Patents Examined by Alex B Efta
  • Patent number: 12686639
    Abstract: A ceramic includes: a ceramic base; and a modification layer arranged on a surface of the ceramic base. The modification layer includes a bismuth-based oxide and other components. In an embodiment, the ceramic base includes a porous ceramic. In an embodiment, the bismuth-based oxide includes bismuth trioxide. In an embodiment, a mass percentage of bismuth in the modification layer is 50% to 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Pei Li, Hongxia Lv, Zhenlong Jiang
  • Patent number: 12677877
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is described. The device includes an electrically conductive porous wick heater. At least one electrical contact region of the wick heater is exposed from the smoking substitute device for direct engagement with a respective at least one electrical contact of a main device. The main device includes a power supply for supplying electrical energy to the at least electrical contact region via the at least one electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventor: Nikhil Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 12661881
    Abstract: A method of making a mouse pad contains: bonding and hot-press molding a body and a cloth by using a first mold and a second mold. The body is made of polyurethane (PU), the second mold includes a cavity, and a size of the cavity of the second mold is equal to a predetermined size of the body, and a guide rib surrounds the cavity. The method comprising steps of: 1) flattening the body; 2) bonding the cloth on the body; 3) cutting the body in a predetermined; 4) hot-press molding the body and the cloth; 5) sublimation printing; and 6) hot-press molding to trim the mouse pad by using the first mold and of the guide rib the second mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Inventor: Tsung-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 12643301
    Abstract: A bonding machine with horizontal correction function includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a pressing unit, a carrier, a plurality of level adjustment units, and a plurality of distance measuring units. The first chamber is configured to be connected to the second chamber to define an enclosed space therebetween. The pressing unit is disposed within the first chamber, and the carrier is disposed within the second chamber. The pressing unit faces the carrier and is configured to press the substrates placed on the carrier. The leveling units are disposed on the first chamber, and the distance measuring units are disposed on the second chamber. Each distance measuring unit is configured to project a detecting beam onto the pressing unit, to measure the level of the pressing unit so as to adjust the level of the pressing unit through the level adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: SKY TECH INC.
    Inventors: Jing-Cheng Lin, Jung-Hua Chang, Mao-Chan Chang
  • Patent number: 12645031
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component includes preparing a plurality of optical fibers each including a glass fiber including a core and a cladding covering the core, and a resin coating covering the glass fiber, an end portion of the glass fiber being exposed from the resin coating, mounting the plurality of glass fibers on an optical fiber holding member so that the plurality of glass fibers exposed from the resin coating are arranged in a first direction and protrude outward from the optical fiber holding member, adjusting and fixing postures of the plurality of glass fibers around respective central axes, and collectively bonding two or more glass fibers among the plurality of glass fibers and the optical fiber holding member with an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsu Morishima
  • Patent number: 12642300
    Abstract: A vaporization core includes: a porous substrate having a vaporization surface; a heating layer arranged on the vaporization surface of the porous substrate; and an oxide layer arranged on a surface of the heating layer away from the porous substrate. In an embodiment, the oxide layer comprises aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hongxia Lv, Pei Li, Zhenlong Jiang
  • Patent number: 12642042
    Abstract: A method of bonding semiconductor chips is described. The method includes the following steps. A semiconductor wafer is provided on a chuck table of a bonding apparatus. A bond head of the bonding apparatus is driven for picking up a first semiconductor chip from a support, wherein the first semiconductor chip has a first warpage amount. The bond head is driven for moving the first semiconductor chip to a position located over a first bonding region of the semiconductor wafer. A deforming process is performed using a deforming mechanism to deform the chuck table and the first bonding region of the semiconductor wafer by a first deform amount, wherein the first deform amount corresponds to the first warpage amount. The first semiconductor chip is bonded to the first bonding region of the semiconductor wafer while maintaining the first deform amount. The deforming mechanism is released from deforming the chuck table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Lin, Yang-Chih Hsueh, Yan-Zuo Tsai, Ming-Tsu Chung, Yung-Chi Lin, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 12628614
    Abstract: A bonding apparatus configured to bond a first substrate and a second substrate includes a first holder configured to hold the first substrate; a second holder disposed to face the first holder, and configured to hold the second substrate; two imaging units each including a first imaging device configured to image a first alignment mark formed on a bonding surface of the first substrate and a second imaging device configured to image a second alignment mark formed on a bonding surface of the second substrate; a first moving mechanism configured to move the two imaging units along a first direction in a planar region between the first holder and the second holder; a second moving mechanism configured to move the first imaging unit along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a third moving mechanism configured to move the second imaging unit along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamasaki, Takashi Terada
  • Patent number: 12622475
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to systems, methods, and articles for producing a patterned film and using the patterned film to form a pattern of discrete overlay film structures on a substrate material. A uniform thickness of a film material is deposited on to a first surface of a run of carrier sheets, where each carrier sheet includes one or more holes extending there through. A first carrier sheet is extracted from the run of carrier sheets, and a second surface of the carrier sheet is positioned on a substrate material. Heat and/or pressure is applied to the film material to cause the film material to transfer to the substrate material through the one or more holes in the carrier sheet forming a pattern of discrete overlay film structures on the substrate material. The carrier sheet along with remaining portions of the film material is removed from the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody Evin Janes, Daniel P. Morgan, Kyle Schepke, Joshua Patrick Williams, Yang-Hua Ou
  • Patent number: 12617195
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a floor covering product comprises at least a first step of forming a single- or multi-layered substrate by consolidating synthetic material-based starting material. The method comprises a second step after the first step, which is performed in line with the first step. The at least one continuous film is laminated onto the substrate, and the laminating is performed by means of a belt press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: UNILIN, BV
    Inventor: Christophe Naeyaert
  • Patent number: 12616245
    Abstract: A heating element for an aerosol-generating system is provided, the heating element including: a plurality of first filaments; and a plurality of second filaments, in which the plurality of first filaments are configured to heat a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the plurality of second filaments are configured to convey the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to wet at least a portion of the heating element with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and the heating element is arranged to form a mesh, the plurality of first filaments being arranged in a first direction and the plurality of second filaments being arranged in a second direction, and the second direction being transverse to the first direction. A heater assembly, a cartridge, and a method of manufacturing a heating element, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Butenkemper, Detlef John, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik
  • Patent number: 12622226
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus A1 includes: cup 1 for storing processing solution 92 to process substrate 91; stage 2 to be raised and lowered along lifting shaft 31 extending in vertical direction z in cup 1; mount 4 provided on stage 2 to mount substrate 91; and pivoting member 5 attached to mount 4 such that pivoting member 5 is pivotable about pivoting shaft 51 provided along circumferential direction ? centered at lifting shaft 31. Pivoting member 5 includes holding portion 52 located inward of pivoting shaft 51 in radial direction r, and abutting portion 53 located outward of pivoting shaft 51 in radial direction r. As stage 2 is lowered, abutting portion 53 abuts against cup 1 to cause pivoting of pivoting member 5, thereby reducing a distance between holding portion 52 and mount 4 with substrate 91 therebetween. These configurations reduce unintended effects in processing substrate 91.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: DAIKIN FINETECH, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ushida, Kenichiro Saito
  • Patent number: 12617197
    Abstract: A film peeling apparatus includes a first driver connected to a frame, a second driver connected to the frame, a first gripper connected to the first driver, a second gripper connected to the second driver, and a grip support spaced apart from the first gripper and the second gripper. The grip support and the first gripper grip a release tape attached to an end of a protective film attached to a panel and extending to an outside of the panel. The grip support and the second gripper grip the end of the protective film to which the release tape is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Yunmin Kim
  • Patent number: 12593873
    Abstract: A vapor generation device is configured to heat a vapor generation article to generate an aerosol for inhalation, including: a cavity, configured to receive a vapor generation article; a susceptor, configured to be penetrated by a changing magnetic field and generate heat, to heat the vapor generation article received in the cavity; an extractor, at least partially received in the cavity and configured to extract the vapor generation article vapor generation article through movement in an axial direction of the cavity or removal from the cavity; an induction coil, configured to generate the changing magnetic field and held on the extractor; and a first electrical contact, configured to conduct with the induction coil when the extractor is received in the cavity, to supply power to the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zexin Wu, Zaiming Shi, Zhongli Xu, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12588704
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure includes a first container configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance, a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance, a second container configured to be rotatable about a rotating shaft thereof and including a plurality of partitioned chambers, a first sensor configured to output a signal indicating rotation of the second container, at least one output device configured to output a message, and a controller. The controller outputs a message regarding at least one of arrangement or usage of the plurality of chambers through the at least one output device based on a signal received from the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jongsub Lee, Minkyu Kim, Jueon Park, Byungsung Cho
  • Patent number: 12589546
    Abstract: A method of attaching a protective film on a display of a terminal includes: arranging an auxiliary member in a position setting space of a position setting plate and the protective film on a lower surface of the auxiliary member; arranging the terminal within the position setting space such that the display of the terminal faces the protective film; and applying an external force through a hole of the position setting plate to attach the protective film on the display of the terminal, the hole exposing a portion of the auxiliary member therethrough, wherein the auxiliary member has a first rectangular through-hole and a second rectangular through-hole exposing the protective film therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: SPIGEN KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Kyung Choi, Ji Hye Kang
  • Patent number: 12569007
    Abstract: This application provides an e-cigarette vaporizer and an e-cigarette. The vaporizer includes a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate; an air channel, providing a flowing path for external air to enter the liquid storage cavity and provided with a communication opening for the external air to enter the liquid storage cavity; and a sealing element, including a blocking part sealing the communication opening, where the blocking part is configured to open at least a part of the communication opening in response to a change of a negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity for the external air to enter the liquid storage cavity. A flexible component can open the air channel in response to the change of the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity due to flexibility, so that the external air can enter the liquid storage cavity to reduce the negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuanqiu Xie, Linhai Lu, Ruilong Hu, Zhongli Xu, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12557841
    Abstract: An elongated aerosol-generating device to receive an aerosol-generating article is provided, including a heater extending longitudinally and to penetrate an internal portion of the article; and an extractor to extract the article and being slidable between first and second positions, the first being an operating position with the heater contacting the article, and the second being an extraction position with the heater separated from the article, the extractor being removable for cleaning and including a cavity to receive the article, a first aperture defined through an end-wall of the cavity for the heater to penetrate the cavity when the extractor is moved between the second and the first positions, the extractor defining an air-flow channel to allow air flow into the cavity, an inlet of the air-flow channel being radially-outward of the first aperture, and the first aperture and the air-flow channel arranged to retain debris from the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Boris Mahler, Dani Ruscio, Olivier Greim
  • Patent number: 12550937
    Abstract: A composite wick is provided for use in a micro-vaporizer having a fluid reservoir and a heating element. The composite wick comprises a wick body positionable so that its upstream surface is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the downstream surface is disposed in opposition to a surface of the heating element. The wick body comprises at least one base wick structure having a plurality of tortuous passages that collectively provide a capillary effect to draw fluid from the reservoir and transport it toward the downstream surface. The wick body further comprises an active material positioned within the wick body so that vaporizable fluid drawn through the wick body contacts and interacts with the active material. The active material is selected to impart a desired characteristic to the vaporizable fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: BLACKSHIP TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Yongjie Xu, Donovan Phillips
  • Patent number: 12550948
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising an aerosol canister containing pressurized aerosol, a metering valve, a mouthpiece, and an actuating assembly located in the mouthpiece. The actuating assembly comprises a button and an actuator and is configured to transform a button force applied to the button along a first path into an actuating force applied to the actuator along a second path, the first and second paths being noncollinear so as to actuate the metering valve to release at least a portion of the pressurized aerosol from the canister through the mouthpiece. In some implementations, the button and the actuator may comprise respective gear racks, and the actuating assembly may further include at least one pinion gear configured to engage the respective button and actuator gear racks. The actuating assembly may also include a nozzle insert configured to create a desired ejection pattern through the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Vahid Hejazi, William Eugene Rabbitt, Robert Soreo