Patents by Inventor Eric L. Bruner

Eric L. Bruner 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: 12381122
    Abstract: Coated electronic components of a circuit assembly are provided, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the electronic component with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa; such that only lead frames are exposed. Also provided are electronic components of a circuit assembly, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, one or more leads extending from the coated electronic component, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The encapsulating plastic coating layer is applied to the electronic component and the moisture barrier coating layer is applied on top of the entire encapsulating plastic coating layer on all sides, such that only the leads are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner
  • Publication number: 20250135670
    Abstract: Surface-treated cutting blades are provided, comprising: (a) a metal cutting blade body; and (b) a self-assembled monolayer formed from an alkoxysilane and/or organophosphonic acid. The surface-treated cutting blades may further comprise one or more layers formed from chrome, tantalum, titanium, an aqueous solution of a metal salt, and/or an organometallic compound, applied between the cutting blade and the self-assembled monolayer. Also provided is a method of reducing deposition of a contaminant on a surface of metal cutting blade, comprising: (a) contacting the surface either directly or through an intermediate organometallic layer with a fluorinated material in a diluent; (b) forming a film on the surface; and (c) exposing the cutting blade to the contaminant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Majid Monji, Justin Hardin, Edward Hughes, Qian He, Gloria Zarate
  • Publication number: 20250105107
    Abstract: Electronic circuit packages are provided comprising: (a) at least one metal leadframe having a surface; (b) a surface treatment coating applied to the surface of the at least one metal leadframe to form at least one coated leadframe; and (c) an encapsulating polymeric layer that is molded over portions of the at least one coated leadframe. The surface treatment coating comprises: (1) a single-layer repellency coating applied to the surface of the at least one metal leadframe; or (2) a two-layer repellency coating comprising: (i) a first layer deposited from an aqueous solution of a metal salt, applied to the surface of the at least one metal leadframe; and (ii) a repellency layer applied to the first layer. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of mold flash from epoxy mold compound to a metal leadframe surface during manufacture of an electronic circuit package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. BRUNER, Eric L. Hanson, Andres Hanau, Majid Monji, Mario Gattuso
  • Publication number: 20240421116
    Abstract: Integrated circuit assemblies are provided comprising: (a) a carrier substrate; (b) an electronic circuit component attached to the carrier substrate; (c) an epoxy resin disposed between the electronic circuit component and the carrier substrate or encapsulating the electronic circuit component; and (d) an epoxy barrier applied to the carrier substrate and surrounding the electronic circuit component. The epoxy barrier comprises a polymer having a surface energy less than that of the epoxy resin. Also provided is a method for epoxy resin containment on a substrate comprising: (a) applying the epoxy barrier described above to the substrate around a perimeter within which the epoxy resin is to be applied; and (b) applying the epoxy resin within the perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. BRUNER, Eric L. Hanson, Andres Hanau, Gloria Zarate
  • Publication number: 20240198301
    Abstract: The present invention provides eductors comprising: a component having a metal surface: and a hydrophobic surface layer applied thereto, directly or through an intermediate layer. The surface layer comprises a self-assembled monolayer prepared from a fluorinated material having the structure: wherein A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, p is 1 to 20, and Z is an acid group or an acid derivative. Also provided is a method of reducing deposition of a friction reducer on a metal surface of a component of an eductor, comprising: contacting the surface with a fluorinated material in a diluent, wherein the fluorinated material has the structure above; forming a film on the metal surface; and introducing the friction reducer into the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Majid Monji, Elizabeth Cambre, Edward Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240200428
    Abstract: The present invention provides treated gravel pack screens comprising a metal surface and a hydrophobic surface layer applied thereto, directly or through an intermediate layer. The surface layer comprises a self-assembled monolayer prepared from a fluorinated material having the structure: wherein A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, p is 1 to 20, and Z is an acid group or an acid derivative. Also provided is a method of reducing deposition of a contaminant on a metal surface of a gravel pack screen, comprising: contacting the surface with the above fluorinated material in a diluent, directly or through an intermediate layer; forming a hydrophobic surface layer on the surface; and introducing a fluid through the gravel pack screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Majid Monji, Elizabeth Cambre, Edward Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240200726
    Abstract: The present invention provides treated, transportable ISO tanks comprising an interior metal surface and a hydrophobic surface layer applied thereto, directly or through an intermediate layer. The surface layer comprises a self-assembled monolayer prepared from a fluorinated material having the structure: wherein A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, p is 1 to 20, and Z is an acid group or an acid derivative. Also provided is a method of reducing deposition of a friction reducer on a surface of an apparatus that stores or transports the same, comprising: contacting the surface with the above fluorinated material in a diluent, directly or through an intermediate layer; forming a film on the surface; and introducing the friction reducer therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Majid Monji, Elizabeth Cambre, Edward Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240199968
