Patents by Inventor Clete Culp
Clete Culp 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).
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Publication number: 20230356264Abstract: Methods for controlling the sorting and sequencing of objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving sensor data of a plurality of dental appliances, each dental appliance associated with an identifier including (a) group data indicating a group to which the dental appliance belongs, and (b) sequence data indicating a sequential position for the dental appliance within the group. The method can include controlling a sorting cell to direct each dental appliance into one of a plurality of buffer locations based on the group data for the dental appliance, where each buffer location is configured to hold a set of dental appliances belonging to the same group; and controlling a sequencing cell to sequence the set of dental appliances associated with each buffer location by placing each dental appliance into a position within the corresponding set of dental appliances based on the sequence data for the dental appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Patent number: 11752523Abstract: Methods for sorting and sequencing objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of objects, each object associated with an identifier including group data identifying a group to which the object belongs, and sequence data identifying a sequential position for the object within the group. The method can include determining the group data and the sequence data for each object by reading the identifier associated with the object; sorting the plurality of objects by directing each object into one of a plurality of buffer locations based on the group data for the object; and sequencing the set of objects associated with each buffer location by placing each object into a position within the corresponding set of objects based on the sequence data for the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Patent number: 11564784Abstract: A system includes an orientation determination system comprising a camera where the camera is configured to capture an image of an orientation feature of a physical dental model of a dental arch of a customer with material thermoformed thereon. The orientation determination system is configured to identify an offset of the physical dental model with respect to a fixture plate during positioning or before or after the physical dental model is positioned on the fixture plate by determining an actual orientation of the physical dental model based on the orientation feature. The system also includes a laser trimming system configured to cut the material along a trim line based on the identified offset while the fixture plate is moved about at least two axes to produce a dental aligner specific to the customer and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the customer.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPVInventors: Clete Culp, Jordan Katzman, Steve Cicurel, Christopher Yancey
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Patent number: 11358323Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPVInventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
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Publication number: 20220126327Abstract: Methods for sorting and sequencing objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of objects, each object associated with an identifier including group data identifying a group to which the object belongs, and sequence data identifying a sequential position for the object within the group. The method can include determining the group data and the sequence data for each object by reading the identifier associated with the object; sorting the plurality of objects by directing each object into one of a plurality of buffer locations based on the group data for the object; and sequencing the set of objects associated with each buffer location by placing each object into a position within the corresponding set of objects based on the sequence data for the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Patent number: 11288410Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking a dental aligner. A method for marking a dental aligner includes receiving a digital model corresponding to a dental aligner. The digital model includes a dental arch comprising a plurality of teeth. The method further includes determining whether a section of teeth on a right side or a left side of the dental arch includes flatter occlusal surfaces and selecting the section with the flatter occlusal surfaces, identifying surfaces on the teeth of the selected section that are flat relative to other surfaces on the teeth of the selected section, determining a line of best fit between the flat surfaces, and marking the dental aligner with a marking based on the line of best fit.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPVInventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Clete Culp
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Patent number: 11247242Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Patent number: 11007042Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking models for dental aligner fabrication. A method for producing a physical model of teeth including a three-dimensional marking includes receiving a first digital model of teeth in an alignment position and selecting a location for marking a physical model of the teeth in the alignment position with a three-dimensional marking, the physical model to be fabricated based on the first digital model. The method also includes generating a second digital model of the teeth in the alignment position based on the first digital model, the second digital model representing the physical model and including the three-dimensional marking at the marking location, and using a three-dimensional fabrication method to fabricate the physical model including the three-dimensional marking from the second digital model.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPVInventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Daniel Pfeffer, Clete Culp
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Publication number: 20210045854Abstract: A system includes an orientation determination system comprising a camera where the camera is configured to capture an image of an orientation feature of a physical dental model of a dental arch of a customer with material thermoformed thereon. The orientation determination system is configured to identify an offset of the physical dental model with respect to a fixture plate during positioning or before or after the physical dental model is positioned on the fixture plate by determining an actual orientation of the physical dental model based on the orientation feature. The system also includes a laser trimming system configured to cut the material along a trim line based on the identified offset while the fixture plate is moved about at least two axes to produce a dental aligner specific to the customer and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the customer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Clete Culp, Jordan Katzman, Steve Cicurel, Christopher Yancey
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Publication number: 20200398315Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Publication number: 20200316841Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
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Patent number: 10766055Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Publication number: 20200257766Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking a dental aligner. A method for marking a dental aligner includes receiving a digital model corresponding to a dental aligner. The digital model includes a dental arch comprising a plurality of teeth. The method further includes determining whether a section of teeth on a right side or a left side of the dental arch includes flatter occlusal surfaces and selecting the section with the flatter occlusal surfaces, identifying surfaces on the teeth of the selected section that are flat relative to other surfaces on the teeth of the selected section, determining a line of best fit between the flat surfaces, and marking the dental aligner with a marking based on the line of best fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Clete Culp
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Publication number: 20200246119Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking models for dental aligner fabrication. A method for producing a physical model of teeth including a three-dimensional marking includes receiving a first digital model of teeth in an alignment position and selecting a location for marking a physical model of the teeth in the alignment position with a three-dimensional marking, the physical model to be fabricated based on the first digital model. The method also includes generating a second digital model of the teeth in the alignment position based on the first digital model, the second digital model representing the physical model and including the three-dimensional marking at the marking location, and using a three-dimensional fabrication method to fabricate the physical model including the three-dimensional marking from the second digital model.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Daniel Pfeffer, Clete Culp
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Patent number: 10688710Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
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Publication number: 20200147856Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
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Patent number: 10624722Abstract: Systems and methods for laser trimming dental aligners include a model positioning system, an orientation determination system, and a laser trimming system. The model positioning system receives a physical dental model with a material thermoformed thereto. The dental model includes an orientation feature. The model positioning system moves the dental model to a position where the orientation feature is viewable by a camera. The camera captures an image of the orientation feature. The orientation determination system identifies an offset of the dental model by determining an actual orientation of the dental model based on the image of the orientation feature. The laser trimming system cuts the material from the dental model along a trim line while the fixture plate is moved about at least two axes relative to the laser trimming system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Clete Culp, Jordan Katzman, Steve Cicurel, Christopher Yancey
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Patent number: 10482192Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking a dental aligner. A method for marking a dental aligner includes receiving a digital model corresponding to a dental aligner. The digital model includes a dental arch comprising a plurality of teeth. The method further includes determining whether a section of teeth on a right side or a left side of the dental arch includes flatter occlusal surfaces and selecting the section with the flatter occlusal surfaces, identifying surfaces on the teeth of the selected section that are flat relative to other surfaces on the teeth of the selected section, determining a line of best fit between the flat surfaces, and marking the dental aligner with a marking based on the line of best fit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Clete Culp
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Patent number: 10315353Abstract: A system includes a heating system, a forming system, a conveyor system, and a plurality of thermoforming assemblies for supporting a dental mold and a thermoforming material. The heating system includes a first heater to heat the thermoforming material when proximate the first heater, a second heater configured to heat the thermoforming material when proximate the second heater, and a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the thermoforming material when the thermoforming material is proximate either of the first heater and the second heater. The forming system includes an actuator and a pressure system to compress the heated thermoforming material to the dental mold. The conveyor system moves the plurality of thermoforming assemblies in a stepwise movement sequence from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: SmileDirectClub LLCInventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
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Publication number: 20190039100Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanely E. Sankaran