Patents Examined by Kimberly A Stewart
  • Patent number: 9662838
    Abstract: A scanning 3-D printing system comprises a printing platform movable in a printing direction and in an indexing direction, the printing platform comprising a printing head configured for dispensing building material while the printing platform is moving in a printing direction one pass at a time, and layer by layer, a roller configured for leveling the dispensed building material one pass at a time, wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on a roller axle, and wherein the roller axle extends over all passes of the printing system and is stationary in the indexing direction, a scraper configured for scraping excess building material off the roller, and a trough configured for collecting the building material scraped off the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliahu M. Kritchman, David Eshed, Guy Menchik
  • Patent number: 9662824
    Abstract: A process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles product is disclosed. In this process, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder having a screw configuration in which the feedstock is process using shear forces in the extruder, and a crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The biopolymer feedstock and plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent second section of the extruder downstream of the first section. In a post reaction section located after a point in which the crosslinking reaction has been completed, water may be added to improve die performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: EcoSynthetix Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert H. Wildi, Edward Van Egdom, Steven Bloembergen
  • Patent number: 9656412
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a fiber composite component, the method comprising arranging a first and a second mold in relation to one another in such a way that these together form a first cavity; laying a fiber material on the first and/or second mold; filling the first cavity with a casting material and solidifying the casting material in order to seal the first and second molds to one another and/or to interconnect them; and infiltrating the fiber material with a matrix and curing the matrix to form the fiber composite component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hauke Seegel, Paulin Fideu, Axel Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9623610
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing rigid panels made of a composite material requires a caul sheet having a smooth surface that is formed with a plurality of grooves. A first layer of the composite material is laid on the caul sheet, and is cut to create flaps that extend into the respective grooves. Strips of composite material are then placed along the edges of the groove to extend and overlap each other in the groove. Next, a unidirectional ply is placed along the length of the groove, and this combination is then covered with a second layer of the composite material. Together, the combination of the first and second layers, the strips and the unidirectional ply are co-cured to create a rigid panel with integral stiffening members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Ashton, Michael G. Allman, Troy L. White, Benko S. Ta'ala
  • Patent number: 9581833
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens with an energy receptor capable of powering a processing device. More specifically, this invention discloses a polymerized ophthalmic lens wherein the energy receptor is included within the lens through use of a binder layer. The energized ophthalmic lens may be activated and operated while the ophthalmic lens is in use on an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Tepedino, Randall B. Pugh, Robert Marciello, Tom Aelbrecht, Anthony Milinowicz, James P. Milkowich
  • Patent number: 9561306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion, post-doping annealing, and materials used therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
  • Patent number: 9555576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a resin bottle formed from a preform as a prototype by a blow molding process. The method comprises: a first step of measuring each of weights or wall thicknesses of a plurality of inspection parts set in a body portion of the preform; a second step of comparing each of the weights or the wall thicknesses measured by the first step with a preset set value, and thereby inspecting a difference between each of the weights or the wall thicknesses measured by the first step and the set value for each of the inspection parts; and a third step of adjusting a condition for blow molding in the blow molding process in accordance with an inspection result of each of the inspection parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshiya Kobayashi, Toshiaki Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9551097
    Abstract: A device for producing an absorbent body includes a rotating fiber stacking drum that includes an adsorbent molding section configured to mold fluff pulp into an absorbent body having a desired shape. The rotating fiber stacking drum further includes a cylinder having an outer circumference on which the adsorbent molding section is formed, and paired side walls that close ends of the cylinder, respectively. The device for producing an absorbent body further includes a sucking means, which is configured to generate an air flow from the outer circumference side of the adsorbent molding section toward the inside of the cylinder by sucking air in the rotating fiber stacking drum. The sucking means is connected to each of two side walls of the rotating fiber stacking drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9539766
    Abstract: A device for producing fiber preforms includes a plurality of unwind stations, a plurality of grippers and at least one first molding tool. Each gripper is movable on a path between a maximum position and a pick-up position. The pick-up position is provided at a thread transfer point and is closer to the unwind station than the maximum position. The first molding tool has a draping position in the region of the connecting lines between the maximum position and the thread transfer points, and a starting position outside the connecting lines. A thread tension control for the threads or rovings is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Göttinger, Michael Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9511521