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing friction on a surface of an apparatus that stores or transports a gas, comprising: (a) contacting the surface either directly or through an intermediate organometallic layer with a fluorinated material in a diluent, wherein the fluorinated material has the following structure: wherein A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, p is 1 to 20, and Z is an acid group or an acid derivative; (b) forming a hydrophobic surface layer on the surface; and (c) introducing the gas into the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Majid Monji, Elizabeth Cambre, Edward Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240142039
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240091715
    Abstract: A membrane separation system is provided comprising at least two membranes in series. A first membrane in the series is oleophobic and comprises: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) an oleophobic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the substrate. A second membrane in the series is hydrophilic. The second membrane may comprise a hydrophilic porous substrate, and/or the second membrane further comprises a hydrophilic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the second membrane substrate. Also provided are methods of separating aqueous emulsions, comprising: (i) contacting an aqueous emulsion with the membrane separation system described above; and (ii) allowing water in the emulsion to permeate through the membrane separation system to yield an aqueous product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Edward Hughes
  • Patent number: 11867342
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230311070
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface-treated membranes comprising: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) a coating layer applied to the substrate. The coating layer is formed from a surface treatment composition comprising: (i) a first component comprising an organic solvent; and (ii) a second component comprising a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond. The present invention is further drawn to a method of preparing a surface-treated filtration membrane, comprising: (a) contacting a porous substrate with a first component of a surface treatment composition, wherein the first component comprises an organic solvent; (b) subsequently contacting the porous substrate with a second component of the surface treatment composition, wherein the second component comprises a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond; and (c) subjecting the porous substrate to a temperature of 25 to 90° C. for 1 to 180 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230274995
    Abstract: Coated electronic components of a circuit assembly are provided, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the electronic component with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa; such that only lead frames are exposed. Also provided are electronic components of a circuit assembly, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, one or more leads extending from the coated electronic component, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The encapsulating plastic coating layer is applied to the electronic component and the moisture barrier coating layer is applied on top of the entire encapsulating plastic coating layer on all sides, such that only the leads are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. HANSON, ERIC L. BRUNER
  • Publication number: 20230226261
    Abstract: Methods of altering the surface energy of components of a mesh nebulizer are provided, comprising: a) depositing a metal surface layer on surfaces of the component; b) forming a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid directly on the metal surface layer or indirectly on the metal surface layer through an intermediate organometallic coating; and either: i) removing select areas of the hydrophobic coating layer to expose the metal surface layer; or ii) forming a polymeric coating layer chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer that are capable of initiating polymer growth when exposed to a source of polymerizable monomer, on select areas of the components. Mesh nebulizers formed by such methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230173436
    Abstract: Water permeable coated substrates and filtration membranes are provided comprising: (a) a porous substrate; (b) an optional primer layer applied to a substrate surface (a), wherein the primer layer comprises silica and/or an organometallic compound; (c) a superhydrophilic coating layer applied to the porous substrate (a), or the primer layer (b), wherein the superhydrophilic layer comprises a superhydrophilic polymer or silicate; and (d) an optional tie layer applied to the superhydrophilic coating layer (c), wherein the tie layer comprises silica and/or an organometallic compound. The water permeable coated substrates and filtration membranes may further include (e) an oleophobic coating layer applied to the superhydrophilic coating layer (c), or the tie layer (d), wherein the oleophobic coating layer comprises a fluoropolymer having reactive functional groups. Each layer of the coated substrate is covalently bonded to adjacent layers. Methods of separating an oil-in-water emulsion are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Bruner
  • Publication number: 20210404594
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11099212
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric L Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20210108091
    Abstract: Coated articles are provided comprising: (a) a substrate that demonstrates electrical conductivity, wherein the substrate is an electronic component of a circuit assembly; (b) a moisture barrier coating layer; and (c) an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the surface of the substrate with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. HANSON, ERIC L. BRUNER
  • Patent number: 10759884
    Abstract: Film-forming compositions are provided comprising: (a) a zwitterionic-functional polymer; and (b) an organometallic compound. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of an organic substance to a substrate and methods of treating a siliceous or metal (M) oxide-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well using the film-forming compositions described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20200256892
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: ERIC L BRUNER, ERIC L. HANSON