Patents Examined by Nahida Sultana
  • Patent number: 11713367
    Abstract: A resin composition useful for additive manufacturing is provided, which resin composition may exhibit improved shelf life through inhibition of crystallization. Such resin composition may include a crystallization inhibitor as taught herein, and/or a prepolymer produced by reaction of an isocyanate with multiple isomers and comprising a lower percentage of the structurally symmetric isomer. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object using such resin composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Lu, Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 11712496
    Abstract: Decellularized matrix microspheres comprising a polymeric material and a donor tissue are provided. Also disclosed are structures containing a plurality of decellularized matrix microspheres incorporating a first polymer and a donor tissue; and a second polymer, wherein the decellularized matrix microspheres and the second polymer are in the form of a filament. Methods of treating a tissue injury employing the matrix microspheres and structures described as well as their methods of manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: University of Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: Chia-Ying James Lin, Stacey Gruber, Patrick W. Whitlock, Paulomi Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11707882
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for adding line features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the line features may include wires, conduits and electronic components. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway in line features, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the line features may be dynamically colored with LED components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Robert A. Flitsch, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 11707887
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for a sole structure of an article of footwear includes providing a printer having a platform, a first head that receives a first feed, and a second head that receives a second feed. The method further includes printing a base layer on the platform, with the base layer comprising a substrate material and defining a longitudinal axis. Additionally, the method includes printing a first fiber layer continuously on the base layer, with the first fiber layer defining a first fiber orientation that is disposed at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and printing a second fiber layer continuously on the first fiber layer, the second fiber layer defining a second fiber orientation that is disposed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The first angle is different from the second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PUMA SE
    Inventor: Christopher Dunning
  • Patent number: 11701823
    Abstract: A method is provided of making an upper for an article of footwear, the method including applying a liquid to select portions of a first substrate sheet of material, applying a powder to the first substrate sheet of material, applying suction to the first substrate sheet of material in order to remove the powder from portions of the first substrate sheet of material that are not coated with the liquid to form a selectively powdered sheet of material, applying additional liquid, additional powder, and additional suction to additional substrate sheets of material to form a stack of selectively powdered sheets of material, using compression and heat to join the stack of selectively powdered sheets of material into a partially cured structure, and removing uncured portions of sheet material from the partially cured structure leaving a cured structure. Different portions of the cured structure can have different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventor: James Webster
  • Patent number: 11697730
    Abstract: In various aspects, reinforced composite filaments, methods of making reinforced composite filaments, and methods of producing reinforced composite filament are all provided herein. The reinforced composite filaments can include a thermoplastic polymer matrix having dispersed therein reinforcing fibers composed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. In some aspects, the thermoplastic polymer matrix is chosen such that a processing temperature for the thermoplastic polymer matrix is below a melting temperature of the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. In some aspects, the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is chosen such that a solidification temperature of the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is below an upper processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer matrix. The filaments can be used for fused deposition manufacturing of a variety of parts, especially for the automotive and other industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Baird, Mubashir Q. Ansari, Craig D. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 11691320
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding a foam pad with a wire assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a mold bowl operably coupled to a mold lid to define a mold cavity therebetween. The mold bowl includes a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from and encircling the bottom surface. A plurality of wire holders extend inwardly from and are spaced around the peripheral wall for vertically positioning the wire assembly within the mold cavity. A holding element, such as an arcuate recess, is disposed along an upper ledge of at least one of the wire holders for horizontally positioning the wire assembly within the mold cavity. The mold cavity receives a foam material for filling the mold cavity and surrounding the wire assembly to form the foam pad with the wire assembly embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventors: Christopher John Meurer, Ricky Brown, Bryan Keith Caskey, Russel Eugene Strang
  • Patent number: 11685095
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher David Dyrlund, Gary Robert Burg, Hongbing Chen
  • Patent number: 11678958
    Abstract: A dental appliance made of an olefin polymer is directly formed via rapid prototyping without the use of an intermediary physical mold. A polymer precursor solution includes one or more olefin-containing monomers and/or oligomers, an olefin polymerization catalyst, and a UV absorbing agent to limit penetration of the UV light through the polymer precursor solution. One or more reactions of the polymer precursor solution are modulated in response to UV light, and the polymer precursor solution may further include an inhibitor (quenching agent) configured to modulate those reactions. The polymer precursor solution can be deposited using UV-cured stereolithographic or 3D printing methods to form appliances exhibiting improved elongation at break characteristics and suitable stress resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ARCHFORM INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Martz, Martin Martz
  • Patent number: 11673323
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a green body part comprises depositing a layer of a powder on a working surface; and selectively depositing a binder solution comprising a thermoplastic binder, a fluorescent material, and a binder medium into the layer of powder in a pattern representative of a structure of a layer of the green body part. The thermoplastic binder comprises one or more polymer strands dissolved in a solvent medium having an average molecular weight from greater than or equal to 7,000 g/mol to less than or equal to 100,000 g/mol. Binder solutions comprising fluorescent material and green body parts adhered together using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arunkumar Natarajan, Joshua Tyler Mook, Kwok Pong Chan, William C. Alberts, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 11666972
