Patents by Inventor Michael R. Houston
Michael R. Houston 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: 7173089Abstract: This invention is directed to a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and, optionally, an initiator, which compositions are semi-solid-like prior to curing and induce low shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The partially polymerized nature of the precursor mixtures also allows extremely impact-resistant objects/articles to be fabricated. Other desirable engineering property attributes can similarly be achieved via the judicious blending of starting ingredients in formulating the polymerizable (curable) mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: ZMS, LLC.Inventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Patent number: 7093936Abstract: This disclosure describes a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a reactive plasticizer and an initiator, optionally also including a dead polymer, which compositions are semi-solid-like and induce little shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The articles of the invention have a surface and an interior core, the composition of the surface material being distinct from the composition of the core material while at the same time the surface and the core are an integral, monolithic entity. In addition, the articles are dimensionally stable and exhibit high fidelity replication.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Patent number: 6874885Abstract: This invention is directed to a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and, optionally, an initiator, which compositions are semi-solid-like prior to curing and induce low shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The partially polymerized nature of the precursor mixtures also allows extremely impact-resistant objects/articles to be fabricated. Other desirable engineering property attributes can similarly be achieved via the judicious blending of starting ingredients in formulating the polymerizable (curable) mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Publication number: 20040266941Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polymeric moldings, such as medical device moldings and optical and ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses and intraocular lenses. The invention also relates to a polymeric precursor mixture useful in polymeric moldings and to methods of making and using the polymeric precursor mixture. The semi-solid polymerizable precursor mixture comprises (i) a polymer blend, wherein the polymer blend consists of at least two dissimilar prepolymers or at least one prepolymer and a dead polymer, (ii) at least one non-reactive diluent; and (iii) optionally, at least one reactive plactisizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino, David S. Soane
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Patent number: 6821458Abstract: This disclosure describes a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and an initiator, which compositions are semi-solid-like prior to curing and induce low shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The partially polymerized nature of the precursor mixtures also allows extremely impact-resistant objects/articles to be fabricated. Other desirable engineering property attributes can similarly be achieved via the judicious blending of starting ingredients in formulating the polymerizable (curable) mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Publication number: 20040197562Abstract: This disclosure describes a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a reactive plasticizer and an initiator, optionally also including a dead polymer, which compositions are semi-solid-like and induce little shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The articles of the invention have a surface and an interior core, the composition of the surface material being distinct from the composition of the core material while at the same time the surface and the core are an integral, monolithic entity. In addition, the articles are dimensionally stable and exhibit high fidelity replication.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Publication number: 20040131872Abstract: The present invention is directed to photochromic parts, objects, and articles and to methods for preparing them. The articles of the inventions have at least two layers, at least one of which is loaded with a photochromic dye. The layers are made of either the same or different materials. At least one of the layers is formed form a semi-solid polymerizable material, which comprises a reactive plasticizer and, optionally, a dead polymer, and, when used as the photochromic layer, further comprises a photochromic dye. The remaining layer(s) may be formed from liquid resins or additional semi-solid polymerizable materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2004Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Shaobin Fan, Michael R. Houston, David S. Soane
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Patent number: 6749779Abstract: This disclosure describes a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a reactive plasticizer and an initiator, optionally also including a dead polymer, which compositions are semi-solid-like and induce little shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The articles of the invention have a surface and an interior core, the composition of the surface material being distinct from the composition of the core material while at the same time the surface and the core are an integral, monolithic entity. In addition, the articles are dimensionally stable and exhibit high fidelity replication.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Patent number: 6746632Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macromolecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation of the polymeric constituents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing, to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation locked in place.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino, David S. Soane
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Patent number: 6733700Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macro-molecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer or a prepolymer, a reactive plasticizer or a diulent, and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation of the polymeric constitutents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation locked in place.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino, David S. Soane
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Publication number: 20030212208Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macromolecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer or a prepolymer, a reactive plasticizer or a diulent, and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation of the polymeric constitutents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing, to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation locked in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino, David S. Soane
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Patent number: 6638984Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermo-expandable microspheres and to the expanded microballoons, microcellular foam or foamed composite material that results upon heating the microspheres. The thermo-expandable microsphere of the present invention is characterized by having a polymeric wall surrounding one or more pockets or particles of blowing agent or propellant within the microsphere. The polymeric wall may have reactive functional groups on its surface to give a fusible microsphere. When the microspheres are heated, they expand to form microballoons comprising polymeric shells surrounding one or more internal gaseous voids, and when the microspheres are expanded while in contact with each other, a microcellular foam may be formed. The foam consists of a plurality of microballoons fused together, optionally aided by functional groups present on the surface of the heated microspheres that act to crosslink the material.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Nano-Tex, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston
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Patent number: 6617364Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermo-expandable microspheres and to the expanded microballoons, microcellular foam or foamed composite material that results upon heating the microspheres. The thermo-expandable microsphere of the present invention is characterized by having a polymeric wall surrounding one or more pockets or particles of blowing agent or propellant within the microsphere. The polymeric wall may have reactive functional groups on its surface to give a fusible microsphere. When the microspheres are heated, they expand to form microballoons comprising polymeric shells surrounding one or more internal gaseous voids, and when the microspheres are expanded while in contact with each other, a microcellular foam may be formed. The foam consists of a plurality of microballoons fused together, optionally aided by functional groups present on the surface of the heated microspheres that act to crosslink the material.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Nano-Tex, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston
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Patent number: 6570714Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for making composite articles, including optical lenses, which includes the steps of obtaining a substrate; placing a semi-solid-like polymerizable composition in contact with at least one of the front or back surface of the substrate; compressing or heating the resulting semi-solid/substrate sandwich between two mold halves, where the mold contacting the semi-solid polymerizable material has a desired surface geometry; and exposing the semi-solid/substrate sandwich to a source of polymerizing energy. The resulting composite article has the desirable characteristics of the substrate but is also easily fabricated as a result of the semi-solid molding process. Also included within the present invention is a composite article comprising a substrate portion and at least one layer of a cured resin bonded to the substrate portion, the cured resin comprising an interpenetrating crosslinked polymer network of reactive plasticizer within a dead polymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Publication number: 20030020870Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polymeric moldings, such as medical device moldings and optical and ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses and intraocular lenses. The invention also relates to a polymeric precursor mixture useful in polymeric moldings and to methods of making and using the polymeric precursor mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston
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Publication number: 20030008931Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermo-expandable microspheres and to the expanded microballoons, microcellular foam or foamed composite material that results upon heating the microspheres. The thermo-expandable microsphere of the present invention is characterized by having a polymeric wall surrounding one or more pockets or particles of blowing agent or propellant within the microsphere. The polymeric wall may have reactive functional groups on its surface to give a fusible microsphere. When the microspheres are heated, they expand to form microballoons comprising polymeric shells surrounding one or more internal gaseous voids, and when the microspheres are expanded while in contact with each other, a microcellular foam may be formed. The foam consists of a plurality of microballoons fused together, optionally aided by functional groups present on the surface of the heated microspheres that act to crosslink the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Nano-Tex, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston
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Publication number: 20030008932Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermo-expandable microspheres and to the expanded microballoons, microcellular foam or foamed composite material that results upon heating the microspheres. The thermo-expandable microsphere of the present invention is characterized by having a polymeric wall surrounding one or more pockets or particles of blowing agent or propellant within the microsphere. The polymeric wall may have reactive functional groups on its surface to give a fusible microsphere. When the microspheres are heated, they expand to form microballoons comprising polymeric shells surrounding one or more internal gaseous voids, and when the microspheres are expanded while in contact with each other, a microcellular foam may be formed. The foam consists of a plurality of microballoons fused together, optionally aided by functional groups present on the surface of the heated microspheres that act to crosslink the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Nano-Tex, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston
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Publication number: 20020190408Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macromolecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation of the polymeric constituents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing, to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation locked in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: ZMS, LLCInventors: Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino, David S. Soane
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Publication number: 20020132928Abstract: This invention is directed to a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and, optionally, an initiator, which compositions are semi-solid-like prior to curing and induce low shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The partially polymerized nature of the precursor mixtures also allows extremely impact-resistant objects/articles to be fabricated. Other desirable engineering property attributes can similarly be achieved via the judicious blending of starting ingredients in formulating the polymerizable (curable) mixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino
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Publication number: 20020128395Abstract: This invention is directed to a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and, optionally, an initiator, which compositions are semi-solid-like prior to curing and induce low shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The partially polymerized nature of the precursor mixtures also allows extremely impact-resistant objects/articles to be fabricated. Other desirable engineering property attributes can similarly be achieved via the judicious blending of starting ingredients in formulating the polymerizable (curable) mixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Applicant: ZMS, LLCInventors: David S. Soane, Michael R. Houston, Toshiaki Hino