Patents by Inventor John Christopher Thomas

John Christopher Thomas 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: 20180362400
    Abstract: A sealed article and methods of making the same. The sealed article includes a first and second glass pane. The first and second glass panes include inner surfaces opposite outer surfaces and at least one outer edge. The second glass pane is spaced apart from and positioned substantially parallel to the first glass pane with a low emissivity layer there between. An seal is formed between the first and second glass panes contiguous the low emissivity layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander Mikhailovich Streitsov, John Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180297886
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Brennan Timothy Michael
  • Patent number: 10086584
    Abstract: Surface modification layers and associated heat treatments, that may be provided on a sheet, a carrier, or both, to control both room-temperature van der Waals (and/or hydrogen) bonding and high temperature covalent bonding between the thin sheet and carrier. The room-temperature bonding is controlled so as to be sufficient to hold the thin sheet and carrier together during vacuum processing, wet processing, and/or ultrasonic cleaning processing, for example. And at the same time, the high temperature covalent bonding is controlled so as to prevent a permanent bond between the thin sheet and carrier during high temperature processing, as well as maintain a sufficient bond to prevent delamination during high temperature processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Alan Bellman, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Robert George Manley, Prantik Mazumder, Theresa Chang, Jeffrey John Domey, Darwin Gene Enicks, Vasudha Ravichandran, Alan Thomas Stephens, II, John Christopher Thomas
  • Patent number: 10077204
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product along with a process and an apparatus for strengthening a glass sheet are provided. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 10014177
    Abstract: Methods for making electronic devices on thin sheets bonded to carriers. A surface modification layer and associated heat treatments, may be provided on a sheet, a carrier, or both, to control both room-temperature van der Waals (and/or hydrogen) bonding and high temperature covalent bonding between the thin sheet and carrier during the electronic device processing. The room-temperature bonding is controlled so as to be sufficient to hold the thin sheet and carrier together during vacuum processing, wet processing, and/or ultrasonic cleaning processing, during the electronic device processing. And at the same time, the high temperature covalent bonding is controlled so as to prevent a permanent bond between the thin sheet and carrier during high temperature processing, during the electronic device processing, as well as maintain a sufficient bond to prevent delamination during high temperature processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Alan Bellman, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Robert George Manley, Prantik Mazumder, Theresa Chang, Jeffrey John Domey, Darwin Gene Enicks, Vasudha Ravichandran, Alan Thomas Stephens, II, John Christopher Thomas
  • Patent number: 10005691
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product along with a process and an apparatus for strengthening a glass sheet are provided. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 9975801
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product along with a process and an apparatus for strengthening a glass sheet are provided. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 9957190
    Abstract: Embodiments of thermally and chemically strengthened glass-based articles are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the glass-based articles may include a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t), a first CS region comprising a concentration of a metal oxide that is both non-zero and varies along a portion of the thickness, and a second CS region being substantially free of the metal oxide of the first CS region, the second CS region extending from the first surface to a depth of compression of about 0.17·t or greater. In one or more embodiments, the first surface is flat to 100 ?m total indicator run-out (TIR) along any 50 mm or less profile of the first surface. Methods of strengthening glass sheets are also disclosed, along with consumer electronic products, laminates and vehicles including the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Philip Finkeldey, Linda Gaskill, Timothy Michael Gross, Peter Joseph Lezzi, Richard Orr Maschmeyer, Charlene Marie Smith, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20170335466
    Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of precision holes in a substrate by drilling, including affixing a sacrificial cover layer to a surface of the substrate, positioning a laser beam in a predetermined location relative to the substrate and corresponding to a desired location of one of the plurality of precision holes, forming a through hole in the sacrificial cover layer by repeatedly pulsing a laser beam at the predetermined location, and pulsing the laser beam into the through hole formed in the sacrificial cover layer. A work piece having precision holes including a substrate having the precision holes formed therein, wherein a longitudinal axis of each precision hole extends in a thickness direction of the substrate, and a sacrificial cover layer detachably affixed to a surface of the substrate, such that the sacrificial cover layer reduces irregularities of the precision holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Domey, John Tyler Keech, Xinghua Li, Garrett Andrew Piech, Arie Bruce Shorey, Paul John Shustack, John Christopher Thomas
  • Patent number: 9802853
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for making the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 9783448
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product along with a process and an apparatus for strengthening a glass sheet are provided. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 9776905
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for producing the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Patent number: 9758876
    Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of precision holes in a substrate by drilling, including affixing a sacrificial cover layer to a surface of the substrate, positioning a laser beam in a predetermined location relative to the substrate and corresponding to a desired location of one of the plurality of precision holes, forming a through hole in the sacrificial cover layer by repeatedly pulsing a laser beam at the predetermined location, and pulsing the laser beam into the through hole formed in the sacrificial cover layer. A work piece having precision holes including a substrate having the precision holes formed therein, wherein a longitudinal axis of each precision hole extends in a thickness direction of the substrate, and a sacrificial cover layer detachably affixed to a surface of the substrate, such that the sacrificial cover layer reduces irregularities of the precision holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aric Bruce Shorey, Garrett Andrew Piech, Xinghua Li, John Christopher Thomas, John Tyler Keech, Jeffrey John Domey, Paul John Shustack
  • Publication number: 20170240453
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping glass structures, comprising a shaping mold; a magnetic field generator; and a susceptor plate positioned substantially between the shaping mold and the magnetic field generator. Also disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass structures, comprising a magnetic field generator comprising at least one induction coil and a one power supply connected to the at least one induction coil; and a susceptor plate having a first surface proximate the at least one induction coil and an opposing second surface proximate the glass structure. Further disclosed herein are methods for heating glass structures, comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping mold; introducing the shaping mold and glass structure into a furnace; and indirectly heating at least a portion of the glass structure using at least one induction heating source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, Anurag Jain, John Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170217821
    Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of an optical fiber is provided that includes the steps of: providing an energy transfer member configured to accept or provide thermal energy, the energy transfer member defines an energy transfer surface; passing an optical fiber proximate the energy transfer member such that a gap is defined between the optical fiber and the energy transfer surface; and transferring thermal energy between the optical fiber and the energy transfer member via conduction across the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20170197384
    Abstract: Embodiments of thermally and chemically strengthened glass-based articles are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the glass-based articles may include a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t), a first CS region comprising a concentration of a metal oxide that is both non-zero and varies along a portion of the thickness, and a second CS region being substantially free of the metal oxide of the first CS region, the second CS region extending from the first surface to a depth of compression of about 0.17·t or greater. In one or more embodiments, the first surface is flat to 100 ?m total indicator run-out (TIR) along any 50 mm or less profile of the first surface. Methods of strengthening glass sheets are also disclosed, along with consumer electronic products, laminates and vehicles including the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: John Philip Finkeldey, Linda Gaskill, Timothy Michael Gross, Peter Joseph Lezzi, Richard Orr Maschmeyer, Charlene Marie Smith, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20170197870
    Abstract: Embodiments of thermally and chemically strengthened glass-based articles are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the glass-based articles may include a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t), a first CS region comprising a concentration of a metal oxide that is both non-zero and varies along a portion of the thickness, and a second CS region being substantially free of the metal oxide of the first CS region, the second CS region extending from the first surface to a depth of compression of about 0.17·t or greater. In one or more embodiments, the first surface is flat to 100 ?m total indicator run-out (TIR) along any 50 mm or less profile of the first surface. Methods of strengthening glass sheets are also disclosed, along with consumer electronic products, laminates and vehicles including the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: John Philip Finkeldey, Linda Gaskill, Timothy Michael Gross, Peter Joseph Lezzi, Richard Orr Maschmeyer, Charlene Marie Smith, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20170081237
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass structure comprising a shaping mold; a radiation heating source; and a radiation shield, wherein the radiation shield is positioned substantially between the radiation source and the glass structure and wherein the radiation shield comprises an outer wall defining a cavity having a first opening disposed to face the glass structure and a second opening disposed to face the radiation heating source. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass structure comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping mold; introducing the shaping mold and glass structure into a furnace comprising a radiation heating source; and heating the glass structure, wherein a radiation shield is positioned substantially between the glass structure and the radiation heating source. Methods and systems employing multiple, e.g., concentric, radiation shields are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John Joseph Costello, III, Anurag Jain, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, John Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160207821
    Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for making the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Lezzi, Richard Orr Maschmeyer, John Christopher Thomas, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20160145139
    Abstract: A system and method for bending one or more thin glass structures. The system includes heating, bending and cooling zones, each having a plurality of modules aligned and connected to each other to define elongated tunnels, wherein adjacent heating modules are separated from each other by a furnace door. A conveyance mechanism carries the one or more thin glass structures through the modules via the elongated tunnels. Each of the modules include one or more heating elements, each heating element being independently controllable by element or set of elements as a function of a temperature profile for the one or more thin glass structures. The temperature profile can be determined as a function of temperature on the one or more thin glass structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Michele Fredholm, Anurag Jain, Michael John Moore, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas