Patents by Inventor Michael Christopher Cole
Michael Christopher Cole 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: 11106135Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Publication number: 20210220087Abstract: An appliance comprises a passive component and an active force generating component, in which the active force generating component is configured to react to a stimulus and generate tooth movement forces. In some embodiments, the passive component is configured to deflect when placed on one or more teeth and generate tooth movement forces, which are combined with tooth movement forces of the force generating component. In some embodiments, the passive component comprises a polymer which is less reactive to the stimulus than the force generating component. The force generating component can be configured to increase force to one or more teeth at an appropriate time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Avi KOPELMAN, Chunhua LI, Michael Christopher COLE, Blaine CARTER, Matthew DURBAN
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Publication number: 20210147672Abstract: This disclosure provides polymeric materials comprising polymer crystals, methods and resins for making the same, and objects and appliances made from said polymeric materials. Polymeric materials having polymer crystals provide favorable properties, such as enhanced durability and rigidity. This disclosure also provides polymeric materials comprising a crystalline phase comprising at least one polymer crystal, as well as an amorphous phase comprising at least one amorphous polymer. The crystalline phase can confer rigidity to the polymeric material, while the amorphous phase can confer elasticity and flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Michael Christopher COLE, Jennifer Chavez
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Publication number: 20210077225Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Sriram VENKATASANTHANAM, Ramin HEYDARPOUR, John Y. MORTON, Jun SATO, Michael Christopher COLE, Mehdi MOJDEH, Prashanth VANCHY, Natalia Lysaya POWERS, Sibel NARIN, Jeremy RILEY
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Publication number: 20210078357Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Sriram VENKATASANTHANAM, Ramin HEYDARPOUR, John Y. MORTON, Jun SATO, Michael Christopher COLE, Mehdi MOJDEH, Prashanth VANCHY, Natalia Lysaya POWERS, Sibel NARIN, Jeremy RILEY
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Publication number: 20210030516Abstract: Strategies that reduce shrinkage and ultimately warping of parts that are directly fabricated from photopolymer resins. This increases the accuracy of directly fabricated parts, which is essential for patient specific applications. Implementing these strategies can reduce the need for directly fabricated parts to have supporting structures, which can reduce pre-processing and post-processing steps and facilitate an easier route for production level scale of additive manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Siobhan O'LEARY, Peter WEBBER, Michael Christopher COLE
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Publication number: 20210023857Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Patent number: 10899146Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Publication number: 20210011385Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Patent number: 10788753Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Publication number: 20200254785Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Publication number: 20200241420Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Publication number: 20200214598Abstract: According to the techniques herein, one or more sensors coupled to an aligner are used to sense one or more physical qualities of the aligner to determine whether the physical qualities indicate that the aligner material has relaxed and has, e.g., reduced the force systems applied to teeth and/or that the teeth movement for the stage has slowed down. The sensors may provide a signal that represents whether or not the physical qualities fall below a threshold value. A treatment plan may be modified if needed. These techniques have the potential to make treatment plans faster and more effective by speeding up some stages while making sure some, perhaps other, stages are implemented only after the teeth are near the appropriate position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Huizhong Li, Andrew Jang, Michael Christopher Cole, Yuxiang Wang, Jun Sato, Allen R. Boronkay
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Publication number: 20200171848Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Patent number: 10668745Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Publication number: 20200086553Abstract: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing includes heating a photo-curable material and extruding the photo-curable material from a nozzle to form a first layer of an object according to a digital file, wherein the first layer has a first shape specified by the digital file, and wherein the first shape has a first minimum line width based on a diameter of the nozzle. The method further includes directing a light beam onto the first layer according to the digital file or an additional digital file to cure a portion of the first layer, wherein the cured portion of the first layer has a second shape, wherein the second shape may comprise features that are smaller than the first shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Mehdi Mojdeh, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Shiva P. Sambu
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Patent number: 10589545Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Publication number: 20200064739Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventor: Michael Christopher COLE
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Patent number: 10495973Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
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Patent number: 10471741Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole