Patents Assigned to Corumat, Inc.
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Patent number: 11850775Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for solid-state expansion of a biopolymer, e.g., polylactic acid, which can be used to manufacture reduced-density thermoplastic materials with improved physical and thermal properties. By incorporating multiple stages of heating into the process as a means to regulate heat flux, unprecedented control of microstructure and crystallinity can be achieved. Thermoplastic sheets with the distinct cellular characteristics imparted by the process disclosed herein were found to be thicker and stronger than materials prepared by conventional processes. Thermoforming sheets with such characteristics enabled the production of light-weight, thermally-stable, compostable products that resist warping, and are thus suitable for a range of industrial applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Corumat, Inc.Inventors: Michael Waggoner, Gregory J. Tudryn, Zack Kondo
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Patent number: 11827003Abstract: Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael Waggoner
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Patent number: 11661491Abstract: The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael Waggoner
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Publication number: 20220111570Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for solid-state expansion of a biopolymer, e.g., polylactic acid, which can be used to manufacture reduced-density thermoplastic materials with improved physical and thermal properties. By incorporating multiple stages of heating into the process as a means to regulate heat flux, unprecedented control of microstructure and crystallinity can be achieved. Thermoplastic sheets with the distinct cellular characteristics imparted by the process disclosed herein were found to be thicker and stronger than materials prepared by conventional processes. Thermoforming sheets with such characteristics enabled the production of light-weight, thermally-stable, compostable products that resist warping, and are thus suitable for a range of industrial applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Corumat, Inc.Inventors: Michael WAGGONER, Gregory J. TUDRYN, Zack KONDO
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Publication number: 20220073956Abstract: A method for deriving value from a mixed waste feedstock can include receiving a mixed waste feedstock including at least a reduced density biopolymer material and an organic feedstock. At least one of a fluid or a material that releases liquids during degradation is added to the mixed waste feedstock. The reduced density biopolymer material is separated, via density separation, from the mixed waste feedstock. The reduced density biopolymer material has a specific gravity below a specific gravity threshold. The reduced density biopolymer material separated from the mixed waste feedstock as a result of the separating is recovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Corumat, Inc.Inventors: Michael WAGGONER, Gregory J. TUDRYN
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Publication number: 20210237395Abstract: Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael WAGGONER
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Publication number: 20200325299Abstract: The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael WAGGONER
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Patent number: 10800136Abstract: Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture layered structures. In one embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. These processes may be used to generate products with layered structures.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael Waggoner
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Patent number: 10513590Abstract: The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Corumat, Inc.Inventor: Michael Waggoner