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of sophisticated chemical formulation and spectroscopic design methods to select taggants compatible with the 3D print medium that are easily detected spectroscopically but otherwise compatible with the product, structural integrity and stability, and aesthetics. A spectral pattern employs a different chemical or combination of chemicals to alter the formulation of all or some portion of the printed object so that its authenticity can be monitored later using a spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: VERRANA, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Ritchie, Rebecca Maksimovic, Sharon Flank, William Flank
  • Patent number: 11670509
    Abstract: A template for imprint lithography can include a body. The body can include a base surface and have a recession extending from the base surface lying along a base plane, the recession including a main portion having a tapered sidewall. In a particular embodiment, the recession includes an intermediate portion having an intermediate sidewall. The intermediate sidewall is rounded or at least part of the intermediate sidewall lies at a different angle as compared to an average tapered angle of the main portion. In another aspect, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a patterned resist layer having a tapered sidewall over a substrate having device layers; patterning the device layers using the patterned resist layer; and etching portions of at least some of device layers to expose lateral portions of the at least some device layers. The template is well suited for forming 3D memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Byung-Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11660812
    Abstract: A modular system for performing additive manufacturing of an object includes at least two additive manufacturing devices, each having a housing with two slots on lateral sides to accommodate a manufacturing tray; a printer head and axis system; and a movement mechanism. A control module is operatively coupled to each of the at least two additive manufacturing devices. The control module is configured to control the at least two additive manufacturing devices to arrange the manufacturing tray in a first of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; print a part of the object on the manufacturing tray arranged in the first additive manufacturing device; move the manufacturing tray having the partially manufactured object to a second of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; and print a remaining part of the object on the manufacturing tray to complete the additive manufacturing of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Brinter Oy
    Inventors: Tomi Kalpio, Marko Piira
  • Patent number: 11654615
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) object with an additive manufacturing system, comprising a step consisting in printing layers of the 3D object from the part material comprising a polymeric component comprising, based on the total weight of the polymeric component: from 5 to 95 wt. % of at least one polymer (P1) comprising at least 50 mol. % of recurring units (R1) consisting of an arylene group comprising at least one benzene ring, each recurring unit (R1) being bound to each other through C—C bonds, wherein the recurring units (R1) are such that, based on the total number of moles of recurring units (R1):less than 90 mol. % are rigid rod-forming arylene units (R1-a), and at least 10 mol. % are kink-forming arylene units (R1-b), and from 5 to 95 wt. % of at least one polymer (P2), having a glass transition temperature (Tg) between 140° C. and 265° C., and no melting peak, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ASTM D3418.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Stéphane Jeol, Nancy J. Singletary, Ryan Hammonds, Hai Van, David B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11649312
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making (meth)acrylate blocked polyurethanes with zirconium catalysts, dual cure resins containing (meth)acrylate blocked polyurethanes and zirconium catalysts, methods of using the same in additive manufacturing, and products made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Gordon Wright
  • Patent number: 11642850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a component (9) by means of stereolithography, having the steps of: A) generating a component (9) in accordance with a virtual 3D model of the component (9) by curing a liquid plastic (7) using stereolithography, and B) cleaning the component (9) through at least one rotational movement of the component (9) about an axis of rotation or about multiple axes of rotation, wherein residues of the liquid plastic (7) are removed from the surface of the component (9) by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotational movement. The invention also relates to a 3D printing system for implementing such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Kulzer GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Hendrik Diez, Abdullah Zary, Roger Ritzel
  • Patent number: 11643563
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for three-dimensional printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Orlin D. Velev, Sangchul Roh
  • Patent number: 11643566
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, such as powder bed fusion of thermoplastic particulates, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes. It is sometimes desirable to form conductive traces upon the surface of printed objects. Conductive traces and similar features may be introduced during additive manufacturing processes by incorporating a metal precursor in a thermoplastic printing composition, converting a portion of the metal precursor to discontinuous metal islands using laser irradiation, and performing electroless plating. Suitable printing compositions may comprise a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a metal precursor admixed with the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles disposed upon an outer surface of each of the thermoplastic particulates, wherein the metal precursor is activatable to form metal islands upon exposure to laser irradiation. Melt emulsification may be used to form the thermoplastic particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 11628624
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and robots for multi-layer prepreg composite sheet layup. The method includes obtaining a dataset including start and end point pairs of a mold of the 3D part. The method includes generating a layup sequence based on the dataset and generating multiple trajectories for one or more movements of the first robot or the first robot arm based on the layup sequence. The method includes causing a second robot or a second robot art to hold or grasp the prepreg layer or sheet a threshold distance above the mold or the 3D part. The method includes causing the first robot or the first robot arm to place or conform the prepreg layer or sheet to the mold of the 3D part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Rishi Malhan, Timotei Centea, Satyandra Gupta, Ariyan Kabir, Brual Shah, Aniruddha Shembekar
  • Patent number: 11628622
    Abstract: A profilometer provides, to a controller, a feedback signal indicative of topography of an exposed surface of an object that is being manufactured by a 3d printer. The profilometer includes an emitter and a camera. The emitter illuminates a region of surface of the object with a pattern having an edge that defines a boundary of an illuminated portion of the surface. The camera receives an image that transitions between a first state in which the edge is visible in the image at a location that is indicative of the surface's depth and a second state in which the edge is not visible at all. From this second state, the controller obtains information representative of a depth of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Inkbit, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Weber, Desai Chen, Harrison Wang, Gregory Ellson, Wojciech Matusik