Patents by Inventor Christopher Bruni

Christopher Bruni 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).

  • Patent number: 10953433
    Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
  • Patent number: 10897825
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Publication number: 20200221583
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Patent number: 10617016
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Publication number: 20190291133
    Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
  • Patent number: 10350634
    Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
  • Publication number: 20190208648
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Patent number: 10264685
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Publication number: 20180160551
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Patent number: 9907191
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Patent number: 9710023
    Abstract: Perforated structures and methods for forming perforated structures are disclosed. The perforated structures include partial holes or blind-holes that pass partially through the substrate. The partial holes can be positioned proximate to through-holes that pass entirely through the substrate. The partial holes add mechanical strength to the perforated substrate. Described are methods for modifying the optical appearance of the partial holes such that the partial holes appear indistinguishable from the through-holes, which allows for flexibility in designing cosmetically appealing patterns within the perforated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Jason O. Mettler, Hilbert T. Kwan, Christopher Bruni, Qi Tian, Jing Zhang, Howard E. Bujtor, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Houtan R. Farahani
  • Publication number: 20170094811
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
  • Publication number: 20170028438
    Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
  • Publication number: 20160202732
    Abstract: Perforated structures and methods for forming perforated structures are disclosed. The perforated structures include partial holes or blind-holes that pass partially through the substrate. The partial holes can be positioned proximate to through-holes that pass entirely through the substrate. The partial holes add mechanical strength to the perforated substrate. Described are methods for modifying the optical appearance of the partial holes such that the partial holes appear indistinguishable from the through-holes, which allows for flexibility in designing cosmetically appealing patterns within the perforated structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Jason O. Mettler, Hilbert T. Kwan, Christopher Bruni, Qi Tian, Jing Zhang, Howard E. Bujtor, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Houtan R. Farahani