Patents by Inventor James C. Culp
James C. 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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Patent number: 10421152Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20190240771Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventor: James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20190160590Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: James C. Culp
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Patent number: 10195690Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20160332255Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventor: James C. Culp
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Patent number: 9403238Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20150314520Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Yevgeniy Sirovskiy, James C. Culp
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Patent number: 9108338Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yevgeniy Sirovskiy, James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20130073071Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Align Technology,Inc.Inventor: James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20120261847Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yevgeniy Sirovskiy, James C. Culp
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Patent number: 8155780Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated adjustment of the position of a cutting tool when cutting dental aligner material includes using a computer for generating digital data that define (a) a first cutting angle in a labial cutting area along a dynamic cutting curve, (b) a second cutting angle in a lingual cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve, and (c) a third cutting angle in a back molar cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve. The cutting tool is automatically moved from the labial cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing a cutting tool angle from the first cutting angle to the third cutting angle. The cutting tool is also automatically moved from the lingual cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing the cutting tool angle from the second cutting angle to the third cutting angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
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Patent number: 7905408Abstract: In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Steven Shifman
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Patent number: 7840373Abstract: A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Artem Borovinskih, Eric Kuo
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Publication number: 20100173266Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinskih, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
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Patent number: 7711447Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
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Publication number: 20100006640Abstract: In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Steven Shifman
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Patent number: 7611058Abstract: Mass-customized parts are identified by encoding part identification information into a multi-dimensional bar code, wherein mass-customization machinery, such as stereolithography apparatus, is used to make the parts with the multi-dimensional bar code embedded therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James C. Culp, Kwan Ho, Shiva Prasad Sambu, Srinivas Kaza, Craig E. Farren, Samuel J. Kass, Sergey Nikolsky
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Patent number: 7604181Abstract: In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Steven Shifman
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Patent number: 7572121Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing dental aligners. The system includes a workpiece introduction system having at least one workpiece preparation chamber. The system further has a mold manipulation system, having a mold introduction chamber, where a series of different molds may be introduced one after the other; a mold preparation chamber; a workpiece operation chamber; and a mold manipulator to move the mold between the mold introduction chamber, the mold preparation chamber, and the workpiece operation chamber; and a workpiece manipulator to move the workpiece between the workpiece preparation chamber and the workpiece operation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roman Wrosz, James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren
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Publication number: 20080300824Abstract: A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Artem Borovinskih, Eric Kuo