a lightweight material that is disposed throughout the polymer material matrix. The polymer material matrix may extend continuously throughout a length, width, and thickness of the thermoplastic composite sheet. The polymer material matrix may be a fully polymerized thermoplastic material. The lightweight material may be fully saturated by the thermoplastic material of the polymer material matrix. The thermoplastic composite sheet may include between 50 and 99 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and between 1 and 50 weight percent of the lightweight material. The thermoplastic composite sheet may be free of reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Jawed Asrar
  • Patent number: 11820044
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composite sheet may be composed of a polymer material matrix and a lightweight material that is disposed throughout the polymer material matrix. The polymer material matrix may extend continuously throughout a length, width, and thickness of the thermoplastic composite sheet. The polymer material matrix may be a fully polymerized thermoplastic material. The lightweight material may be fully saturated by the thermoplastic material of the polymer material matrix. The thermoplastic composite sheet may include between 50 and 99 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and between 1 and 50 weight percent of the lightweight material. The thermoplastic composite sheet may be free of reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Jawed Asrar
  • 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: 20230295413
    Abstract: A method of forming a binder composition includes providing a urea-formaldehyde resin and combining one or more starch compounds with the urea-formaldehyde resin to form a starch modified urea-formaldehyde resin. The one or more starch compounds may be combined with the urea-formaldehyde resin so that the starch modified urea-formaldehyde resin includes about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the one or more starch compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Guodong Zheng, Mingfu Zhang, Luke Weith, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20230286228
    Abstract: A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20230255735
    Abstract: A controlling method of a water flosser, a water flosser control system, and a water flosser are provided. The controlling system comprises obtaining an oral image through an image acquiring device installed on the water flosser and controlling a water outlet nozzle of the water flosser to discharge water based on the oral image acquired by the image acquiring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Wei LU, Mingfu ZHANG, Tiancheng LI
  • 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: 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: 20230225567
    Abstract: A water outlet mechanism for adjusting a mixed ratio of a functional liquid comprises a water operated pump driven by water power, a functional liquid storage chamber, a water outlet channel, a water inlet channel, and a flow rate adjustment mechanism. A liquid inlet of the water operated pump is in communication with the functional liquid storage chamber, a liquid outlet of the water operated pump is in communication with the water outlet channel or the water inlet channel, and the flow rate adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a water flow rate of the water in the water inlet channel for driving the water operated pump so as to change a suction frequency of the water operated pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Honghui LAI, Lian ZHANG, Tingke LIU, Mingfu ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11697729
    Abstract: A method of forming a binder composition includes providing a urea-formaldehyde resin and combining one or more starch compounds with the urea-formaldehyde resin to form a starch modified urea-formaldehyde resin. The one or more starch compounds may be combined with the urea-formaldehyde resin so that the starch modified urea-formaldehyde resin includes about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the one or more starch compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Guodong Zheng, Mingfu Zhang, Luke Weith, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20230201853
    Abstract: A structure for controlling water passage switching and on-off of an electrical circuit using a single button comprises an operating member, a transmission member, a water passage switching member, and an electrical circuit controlling module. The operating member drives the water passage switching member to rotate through the transmission member to achieve the water passage switching, and the water passage switching member drives the electrical circuit controlling module during a process of the water passage switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Boren CHEN, Lian Zhang, Tingke Liu, Mingfu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230133323
    Abstract: A beauty shower comprises a shower body. The shower body comprises a water flow passage connected to a water inlet port and a water outlet nozzle and a cavity for storing a liquid beauty medium, the cavity is connected to the water flow passage through a liquid suction device, and the shower body further comprises a water flow driving device configured to drive the liquid suction device to pump the liquid beauty medium to the water flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Honghui LAI, Lian ZHANG, Tingke LIU, Mingfu ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20230075431
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Edwing Chaparro-Chavez, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20230066342
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg product includes a belt or conveyor, a prepreg applicator that positions a thermoplastic prepreg atop the belt or conveyor, a foam applicator that applies a foam mixture atop the thermoplastic prepreg, a heating mechanism that heats the thermoplastic prepreg and the foam mixture to cause the foam mixture to react atop the thermoplastic prepreg, and a laminator that is configured to press the thermoplastic prepreg and foam mixture to control a thickness of the resulting thermoplastic prepreg product. The thermoplastic prepreg includes a fabric, mat, or web of fibers and a thermoplastic material that is impregnated within the fabric, mat, or web of fibers. The thermoplastic material is formed from in situ polymerization of monomers and oligomers. The foam mixture includes an isocyanate, a polyol blend, and a blowing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Malay Nandi, Mingfu Zhang, Lance Wang, Jawed Asrar
  • Publication number: 20230036456
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an oral irrigator having water spray switching function, which includes a body, a nozzle and a path switching mechanism. The nozzle is provided with a first path and a second path, and the path switching mechanism is configured to communicate one of the first path and the second path with an outlet end of a piston assembly inside the body of the oral irrigator, and disconnect the other one of the first path and the second path from the outlet end of the piston assembly. The nozzle has a water outlet communicating with the first path and the second path. Water sprays from the water outlet are different when the first path or the second path is communicated with the outlet end of the piston assembly inside the body. The oral irrigator of the present disclosure can realize water spray switching without changing the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Jie ZHENG, Shuixiu XIE, Guihua YAN, Tingke LIU, Mingfu ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20230027108
    Abstract: A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Jawed Asrar
  • Patent number: 11548245
    Abstract: Methods of making fiber-containing prepregs are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, and applying a reactive resin composition to the plurality of fibers to make a mixture of the plurality of fibers and the resin composition. The reactive resin composition may include at least one of monomers and oligomers capable of polymerizing into a polymerized resin matrix. The mixture may be heated to a polymerization temperature where the monomers, oligomers, or both polymerize to form a fiber-resin amalgam that includes the polymerized resin matrix. The fiber-resin amalgam may be formed into the fiber-containing prepreg. Also described are methods of forming a fiber-reinforced composite that includes the prepreg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mingfu Zhang, Klaus Friedrich Gleich, Asheber Yohannes, Michael J Block, Jawed Asrar