Patents by Inventor Christopher Michael Rhoads

Christopher Michael Rhoads 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: 9822028
    Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
  • Patent number: 9216924
    Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
  • Publication number: 20150321943
    Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
  • Publication number: 20150259236
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous edge separation in a continuous process for a ribbon of flexible brittle material such as a thin ribbon of glass is disclosed wherein an initial flaw or score is formed in the ribbon. The initial flaw is turned into a crack that propagates continuously throughout the processing of the ribbon. The cracking itself results in no material loss. After cracking, the cut side edge is routed along a path different than the interior quality region to avoid contact damage between the quality region and the edge portion. The quality region can be provided for further processing or be stored. The flexible, brittle ribbon can be sourced from a hot forming device or from a roll (spool) of substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20140130649
    Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method comprises the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
  • Publication number: 20130126576
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous edge separation in a continuous process for a ribbon of flexible brittle material such as a thin ribbon of glass is disclosed wherein an initial flaw or score is formed in the ribbon. The initial flaw is turned into a crack that propagates continuously throughout the processing of the ribbon. The cracking itself results in no material loss. After cracking, the cut side edge is routed along a path different than the interior quality region to avoid contact damage between the quality region and the edge portion. The quality region can be provided for further processing or be stored. The flexible, brittle ribbon can be sourced from a hot forming device or from a roll (spool) of substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads