Patents by Inventor Hao A. Chen

Hao A. Chen 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).

  • Publication number: 20250243673
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet including at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer including at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet include a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250243674
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet including at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer including at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet include a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250243675
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet including at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer including at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet include a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250207411
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet including at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer including at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet include a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2025
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Patent number: 12281482
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: VÄLINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20240191518
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Patent number: 11795701
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20220341189
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Patent number: 11359387
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20210115680
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Patent number: 10704269
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen
  • Patent number: 10486399
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank includes a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core includes at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. An underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Hao A. Chen, Richard Judd
  • Patent number: 9695601
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20160194885
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: VÄLINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. CHEN
  • Patent number: 9315994
    Abstract: Methods and systems for decorating at least one bevel surface or other surface of a laminated flooring are described. The bevel surface can be decorated by non-transfer printing such as digital printing. The digital printer can be an ink jet printer such as a piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) printer that allows a color and pattern to be placed on the bevel surface that matches the print design (décor pattern or face design) of the laminated flooring. Other devices are provided such as a device that takes a picture of or scans an image of the print design, and modifies the taken picture or the scanned image so that the edge pattern thereof matches with an edge pattern of the print design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Mannington Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20160052245
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank includes a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core includes at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. An underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Hao A. CHEN, Richard JUDD
  • Publication number: 20150225964
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank includes a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core includes at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. An underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Hao A. CHEN, Richard JUDD
  • Publication number: 20140352248
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: John M. WHISPELL, Hao A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20140356594
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank includes a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core includes at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. An underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Hao A. CHEN, Richard JUDD
  • Patent number: 8833028
    Abstract: Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: John M. Whispell, Hao A. Chen