Patents by Inventor Lance Roberts

Lance Roberts 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: 12275191
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include adjusting an environmental temperature while rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects according to a dynamic temperature profile that facilitates removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The dynamic temperature profile can include (a) a first temperature configured to decrease a viscosity of the excess material, and (b) a second temperature configured to increase a stiffness of the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Patent number: 12263620
    Abstract: Implementations describe systems and methods for manufacturing and performing quality assessment of dental appliances. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a dental appliance comprises receiving, at a holder, a feature of the dental appliance, the feature comprising a first surface having a first shape, wherein the holder holds the feature of the dental appliance at a reference position. The method further includes automatically placing an object against the feature at the reference position using a robot arm, wherein the object comprises a second surface having a second shape that mates with the first shape. The method further includes applying pressure to press the object against the feature of the dental appliance and bonding the object to the feature of the dental appliance while applying the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Nishimuta, Enrique Soltero Borrego, Enrique Jonathan Guzman Olivas, Jun Sato, Kevin Daniel Rodriguez Trujillo, Jose Kiyotaka Blanco Romo, Erick Enriquez de Anda, Lance Robert Pickens, Wesly Wong, Gabriela Perez Vallejo, Carlos Alberto Garcia Carmona, Omar Barraza Alvarez, Miguel Angel Hurtado Soltero
  • Patent number: 12240176
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include receiving sensor data indicative of a cleaning status of the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can further include adjusting, based on the sensor data, an operational parameter that enhances removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20240218085
    Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Blaine CARTER, Jennifer CHAVEZ, Lance Robert PICKENS, Michael Christopher COLE, Peter DORFINGER, Yan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240198595
    Abstract: Systems for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a rotor configured to support a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon, an actuator configured to spin the rotor so as to remove the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects, and an energy source configured to apply energy to the plurality of additively manufactured objects to selectively alter a material property of a portion of each of the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Patent number: 11977121
    Abstract: Described herein is a device for autonomously monitoring a battery is provided. The device is integrated with the battery (e.g., by being electrically coupled to the battery). The device obtains measurement data by injecting electrical signals into the battery and measuring an electrical response of the battery. The device participates in an authentication protocol with a computing device to verify a unique identity of the device to the computing device. After performing the authentication protocol verifying the unique identity of the device, the device transmits battery data to the computer. Further, techniques for verifying the identity of the battery using measurement data obtained by the device are described herein. The techniques generate a battery signature using the measurement data that is then used to verify the identity of the battery. For example, the battery signature may be used to determine whether the battery is counterfeit or defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Shane O'Mahony, Narsimh Dilip Kamath, Tze Lei Poo, Gina G. Aquilano, Hemtej Gullapalli, Lance Robert Doherty
  • Patent number: 11945166
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects on a rotor, the plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects via the rotor. The method can further include applying energy to the plurality of additively manufactured objects to cure a portion of each additively manufactured object while the plurality of additively manufactured objects are on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20240100775
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for additive manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes: coupling a plurality of build platforms to a carrier; forming a plurality of 3D objects on the plurality of build platforms using an additive manufacturing process, where each build platform receives at least one 3D object thereon; removing the plurality of build platforms from the carrier; performing post-processing of the plurality of 3D objects while the 3D objects remain on the respective build platforms; and separating the plurality of 3D objects from the respective build platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Förster-Romswinckel, Robert Gmeiner, Otmar Martl, Oliver Kesel, Bernhard Busetti, Markus Kury, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Shawn Stromenger, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Lance Robert Pickens
  • Publication number: 20240091906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing additively manufactured objects are described herein. In some embodiments, for example, a system includes a controller configured to provide one or more control signals; a heater coupled to the controller, where the heater comprises one or more heating elements arranged to heat a blasting medium in response to the one or more control signals; a chamber coupled to the controller, where the chamber comprises an agitatable drum shaped to receive a plurality of additively manufactured objects, and to agitate the plurality of additively manufactured objects in response to the one or more control signals; and an applicator coupled to the controller, where the applicator comprises a nozzle operative to direct, in response to the one or more control signals, a plurality of thermally conductive particles in the blasting medium toward the plurality of additively manufactured objects within the agitatable drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Paramjot Singh, Lance Robert Pickens, Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 11851510
    Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine Carter, Jennifer Chavez, Lance Robert Pickens, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 11735151
    Abstract: Mechanical methods for temporarily securing or stopping the pickup selector switch of an electronically amplified string musical instrument with multiple electromagnetic pickups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Lance Robert McCormick
  • Publication number: 20230191702
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects on a rotor, the plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects via the rotor. The method can further include applying energy to the plurality of additively manufactured objects to cure a portion of each additively manufactured object while the plurality of additively manufactured objects are on the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Patent number: 11670263
    Abstract: Sonic improvement for all stringed instruments that employ a fulcrum tremolo bridge system with back of instrument counter tensioning springs. The improvement is provided by securing springs to claw assembly, as well as securing claw assemble to a flat plate of material which is in turn secured to instrument body. The claw and resonator plate can be fabricated as two individual pieces then fastened together or as a combined one piece assemble that is then fastened to instrument body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Lance Robert McCormick
  • Publication number: 20230158716
    Abstract: Implementations describe systems and methods for manufacturing and performing quality assessment of dental appliances. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a dental appliance comprises receiving, at a holder, a feature of the dental appliance, the feature comprising a first surface having a first shape, wherein the holder holds the feature of the dental appliance at a reference position. The method further includes automatically placing an object against the feature at the reference position using a robot arm, wherein the object comprises a second surface having a second shape that mates with the first shape. The method further includes applying pressure to press the object against the feature of the dental appliance and bonding the object to the feature of the dental appliance while applying the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: James Nishimuta, Enrique Soltero Borrego, Enrique Jonathan Guzman Olivas, Jun Sato, Kevin Daniel Rodriguez Trujillo, Jose Kiyotaka Blanco Romo, Erick Enriquez de Anda, Lance Robert Pickens, Wesly Wong, Gabriela Perez Vallejo, Carlos Alberto Garcia Carmona, Omar Barraza Alvarez, Miguel Angel Hurtado Soltero
  • Publication number: 20230134234
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include adjusting an environmental temperature while rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects according to a dynamic temperature profile that facilitates removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The dynamic temperature profile can include (a) a first temperature configured to decrease a viscosity of the excess material, and (b) a second temperature configured to increase a stiffness of the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230133005
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of containers configured to receive a plurality of additively manufactured object having excess material thereon. The system can include a rotor having a central shaft and a plurality of arms, each arm having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of each arm can be coupled to the central shaft and a second end of each arm can be coupled to a respective container of the plurality of containers. The system can also include an actuator configured to spin the rotor so as to remove the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The system can further include at least one heat source carried on the rotor to heat the excess material to decrease a viscosity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230137027
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include receiving sensor data indicative of a cleaning status of the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can further include adjusting, based on the sensor data, an operational parameter that enhances removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20220165240
    Abstract: Mechanical methods for temporarily securing the pickup selector switch of an electronically amplified string musical instrument with multiple electromagnetic pickups into anyone of its available position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Lance Robert McCormick
  • Publication number: 20220139360
    Abstract: Sonic improvement for all stringed instruments that employ a fulcrum tremolo bridge system with back of instrument counter tensioning springs. The improvement is provided by securing springs to claw assembly, as well as securing claw assemble to a flat plate of material which is in turn secured to instrument body. The claw and resonator plate can be fabricated as two individual pieces then fastened together or as a combined one piece assemble that is then fastened to instrument body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Lance Robert McCormick
  • Publication number: 20220139359
    Abstract: Ergonomic improvement for stringed musical instrument arrived at though the creation of a multi plane body; or neck body joining; that causes the repositioning of instrument's neck finger board radius crown in relation to performers body reducing curvature of wrist, extension of tendons, and effort required to fret notes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Lance Robert McCormick