Patents by Inventor John Murray Thornton, III

John Murray Thornton, III 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: 11540408
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Charles B. Woodhull, Bryan Patrick Kiple, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan, Julie Hanchak-Connors, John Murray Thornton, III, Thomas Johannessen, Peter Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe, Napthaneal Y. Tan
  • Patent number: 9725819
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jude Mary Runge, Patrick S. Wieler, John Murray Thornton, III, Max A. Maloney
  • Publication number: 20160330852
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth BROWNING, Charles B. WOODHULL, Bryan Patrick KIPLE, David A. PAKULA, Tang Yew TAN, Julie HANCHAK-CONNORS, John Murray THORNTON, III, Thomas JOHANNESSEN, Peter RUSSELL-CLARKE, Masashige TATEBE, Napthaneal Y. TAN
  • Patent number: 9420713
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Charles B. Woodhull, Bryan Patrick Kiple, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan, Julie Hanchak-Connors, John Murray Thornton, III, Thomas Johannessen, Peter Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe, Napthaneal Y. Tan
  • Publication number: 20150093563
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jude Mary Runge, Patrick S. Wieler, John Murray Thornton, III, Max A. Maloney
  • Publication number: 20130319866
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Julie Hanchak-Connors, John Murray Thornton, III
  • Publication number: 20130319865
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Charles B. Woodhull, Bryan Patrick Kiple, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan, Julie Hanchak-Connors, John Murray Thornton, III, Thomas Johannessen, Peter Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe, Napthaneal Y. Tan