    Abstract: Punch arrangement for a press, in particular a rotary press, comprising at least one press punch having a punch head, a tool region and a punch shank extending between the punch head and tool region, further comprising at least one punch guide having at least one guide bore in which the punch shank of the at least one press punch is guided in an axially movable manner and at least one variable length sealing sleeve at least partially surrounding the shank, which sealing sleeve is retained with its first end against the punch shank or against the tool region of the press punch, the sealing sleeve being retained with its second end against an inner wall of the guide bore, the second end of the sealing sleeve, with the punch shank located in the guide bore, being captured between the inner wall of the guide bore and the punch shank. The invention further relates to a press and a rotary press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Fette Compacting GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Meissner, Daniel Malick
  • Patent number: 9512005
    Abstract: In a method for producing a carbonaceous film in which a polymer film is wrapped around a core and is subjected to a heat treatment, material film surfaces during the carbonization step are prevented from fusion, whereby a long carbonaceous having a large area film is obtained. Fusion can be prevented by subjecting a polymer film to a heat treatment under a reduced pressure, and under a reduced pressure while allowing an inert gas to flow. The range of the pressure reduction is preferably ?0.08 MPa to ?0.01 kPa. It is preferred to carry out carbonization with the pressure reduced in the range of from ?0.08 MPa to ?0.01 kPa while allowing an inert gas to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Inada, Yasushi Nishikawa, Makoto Mishiro
  • Patent number: 9498902
    Abstract: A press for manufacturing a one-piece object includes two rotary plates (110, 210) which are parallel but offset, each carrying a mold (120, 220) having two portions. Each mold portion can be placed above or below, so that the mold portion (121) of the first mold situated above faces the mold portion (222) of the second mold situated below. First parts of the object, for example skirts, are inserted in the press in an insertion zone (Z1). In parallel, second parts, for example caps, are introduced into an introduction zone (Z2). In a common zone (Z3), third parts, for example dispensing heads, are overmolded on the first and second parts brought close in the common zone in the same position as in the finished object. After opening the press, the plates are turned so that the finished objects are in the portion of the second mold which is above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LINDAL FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Hervé Bodet, Dominique Fournet
  • Patent number: 9486944
    Abstract: A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Global Filtration Systems
    Inventors: Ali El-Siblani, Alexandr Shkolnik
  • Patent number: 9481595
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing an optical element forming mold, the method including forming a ta-C film 12 on a mold matrix 10 for an optical element forming mold by an FCVA process, in which the mold matrix 10 is kept at a floating potential, a voltage is applied to a mold matrix-holding member 2 for holding the mold matrix via insulating members (3a,3b), and a magnet 4 internally provided in the mold matrix forms a magnetic field for applying a magnetic force in a normal direction of a transfer surface of the mold matrix so as to follow a magnetic force applied by a filter coil 22, thereby homogenizing the film quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kubo, Shigeru Hashimoto, Keiji Hirabayashi, Koji Teranishi, Yusuke Owaki
  • Patent number: 9481141
    Abstract: The device for embossing wrapping foils comprises an embossing roller and two counter-rollers, one of which is driven via a drive, the embossing and the counter-rollers being designed in a pinup-pinup configuration, at least the embossing roller having teeth that project from the roller cylinder in the so-called pinup-pinup configuration and the teeth being pyramidal or conical and at least partly also serving for driving the counter-rollers, whereby the embossing roller and counter-rollers are designed for embossing logos on a foil strip and, for being utilizable in an online process, comprise means to avoid a pitching movement of the embossing roller independently of the number and length of gaps in or between logos and of the width of the foil strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Boegli-Gravures SA
    Inventor: Charles Boegli
  • Patent number: 9476123
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for continuous manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture onto a moving element at a rate effective to allow gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture on the moving element; and cooling the formed gel thereby reducing the rate of solvent evaporation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ASPEN AEROGELS, INC.
    Inventors: George L. Gould, Kevin A. Schmidt, Christopher L. Marlette, Shahrooz Zaghi
  • Patent number: 9474286
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meal mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mold cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mold cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mold a molded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the molded three-dimensional product from the mold cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the molded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STORK TITAN B.V.
    Inventors: Hendricus F. Van Der Eerden, Barend J. Beijaard, Cornelis L. Verhoeven, Dirk Meskendahl
  • Patent number: 9457501
    Abstract: A resin molding is provided. A main body is comprised of 100 parts by weight of thermoplastic resin and 0.1 to 4 parts by weight of bright material having the aspect ratio of 30 to 50. A main body has a design surface formed with a groove. The lower limit of the depth of the groove is set to 0.3 mm and the upper limit of the depth of the groove is set to 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nagashima, Hisashige Uebayashi
  • Patent number: 9440373
    Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James Anthony Feldman, Jacob George, Nadezhda Pavlovna Paramonova, Michael Dean Seymour
  • Patent number: 9403328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Hafenrichter, John Ralph Hull