Patents by Inventor Steven J. Porter
Steven J. Porter 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: 11686042Abstract: A surface covering for use as a moss covering or patch of grass via application to a surface or substrate. The surface covering provides a decorative and durable and easily maintained surface covering. The covering is fabricated using groups of fibers, such as metallic, plastic, or other material fibers, e.g., stainless steel fibers or strands available commercially as steel wool or the like. The fibers or strands provide a core of a body of each blade or piece of the surface covering, which is useful to replicate a blade of grass or moss or to mimic a strand of hair. Each body of the strands further includes an outer layer or coating, which can be formed by painting, e.g., with an epoxy or other useful material that may be colored, the mesh of metal fibers to provide a durable body with a desired look and feel.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Porter
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Publication number: 20220145529Abstract: A surface covering for use as a moss covering or patch of grass via application to a surface or substrate. The surface covering provides a decorative and durable and easily maintained surface covering. The covering is fabricated using groups of fibers, such as metallic, plastic, or other material fibers, e.g., stainless steel fibers or strands available commercially as steel wool or the like. The fibers or strands provide a core of a body of each blade or piece of the surface covering, which is useful to replicate a blade of grass or moss or to mimic a strand of hair. Each body of the strands further includes an outer layer or coating, which can be formed by painting, e.g., with an epoxy or other useful material that may be colored, the mesh of metal fibers to provide a durable body with a desired look and feel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventor: Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 8318263Abstract: Described herein is a method for coating an object with a polymer layer. The method includes contacting the object with a first solution comprising a non-polymeric grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group capable of generating a free radical active species upon absorption of electromagnetic energy, wherein the photoinitiator group is selected from the group consisting of an initiator that is insoluble in polar solvent; and a negatively charged initiator; irradiating the first solution and the object, resulting in the grafting initiator binding to the object; removing the first solution; contacting the object with a second solution comprising a polymerizable monomer having at least one free-radical polymerizable group; and irradiating the second solution and the object, wherein the non-polymeric grafting initiator acts as a photoinitiator for a free-radical polymerization reaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Publication number: 20110104392Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Patent number: 7883749Abstract: A method for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device, with a polymer layer is provided. The method includes contacting the device with a grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group, exposing the device to radiation, contacting the device with a polymerizable monomer, and again exposing the device to radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Publication number: 20090176030Abstract: A method for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device, with a polymer layer is provided. The method includes contacting the device with a grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group, exposing the device to radiation, contacting the device with a polymerizable monomer, and again exposing the device to radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2006Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Patent number: 7517547Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a device comprising a coating chamber and a device rotator having at least one device mount wherein the apparatus allows insertion and retraction of the device on the device mount into and out of the coating chamber. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a device comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for coating a device, mounting the device onto the device mount, purging the coating chamber to reduce humidity in the coating chamber, maintaining a reduced humidity content in the coating chamber, inserting the device into the coating chamber, disposing a coating material on the device and rotating the device mounts about the device axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Sur Modics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 7077910Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a device comprising a coating chamber and a device rotator having at least one device mount wherein the apparatus allows insertion and retraction of the device on the device mount into and out of the coating chamber. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a device comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for coating a device, mounting the device onto the device mount, purging the coating chamber to reduce humidity in the coating chamber, maintaining a reduced humidity content in the coating chamber, inserting the device into the coating chamber, disposing a coating material on the device and rotating the device mounts about the device axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 7041174Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: SunModics,Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Publication number: 20040194704Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a device comprising a coating chamber and a device rotator having at least one device mount wherein the apparatus allows insertion and retraction of the device on the device mount into and out of the coating chamber. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a device comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for coating a device, mounting the device onto the device mount, purging the coating chamber to reduce humidity in the coating chamber, maintaining a reduced humidity content in the coating chamber, inserting the device into the coating chamber, disposing a coating material on the device and rotating the device mounts about the device axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Surmodics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Publication number: 20040161547Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
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Patent number: 6709712Abstract: The invention provides a device for holding a substrate during deposition processes that includes a rotation member rotatable about a first, central axis, and a plurality of substrate holders positioned on the rotation member, the substrate holders being rotatable about second axes. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a substrate including the steps of providing a device of the invention; mounting a substrate onto the substrate mounts; providing at least one substrate coating station in spaced relation to the substrate mounts; rotating the rotation member about a central axis to position one or more of the substrate mounts at the substrate coating station; supplying the coating through the nozzle; moving the nozzle of the coating station in a direction parallel to the substrate at a predetermined rate to apply a uniform coating on the substrate; and rotating the substrate mounts about the second axes during the coating process.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Publication number: 20030190420Abstract: The invention provides a device for holding a substrate during deposition processes that includes a rotation member rotatable about a first, central axis, and a plurality of substrate holders positioned on the rotation member, the substrate holders being rotatable about second axes. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a substrate including the steps of providing a device of the invention; mounting a substrate onto the substrate mounts; providing at least one substrate coating station in spaced relation to the substrate mounts; rotating the rotation member about a central axis to position one or more of the substrate mounts at the substrate coating station; supplying the coating through the nozzle; moving the nozzle of the coating station in a direction parallel to the substrate at a predetermined rate to apply a uniform coating on the substrate; and rotating the substrate mounts about the second axes during the coating process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: Surmodics, IncInventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 6562136Abstract: The invention provides a device for holding a substrate during deposition processes that includes a rotation member rotatable about a first, central axis, and a plurality of substrate holders positioned on the rotation member, the substrate holders being rotatable about second axes. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a substrate including the steps of providing a device of the invention; mounting a substrate onto the substrate mounts; providing at least one substrate coating station in spaced relation to the substrate mounts; rotating the rotation member about a central axis to position one or more of the substrate mounts at the substrate coating station; supplying the coating through the nozzle; moving the nozzle of the coating station in a direction parallel to the substrate at a predetermined rate to apply a uniform coating on the substrate; and rotating the substrate mounts about the second axes during the coating process.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 6406754Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Publication number: 20010026834Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 6254921Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: SurModics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
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Patent number: 5375801Abstract: A post (10) for displaying a sign comprising an elongate support member (12) having a ground penetrating means (14) at one end and a first abutment member (25) adjacent to the ground penetrating means (14). A driving member (28) in the form of a weighted sleeve is mounted on the elongate support member (12) and the driving member may be driven against the first abutment member (25) to drive the elongate support member into the ground. A sign may be hung from a first sign support (32) preferably located on the other end of the elongate support member. A second sign support (35) is provided on the driving member (28). The second sign support (35) may be hooked through a lower portion of the sign in order to provide ballast for the sign.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: The South East Queensland Electricity BoardInventor: Steven J. Porter